Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel) Read online

  She eventually found her mother, who had kept her maiden name Jane Wilder. But Alaine waited until she was out from the Gray’s home, and in college, before she made contact. She first sent a letter, but after getting no response, she decided to take a drive to the address that she was given.

  Alaine learned that Jane’s husband had left her and their daughter about five years before. She also learned that Jane had been diagnosed with cancer and was battling to stay alive. She was staying in a nursing home, a few miles away.

  Alaine was apprehensive to meet her at first, not knowing if she would be accepted, but she had to at least see her before she passed away.

  When Alaine peeked into Jane’s room, her heart dropped. She looked like an old woman, so thin and pale, and was attached to many wires. Her hair had fallen out, probably due the chemo treatments, but Jane’s eyes were closed.

  Alaine slowly stepped into her room, and with each step, her heart beat faster and faster. She started to second guess herself, and just as she was about to turn around, Jane’s eyes opened.

  “Hello,” Jane breathed weakly. “Are you looking for someone?”

  “Um. Yes. I. I’m looking for Jane Wilder,” Alaine stuttered.

  Jane smiled. “I’m Jane Wilder. Do I know you?”

  Alaine paused, swallowing hard. “Yes…and no.”

  When she saw Jane’s brow crease she knew she had to tell her, even though she was terrified of rejection. Alaine walked up to Jane and carefully rested her hand on hers.

  “Mrs. Wilder, my name is Alaine Gray. I am your daughter.”

  Jane’s eyes widened in total confusion. She began to shake her head, but as she looked into Alaine’s eyes, she began to weep.

  “How did you find me?”

  “Well…it’s kind of a complicated story. On my eighteenth birthday, an Angel named Aurora once told me about you and my birth father. She gave me your name and said that you were in the area. I did some research online and found out where you lived.”

  Jane shook her head, but after a few moments, took hold of Alaine’s arm and pulled her closer and embraced her. She wept, and apologized for having to give her up, and prayed that she had a wonderful life.

  Alaine thanked her for making the right decision, and shared stories of her childhood, and all of her wonderful memories growing up with the Gray’s.

  A few hours later a teenage girl came walking in, and paused when she saw Alaine.

  Her skin was flawless, the color of cream, and her features were very petite. Long auburn hair curled down her shoulders, and her eyes were a bright green. She was beautiful. Alaine introduced herself, and found out that her name was Victoria. This was her half-sister.

  Victoria walked over to Jane and gave her a kiss on the forehead, and then put some fresh flowers in a vase, which sat in front of her. Victoria seemed happy to learn that she had an older sister. Alaine noticed a lot of similarities between her and Victoria. Although Alaine had chocolate brown hair and eyes, they had the same shaped eyes and smile.

  Alaine made sure to visit daily, and Jane enjoyed talking with and listening to Alaine’s stories about growing up.

  But it wasn’t long before the cancer ravaged Jane’s weak body, and it soon came to the point where she could no longer talk. Alaine still came, sat next to her bedside, and told her happy stories of her youth. Within a few weeks, Jane was gone.

  Alaine was devastated, but also glad she was given the chance to have met and talked with her birth mother before she passed, and also relieved that she and Jane had a chance to make amends.

  After their mother passed, Alaine and Victoria kept in close contact. Alaine helped her with whatever she needed to finish her last year of high school, and after graduation, paid for her courses to study Real Estate. That was something Victoria wanted to do, because her boyfriend’s parents were in real estate and they had become very wealthy.

  During their times together, Alaine opened her heart to Victoria. She told her about the note, the bloodstone, and the secret world of the Angels who roamed the earth.

  Victoria swore to never tell a soul, and Alaine believed her. She knew her sister had a pure heart, and she was finally glad to share her secret with someone. Victoria shared about her childhood and how her father left them when he found out her mother was sick. He wasn’t a very nice man, so Victoria was glad when he left.

