Proserpina
Shark fell to the ground, the shot having hit him dead in the center of the forehead. But I did not care to look at him, all my attention was on Lucien as he collapsed, the gun falling from his hands as he collapsed onto the floor, ashen-faced.
I tried to rise but it was too much for me; hopelessly, sobbing his name aloud, I crawled to him.
The blood from his wounds was flowing freely now and in a second, my hands as I cradled his poor head, were wet and sticky.
Delirious with sorrow, I crooned,
"Lucien, my love, no, don't you DARE leave me.'
His eyelids fluttered but remained shut.
There was a sudden burst of noise, and Schwartz raced into the room, followed by the wingmen. Someone was yelling but I was only aware of Schwartz as he gently prised my hands away from Lucien.
'Hey, hey there,' he said tenderly, lifting me to my feet.
"NO!' I screamed, refusing to let go of my lover. And clutching at his shirt with my bloodied hands, I screamed,
"That ...that monster shot him, James, he shot my Lucien...'
Suddenly, there were people milling around me; Danielle ran in, grabbing me forcefully, and enfolding me in her arms while Grace threw her arms around me, sobbing.
"You're ok, oh thank God, you're alive!' she whispered over and over again.
I was hysterical with anxiety.
"Lucien, Lucien...' I kept murmuring, trying to get to him although he was surrounded by a posse of men by now.
Schwartz was supervising matters, his blonde hair messy, a look of shock on his face.
I overheard him say,
"God damnit, I had a message asking me to get to the house on the double...I thought Delano had sent it...'
Danielle stood fury and fear in her eyes as she looked over at me. Grace held me, as I sat, weeping. Leaning against her, I watched as Lucien was loaded onto a stretcher. I tried to rise but a paramedic was beside me, applying something to my bruised face.
"We need to get her checked' said the woman, half apologetically as I tried to rise but I swatted her hands away, determinedly. Turning to Schwartz, I said, pleadingly,
"Please, I want to go with him...'
Schwartz came and knelt before me, taking my cold hands in his and rubbing them;
"Ss...SHhh...,'he said gently, 'You have a baby on the way...'
I shook my head, blind to my pain. All I could think of was my husband.
"Please, please save him,' I begged,
"The Boss is a tough cookie,' dimpled Schwartz wearily, looking handsome despite the strain on his face as he squeezed my hands, reassuringly,
"Besides,' he grinned endearingly, 'now he has one more reason to fight for his life."
I was shivering with reaction and someone had wrapped a soft blanket around my shoulders.
I leaned against Grace and blew my nose in the white towel she offered me, cuddling me to her lean, lithe body. My thoughts went to my darling twins; no one had told them about what had happened to their father. I prayed with all my heart for Lucien, the tears seeping out.
Clutching Schwartz's hands as he made to rise, I begged, "Please, please, take care of Lucien...I can't live without him.'
With a look of deep sadness on his face, the lean handsome man smiled softly and said.
'But I know that better than anyone else, lass.'
"C'mon, let's get you to a doctor,' said Danielle, striding over bossily, her gruff voice hiding her concern as she took charge.
I made to stand up and with a sudden gasp of horror, I stopped, doubling up in pain, as a rush of warm liquid gushed out from between my legs.
Schwartz stared, uncomprehendingly as Grace turned to me.
Her eyes earnest, she said softly,
"Love, I think your water just burst.'
I nodded, I knew it too.
"But I wanted to...Lucien..."
I mumbled and then doubled up in pain as another spasm shot through me.
Danielle and Grace supported me as I stuffed my fist in my mouth, trying not to scream. The pain began to increase, and I could barely move with the battering I had taken. Spasm after spasm shot through me. It was not yet time, I thought wildly, but I knew that it was because of the trauma I had undergone.
All of a sudden, I was being helped onto a stretcher and I groaned as the pain intensified.
Turning my face, I tried not to weep as I prayed,
"Please let my Lucien survive, please.'
***
Bringing my son, Claude, into the world was a gruelling task. The baby had to be delivered by a Caesarean section as he was not in the proper position. I was too vulnerable, too drained to push him out myself!.
It took hours since I was already weak and the mental and physical strain I had undergone left me too susceptible to any infection. The doctors did not want to take a chance since the baby's position was also precarious.
Hours later, when I regained consciousness, I became aware of Ria and Piers, standing close by, teary-eyed, watching me. Beatrice, Danielle and Grace were there. So was my dearest friend, Rachel, who had flown in that morning on being informed of what had happened.
Exhausted, I smiled wanly at my children who burst into tears on seeing me awake.
In between sobs, Ria hiccupped and said,
"Baby Claude is so ugly. He's wrinkled and pink like a sausage and he cries so much.'
Piers nodded and lisped solemnly,
"He looks old. And wrinkly skinned.'
Ria butted in, whispering conspiratorially,
'We think he is going to be fussy. So Piers and I have decided how to treat him.'
I giggled inspite of my tiredness and pain. Her obvious relish at anticipating being mean to the baby was comical.
Obviously, their young brother had not endeared himself to them!
At the same time, I thought of Lucien and tried to sit up, only to sink back weakly. The pain in my lower abdomen was intense.
Danielle stepped forward while Rachel stood, stroking my hand carefully as she said,
"Your Lucien's had a couple of surgeries.'
Danielle glared at her and added, frostily,
'He's going to be fine.'
I nodded, dumbly, too weary to smile at the antagonism between my dear friends and slipped off into a dr*g-induced sleep.