Brian awoke groggily the next morning stretching his limbs lazily. As usual, he turned on his side hoping to see Lila’s smiling face wishing him good morning as she always did. Instead, all he saw was an empty space. The usually warm sheets suddenly seemed cold and unfamiliar to him.

Running a hand over the vacant space that he was so accustomed to Lila occupying, he stumbled upon a note. Scrawled neatly, it lay in the center of the bed, ensuring Brian would see it.

‘Brian,’ it read, ‘Went to run some errands. Be back soon. Love, Lila.’

With a sigh, Brian crumpled the letter in his fist in frustration. It was so uncharacteristic of Lila to just up and leave with no forewarning or even kiss goodbye. Lately she’d been doing things like that – not returning phone calls, inadvertently forgetting dates and spacing out during conversations. Frankly Brian was getting sick of it. It hurt Brian that the woman he loved more than anything in the world was so troubled and preoccupied that she couldn’t even look him in the eyes when she spoke to him.

He’d been trying for days now to speak to her, but every time he’d broach the possibility of there being a problem, Lila would change the subject immediately. All conversations she held with him were superficial and impersonal. Brian was more than certain that she was avoiding him and had been for days. Despite this realization though, there was nothing he could do about it.

He knew Lila had a lot on her plate right now. She’d been devastated when Nick had called them in the middle of the night to inform them about Jessica. Lila had insisted on going to see Jessica, but Nick had convinced her otherwise. Brian and Nick had both agreed it would be best if Lila didn’t see Jessica in her state. It would just upset both of them. Jessica didn't need the excess stress right now. Lila had agreed reluctantly, but only for Jessica's sake.

The possible notions for Lila's odd behavior sprung to mind again as Brian lay alone in bed. He didn’t want to believe that any of his far-fetched thoughts actually had any substance to them, but he couldn’t help it.

Whether or not his inclinations about Lila were right, Brian was certain about one thing. He couldn’t go on like this. He cared about Lila more than anything in this world and it tore him apart to see her so upset.

He’d been thinking about a way to show her how special she was to him for a while, but shied away from doing it because of Lila’s recent behavior. Maybe now was the right time. The perfect time to show that he wanted them to remain together forever.

Lila sat rigidly in the stark white waiting room. The walls were covered with decorative paintings and tapestries in an attempt to give the place a homier feel. Lila however felt anything but comfortable as she sat impatiently waiting.

Next to her sat a couple not a few years older than she and Brian. Lila watched slightly enviously as the woman’s partner held her hand consolingly. He whispered words of what Lila presumed to be encouragement in her ear softly. The woman’s name was called just then and as she struggled awkwardly to her feet with his assistance, Lila noticed she was at least 5 or 6 months pregnant and showing quite a bit.

Her eyes became misty, as she looked down at her own still flat stomach. She clutched it tightly wishing that Brian could have been with her for this. She was terrified of the news if any, that the doctor would give her.

She thought back to Brian’s sleeping figure this morning as she left the house. She had almost told him, but she’d seen him sleeping so calm and peacefully, she hadn’t had the heart to disturb him. She couldn’t imagine Brian being anything but supportive although that hadn’t made the prospect of telling him seem any easier. If he knew the whole story however, she was sure that he would be devastated, furious even. He wouldn’t understand nor approve of the way she had gone behind his back. She loved Brian too much to upset him, so for now, she decided to keep her possible pregnancy a secret.

She also began thinking about Jessica. Her heart went out to the girl. She hated the thought that Jessica was going through such a rough time and she couldn't be there to comfort her. Nick had made it clear though that he had everything under control. Lila had no doubts that Jessica would be fine in Nick's care.

“Lila Dennison,” a nurse called curtly interrupting her thoughts. Lila rose slowly, her legs trembling as she stepped forth.

“Doctor Delsaro will see you now,” she told her motioning for Lila to follow. She ushered Lila down a hallway and pointed her towards a room. “He’ll be with you in a few minutes,” she told her rapidly before turning back down the hallway.