  Now, Victoria was 20 years old, and engaged to her high-school sweetheart, Christian Wise. Their wedding was a month away, and Alaine was in a predicament. She now had to ask Victoria if she would be willing to raise her child. This was not an easy thing to ask someone to do, to raise a child who was not their own.

  Alaine worried over how she was going to present them with the news.

  How could she explain that she was only pregnant for a few months, and then would be giving birth?

  What if they said no?

  If Victoria and Christian didn’t want her child, Alaine had no other plans and had no clue of what she would do.

  The thought of her child being with family would make the loss a bit easier, and Alaine knew that Victoria and Christian would make perfect parents. The downside was that she and Samuel would have to remain completely out of their lives to ensure their safety.

  Alaine called Victoria and set up meeting with her and her fiancé Christian a few days later. Samuel was away, so she would have to do this herself, but she wanted to prepare them as much in advance as she could. She just hoped and prayed that they would accept her offer. Her most precious gift.

  When the day arrived, Alaine’s stomach churned, twisting and turning in knots. Christian and Victoria met her at a small café in town. They greeted each other, and then Alaine led them to a private booth in the back corner.

  Victoria was gorgeous in just a simple white top and blue jeans. Her bright green eyes lit up when she saw Alaine, and a smile widened on her flawless, porcelain face. Christian was not too bad looking either. He had ash-blond hair, which was neatly cut, and baby blue eyes. They both looked so in love, so thrilled to just be in each other’s presence.

  They both sat across from Alaine, and Victoria knew immediately that something was up.

  “Hey, is everything okay?” Victoria questioned.

  “Yes. Everything’s fine. I just need to ask you both a serious question.”

  Victoria and Christian glanced at each other and then both sets of eyes steeled on Alaine. Alaine’s pulse raced and her stomach twisted.

  “Have you ever discussed or considered having children?” Alaine asked.

  Their faces dropped, and Victoria glanced over to Christian.

  Christian took hold of her hand, and then turned to Alaine. “We have discussed it, but I have a medical condition which makes me unable to have children. But we have discussed our options, and were thinking that maybe we’d adopt in the future. But that’s a few years down the line. We’d like to travel a bit first, and spend some married time alone before we take the plunge and raise a child.” Christian grinned and wrapped his arm around Victoria.

  Alaine’s heart sank. She was quiet, feeling horrible for thinking of asking them to carry such a heavy load. They had already made plans that didn’t include a child. But then again, maybe if they were given the option…?

  “Alaine, what is it? What did you want to ask us?” Victoria said softly.

  Alaine paused and gazed lovingly into her sister’s eyes.

  “I’m pregnant.” Alaine’s eyes immediately started to fill with tears.

  Victoria gasped, and held both hands over her mouth. Her eyes started to pool as she looked at Alaine.

  “Oh, Alaine, I’m---” Victoria didn’t know how to respond, not knowing if this news was good or bad.

  “I can’t keep the baby,” she sobbed. “I asked you both to meet me here to see if maybe you’d be willing to care for it.”

  “Like adopt?” Christian breathed with a look of confusion on his face.

  “Yes,” Alaine sniffed
. She grabbed a napkin and dabbed the wet away, trying to compose herself.

  “When is your due date?” he questioned.

  “I’m not sure, but it would be in about three months.”

  “Three months?” Victoria inhaled, looking at Alaine’s belly. “You don’t even look like you’re pregnant.”

  “It’s complicated,” was all Alaine could say as she looked into Victoria’s eyes. Victoria nodded, knowing the secrets that her sister had shared with her. She knew this child would be different. Special.

  She turned to Christian and they shared a silent stare. There were no words, but each was speaking very loud and clear to the other. With simultaneous nods, they turned back to Alaine. Christian wrapped his arm around Victoria.

  “We’ll do it” she chimed, smiling widely. “We’ll adopt your baby.”

