Megan’s POV
Moments later, I heard many footsteps approaching me and a few guards helped me up and then they asked me to sit in the wheelchair. I saw that the pants I was wearing were wet and red with blood.
A guard yelled and ordered two of my cellmates to prepare clean clothes for me. Things were quite chaotic. I just sat quietly in the wheelchair while enduring the pain. I wanted to scream and call my mom, but it was impossible. She was in a distinct part of the prison from me. I could only endure the pain alone. I couldn’t bear this pain any longer.
After my cellmate gave a plastic bag containing clothes to a guard, they hurriedly took me away from there. They took me to a special clinic for prisoners. The city government had deliberately set up special clinics in each prison that were well-equipped so that prisoners didn’t have to be taken to a big hospital as much as possible.
My wheelchair was pushed quickly. Blood continued to flow from my vagina. I stroked my stomach and muttered to myself, “Hang in there. We’ll reach the maternity clinic soon.”
Long story short, I was lying on the clinic bed and inside the delivery room. The nurses went about preparing all the equipment needed for the labor process and my baby when he was born. Not long after, a doctor came in and asked me to follow his directions. The birth canal had opened completely. It was time for me to deliver this child into the world.
Giving birth is a life-and-death struggle. After struggling for almost an hour and enduring pain for more than a day, my son and Zac were finally born into the world. A healthy and handsome baby boy with a loud cry. After seeing him up close, I lay down and closed my eyes. I was so tired and it felt as if this birth process had sapped my energy.
A month after giving birth, the prison allowed me to give custody of my baby to the family. I finally handed over the baby boy I named Zac Smith to Dean. With tears in my eyes, I watched Dean leave with Zac in his arms. I hope I still have the time and opportunity to meet them twenty years later.
Dean, please take care of Zac for me. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. I’ll love you back once I get out of this place. I promise you.
Piper’s POV
After getting out of the hospital, only Mom, Jansen Vanessa, and Nick came to pick me up. I didn’t see Jay and Jessie. I was sure that something bad must have happened to my family. During my hospitalization, Jessie suddenly fainted at school and was rushed to the hospital. After that, Jay took Jessie abroad for better treatment. However, strangely, everyone I asked seemed to cover up the facts. They all just told me to recover quickly and be calm because everything would be fine.
However, a mother’s instinct told me something bad must have happened to Jessie. But I didn’t know what happened and how she was doing. Even Jansen was keeping it from me. I tried to think positively that maybe they didn’t want to make me worried or sad because I was recovering from childbirth.
After returning from the hospital, they took me to the resort. Mom, Jansen, Vanessa, and Nick accompanied me there. To be honest, my days were lonely. Jay’s cell phone was off, and that made me even more frustrated.
One night, when Grace had just fallen asleep, I tried to call Jay’s cell phone again. Coincidentally, his cell phone activated and my call rang several times.
“Hello, Piper,” Jay answered.
“J-jay, why are you?” I asked and I couldn’t finish my sentence. Tears were streaming down my face.
“Piper, I’m sorry. I know everything happened suddenly and in secret. You must be wondering what really happened to Jessie and how she’s doing right now. I asked everyone to keep quiet so as not to burden your mind. Now that things are much better, I’ll tell you the truth. Jessie has leukemia. Luckily, the disease is still in its early stages, so it can be treated immediately. So, you don’t have to worry. Now she’s recovering and we’re going home to Valdirra as soon as possible. I miss you and the kids. I forgot to ask, how are you and Jansen? What is Grace doing now?” Jay asked.
I missed Jay so much. Even just hearing his voice calmed me down. “She’s sleeping. Jansen and I are fine. Please hug and kiss Jessie for me. Hurry home. We need you.”
“OK. Love you. Wait for us,” he replied.
Three months passed since that phone conversation, but Jay and Jessie still hadn’t returned. I tried to be strong for Jansen and Grace. I tried to focus and give them my full attention while enjoying our time at the resort. Sometimes Lisa and Max would come to visit and we’d have a barbeque party by the sea, enjoying the view of the ocean at night and the beautiful stars in the sky.
Jay, Jessie, I miss you. Hurry and come home.
The morning of the fourth month. I deliberately wanted to lie down longer after Grace cried all night. As a result, Jansen slept with me to help me when I needed help. He was indeed my little hero.
When I closed my eyes again, I heard the bedroom door being opened. I thought it was Jansen, so I ignored the voice. However, I felt someone climb onto the bed and hug me from behind. The smell of his perfume made my eyes widen. I immediately looked back, and I screamed while crying.
“Jay!”
Jay hugged me and tried to calm me down. “Shush, you’ll wake Grace up. Look at her fidgeting already. I miss you guys so much, and Grace is getting cute.”
“Where’s Jessie?” I asked.
“She’s playing with Jansen. Let them play and I want us to lie down a little longer and cuddle,” he said.
“Has Jessie recovered? Why did it take so long?” I asked.
“She’s all better. Just take it easy. That’s because we can only go home after Jessie is completely healed. Now it’s all over. All the problems are over and it’s time for us to go back to Valdirra. What do you think?” he asked.
I nodded while holding back tears.
“Hey, don’t cry anymore. I’m here. Come here, hug me,” Jay said.
Finally, what I had been waiting for had come and the happiness I felt was beyond words. Finally, the five of us were back together.
A year later, we had a big party to celebrate Grace’s first birthday and my wedding anniversary with Jay. Our mansion was filled with guests, gifts, and food. I could hear laughter throughout the house. I was so thankful to God that we could finally get through all the problems despite the pain and sadness.
And on that happy day, I sent some food and gifts to Megan and Erin. I hoped they were happy too.
I love you Jay, Jansen, Jessie, and Grace.
=======================THE END=====================