Enduring

Proserpina

I knew I could not bring the children into the world on my own. My strength was weakening. I could barely move and pushing forcefully was totally out of the question.

The man, I guessed he was a doctor or someone close to that; he spoke to me gently, urging me to push.

I shook my head tiredly, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“Just let me die,’ I whispered, my lips dry and cracking. The man gently wetted my lips with a cloth and I gasped.

“Please, kill me. I do not think I can…” I moaned loudly as another spasm tore through me and I floated away into a world of darkness.

I dreamt Lucien was beside me, we were in our bed, the bed I could only dream of. My older children were with me…Claude as well.

I tried to smile, tried to speak to them but the words would not form themselves in my mind.

*

Lucien

He sat at the window of the aircraft, starring outside. The waitress had approached him with drinks but he had dismissed her with a scowl. He wanted to be fully alert when he reac