Ch. 13: A Miracle

Chapter Thirteen: A Miracle

It has been three months since the terrible accident that shook the home of Abrielle and Kyler. Abrielle had a huge support system. She had Kyler, Jenesis and Eric, and even Kyler’s parents to lean on, but that still didn’t change the fact that her most precious gift was stolen from her life. Abrielle was deeply depressed and Kyler wasn’t sure what to do. He was beginning to feel as if she was slowly slipping away from him and the rest of the world. It was time to call in help.

“Hey Jen, sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help me out here.” There was a hint of desperation in Kyler’s voice.

“Oh God Kyler, you’re never a bother! What can I help with sweetie?”

“Well, I know you were there with Abrielle every step of the way throughout her last bought of depression, and I was wondering if you would maybe talk to her. See if you can get through to her and help her again.”

“Of course I can. Is it alright if I take her out tonight? I think it will be good to get her out of the house and then maybe I can talk her into seeing Dr. James again.”

“Sounds like a plan. I hope she doesn’t get mad at me for going behind her back like this, but I’m seriously worried about her Jen.” Kyler ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.

“Ky, you’re not doing this to hurt her, you’re doing this because you care and you want her to get better. She’ll understand. Let her know that I’ll be there around four alright?”

Kyler let out a long breath, “Alright Jen. See ya.”

------

Abrielle reluctantly agreed to going out with Jenesis that afternoon. So around four-thirty the two of them pulled up to the scenic outlook and got out of the car.

Abrielle looked around and then turned to Jenesis. “Why did you bring me here?”

Jenesis linked arms with her best friend and pulled her towards a table. “Because, this place is secluded and away from everything else in Sunset Valley, and right now you just need to be away from it all. Plus it’s super pretty up here, right?”

Abrielle shrugged. “I guess.”

“So how are you doing? It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to just sit down and talk.”

“I’m doing wonderful, Jenesis. Absolutely fan-freakin-tastic.”

Abrielle’s harsh sarcasm made Jenesis flinch. “Look Abri, I’m here to help you. I know you’re hurting, and that is completely normal for anyone in this situation, but you’re hurting others around you too.”

Abrielle stared blankly at the landscape in front of her, not reacting at all to her friend’s words.

Jenesis continued. “Remember a few years back, when you were battling some serious demons in your life and you went to talk to Dr. James? It helped right?”

Abrielle grunted and shrugged her shoulders again.

“Well, I think it helped. No, I know it helped. You were able to move past that trauma and go on living your life. I think you should consider seeing Dr. James again.”

“Don’t you get it!?” Abrielle shouted. The sudden loudness disrupted a flock of birds and they flew away overhead. Abrielle looked up at them and then continued quieter, “I don’t want to move past this. I don’t want to forget all about him and live my life as if nothing ever happened! I lost my son! I’m not a mother anymore!” Abrielle shoulders shook as the tears surfaced.

“Oh honey.” Jenesis reached for Abrielle’s hands but she pulled them away. “Abrielle, look at me please.” Abrielle lifted her eyes. “You don’t have to forget Charlie. You never have to forget him; he is and always will be a part of you, and you will always be his mother. But what you need to move past and let go of is the pain this is causing you.”

“Now, I’m not saying you can’t grieve, or feel any sadness because of this, I’m just saying you need a better way of coping, a healthier way. Can’t you see the strain this is putting on your relationship with Kyler? And, honey, when was the last time you went to work? You've worked so hard to get to the point you’re at in this career, do you really want to throw it away now?”

Abrielle stared through Jenesis as her thoughts were clouded with Charlie. His laugh, his cry, his little hands and feet. The way he said ‘Love you Momma’ and giggled when she nuzzled his neck.

All of those things were nothing but memories. Abrielle could never again hold him, or nuzzle his neck, or hear him say Momma. She’d never get to watch him grow up and go off to school, and one day have a family of his own. But then she thought of Kyler, and how broken he looked yet he had the strength to comfort her every night, to stand by her side even when she pushed him away. That was when she realized it. Jenesis was right, once again.

“I’ll go.” Abrielle said.

Jenesis let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, A! You’re doing the right thing honey.” Jenesis stood up and grabbed Abrielle’s arm. “What do you say, should we get you home to Kyler?”

Abrielle nodded and linked her arm through Jenesis’s and leaned her head on her shoulder. “Thank you, Jen, for being so supportive. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Jenesis smiled. “I don’t know what I would do without you Abri. We’d all be lost.”

