Chapter 1: Again?

Chapter One: Again?

'Sorry Laura, we lost the baby.' Linda, the midwife, announced to the seemingly half-dead woman laid on the bed. Even when Laura got the bad news, she did not give any reaction. It was as if she had been expecting to get that kind of news.

'Again?' A man asked as soon as he walked into the labor room and saw the tension dancing heavily in the air. 'We lost the baby again?' He asked a question he already knew an answer to.

'The baby had died in her womb before it was delivered. Fortunately, Laura is not in danger.Linda spoke as she began attending to another patient, and the man sighed. His name was Matthew, Laura's husband. He didn't seem to be too shocked to hear the news as well. After all, the couple had lost three children to stillbirth before this one. He glanced at his wife, who seemed to be so deeply lost in thought. You could tell from her blank and distant expression of how pained, frustrated, and angered she was.

'Honey, are you alright?' Matt asked. Of course, Matt knew she wasn't alright, at least physically and emotionally. She just lost her fourth baby. What kind of woman would be alright after losing her babies to stillbirth over and over again?

'Laura….?' Matthew called out his wife's name as he wiped a drop of tears that fell from her eye and ran down her cheek.

'Matthew…?' Her voice sounded hoarse and stressed.

'Yes, honey.' Matthew replied as he rubbed her head gently to coax her.

'What have I done wrong to deserve all this?' Laura's voice came out barely as a whisper. 'Why do I keep getting punished?' She finally turned her head to look at her husband.

'Laura..' Matthew shook his head. He was at loss for words.

'Then why is all this happening? Don't you think about these incidents?'Laura whimpered.

'Of course, I do. They are my children too, aren't they?' Matthew shrugged. What the hell was his wife talking about? Of course, he thinks about these happenings every single time, and it hurts him badly. He would get scared whenever Laura said she was pregnant and hoped and prayed that she had a safe delivery with both she and the baby alive and kicking. But, it seems everything doesn't always turn out the way one wants.

He wouldn't blame his wife for saying such thing to him. After all, she is the one that goes through all those childbirth pains, and seeing that her efforts were futile would surely make her temperamental.

'Honey, just make sure you rest, okay? I'll go make necessary preparations so we can get you discharged.' Matt spoke

'Okay.' Laura nodded

'I'll be right back.' Matt said and then left the theatre. Matt went to the counter to pay necessary bills, and he was told that his wife would be discharged the next day. He also bought pain relievers and other medicines that she needed to take.

He walked back into the ward his wife was placed a few minutes ago, and he saw that she was fast asleep. Even in her sleep, she looked disturbed and worried. Matthew shook his head worriedly.

The next day….

Laura got discharged from the hospital around noon when Matt got back from work. They boarded a carriage to take them home because they didn't have one of their own. Though they weren't rich, they still led a comfortable life. Matt and Laura got back home about half an hour later, and Matt put Laura to bed.

'You should take some rest, I'll go get you food.Matt laid his wife on the bed and attempted to leave when he halted.

'Matt, I'm sorry for the inconvenience.' Laura apologized.

'No, honey. You're not causing me discomfort in any way. Even though I don't totally know how you feel, I still know a little bit of it. You're trying your best to make me worry less about you, so don't think you're causing me discomfort in any way, understood?' Matt said.

'Okay.' She responded

'Good. Let me get you something to eat.' Matt said and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

Days passed by with Laura gradually recovering and Matt helping his wife. Matt refused to go to work so that he could help Laura get around the house. He was a mechanic. Laura refused this morning when Matt said he would be staying home with her again.

'Matthew, I am totally fine now. You should go to work.' Laura persuaded.

"Laura, are you sure?' Matt asked, worry evident in his eyes.

'Yes honey, I'm sure. And besides, I'll also be resuming work.' Laura added.

'Today?' Matt asked wide-eyed.

'Yes?' Laura replied, unsure of her response because of her husband's reaction. 'Or maybe tomorrow?' She immediately spoke.

'Tomorrow is better, Laura. You had better give yourself some rest.' Matt spoke

'I will, Matt. All I've been doing for the past couple of days was rest, I need to resume work….I'm very sure that the madam would be upset especially since I didn't tell her that I'd be off.' Laura said.

'She knew you were pregnant Laura, she'd be stupid to get upset.' Matt hissed. He hated the way his wife's boss treated her because she was their house help. And not just her, but every other black female that worked in their mansion.

'Matthew?!' Laura immediately slapped him on his shoulder. 'Watch your mouth, Matt. I'm not ready to lose you yet.' Laura whispered with a threatening gaze.

'Fine.' Matt surrendered. '….Though, I still don't like them and their kinds being around us and bossing us here and there. It's our land, after all.' Matt spoke and stormed outside the house. He had left for work in anger. Laura could only sigh.