Another sharp pain in my stomach had me leaning over in an attempt to make it stop.
“Chester, what of my son?”
Chester shook his head as he reached out and handed me the letter. Wiping my eyes, I began to read it.
Dropping the paper to the floor, I began backing out of the room. “No. This is mistake. This has to be a mistake.”
Chester had Irene wrapped in his arms as they both cried. “Sophia, my sweet darling girl. I’m so sorry. I should have been the one.”
Shaking my head in a frantic manner, I yelled out. “He’s not gone! I’d feel it if he were gone! No … God, no!” My body trembled as cries escaped from my lips. “He’s not gone! He promised me. He promised me!” I screamed as I turned and ran out of the parlor, to the door, and down the steps.
I began running toward the harbor as tears streamed down my face. “He promised!”
Repeating it over and over as I ran to the harbor. He was coming back for me. For us. His baby girl moved today. She moved!
As I ran along the street, I bumped into people with no regards to manners. My tears had never fallen so much in my life. Everything hurt. My head, my legs, my feet, and most of all … my heart.
Hearing someone calling out my name, I didn’t bother to stop. He’s not gone. He promised us.
A sharp pain ripped through my lower stomach causing me to stop running and let out a scream.
Hands were wrapped around me as I began to feel faint. “He’s not gone. He promised me.”
“Sophia, it is Devlin. Please tell me what is wrong?”
Opening my eyes, I looked at Devlin, he was carrying me upstairs and into a house. Looking around, I recognized the house. It was Devlin’s. Attempting to get out of his arms, I cried out. “Devlin! I must get to the docks. Danny! I have to wait for him to come back.” Sobbing out of control, I whispered, “He promised me he would be back.”
Pain raced through my stomach as I felt a powerful cramping feeling. No. Dear God no. Please don’t do this to me. Please! Placing my hand over the baby, I let out a scream as I called out Danny’s name.
Then, everything went black.
“She’s been asleep for nearly three days, Devlin. I’m beginning to worry. Maybe we should call the doctor again.”
My eyes felt heavy and I had attempted to open them until I heard the familiar voice talking. It sounded to be Mrs. Covington, Devlin’s mother.
I felt someone take my hand. “I’ve already had him come this morning, Mother. He said she does not have a fever, we are to watch for a fever.”
“Darling, you’ve been by her side the entire time. Why don’t you go rest?”
Devlin’s voice sounded tired as he continued to speak. “No, what if she wakes. I can’t leave her alone. She mustn’t be alone when she wakes.”
“Very well, you know best. Mr. Stowe stopped by earlier, you were asleep in the chair and we didn’t want to disturb you. He asked to be notified the moment she wakes.”
Sounding defeated, Devlin responded, “Yes, Mother.”
Hearing footsteps leaving the room, I slowly opened my eyes and let them roam around, taking in where I was. The room was dark with the drapes drawn shut. My eyes attempted to adjust to the lack of light in the room.
I didn’t recognize the bedroom at all. The walls were covered with a dark colored tapestry and I knew I’d not been in this room before. Slowly looking to my right, I saw Devlin, with his dark-brown hair looking a mess. He had his head down on the bed. Opening my mouth to talk, I couldn’t manage to speak. My mouth was dry and had a horrible taste to it. That’s when I noticed Devlin was holding my hand. Lifting my fingers some, Devlin lifted his head up and looked my way.
“Sophia …” closing his eyes as relief washed over his face, he whispered, “Thank you, God.”
Opening and closing my mouth, Devlin got the hint. He jumped up and reached for a glass. Filling it with water, he slipped his hand behind my neck and lifted my head some. The moment the water hit my lips, I let out a low moan. “Don’t drink too much all at once, Sophia. Small sips.”
Nodding my head, I took one more sip and relaxed my head back into his hand. Devlin slowly rested my head back on the pillow. My eyes searched his face as I tried to remember what had happened. Then, it all hit me. Devlin’s sad eyes locked onto mine as I felt a tear roll down the side of my face. Reaching up, he wiped it away.
“Do you remember, Sophia?”
Slowly nodding my head, I whispered, “He’s gone.”