CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Too Soon
Reese
I wake up from a dream. Nico was so angry with me in the dream. He was shouting and I was crying. What scared me most in the dream was that I was no longer pregnant and my babies were not in sight.
Tears soak my face as I pop up in bed. When I look down my belly is still there and a little brown hand is resting on it. The sight brings me back to the present. Vita.
She had come back to my room last night to tell me that she was staying with me. She begged Donatella to stay with me. Vita can be one stubborn little girl. Donatella gave in to keep the boys from picking up on what was going on.
In the middle of the night, Vita climbed in bed with me. I was having a bout of insomnia so we stayed up talking for a bit. Her little hand stroked my belly as she talked about Nico being a great papa. I couldn’t do anything but smile. She actually soothed me to sleep.
I smile at the memory and wipe the tears from my face. I slip from the bed and go to use the bathroom. I watch my stomach move; I am in awe every single time it happens.
“Good morning,” I say as I rub my belly.
I go to wipe, but freeze when the tissue comes away covered in a light sticky film. My hand starts to shake and my mind reels. I fight back a whimper.
“No, no, no,” I sob quietly.
A little knock at the door draws my attention. “Zietta Reese, I have to go potty,” Vita calls.
“Okay, honey, one sec,” I say through a trembling voice. I wipe a few more times and come away with pink tissue on the final wipe.
I pull it together and finish up so Vita can use the bathroom. I wash my hands and walk out. Vita kisses my stomach and gives it a pat before she walks into the bathroom.
I rush to my phone that Uri and Michael gave me. I debate on calling Uri first. I sent him a thank you video last night, with a view of my baby bump. I think against calling him knowing he has already returned to the States. I call Michael instead.
I wait and it rings a few times. “Hello,” Sim’s voice comes through the phone.
“Symphony, where is Michael?” I rush.
“You sound distraught, Reese. Please calm down. Michael went out for a run. He has my phone, his needed to charge. Is there something I can help with,” Sim says in the Symphony way that only those that know her understand.
“I’m spotting Sim,” I whimper.
“Oh,” I swear I can hear her thinking. “I will get Michael. Seven and a half months, you can still have a healthy birth at this time. This is not a problem,” Just like that Sim hangs up.
I close my eyes and try to hold on to her words she is right. I haven’t fought this long, come this far to lose now. I have too much at stake. I feel a sharp pain in my back and I realize this is it.
I go within or I do without. So I go in. I clutch the back of the chair next to the desk in my room and I hang on. I lift a hand in the air and I pray. Not just any prayer, but I pray with everything I am.
“Please Lord, not like this. You promised me not like this. Lord, YOU said, that I would not be disappointed again. YOU said that my blessing would come without sorrow. YOU said that if I seek you, nothing would be impossible,” I call out.
“I know my story ends with showing your glory,” I sob. My face is full of tears and I can feel my nose running, but I don’t stop. “Aloboshata, ecoyoboshata, hallelujah, thank you father. You are worthy to be praised. Aloboboboboshata, boboshata, ecolashata.
“I declare and decree my body won’t fail me. I will not know loss again. I will hold this pregnancy, I am healed, I am whole, I am healthy, I am a mother, I am…,” I cry out. “Hear me father. Hear me.”
“Hear us Lord,” I hear Vita’s small sweet voice.
I open my eyes and see her on her knees beside me. Her little eyes are shut and she has her hands clasped in front of her. Her little lips are moving as she rocks from side to side.
“Oh God,” I call out as I am overwhelmed at the sight. I dig deep for strength. My lips tremble as I moan and groan my prayers, no longer able to speak in tongue or utter words, and that’s when I hear it clearly.
It will be well, My daughter.
My knees buckle and I drop to the floor. Michael and Sim rush into room, but I can feel myself going under. I’m not sure if I am fainting or not. I just feel an all-consuming presence come over.
This I do because of your faith.