CHAPTER SIX #11
John reached for her, but she stood. She paced a few steps away from the bench, dragging both hands through her hair.
“I can’t do this anymore.”
John rose immediately.
“Do what?”
“Wake up every day and pretend something might change.” “You don’t have to pretend.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
“Take it one day at a time.”
“That’s what everyone says when they don’t have an answer.” “I don’t have an answer.”
For once, John allowed the helplessness into his voice. Melissa stopped pacing. He looked at her across the narrow stretch of grass between them.
“I don’t know how to fix this,” he admitted. “I don’t know how to take away what happened to you. I don’t know how to make the doctor’s words disappear or force an agency to reconsider us.”
His eyes filled.
“But I know I love you.”
Melissa’s expression softened.
“And I know I’m scared.”
She stared at him.
“Of me?”
“For you.”
John stepped closer.
“I’m scared that every day, you’re moving farther away from me, and I don’t know how to reach you.”
Melissa looked down.
“I’m right here.”
“Sometimes you are.”
His voice broke.
“Sometimes I look at you, and it feels like you’ve already left.”
That silenced her. The laughter and music around them seemed to fade. Melissa slowly lifted her eyes.
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“Then let me help.”
“How?”
“Come home with me. Eat something. Call your therapist. Call your mother.”
She shook her head at the last one.
“Not my mother.”
“Fine. Not today.”
“And no hospital.”
“Not unless you tell me you can’t keep yourself safe.”
“I can.”
“Promise me.”
Melissa hesitated.
John’s face tightened.
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
He studied her. She appeared sincere. But then again, she had become skilled at appearing better than she was. John held out his hand.
Melissa looked at it for several seconds before placing hers inside. He pulled her close. She rested her head against his shoulder. Neither of them spoke. Melissa watched as a couple crossed the street…
Michael and Amanda walked toward the park. Amanda instinctively rested one hand against her stomach again. This contraction... Lasted just a little longer than the last. Amanda laughed as Michael held the park gate open for her.
"Such a gentleman."
"I have to earn points while I still can." She smiled.
"You think you'll lose them after the girls get here?"
"I think I'm about to become third favorite."
Amanda laughed.
"Probably fourth."
Michael looked offended.
"Fourth?"
She nodded toward her stomach.
"Lucy."
She pointed again.
"Lexi."
Then she poked his chest. "You."
Michael sighed dramatically.
"I've already been replaced."
Amanda slipped her hand into his.
"You'll survive."
"I hope so."
Together, they stepped onto the winding path that stretched through the park.
The afternoon sun filtered gently through the trees, casting dancing patches of light across the pavement.
Children chased one another across the grass.
Music drifted from the nearby amphitheater.
Somewhere farther ahead, someone laughed.
Amanda slowed for a moment as another tightening spread quietly across her stomach. She closed her eyes. One hand instinctively rested against the side of her belly. Michael noticed immediately.
"...Another one?"
She nodded.
"This one's a little stronger."
His smile faded just enough for Amanda to notice.
"Should we head back?"
Amanda waited another moment before the sensation eased. Then she smiled reassuringly.
"No."
She slipped her hand back into his.
"I think the girls are just getting impatient."
Michael searched her face.
"You'll tell me if something changes?"
"I promise."
He nodded, though a small knot had already begun forming in his stomach. They continued walking. The path curved gently toward the river.
Families dotted the grassy hillsides with picnic blankets. A little boy chased bubbles while his younger sister laughed so hard she nearly fell over. A young couple sat beneath a tree, rocking a newborn wrapped snugly in a blue blanket. Amanda smiled at the sight.
"In a few days..." She looked down at her stomach.
"...that'll be us."
Michael wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I can't wait."
Neither of them noticed another couple sitting quietly on a weathered stone bench overlooking the river.
Nor did they notice the red-haired woman whose eyes lingered just a little too long on every stroller that passed.
The breeze carried the sound of children laughing across the park.
It sounded... Almost peaceful. Amanda squeezed Michael's hand.
"Ready?"
He smiled.
"Always."
Together... They disappeared deeper into the park.
Completely unaware... That with every step they took...
They were walking toward the moment that would change all of their lives forever.
Sometimes... The beginning of a tragedy doesn't sound like thunder.
It doesn't arrive with a warning. Or darkness.
Or fear. Sometimes... It begins beneath a clear blue sky.
With laughter. With hope. With two people dreaming about tomorrow. Never realizing...
Tomorrow... will never come.
Continue the Journey!
The story doesn't end here!
The events of Before the Storm lead directly into the first novel of the Taken Universe.