Page 75 of Stolen Salvation

“Charlie was just telling me how overwhelmed she’s feeling about the baby and Bishop and everything.”

Charlie was trying to process the last few seconds, her mind working slower than she would have liked, but eventually, it caught up with Lotus’ comment. “Mother’s meeting?” Her eyes moved to Snow who was blushing. “You’re pregnant?”

Snow glared at Lotus who shrugged. “I wasn’t going to say as it’s early and you have enough going on.”

“Oh my God, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you. Being a mother is the best.” Charlie stopped speaking as she realised her gut reaction was joy for her friend and it had been fear for herself. As she now thought of the child she carried though, a radiant warmth filled her. Yes, it was scary as hell, given everything that had happened, but she wanted this baby and she wanted it with Noah beside her. Leaning forward she hugged Snow. “I’m so happy for you.”

“See, I told you hiding it was a mistake. You go down, we go down. Something bad happens then we’re there to hold you up until you can do it on your own.”

Snow’s face softened at Lotus’ words, said with such a no-nonsense attitude but imbued with a vast amount of love.

“That goes for you too, Miss I’m-a-loner-and-going-to-self-sacrifice-for-the-man-I-love.” Lotus pointed a finger at her with a warning look which Charlie knew was her way of showing she cared.

“Help me up.” Charlie, exhausted but filled with renewed hope, moved to stand and found a friend on either side holding her up. It was something she’d never had before this network of friends, and she cherished it now. “I need to get myself back to how I was. I need to be fit and strong, so I can be what my child needs.”

“Let’s do this.” Lotus punched the air. “I’m pumped.”

Snow rolled her eyes, but she looked equally energised.

After two more laps of the room, the physio gave her one last go before he was pulling the plug, lecturing her about rest being as important as exercise. He was right, she was exhausted, her limbs and body not wanting to work in the same way they had before she was shot, even her thinking was foggy with her losing concentration quickly. It was scary to have to work for the things she’d taken for granted.

“Come on, Charlie, let’s do this and get you back to your old self,” Lotus called, cheering her on from the uncomfortable orange plastic chairs.

Charlie stilled as a realisation washed over her. She didn’t want to get back to her old self. She wanted a new self and she wanted it with Noah if he’d still have her.

“What the hell, Charlie, you look like you might puke.” Lotus’ eyes went wide as she took a sidestep. “Are you gonna puke?”

Charlie blinked and shook her head a frown on her face. “What? No.”

“Then what the hell? Are you feeling ill?” Lotus turned to Snow. “We let her over-do it.” Cupping her elbow on each side the women made her sit in the wheelchair they’d used to bring her to the physio wing. Lotus ‘drove’ the chair like a freaking maniac and Charlie’s stomach did roil then.

“Hey, slow down or I will puke.”

“Need you back in bed so Savannah can check you out.”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, let the doc be the judge of that.”

As she rounded the corner to the side ward where she was currently a reluctant guest, she saw Savannah waiting for them with concern on her face.

“She went all pale and pukey looking,” Lotus told her as they helped her back into bed.

“Let’s take a look,” Savannah said with her calm, authoritative voice.

Charlie sat still, her mind thinking about the things she’d said to Noah before he’d walked away. He’d walked away. Was that because he didn’t think she was worth it?

Lotus pointed an accusing finger in her direction. “See, doc, she’s doing it again.”

“Do you feel any pain or nausea?”

“My head is a little sore but nothing too bad and I’m not nauseous at the moment.”

“Were you earlier?” Savannah shone a light in her eyes and checked the bandage on the side of her head where her luscious hair was shaved for the bullet removal. “Well, it all looks good, and I see nothing to concern me. It could be the pregnancy making you nauseous. As I’m sure you’re aware, the term morning sickness is a bit of nonsense as it can strike at any time. You had some blood loss, and your body had a trauma so it’s not unusual to have your body fight back when it thinks you’re overdoing things.”

“It’s not that, it’s Noah.”

“Noah?” Savannah, Snow, and Lotus all asked at once.