Dark Fall

Chapter 42 - The Library

Will cringed at the retching sounds from the kitchen. Rushing in, he found Terra at the sink, bent over a metal pot with face paled. He helped her sit down in a chair, but she kept a white-knuckled grip on the pot handles. A bit of his stomach contents refluxed as she heaved again.

Terra grumbled. "You did this to me."

"As I recall, it was a joint effort. You..." Will paused as Terra shot him a menacing, narrow-eyed look. "I should stop talking now."

Terra glared at him. "Yes, you should."

She retched yet again.

Will put his hand gently on her back. "Perhaps we should pay Liz a visit today."

That afternoon, Will guided Terra into an examination room at the clinic. The nausea had eased since morning, but not entirely. She plopped herself on the padded table. Zoe came in to read Terra's vital signs and take a blood sample.

On the way out, Zoe smirked as she elbowed Will. "You stud."

Liz walked in shortly later. "Not so good?"

Terra answered, "What I told you yesterday about my morning sickness not being too bad? I take it back now. And why do they call it morning sickness if it lasts into the afternoon?"

"Ah, yes. A joy of pregnancy."

"Did you have this wonderful experience with your children?"

Liz sighed. "I did. It was terrible with Paul, but not so bad with Bree. Every woman and every pregnancy is different. I can give you some medicine that will help ease the nausea if you need it. Also, we have information on more natural remedies that sometimes work." Liz's viewer beeped, and she pulled it out of a pocket. "Hmm. Your blood test results look good, other than being a bit anemic. The pregnancy test came back positive, but you already knew that."

Liz looked back at Terra. "Have you looked in through the aura?"

Terra smiled. "Yes. Yesterday afternoon and again last night. She is so small now."

"A girl, huh?" Liz glowed as she reached out and grasped Terra's hands. "You have begun a journey that is as much wonderful as it is terrifying. There is nothing like motherhood."

Over the next week, Terra tested several natural remedies suggested to relieve the morning sickness, trying these first before risking the potential side effects of prescription medicine. She settled on a ginger-spiced herbal tea. For Will's part, he swore off ever cooking bacon again, at least until after birth. Together, they consulted the nutrition guide Liz gave them and found some blander foods that sat better on Terra's stomach.

*****

The next Sunday morning, Will and Terra attended the church gathering. Terra still was not sure what to believe of this God, but the welcoming atmosphere warmed her heart.

After the service, Pastor Joseph pulled her aside. "Terra, are you still interested in learning more about the Library?"

"My ties to the Uprising are completely severed now. So, yes."

"Very good. Tomorrow evening at your cottage, then?" he asked with an upturned eyebrow.

The knock on the door came at the expected time. Will greeted and ushered in three to the living room, two or which were known: Ginny and Joseph.

Ginny introduced the third, an older man with short graying hair, dark skin, and intense brown eyes. "Will, Terra, this is Avin Morse. He is the Chairman of the Library Council."

Will shook hands with Avin. "We are honored that you would come all the way here to meet with us."

Avin dipped his head and softened his expression. "The honor is mine. You two have made quite the impact."