Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“See you,”
“See you, too.”
The call ended and Natalie stood straight with a deep sigh, before slipping the small phone into the pocket of her dress. It was time to get back to work.
Natalie was walking in the hospital’s hallway when she spotted a stranger raising a photo and talking to one of the nurses on duty. Call it instinct, but Natalie knew instantly that something was not right.
So when the nurse’s gaze flickered to her and she saw the uncertainty there, Natalie knew at once, Daniel was here.
Her Birth
Damn it, Natalie cursed inwardly as she quickly hid inside one of the rooms before the man could see her. It was a good thing the patient was deep asleep so there was no questioning why she was creeping around.
This was all her fault, Natalie blamed herself. She got too comfortable in this city and now she was in trouble. She shouldn’t have gotten attached to this place, but inwardly, Natalie knew that she was just tired of running and hiding away. She needed a bit of stability in her life.
Natalie leaned against the wall, peering through the small glass in the middle of the sliding door. She only hoped that the nurse did not give her away, or else it was over for her. Natalie couldn’t tell how long she held her breath, but when she watched the man pass through the hallway without coming her way, she finally breathed.
That was close.
However, it was not over.
If Daniel tracked her down here, that means there was more than just one of his people looking for her. The blood drained from her face when she remembered that Edward was on his way here.
Oh no, he can’t come.
If Daniel finally knows that he’s the reason he has been unable to find her throughout the years, then Edward was equally in trouble as well, if not worse. While Natalie was sure that Daniel wouldn’t kill her right away – he would probably want to torture her a bit before he decides what to do with her for the trouble she caused him – the same couldn’t be said for Edward.
If anything, her punishment would begin with Edward. And killing Edward was not just punishment for her, it was equivalent to ripping her heart out while she was alive. It was agony. In simple words, Edward can’t come.
…..
At once, Natalie hurriedly picked up her phone and tried to call Edward, but the line wasn’t connecting which could only mean one thing, he was already on his way. Natalie wasn’t a genius, but the number of calculations she had ongoing in her head could even put the world genius record to shame.
Natalie calculated the time it takes to get to the hospital from their place and it was thirty minutes and a little over an hour if there was traffic. At that moment, she began to pray to God, Budda, anyone or anything that would cause enough traffic that would stop Edward from coming.
She went over every possible plan in her head, thought of Daniel’s modus operandi, and calculated their chances of handling this and the outcome was bleak. She was pregnant and needed to find a way out of the hospital.
However, as if the future couldn’t get any bleaker, she felt a sharp pain across her belly and gasped slightly. Looking down to discover that she just wet her pants… no, she didn’t wet her pants, her amniotic fluid just broke. She was going into labor!
But she wasn’t due until the next two weeks. Unless the great stress she was experiencing caused forced labor, Natalie knew about her body well as a nurse.
“This is bad, bad,” Natalie tried to calm herself down. She was going into labor and this was not the place or time for it. Daniel can’t know about her baby else it’s over for her. He would control and threaten her with her child. She can’t let him find out.
Natalie was still thinking when the first contraction hit her and she bit down on her lips to stifle her scream. God, she wanted to escape from here first, but the baby was an impatient one.
There was no way she could leave the hospital now, or else she might give birth on the way and Natalie didn’t want to put herself in such a helpless situation. She needed to find somewhere where even Daniel’s men wouldn’t be able to find her
So she went through the patient’s wardrobe and Natalie found a scarf she used to cover her face. If Daniel’s men were here, they were probably hoping to take her by surprise. Natalie doesn’t know how they found her considering she was with a fake identity, but she guessed her occupation put her at risk. The fact they didn’t raid her home first means they knew she was a nurse and she might have ignorantly treated one of their own.
Natalie moved as quickly as she could, but it was still not enough. There was a dull ache in her back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis, and all she wanted to do was sit down and relieve the pleasure, but she couldn’t stop now. She needed to get there.
“Please, baby, have mercy on me,” She pleaded with her, and as if the child was listening in the first place, Natalie felt instant relief, enough to get her to the hospital’s changing room.
The instant Natalie got to the shower, a strong contraction hit her so hard that tears slipped from her eyes. She was in true labor and she could already feel the baby forcing its way out.
It was a miracle that she didn’t bump anyone in the way, hence Natalie folded the scarf into a smaller piece and forced it into her mouth to keep her from biting down on her tongue and drawing unnecessary attention. Attention was the last thing she wanted now.
Had anyone told Natalie that she would give birth in this situation, she would have never believed it. She and Edward had made plans and he would be by her side when they welcomed their child into this world. But she was all alone.
Natalie wanted to call Edward one more time, however, she could not think or talk during the labor. The pain was driving her crazy and all that mattered to her was to give birth to the child. Edward would see her daughter later.
Hence, with one long deep breath and grunt, Natalie pushed her child out and the baby’s cries reverberated across the room.
Her baby was finally here.
Thus, Rhea was born.
Tell Her That I Love Her
Natalie finally had her baby in her arms but it wasn’t over yet. She heard movements from the outside and her heart began to pound louder. As a woman who just gave birth, Natalie didn’t have the strength to move, she hasn’t even cut the umbilical cord yet – she didn’t exactly think about that one in her haste to give birth.
Hence, she was as helpless as a sheep in front of a ravenous wolf when the shadow fell over her and she glanced up nervously only to see….
“Holy, fucking God… Selene!” The nurse she had been covering up her shift exclaimed in shock at the scene. It was not every day that she gets to see a hospital staff give birth in a shower.
How was this even possible? Why didn’t she alert people and give birth in the labor room? There were just so many questions running through her head.
Selene was the fake name Natalie used in this place and she was relieved to see that it was a familiar face and not one of Daniel’s people.
“The cord,” Natalie mumbled weakly and that was when the woman called Ruth realized that there was so much work to be done.
And yes, this was the woman who would be later known in later years as Ruth Nickerson and the owner of the animal clinic. The world is a small place indeed.
Ruth helped her get rid of the umbilical cord and placenta and also took care of the baby she now covered with warm clothing while Natalie freshened up.
Natalie felt much stronger after the warm shower she had taken in a haste and made herself presentable. There was no more time to waste.
…..
“What’s going on Selene? No, is Selene even your real name?” She rephrased her question. Ruth said, “There are some people outside asking about you. They called you Natalie and honestly I don’t know what to believe anymore,”
“What did you tell them?” Natalie asked hurriedly, her eyes roving around the room as if they would burst in anytime soon.
“I didn’t tell them anything, however, the others could have spilled already, moreover, they’re with the police…” Ruth stopped and looked at Natalie unsure, “Perhaps, are you a criminal?” She couldn’t trust her anymore.
“Of course not! Do I look like a criminal to you?” Natalie hoped she wouldn’t turn on her.
“I don’t know!” Ruth threw her hands up in the air, “It’s not like the word criminal is written on your forehead. I just don’t know what or who to believe anymore, Selene or Natalie?” She was conflicted inwardly.