Golden Stars

Chapter 1:

The afternoon light fades into the dark, blue night sky. The windows are covered with the red-orange curtains so the stars aren't able to shine down into the hospital room. The pale blue wallpaper goes so well with the mint tiles and rose pattern furniture. Machines bleep and water drips. One of her arms is hooked up to the monitors and fluid pouches next to the bed. Wrapped around her left wrist is her hospital bracelet. Sweat races down on the side of her face: it's been a long day.

She lies there in bed with her hands on top of her stomach and her head facing forward. Her eyes are closed and she breathes softly, yet she is not asleep She is alone in the room with no one or no - KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Ms. Corcoran?" a gentle voice calls from the other side of the door. She turns her head to the sound of the nurse entering the room. "Ms. Corcoran, you have visitors."

"I don't want to see anyone at the moment," the young woman says with respect.

"But dear, it's the Berrys," the nurse tells her, "They said it's important."

What could they possibly want? Don't they understand how much she's been through in the pass two days? Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally? She doesn't want to see those two now. But it's too late: the nurse already brought them in and left the room so that they can "visit". Their names are Hiram and Leroy Berry: yes, they are parnters.

She quickly turns away. "If it's about the contract, can't it wait until I'm checked out?"

"Shelby, we need to talk now," Leroy steps forward, "It cannot wait."

Just then, Shelby turns to Hiram, who is holding a bundle. Not just a bundle, a baby. Her daughter! How dare they bring her in here! She has never been so furious.

"Why did you bring her?" the woman asks angrily.

"Please, let me explain-"

"I'm in enough pain as it is! And you two had the nerve to-"

"To let you hold her," Hiram interrupts her.

"What?"

"She's your daughter more than ours. You have the right to see her."

Shelby look at the two men in surprise: this isn't part of the plan. The plan was that she would have the baby and then they leave with it. End of story. Not to mention she's being paid to do this, but now, she's starting to regret it and holding her is going to make it worse.

She shakes her head. "I can't."

Hiram steps forward and opens his mouth, but Leroy stops him before he could say a word. He turns to Shelby. "Shelby, you're the mother. This child needs to see you."

"Why? Why let her see me? Me! The one who gave her up-" Her voices breaks and she turns away to wipe away her tears. "It's best if she never knew me."

Suddenly, a cry is heard in the room. Everyone turns to the infant in Hiram's arms. He tries to calm her down, but it doesn't work. Shelby doesn't bother watching the men fail. Finally, Leroy takes the child, who is still crying and walks over to the bed.

"Shelby . . . she wants you. Please."

She looks at his pleading eyes, sighs, and holds out her hands. Leroy gently places the fussy child in her arms and backs away from the bed to give them space. After a few seconds, the baby stops crying. This is quite shocking, especially for Shelby. She looks down at the bundle, looking down at her newborn daughter. There, she starts to stroke her fingers through the baby's brown hair. She has her mother's nose and chin. Her eyes are closed, but she can guess they're brown as well. Tears of joy start to fall.

"She's beautiful," Shelby whispers.

Hiram turns to the door, trying hard not to show his tears. "She is wonderful, isn't she?" Shelby can only nod and mouth a simple yes. Leroy turns to him as Hiram clears his throat. "Look, we have been thinking and we came to the conclusion that . . . you can keep her."

Her head snaps up. "What did you say?"

"She's yours now. You have full custody over her."

"But this isn't what we agreed to. The contract says-"

"We're dropping the contract. If you don't want her, you can put her up for adoption. We can't take her."

"Why not? You wanted to do this from the beginning."

"Yes, but as time went by, we realized . . . we can't raise a child like this."

"She always cries whenever we hold her," Leroy points out, "Sometimes; she cries when a nurse is holding her. Like I said, she wants you and no one else."

Shelby looks down the baby. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for this sort of thing. I don't know how I can prepare myself."

"We already have a crib, a stroller, formula, and plenty of diapers no doubt. Plus, you have that guest room in your apartment. You can set up a nursery in there."

"You two would help out then?"

Hiram and Leroy exchange the same gesture. "Well . . . no."

"So, you did this for nothing."

"Perhaps," Hiram brushes through his hair, "But that's our problem. Not yours. We suggest you make your decision as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning would be great."

Shelby lies back on her pillow. "Does she have a name?"

"Rachel," Leroy replies. Hiram turns to him with shock. "It's already on the birth certificate."

She smiles. "I like that name."

"Well, we'll leave you two alone," Hiram starts to push Leroy to the door, "We'll call you tomorrow with your decision."

"Yes, of course. Good night."

"Good night, Ms. Corcoran," Both men leave the room, shutting the door behind them.

She is alone once more, but with her daughter in her arms. Again, the baby starts to cry for attention. Clueless of what to do, she starts to rock her left to right. "It's all right. Sh. Sh. Sh. It's okay. Mommy's here. Mommy's right here." The crying soon stops. At that moment, the baby, now named Rachel, opens her eyes. Shelby was right: her eyes are brown. When Rachel sees her mother, she starts giggling and reaches up to touch her cheek. This makes Shelby laugh. "It's nice to see you, too."

The baby begins to coo as Shelby kisses her on the forehead. Maybe keeping her wouldn't be such a bad idea. The Berrys were right: she does have an unused guest bedroom that can easily be transformed into a nursery, but is she willing to give up so much for this. After all, she's only 23 and has a degree in teaching in the music department, but finding work in New York is hard for a girl her age. She makes money by giving out vocal lessons; still it wouldn't be able to pay for both her and Rachel. What if she couldn't do it? What if she's not able to raise her daughter? Then again, this is her child and she can't leave her. As Leroy said before, she needs her. She needs her mother, Shelby.

"Who am I kidding?" She asks the little one with a grin, "I would never leave you. And I never will. I will always love you . . . Rachel."