------

Sitting in Dr. James’s office brought back the memories of her attack. Abrielle shifted uncomfortably trying to push away those thoughts. That’s gone and over now and there was no reason for her to relive that horrible night. Now she had a whole new nightmare she had to face.

“Good morning Abrielle. It’s good to see you again.”

“Yeah, wish I could say the same thing, no offense.”

Dr. James waved her off. “None taken, your response is completely normal. So Abrielle, can you tell me how you’re feeling today?”

Abrielle took in a deep breath and then slowly let it out. “Tired.” She began. “I’m always tired these days. Tired, sad, broken, helpless, angry. I don’t know. Every negative feeling you could possibly think about probably describes how I’m feeling right now. That and the fact that I’m extremely tired.”

Dr. James nodded his head. “Fatigue is a very common side effect of depression. Actually, everything you just described is very normal for someone in your situation to be feeling. Now, talk to me about the anger. Where is that stemming from?”

Abrielle shrugged. It had become a normal response for her. “I don’t know. I guess I’m angry at myself.”

“And why is that?”

Abrielle looked down. “I guess I just feel like if I would have been more prepared, and realized that I was pregnant sooner I could have taken better care of myself.”

“Abrielle, if you’re insisting that the reason Charlie passed was because you didn’t take the proper precautions I must be very blunt and tell you that that is completely false.”

Abrielle continued to stare at the ground while Dr. James continued.

“Surely you’ve done your research on premature infants, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?” Abrielle nodded. “Then you know very well that those things sometimes just happen. You didn’t cause your child to be born premature, nor is there anything you could have possibly done to prevent what happened.”

Abrielle began to cry. “I know. I just miss him so much. And the way I’ve been feeling reminds me of when I was pregnant with him. I think I’m delusional, sometimes it feels like he’s still inside me.”

Dr. James looked up with a curious look in his eye. “Abrielle, are you expecting? That would explain your extreme fatigue.”

“Wh-what? No, it’s not possible.”

“And why is it impossible?”

“Well, well because Kyler and I… We haven’t really been… romantic since before Charlie…”

Even though Abrielle didn't think it was possible Dr. James’s certainty got her thinking. She was getting sick a lot lately, something she attributed to her stress from losing Charlie, but she had also gained some weight, and stress usually has the opposite effect on a person’s weight. Could it be possible? She thought to herself.

“Abrielle, you go to the clinic downstairs correct?” Abrielle nodded in agreement. “Dr. Lynn is currently available. I’d like to send you down to her and have you take a pregnancy test.”

-----

“Well, I’m having déjà vu here.” Dr. Lynn smiled at Abrielle and sat down in her chair. “Congratulations Abrielle. You’re pregnant.”

This time Abrielle wasn’t surprised and completely taken back by the news. This time she was prepared. “How far along am I?”

“Around four months, but I’d like to do an ultrasound just to be sure.”

Panic filled Abrielle’s body. Four months a small being had been living inside of her. Four months it had gone without the proper care and nutrients it needed.

“Are you alright Abrielle?”

“Um, how high of a risk does my baby have of having some sort of health condition because I have not taken any prenatal care these first few months?”

“Oh, I’d say minimal. You’re a strong and healthy young woman which leads me to believe that the baby will be perfectly healthy as well. But like I mentioned, I’d like to do an ultrasound today if at all possible.”

Abrielle stood up and nodded. “Would it be alright if I called my boyfriend first? I’d like to have him here.”

“Oh of course! I’ll just let the front desk know that we’re doing an ultrasound and you just check in with them when you’re ready and they’ll send you to where you need to be.” Dr. Lynn smiled and walked Abrielle out of the room.

Abrielle walked outside and stood by the front doors of the clinic. She quickly punched in Kyler’s number and waited impatiently for him to pick up.

“Abri, hi. How is –”

Abrielle cut him off. “Kyler, I’m at the doctor’s office and I was wondering if you could get over here real quick?”

“Are you ok? What’s wrong? Is everything alright?” Panic oozed from Kyler’s words.

“I’m alright Ky, I just need you here alright?”

“Be there in five!” And he hung up before Abrielle could say goodbye.

-----

When Kyler arrived at the clinic Abrielle was waiting for him with a smile on her face. That was the first smile Kyler had seen from Abrielle in months and he rushed to hug her.

“What is it Abri?” Kyler asked wrapping his arms even tighter around her.

Abrielle laughed a small sweet laugh and whispered in Kyler’s ear, “You’re going to be a daddy.”

Both Abrielle and Kyler realized that this was a true blessing, a miracle at its finest, and the couple took this as a sign that things would get better.

And get better they did.