  Alaine’s head snapped up to their smiling faces. She began to weep, but stood up and hugged them both tightly.

  “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?” she asked.

  “No.” Alaine shook her head. “Do you want me to tell you if I find out?”

  “No! I want it to be a surprise!” Victoria squealed.

  “So what steps do we need to take?” Christian asked.

  “I’ll have an attorney draw everything up, and have them come and meet you. You won’t have to worry about anything. I will take care of all the expenses, and I’ll also keep in touch and give you all the details.”

  “Alright,” Christian said facing Victoria. “Honey, we’re gonna have a baby!” Victoria threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his, giving him a loud smack.

  They were happy. Truly happy. Alaine smiled inside and out, knowing that they were going to be the ones to raise the precious child growing in her womb. But, she would have to explain to Victoria that she would not be able to see her again after the child was born. It was much too dangerous, and Alaine didn’t want to put any of their lives in danger.

  Chapter Nine

  Emma’s Birth

  The few months of pregnancy were hard, and Samuel and Alaine watched her belly grow bigger every day, until it was just about time. Samuel took care of all the arrangements and had her secretly brought to a place just outside of the city.

  It was a recently closed medical facility which had moved to a bigger location a few miles down the road. But for now, this place was abandoned and awaiting renovations, and a perfect place for Alaine to have the child.

  It was late one afternoon when Alaine felt a shooting pain in her abdomen. She doubled over and moaned.

  “I think it’s time,” she breathed to Samuel.

  Samuel ran to her side, helped her to a chair, and then grabbed her phone and dialed.

  “She’s ready. Meet us in twenty minutes.” He hung up the phone and assisted Alaine to the door. But first he stopped, stepped out and smelled the air.

  “Let’s go.” The air was clear, so he quickly led her out to the car and assisted her in. She moaned again, grabbing her abdomen.

  “Samuel. Hurry. I think this baby wants out now.” In a flash he was opening the driver’s door and shoving in.

  They reached the location in less than twenty minutes. Samuel drove the car behind the building, and parked near the back door. He got out and sniffed the air again. It seemed to be clear. Just then, a man in a dark suit popped out of the darkness, making Alaine jump.

  Were they caught?

  The man walked up to Samuel and they shared a few words. After a few minutes, they shook hands and the man turned and walked away. Samuel rushed over to the car, and opened Alaine’s door.

  “Who was that?” she questioned.

  “A Watcher. There are a few of them out there. Friends of mine. They’ll be keeping a close eye outside to make sure we don’t have any unwanted visitors.”

  Alaine exhaled a deep breath. There was still so much she needed to learn about this new world. Another sharp pain shot through her, and she groaned. Samuel whisked her up in his arms and carried her inside. He took her to a small room and laid her on the bed in the corner. The room was white and smelled sterile, and everything was already set up for her to give birth.

  A few minutes later two ladies walked in, both beautiful, and both looked to be in their early thirties. Alaine suspected they were Angels because they looked too perfect, and had that wonderful sweet scent.

  “Alaine, it’s so nice to see you again,” the first woman said, walking towards her. “My name is Laura. I am your midwife, same as I was for your mother.”

  Alaine’s eyes widened. “My mother?”

  “Yes. I was there the day you were born, and so was Abigail. She was the one who delivered you safely to the Gray’s.” The midwife turned to her assistant who smiled.

  Alaine froze. Her brain was smoking, trying to process that information. They didn’t look too much older than she was, and they were there for her birth? Whoa. That was crazy.

  “Hi Alaine. I’m Abigail Reed.” The assistant headed to shake her hand, but as Alaine held out hers, another sharp pain surged through her belly. She screamed through gritted teeth, sending everyone to their places.

  “I’d say this baby wants out,” Laura noted. She put on her gloves, while Abigail set up the baby’s area.

  Samuel came around and took Alaine by the hand.

  “It’s going to be alright, Alaine. Just breathe. Everything will be alright,” he whispered into her ear.

