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I fight through the sobs catching in my throat and hold my daughter close to my heart. I’ll never forget her. I’ll never forget the kicks, the hiccups, the routine appointments where I got to see her on the screen or hear her heartbeat. It’s all ingrained into my heart. Nothing will ever make me forget her.
“I’ve got you, babe.”
“I never thought about names because I knew I’d never get to keep her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have no proof, but I suspect Colton knew the other babies were girls too.” I shrug. “I never told him that she was a girl, Clark. I swore I wouldn’t.”
“Sshh! How did you know but he didn’t?” He runs his hand through my hair.
“He didn’t come to appointments with me this time. I went alone. Well, I had an escort to make sure I went where I was supposed to, but they stayed outside in the waiting room. I told him the sonographer couldn’t see what sex the baby was because it was lying in a strange position.”
It’s crazy how much I need Clark to get through this. I tried to forget about him over the years, but it was impossible. He’s buried so deep under my skin that I could never forget what we had. What we felt when we were together.
“She looks just like her mommy,” he whispers in my ear. “What would you like to call her?”
I look at my daughter sleeping peacefully in my arms. She looks delicate. And finally at peace. “Daisy.”
I lean my head back against the pillow and gaze at Clark for his approval. I see tears rolling down his cheeks, and it’s at this moment that I realize this is affecting him as much as it is me.
“I think Daisy is a beautiful name. It really suits her.”
A soft knock on the door breaks our thoughts, and I see a doctor peek his head around the door.
“Sorry to interrupt, but Damien is here, Clark. Can I send him in?”
Clark looks down on me for my answer, and I nod to the doctor. Damien is like Clark. Daisy would have been a part of their lives too if she survived.
“Hi. Oh.” Damien stops at the door when he realizes what he’s walking in on. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I was disturbing…” He points over his shoulder at the door as if he’s going to leave.
“It’s okay. Come in,” I say through my tears.
“Would you like to meet Daisy?” Clark asks Damien, and he nods in her direction.
He walks slowly and quietly over to the side of my bed. He looks down at the baby I have cradled in my arms and touches her tiny head gently.
“She is so precious and beautiful, just like her mom. When you’re ready to lay her to rest, we will help you find the most beautiful spot meant for an angel.”
I clear my throat as every emotion comes to the surface. I’ve never felt kindness and love like this for a long time, but just knowing that Daisy will get a funeral fit for a princess means a lot to me. “Th-thank you.” I stutter. “Did you get my parents to safety?” I ask.
My parents haven’t been my favorite people since they signed me over to Colton, but I don’t want them to lose their lives. I don’t want the last three years to have been for nothing.
“All done. I doubt they’ll need to be gone long. The police seem keen to charge Colton. They’re just closing a few enquiries. They’ll need to speak to you, to get your statement, but the doctor is keeping them away to let you recover.”
I nod. I should be relieved Colton is gone, but I know it isn’t over. It’s far from over.
“What happens now?”
Clark tilts my head to look at him. “We get you better. Nothing else matters. Nancy is setting up a room in my house for you.”
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’m looking forward to getting out of here. Even if I only get a couple of days of normalcy.
“He isn’t going to just let me walk away.”
“We’ll deal with everything. Don’t you worry about a thing.” Clark leans in and kisses my forehead gently.
I nod. It’s a simple gesture, but I have no words to convey what I’m thinking. We haven’t heard the last from Colton. He’ll come back fighting harder than he’s ever fought before. In the meantime, I need to hope and pray that Clark and Damien have what it takes to keep me and my parents safe. They’re all I have.
