Sleep Keeper (24 page)

“It’s okay,” he whispered and lightly patted my back.

His voice was soothing and the small circles he made across my shoulders reminded me of how Dad would comfort me when I was a child. My sobs slowed down to snivels and I calmed down. I dropped my arms from my stomach and draped wrapped them around his waist, resting my wet cheek against his chest. The sound of his lungs expanding and contracting with air against my ear, and with the rhythmic movements of his chest, made me think of the ocean. I closed my eyes and thought of the day I was on the boat with Orion. I wish I could go back to that moment, so carefree and naïve, instead of waiting for my world to crumble, again.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Leyland whispered.

I looked up at him and he looked back down with benevolence.

Maybe I should tell him and test his reaction?

“What’s going on here?!” Orion snapped.

I jumped at his tone and Leyland’s hands fell to his sides. He took a quick step back. “It’s not what you think,” he answered.

“Oh, and what was I thinking Leyland,” he responded brusquely.

“I… I don’t know…” Leyland stuttered.

“How dare you touch her - again!” Orion yelled.

“Wait a minute! Are you seriously accusing us of something inappropriate?” I exasperated.

“No, not you, HIM!” Orion scowled.

“Same thing!” I shouted back.

“Orion, if you knew me at all, you would never have said that,” Leyland replied with a sullen face.

“Well, I guess I don’t really know you then, do I?” Orion hollered back.

“Oh, will you stop it Orion, before you say something you’ll regret! Leyland was consoling me!” I explained.

“Consoling you? For what?” he interrogated.

I paused, unsure how to respond.

“Well?” he said impatiently with raised brows.

I didn’t care much for his condescending tone, although given my situation I decided to let it go. I glanced over at Leyland who seemed equally as eager for my answer. I looked back at Orion.

“Because… I’m… pregnant,” I murmured.

Leyland shifted uneasily and quietly moved toward the door.

“What?” Orion said, but I could tell from his eyes that he had heard me.

“I
think
I’m pregnant,” I repeated as I stared at the floor.

“Pregnant? I didn’t know that was even possible,” he gasped.

“Of course it’s possible, I
am
a woman.”

“No, I mean, I didn’t know I
could
get you pregnant since you are, you know, from another world,” he clarified in astonishment.

“Oh God…” I muttered.

“What?” he asked.

“Mitchell…” I mumbled.

“Huh?”

“It’s Mitchell’s,” I said quietly.

On that note, the front door closed. Orion’s face flushed and his mouth hung open.

After a long awkward pause, “Are you… sure?” he asked.

“Well… no, I guess not,” I stammered.

I hadn’t thought that it could be Orion’s. Was that even possible? But my body was never there.

“So you could be carrying my child,” he said with a spark in his eyes.

He swiftly walked over and placed his palm on my belly. I was surprised by his abruptness and moved my hands to my stomach in defense. He chucked and I quickly relaxed, slightly abashed by my reaction.

“Orion, there’s a HUGE chance it isn’t yours,” I whispered shamefully. I wanted to lay all the cards on the table and get it over with.

“No,” he shook his head. “I can feel the life inside of you. Look,” he said and rubbed my stomach.

“I know, I’m already starting to show,” I muttered and pushed his hand away.

“Exactly, you are already starting to show
here
, in this world.”

He had a point. Prior changes in my world didn’t show up in this world, although being pregnant is much different than a scratch or bruise. But maybe my physical appearance here is merely subjective to my subconscious.

“That doesn’t mean it’s yours,” I rebutted.

“I don’t care.”

“You don’t care, what?” I asked.

“I don’t care if it isn’t mine,” he clarified.

“Really?” I gasped. I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not.

“Why do you sound so surprised? I love you, Alexis. Did you think I would abandon you?”

“Well…”

He shook his head. “You really need to learn to trust me more.”

“It’s not about trust…”

“I love you no matter what happens. And, you have a new life growing inside of you. That makes me love you even more. Nothing else matters,” he said avidly.

“But, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. What if…”

“Shhh, don’t. Just let fate take us where it will and we’ll deal with whatever happens as it comes.”

“Wow… I’m speechless. I
must
be dreaming. You truly are amazing.” I admired him more each day.

“I know,” he chortled and gave a wink.

The next day I called the doctor’s office. Since it had been several months since my last period, they were able to squeeze me in that day and confirmed my diagnosis with an ultrasound, twelve weeks pregnant. It was amazing to hear the baby’s racing heartbeat and to see it moving inside of me, like an actual mini person bouncing around. I was surprised to discover that my baby was already two inches long and most of the systems were in place. The more I thought that it could be Orion’s, the more excited about being pregnant I became. Yesterday’s curse was now today’s blessing. On the way home from the doctor’s appointment, I made a detour to the bookstore and bought several books about pregnancy.

Now that I knew I was pregnant, I felt ignorant for not noticing it sooner. I have been out of touch with reality way too much lately. Mom was coming over soon for dinner soon and I wasn’t sure if I should tell her or not. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with whatever level of reaction she would give – pity or excitement… both sound equally unpleasant. But the longer I waited, the more hurt she would be that I kept it from her.

Knock, knock, knock.

I walked over to the peak-hole; speaking of Mom… I swung open the door and was greeted with a smile.

“Hi sweetie,” Mom beamed.

I wondered if I would be this excited to see my child.

“Hi Mom,” I said flatly.

I wondered if he or she would be this unenthusiastic to see me.