  It was a long few hours of labor, but after one last push, the baby was born.

  “It’s a girl!” Laura announced. She handed her over to Abigail to clean her up.

  Samuel leaned over and wrapped Alaine in his arms. She wept and wept, and he held her tight, whispering how proud he was, and how much he loved her.

  After cleaning the baby, Abigail wrapped her in a blanket and walked her over to Samuel and Alaine.

  “Would you like to hold her?”

  Alaine lifted her arms toward the bundle and brought her to her chest. She gasped, and the tears continuously flowed down her face.

  She was perfect, and so tiny. Her little nose was so sweet, her lips were bright pink and perfectly shaped, and her little cheeks looked like they were brushed with pink blush. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a split second, she smiled.

  Alaine looked at Samuel. She could tell he was torn.

  Alaine put her nose down to her little head and breathed in her scent. She smelled so sweet. She was sweet in every way imaginable.

  “She’s beautiful, just like her mother,” Samuel whispered. He wrapped his arms around Alaine and the baby, and then leaned over and kissed his daughter on the cheek. She scrunched her little nose, and for a moment there was laughter. For a moment, they were a real family. But, that moment was not going to last long, and everyone in the room knew it.

  They were interrupted by one of the Watchers, who came to the door. He motioned for Samuel to come, and they quickly disappeared into the hall.

  Alaine could hear their murmurs echoing off the walls, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of her beautiful daughter. She studied the details of her soft face. So amazingly perfect.

  But when her heart should have been happy, it started to break when she realized she had to give her away.

  Samuel came back in with a deep furrow in his brow. He eyes looked concerned, but as soon as he laid them on Alaine, he smiled. “I’m sorry Alaine. We need to say goodbye.”

  “Are we in danger?”

  “No. It’s just a precaution. The Watchers spotted one of the Fallen a few miles away.”

  Laura gasped and immediately went to Alaine’s side and held out her hands to take the child. Alaine’s world suddenly became hazy. She ran this day in her mind over and over, but was still not prepared for it. This was something she could never prepare for. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.

  She glanced down at her newborn daughter through tear-filled eyes.

  This precious, sleeping, baby girl h
ad no idea of the events going on around her; no idea she was in danger, or that her mother’s heart was breaking. She had no clue that she was going to be whisked away in a few moments to a new set of parents.

  Alaine whispered softly in her ear. “I love you so much my precious daughter, more than every single breath I breathe, more than life itself. I’m so sorry. I wish I could keep you, but always remember that I will be here should you ever need me.”

  Alaine’s eyes flooded with tears. She kissed her precious daughter on the forehead, breathed in her scent, and handed her over to the midwife.

  She carried the child to Samuel, and placed her in his arms. His eyes sparkled as he stared at his daughter’s beautiful face. He leaned down and pressed his lips on her cheek, whispered something into her little ear. Then, he gave her one last kiss goodbye.

  Abigail headed toward them, and Samuel carefully handed her the child. She turned one last time to Alaine, but Alaine was curled up, sobbing. Her heart was breaking, her body aching.

  Samuel sadly gave Abigail a nod, so she quickly took the baby---so innocent, so oblivious to the dangers of the dark world around her---and fled into the night.

  The next few months were very difficult for both Samuel and Alaine. Alaine was hard to console at first, but it was Samuel’s constant love and commitment which helped to pull her together.

  Although their daughter was now in the loving care of Victoria and Christian, there could be no physical contact and very limited correspondence. This was to assure that the Fallen would have no leads or connections to the Wise family, and keep them safe.

  But Abigail Reed did find out the name she was given. Her name was Emma. Emma Wise. The day Alaine learned Emma’s name, it took residence in her heart and mind, and there wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think about her.

  Her heart ached knowing she would miss watching her grow, cutting her first tooth, taking her first step, and saying her first word. But if all that heartache meant that Emma would be safe, then it was worth it.