CHAPTER 21 Stephanie, you are alive
No, she can't let this go on forever. Having calmed down, Liz came up with an idea and took out her phone to make a call.
"Let go of me!" Stephanie was still struggling, but Jack was holding her tight like a kid with his favorite toy.
"Your phone just rang. Why don't you answer?" Stephanie's face had turned white out of anger. She had been pulled out of the crowd by him in order not to block others" way. Though there were still random sights casted upon them, Stephanie didn't mind at all. In contrast, she was looking for a chance to get rid of him. In one second, she could get away from him by leaping onto the plane.
Jack frowned and took his phone out with a hand. It was the babysitter. He hesitated before he answered the call.
Stephanie didn't expect Jack to be this cautious and was irritated a bit. Nonetheless, she kept observing his expression, looking for a chance. Finally, she saw Jack's expression changed after the person on the other end said something. Though the change was slight, Stephanie, who had stayed with Jack for a long time, knew it was something urgent. That's the chance!
She was ready to run once Jack loosened the grip for a mere second, but he was holding her hand tight and trotting towards outside.
"Let go of my hand!" Stephanie couldn't find a chance so she started struggling again while being dragged by Jack. Behind her, the boarding entrance of her shuttle had closed. She fell into despair.
Right after he got out of there, he was seen by Liz who was waiting at the doorway. She ran over in joy. "Jack, did you receive the phone call? Something happened to the baby!" She said worriedly with tears oozing out from her eyes.
"What?" Before Jack could respond, Stephanie screamed from behind while glaring at him. "What's going on with the baby?"
Jack didn't hesitate before he answered, "He fell off from the stairs." It was not until then that Liz noticed Stephanie. Her face twisted out of anger and envy, but she hadn't given up her reason. She thought Jack would come out in a hurry after he got the phone call, leaving Stephanie behind, but to her surprise, he brought that woman here with him. She glared at the hand Jack was using to hold Stephanie with her burning eyes.
"Stephanie, you still alive?" These words were supposed to be spoke out in a pleasantly surprised way, but they sounded stiff in Liz's voice and tone. Stephanie's appearance almost broke her mask of a hypocrite.
"I want to see my baby!" Stephanie ignored Liz completely and was still glaring at Jack angrily and anxiously. That's her maternal instinct.
The two reached an agreement and went back on their way. Seeing herself ignored, Liz was irritated but still followed up in her 3-inch high heels since she still needed to keep an eye on Stephanie.
The driver drove the car to them. Liz planned to sit at the back seat with Jack, but Stephanie got on there with him fast by tacit agreement. Liz stomped her feet and jumped in the front seat.
On their way back, it was unusually quiet. Liz was considering about her future plans while Stephanie was thinking about her baby. Jack was the only one who seemed relieved. Throughout their ride, he didn't lose his grip for even a second, as if drawing vitality from that tender wrist to bring himself back to life.
The party soon arrived at the hospital and started heading to the ward in strides. In the ward, the doctor hadn't left and was speaking to the babysitter, while the baby was lying on the bed peacefully.
Seeing that Jack's back, the babysitter wanted to justify herself, but was then scared off by a cold stare.
Stephanie came to the bed worriedly. She looked at the baby and then looked at the doctor. "Sir, is he alright?"
"It's nothing this time, but be mindful in the future. Keep your responsibility as parents in mind." The doctor blamed them for a few sentences before he left for another ward.
Stephanie was finally relieved from her worries. She stared blankly at the baby, tears running down her face uncontrollably.
"We finally met, my baby. I am your mother…" She murmured. Subconsciously, Stephanie reached out her hands for the baby but then retreated as if fearing something. The baby was asleep. His baby-pink face looked lovely. She looked at him over and over. Relentless tears dripped down from her eyes.
She was not a good mother. Various emotions mingled in her heart. She once wanted to abort this baby, so she considered herself unqualified to touch him. Nonetheless, her maternal instinct eventually reigned, making her to reach for the baby.
Someone took the baby ahead of her, however. It was Liz. Her actions were not gentle and even a bit rude, which terrified the baby and woke him up. The baby broke into tears.
"Calm down, my sweet honey." Liz was flustered and began to comfort him like a real mother, but she was in lack of experience. Besides, the baby didn't know her well, so he cried even harder.
The baby's cry was like a knife stabbing Stephanie's heart. She glared at Liz and said, "Give him to me!"
"Don't cry, my sweet honey." Liz pretended like she didn't hear. She even said to Jack, "See, the baby's fine!"
"Give him to me, Liz!" Stephanie got more enraged.
She was his mother and naturally had the right to hold him, but Liz was somehow reluctant. "You don't understand, Steph. This kid doesn't get along well with strangers." Liz said and held him closer.