Mom came inside carrying a bag of hot food and set it on the breakfast bar. The aroma sent my stomach growling.

“Yum, what’s in there?” I asked.

“Enchiladas.”

“They smell delicious,” I leaned over the container and took a deep breath, letting the sweet scent fill my nostrils.

My mouth watered in accord. Unfortunately, this also sent a quick wave of nausea rolling up my chest and my mouth filled with vomit. I gagged and clenched my jaw to keep it from spewing all over the food. I turned and fell into the sink, releasing the puke over the dirty dishes.

Great…

“Oh my! Are you okay?” Mom gasped.

I rinsed my mouth with water then quickly sprayed down the dishes.

“I’m… fine…” I stuttered and refused to face her.

“Are you sick again?” She took several steps closer.

I sighed and turned around. It only took a moment after I locked my eyes on hers that she figured it out… mother’s intuition, or maybe it was written all over my guilt-ridden face.

“You’re not…” she began, and then looked down at my stomach.

I put my hands on my belly and looked up at her in contrite.

“Are you
pregnant
?” she gulped.

“Twelve weeks. I just found out today,” I answered sheepishly.

“Oh Alexis,” she gasped. Her eyes filled with tears and she jumped forward to embrace me.

I wasn’t quite sure if she was happy or mortified. I left my arms hanging momentarily then raised one hand and swiftly patted her shoulder. “Um, okay Mom.”

She pulled away and smiled with streams of tears smeared across her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say. This is a miracle!”

So… happy it is.

“Now Mitchell can live on and will be with you, always,” she exclaimed.

A sharp pain shot through my chest. “Mom, please don’t,” I rolled my eyes.

“Alexis, it’s okay to be happy for once,” she charged.

“It’s not that,” I countered.

She cut me off and put her hand on my stomach. Was this going to become a habit of everyone? I brushed it off and took a step back.

“Mom, you can’t feel anything yet.”

“Oh Alexis, stop being so melodramatic,” she huffed and walked back toward the food, giving me space.

“I just need some time to digest this,” I answered back.

“Fair enough.”

She accepted my excuse and began serving dinner as I munched on a saltine cracker to settle my stomach.

Later that evening after Mom had left, I curled up in bed, my mind swimming with too many uncertainties. What would happen after the baby is born? Would I see Orion or our world again? Would Orion ever see his child? Would I ever hold my child and lover at the same time? Why did everything have to be so damn complicated all the time? The phone rang and startled me out of my dazed. I reached over the coffee table and grabbed the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi Alexis, its Maggie,” answered the high-pitched voice resonating from the receiver.

“Oh, hi Mrs. Mc. – I mean, Maggie. How are you? Is everything okay?” I glanced over at the clock, realized it was fairly late for a social call.

“It’s wonderful. How are
you
dear?” she asked in excitement.

“Err, fine…”

“I just wanted you to know how excited we are that you’re carrying our grandchild!” she shrieked.

“What?” I answered out of reflex.

“Frank and I have been so depressed since Mitchell passed. Knowing that part of him lives on…” she paused and swallowed hard, “just gives me a reason to live again,” she cried.

Mom! Damn her!

“I… I…” I stammered, having no idea how to respond.

“I know you must be exhausted. I’m sorry to call so late. I was just so excited when your Mom called to give us the wonderful news. I had to call you,” her words flew out in high-pitched squeals.

“It’s okay, I wasn’t asleep,” I muttered.

“Well, you should go to bed and rest. Mitchell was a terribly fussy baby! You better get your sleep in now!” she giggled.

“Oh… okay…” I shuttered.

“Goodnight dear. And nighty-night little baby!”

Oh God.

“Goodnight Maggie,” I rushed out and hung up the phone before she said something else.

Ahhhh!

I wanted to call Mom and scold her for telling them, but I bit my lip and put down the phone. I knew she had good intentions. I loved her to pieces but she drove me crazy most of the time. I lay back in bed and tried to relax, pushing all the uncertainties from my mind. After a long while, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

“Hi beautiful,” sang the most enchanting voice.

I smelled the salty air and heard a seagull fly overhead. I opened my eyes to the crashing waves of the sea and the most breathtaking smile on earth, Orion. He was dressed only in tan shorts and sandals. His skin shimmered from the sun’s refection against the sandy beach. I felt a sense of peace and serenity and leaped into his lap. I pushed my lips against his and tasted his sweet flavor. He gave a soft moan and kissed me back.

“I missed you,” I whispered.

“In that case, you should miss me more often,” he replied.

I laughed. I wondered if he would always be this charming or would our love slowly fade.

“I have something for you,” he said and pulled out a piece of waded cloth from his shorts pocket.

“A present?” I grinned.

He held an earnest look as he slowly peeled back the cloth to reveal a silver ring. He held it up and presented it to me.

The band was designed with intricate antique-style weavings that reminded me of something my grandmother’s would wear. It was a quarter of an inch wide inlaid with three round light bluish-green gems that looked about a third of a carat each. The gems were beautiful, reflecting rays of blue, green and white light across Orion’s chest.

I gasped, unsure how to respond.

“Its platinum; strong and resilient – like us,” he smirked. “The stones are grandidierite - a rare mineral found on an island off the southeastern coast of the fourth continent.”

“It’s beautiful,” I gaped as I admired it.

He took my right hand and slipped the ring on my third finger. It fit perfectly, not surprisingly.