Chapter 4 in the series.

Note - may be an upsetting subject matter for some.

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I came to, and took a few moments to regain my senses. I was still in Emily’s office, lying on her sofa. It was considerably more comfortable than mine. Then again, it probably cost a lot more, too. Not to mention I couldn’t write mine off on my income tax.

“I see you are back in the land of the living, my dear.”

I propped myself up, and looked over to see Emily bringing me a steaming mug. “Here you go,” she said, “you look like you could use a good cup of coffee. Double-double, right?”

“Definitely. Thanks, Emily.” I took a sip — way better than what I normally drank. I put down the mug, and had scoped out the room. “So, where is my most favourite person in the whole wide world?”

“He had some other affairs to take care of.” She paused, and then continued, ”You took the news better than expected.”

“Oh? And what was expected? Crying? Screaming? Suicide?” I asked. “I scarcely had time for that, with my being busy fainting and all.”

“Still quick with your wit, I see”, she said with a smile.

“Yeah, well, maybe I will vent later,” I said. I gathered my thoughts, and then asked “So, what is your involvement in all of this, Emily? Obviously, you shared information with Randolph, without my consent. That wasn’t very kind of you, even if you were trying to look out for my best interests. But did you know about this pregnancy?”

“Oh, heavens, no! Had I known he was going to pull something like that, I would have told him to find someone else.”

“So, why did he do it?” I inquired. “It seems like a pretty drastic maneuver to pull, just to save an unborn baby. I’m not saying that a life is not important, but surely there must have been something else he could have done.”

“Well, he explained it more to me while you were out. He knows your soul — the one you have now, in this body — very intimately, as he facilitated the ‘transfer’, so to speak. He said that if he felt you couldn’t handle it, he would have aborted it before it was complete. You would have never been split, and other than a moment of dizziness, you would have been none the wiser for what was going on.”

“I’m surprised he could, or for that matter would, pull that trick off in a restaurant. I always thought things like that required an hour or two, plus a pentagram, or magic herbs, or chanting, or something else.”

“Don’t let his modesty fool you — Randolph is much more powerful than he lets on. I only know a small portion of what he is capable of, and it is impressive. I’ve only dabbled in magic — the occasional spell. I’m a natural empath, and I’ve used my powers, such as they are, to enhance that ability many times over. That is part of the reason why you are who you are now. I sensed a person very torn, and rather than offering only one choice, I figured that it might be better to offer you the chance at both solutions.” She hesitated for a moment, then added “I’m just sorry that the solution came with such a hefty price.”

I reached over, and grasped her hand. “It’s okay, Emily. I know you meant well for me. The pregnancy thing is an issue that I guess I will just have to deal with. I’ll carry the baby for the full nine months, and try to figure out what do in the meantime. I’m not sure I am prepared to be a parent, and there are lots of good people out there who are looking to adopt…” I stopped when I saw the indecipherable look on her face. “What? What!?”

“Nothing, Lindsay. It’s just that… well, don’t be very surprised if you decide to keep the baby. I know you are new to all of this, and you are probably more than a bit scared. However, it is incredibly difficult to give up an infant that you have been carrying inside you for nine months.”

I sighed. “Whatever. I will deal with that issue if and when it comes up.”

“Of course, dear. I don’t mean to put any more stress upon you. Whenever you want to talk, I’ll be happy to listen. And just to let you know, you take priority over all of my other patients.”

“Thank you. That is…” I stopped upon hearing some rather annoying music. It seemed to be emanating from my purse, which was on the floor, by my feet. I opened it, and dug out a cell phone. I opened it and looked at an unrecognizable number on the call display, before answering it.

“Hello?” I said.

”Hello, is this Ms. Mercelle?” said the voice on the other end.

“Yes it is. Who am I speaking with, please?

”It’s Barb Withers at the Ashton Clinic. I’m just phoning to confirm your appointment for Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.”

I took a moment to dig through Lindsay’s memories before I found out what this was about. I felt nauseous as I discovered not only what was going on, but Lindsay’s emotions in regards to it. I took a moment to recover, before continuing the conversation.

“I’m sorry, Barb. I should have phoned sooner. I’ll be canceling the procedure.”

“Perfectly okay”, Barb said. “It happens all the time. That’s why we give women a few days to think over what they are doing. It cannot be undone. I wish you best of luck.”

“Thanks, Barb. I appreciate that. Take care.” I closed the phone to end the call.

I was still in a state of shock as I reviewed those memories again. Emily sat down beside me and gently asked “Was that what I think it was?”

I felt my eyes fill with tears as I answered. “Yes, it is. That… that… bitch was going to abort the baby. Not only that, but she felt absolutely nothing about it. It was as if she was trying to get rid of a cold, or a hangnail. She didn’t think of it as a life growing in her. It was only a nuisance. And this wasn’t the first time she has done this — it was her third! Oh my God, Emily. What kind of person was she? What if I end up being just like her?”

And with that, I began to sob.