Looking down I examine his every detail. His soft olive skin, thick brown hair with golden highlights painted delicately across the tips, and almond shaped eyes balancing perfectly on either side of his adorable pudgy nose. His features bring to my mind a mixture of joy intermingling with painful memories. The similarities are absolutely uncanny. His sweet hand opens up, revealing his long, delicate fingers. Placing my finger into the palm of his hand, he instinctively wraps his fingers tightly around mine.
“I am a single mother also. You will be fine,” the nurse utters softly.
“I hope. He came into this world under unfair circumstances. I pray that an angelic soul will be sent to help us.”
“Do you have any other family here besides the man who left?”
A slight snort pushes through my nose, “He’s not family. He’s not even a friend. I barely know him. He is just an arrogant jerk that is in one of my classes. I have no one. I am a stranger in a foreign land.” Looking up into her eyes I add, “I am completely alone.”
“Wow. Why did you come here then, especially being pregnant? Shouldn’t you be with the baby’s father or at least your family?”
“I should, but that scenario is only in my dreams. The real world has a much harsher plan for me. I am only here to keep a promise.”
Enveloping Noah in my secure arms, I press him tightly against me, noticing that he is beginning to fall asleep.
“Remember, dreams are the kindling to hope. And with hope and faith anything is possible,” she adds, stroking Noah’s hair delicately.
“I guess,” I skeptically sigh.
“And what about the arrogant jerk? There is definitely something resonating between you both, it is blatant. The way you wouldn’t let go of him, nor was he about to leave you, either. And, well, let’s just point out the obvious kiss between you both. He appears to be more than just someone you barely know.”
“There is nothing between us. It was just a heat of the moment kiss,” I state flatly, trying to hide the fact that I actually enjoyed it. During the moments of my labor and frantic delivery, his chivalry and kindness formed a bond linking us together, like oil and water emulsifying, creating an inseparable union. But that too is just a dream. Besides, I would be cheating on my heart and that I can never do.
“Not blooming likely, but you can just go on fooling yourself,” she states blatantly. “I better let you rest while you have a chance to, because once he is awake you will be entering the world of Zombieland.” A sarcastic laugh escapes her, “Would you like me to take your baby to the nursery so you can sleep?”
“No! I don’t want him leaving my side!” Realizing the intensity in my voice I instantly tone it down, “Thank you, though.”
“If you need anything just give me a buzz,” she states, pointing to the call button on the side of the bed.
Extreme exhaustion flows over me as I listen to the slow, soft breaths Noah is making. My breathing begins to mirror his as I gaze out the window. I watch how the rippling rivulets of raindrops hit different areas of the glass, yet roll towards each other like magnets, combining their forces as they stream down the glass. As I examine this paradox, a hypnotic state slowly consumes me, sending my languid body deeper and deeper into a state of relaxation.
A quiet sense of peace floats throughout the room as my mind dances around the reality of being a mother. As I silently soak in all the details of Noah’s face I can hear boisterous cries of joy from the people in the room next to me. The myriad of elated comments piercing through the wall sends a sensation of tremendous loneliness to conquer my mind. All the comments seem to be coming from family members who are completely overjoyed for the blest couple.
This is a joyous day for me also, but there is no one here to share it with. Out of my peripheral vision I notice the phone sitting ominously on the
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