Erin stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel before walking to the bedroom that she shared with Jules. In just a couple of days, she would be the only one in that room. Brushing away the thought, she dressed in a comfortable pair of running shorts and a tank top, then flopped on the bed, too emotionally tired to converse with anyone. In less than ten minutes, she was out cold.
Erin woke with a start. She sat up to find herself surrounded by high edges on all sides that continued as far as she could see. Her brows knitted together in confusion. Slowly, she raised herself up from the ground and looked around, trying to figure out where she was. She sucked in a breath and then released at the tiny flutter she felt in her belly, and her eyes became as large as saucers when she looked down to see her protruding stomach.
“I’m pregnant?” she asked in shock. Her hand came up to rest on her belly just as a tiny kick landed against it. “How?” She shook her head, trying to clear the confusion. Where was she, and how had this happened? She needed to get out of this place.
Walking along the path the hedges formed, she realized that she could not find an exit to what she was not realizing was a maze. Another kick against her tummy caused her to pause. Her hand came up this time to rub soothing circles over her flesh. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Mommy will find a way to get us out of here. I promise” She smiled down at her tummy before moving off again. She finally saw a light coming from one of the paths, and thinking it must be the exit, she turned and made her way in that direction. A few minutes later, she ended up at a dead end. She sighed in frustration. There was another kick against her tummy, but with less strength than the previous kicks. “Hold on, sweetie. Mommy’s here,” she encouraged.
Five dead ends later, Erin was panicking. The baby was no longer kicking, and her belly was less pronounced than it had been. “Please don’t leave me. I’ll find a way to get us out of here,” she spoke frantically as she held the bottom of her tummy as if it was about to fall. Erin looked around, trying to figure out what to do next. Tears stung the back of her eyes. “Please don’t die,” she pleaded. She felt a slight flutter which brought a grateful smile to her lips. She turned and ran toward another path in the intricately patterned maze and then to the next. She was on the verge of giving up when she saw a door at the end of the path. Erin took determined steps in its direction, her heart pounding in her ears as to what could possibly lay behind it.
When she was finally standing before the door, she reached down to grasp the knob, but it swung open before she could do it herself to reveal Brian standing on the other side. Her heart soared with relief, and a grin broke out on her face. “Brian, I’m so glad to see…” Her words faltered at his angry gaze. A scowl turned his mouth down.
The anger emanating from him pushed Erin to take a step back, which only encouraged Brian to step forward.
“Brian, why are you so angry?” she asked in a timid voice.
“You know why I’m angry, Erin,” he said darkly.
Erin shook her head, unable to speak.
“Yes, you do,” Brian spoke, advancing.
Erin found herself retreating further until her back hit the hedge.
“I loved you, Erin. I loved you so much, and you destroyed us.”
“Brian, please don’t say that,” Erin pleaded, her tears falling.
“Don’t say what is true? You’re the reason we can’t have a family. You’re the reason we won’t ever be happy,” he accused. His gaze went to her belly, and so did hers.
“No!” Erin screamed, clutching her now flat tummy. The pain was so sharp that she collapsed to the ground. “My baby,” she wailed.
Erin jolted awake. Her heart was beating abnormally fast, and sweat coated her face and formed a light layer over her skin. She tasted the saltiness of her tears and reached up to wipe away the evidence.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she rose to her feet and made her way to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face before looking in the mirror above the sink. She cringed at the puffiness of her eyes. With a sigh, she returned to her room.
She lay on her back in bed and stared at the ceiling. This was the seventh time she’d had that dream— or rather nightmare, but like all the other times, some of the details had been different, and the exit that much harder to find. She wished she would stop dreaming about it, but whenever she was stressed, she couldn’t help it.
Needing a distraction, she reached for her sketchbook and began working on coloring the gowns she’d already sketched.
“You ruined us.”
Erin exhaled loudly and put down the book. Rising to her feet, she walked over to her window and stared out at the harbor. Her grumbling tummy reminded her she hadn’t eaten since morning, and it was now almost suppertime.
The inviting smell of food wafted to her nose when she descended the stairs. She made her way to the kitchen to find her mother before the stove.
“Hi, sweetie,” Cora called over her shoulder.
“Hey, Mom.” Erin smiled. “What are you making?”
“Strip loin, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. I’ll be done soon. I figure you’re hungry,” Cora replied while opening and shutting cupboard doors as she took down the items needed.
“I am,” Erin agreed, sitting on a stool by the island. She grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it, trying to stave off the hunger until the food was done.
“How was your time with Jules today?”
“It was good. We had a great time.”
Cora nodded approvingly. “I’m happy you girls got to spend some time together. You needed it.”