As Lila stood alone in the hallway, she couldn’t remember ever feeling so alone in her life. Willing herself to be strong, she placed a hand gently upon her stomach. Looking down, she whispered “We’ll be fine. We’ll get through this together.”

Jessica lay in Nick’s arms stock-still. She’d lain there unmoving in the same position for hours now. Her mind was a blur as a million different thoughts and images raced through it.

She hadn’t said a word or shed a single tear for hours now. Nick hadn’t spoken either. He’d merely held onto her tightly doing more for her than he could ever imagine. His arms around her were like a protective wall. One which no one could break through.

Jessica suddenly winced as she remembered how close she’d almost come to losing him. She remembered Justin’s face and the cold look in his eyes as he’d thrust the gun in Nick’s face. She also remembered the emotionless look in Nick’s eyes as he’d helplessly accepted defeat. It was a look she would never forget as long s she lived.

The feelings of terror and helpless she’s felt in Justin’s clutches began to creep up on her again slowly. Her body was seized with fear as she thought of what would have happened to her if Nick hadn’t rescued her. All the fears, hatred and images were suddenly too much for her. Her body ached desperately for a release from the horrific images. She wished she could just rid herself of his touch, his eyes, and his voice. She wished in vain, but knew it wasn’t so easy.

Jessica gazed up at Nick who had fallen asleep while holding her. His tender face was scratched and swollen and Jessica could see the signs of a telltale black eye forming. She reached up and slowly ran her fingertips over the unsightly bruises.

Looking at Nick’s sleeping figure, she now realized all that she’d put him through. The realization that she’d almost cost him his life was quite overwhelming for her.

It was then that she made her decision. Nick was too important to her to hurt him anymore. She’d already subjected him to enough of her own problems. She’d even almost cost him the most precious gift of all – his life.

Her life was full of misfortunes and she was sure the hard times were far from over. She couldn’t and wouldn’t bring Nick down with her yet again. As much as she needed and wanted to be with him, she knew now that wasn’t an option anymore.

After a strenuous drive home in the sweltering heat, Elizabeth was thankful she was almost there. With global warming and the recent stormy weather, the humidity in the air was almost unbearable.

Taking a small detour, Elizabeth decided to stop at the local beach before she went home. No one knew she was on her way home since they assumed she was keeping company with a friend. If anyone had thought about it carefully, they would have realized that she didn’t even know anyone upstate. Thankfully no one had noticed though.

Slowing the car to a stop, she stepped out and inhaled the salty sea air gratefully. This was just what she needed to clear her mind. The beach was always able to free her mind of all life’s trials and tribulations. Just being there, staring out at the waters, she was transported to another world it seemed. Luckily this particular stretch of beach was deserted as usual.

She quickly removed her sandals allowing her toes to sink into the warm sand. Her sandals in one hand, she began walking down the beach. She walked for a few minutes, her eyes absorbing everything around her. The serenity alone was so soothing.

Shrieks of laughter suddenly interrupted Elizabeth’s calmness. A few feet ahead of her, she saw a young couple frolicking happily together in the water. She watched remorsefully as they exchanged splashes and taunts with each other. The couple looked so happy that for a few seconds the rest of the world around her ceased to exist as she watched their smiling faces.

“AJ! Stop it!” the girl suddenly giggled as she tried her best to run away from him. Elizabeth’s face suddenly fell as the girl’s voice filtered through the air.

Suddenly she understood the strange compelling feeling she felt towards them. His figure was all too familiar. All too unmistakable. She couldn’t believe that she hadn’t realized it was him sooner. She could feel her stomach lurch as she saw the happy look spread across his face.

Crimson blush crept across her face and her eyes began to burn with stinging tears. Turning on her heel, she fled quickly, her feet pounding against the sand and her hair whipping. She made it to the car quickly throwing the door open roughly.

As she sank into the comforting plush seats, the floodgates opened. Leaning forwards slightly, Elizabeth rested her head against the steering wheel as her salty tears began to cascade relentlessly down her face.
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