Chapter Forty One

Keeping Jayme for twenty four hours, the doctor wanted to make sure there were no signs of infection developing in her bullet wound. Upon her release from the hospital, they went directly to the cabin and gathered their things. Rex drove to another island where they stayed in a hotel until they found another house to rent. Within two days, they were moving from the hotel into the house.
The house was not on the beach but was two blocks from a public beach. It was small, one story with two bedrooms. There was a full indoor bathroom and outside, there was a shower, enclosed with six-foot walls. The house was furnished but there was no crib for Bella. They used her bassinet instead.
Their first night in the house was awkward as they jumped and woke to every noise. They could hear all-night parties on the beach and the music they played. For the sake of safety, Rex and Jayme stayed in the house most of the time, only leaving together when there was a need for a trip to the store. For eight days, they stayed in that house. Spending all their time together, alone, they didn’t feel like they missed out on anything. It brought the three of them closer together. It was like a honeymoon with her daughter present.
Jayme pumped her milk into bottles for the times when Rex let her sleep through the night. He would get up with Bella to feed and change her. It was bonding time for Bella and Rex. He loved her as if she were his own flesh and blood.
Jayme’s physical wounds healed well, although her emotional wounds would take longer to heal. Her depression took the form of darkness, surrounding herself with walls that kept Rex and Bella out. Eventually, she got to the point where she didn’t want to pump her milk, and didn’t want to breastfeed. Bella was nearing six months old.
The last day they spent in Hawaii was Jayme’s birthday. Although she didn’t want to leave the house, Rex forced her out, knowing it was for her own good. For the beginning of the day, Rex drove them around the island, just sight-seeing. Stopping for lunch, they visited a small restaurant on the beach.
With Bella fussing, Rex knew she was wanting to eat. He took her into the men’s room to change her, then brought her out to Jayme, handing her to her. At first, Jayme pushed her away but Rex kept encouraging her to feed Bella. Finally, Jayme gave in and took her from Rex’s arms. Sitting at the table, Jayme looked around the room while she exposed one breast and offered it to Bella. Then covered herself with a lightweight blanket.
Jayme looked down at Bella, who was eating eagerly, and knew she missed her mother’s breast. It was the moment that Jayme realized what she had been doing and instantly began to cry. Feeling the love that was pulling on her heart strings, Jayme pulled Bella closer and held her tighter. Bella seemed to relax and enjoy her mothers touch.
“Jayme, why are you crying?” Rex asked.
“Because I just realized that I have been neglecting Bella. I’ve been pushing her away and she doesn’t deserve that. I feel horrible.” Jayme said and looked down at Bella. “I’m so sorry…” She said in a sob.
Rex drew in a deep breath, releasing the stress of Jayme’s rejection. He knew it was a moment she needed to have and it took breastfeeding Bella to substantiate what she had done. It was the moment she decided that the miscarriage would not rule her life. It was time to work past the loss and overcome.
Refusing to put Bella in her car seat, Jayme wanted to hold her daughter, to be closer to her. But Rex refused to let Jayme hold her while he drove. Gradually, she gave in and allowed Rex to put her in her car seat.
Putting Bella in her back pack, Rex carried her on his shoulders while Rex and Jayme hiked a trail up a steep hillside. The climb was strenuous but the rewarding view was well worth the climb. Taking pictures of the three of them, Jayme found the smile she had lost for a week.
Their last night in the house, Jayme and Rex laid Bella in bed, then decided to try making love. Jayme was still sore, but managed to oblige. It was a dark, stormy night. The rain poured hard against the metal roof and the frequent lightning flashed, creating a certain romantic ambiance.
Arriving at the airport by seven AM, they checked their luggage in and waited to board. Visiting the airport cafeteria, they grabbed breakfast to kill time before boarding. Jayme took the time to feed Bella one last time before getting on the plane. Using the restroom facilities, she relieved herself, and changed Bella's diaper.
The straight, fourteen hour flight seemed to take longer coming back than it did going there. It was nearly midnight by the time they left the airport to go home. Hailing an airport taxi to take them to their vehicle, Rex drove home in the darkness. Being a Monday night, the streets were not occupied by steady traffic.
Rex and Jayme went straight home, to their house. Feeding Bella one last time before bed, Jayme sat on the bed with no shirt. When finished, Rex took Bella from Jayme’s arms and laid her in her crib. As he returned to their bedroom, Jayme was slipping on a short, satiny nightgown. Rex was exhausted and knew it was late, but he couldn’t resist her when she wore clothing like that.
For two hours, they made love in their own bed for the first time in months. It felt good to be home and Jayme felt safe with Rex by her side. Between just being home, and the intimacy with Rex, Jayme’s depression seemed to gradually slip away. She was feeling much more confident as a mother and a wife.
Just as the sun was coming up, Jayme was awaken by severe cramping in her abdomen. Quietly climbing out of bed, she went straight to the bathroom where she sat on the toilet and bent herself over in pain. The pain, she had felt twice before, was the same as menstrual cramping but the severity corresponded with labor and delivery. Jayme was confused as to why she would be cramping like this.
Seeing the blood in her underwear, she wondered if they were just strong menstrual cramping and she was starting her period. Maybe due to the fact that she was shot in the abdomen, it would cause her to have more severe menstrual cycles. Or it could also be a complication of the injury. Whatever, she brushed it off and went back to bed. It was merely six AM.
Still, laying in bed, the cramping continued and after a half an hour, Jayme knew she wouldn’t go back to sleep. But Rex was still sleeping. Quietly climbing out of bed again, she went back to the bathroom and took a hot shower, thinking maybe it would help.
Although the cramping didn’t get any worse, it wasn’t any better either. Neither were they any more or less frequent. The hot water did nothing to ease the cramping. But she used the time to wash her hair and body, pushing through the pain.
Drying herself, she walked naked through the house to the bedroom where she found underwear and her robe. Glancing at the bed, she saw the spotty blood on the sheets and wondered if she was bleeding while they made love.
Slipping on her underwear, then her bathrobe, she tied it as she went toward Bella’s room. Opening the door, it was quiet and still. As she walked up to the crib, she realized Bella was not there. Jayme’s heart dropped to the floor and she screamed. As the situation took hold of her, she felt weak and fell to her knees.
Rex, startled, ran into the room in his underwear. “Jayme, what’s wrong?”
“She’s gone…” Jayme sobbed.
“Don’t touch anything…” Rex said and went to the phone to call in the kidnapping.
“There’s a note…” Jayme said from Bella's bedroom.
“Don’t touch it…” Rex said, still on the phone with his department.
“They’re on their way…” Rex said as he hung up the phone, then returned to Bella’s bedroom.
Taking Jayme in his arms, Rex looked around the room for any evidence. “It’s there…” Jayme pointed and said.
Seeing the note laying on the table, Rex looked down and read it. It read as follows:
“I have your daughter, if you want to see her, come to the Spring brook Motel, room number six. Jayme shall come alone, and if I even think there may be anyone following you, I will leave and kill your daughter. You will never see her again… at least not in the flesh.” The note was not signed by anyone.