Carmen laughed through her tears. Her child was growing and she would often anticipate the little nudges. She talked to her stomach often and sang to it. She knew it was going to be hard being a single mother but what was the other alternative. Go back to Shane and beg for her back. No Carmen couldn’t do that, no she was going to do it alone. Carmen was fast approaching her ninth month when she ran into Jenny. She tried to waddle away but she couldn’t fast enough.

Jenny: Carmen is that you?

Carmen: Hey Jenny.

Jenny silently took in Carmen’s belly and nodded.

Jenny: A promise is a promise.

Carmen wanted to kiss Jenny right then and there. She would keep her secret and that’s all Carmen could hope for. She vowed to keep in touch and let her know what she was having. Carmen awoke the next night in mind numbing pain. She knew it was time. Mercedes heard Carmen’s moans of pain and helped to usher her to the car. Mercedes urged Carmen to push and wiped her sweaty brow. Carmen wished Shane was here but she quickly banished that thought. Carmen pushed with all of her might and she felt the tearing and the ripping. She did one more push and she felt pressure than a major release. She heard the faint cries.

Doctor: it’s a boy

Mercedes: Usted tiene un hijo. él es hermoso. (you have a son. He is so beautiful)

The doctor placed him on her chest and she loved him instantly. She wanted to cry at the fact that she almost killed him. That she had almost condemned him to die. No she wouldn’t think of that she would nurture him and watch him grow. She kissed his curly hair and his eyes opened.

Mercedes: Los ojos de Shane. (Shane’s eyes).

Carmen nodded. Every time she looked at him she would see her eyes. Carmen forgave Shane for all her transgression immediately because she didn’t want to look at her son with hate but instead to give him all her love. She wanted him to have everything in this life.

Mercedes: Usted le debe denominar milagro porque eso es lo que él es. (You should name him milagro because that is what he is).

Her mamita was right. Her son was a miracle but he was more of an Angel to her. His beauty blinded her and through him she would reach redemption. He looked so much like Shane that it made her heart ache with longing for her but he was not her. He was her son, her angel. 

Carmen: No él es mi ángel. (No he is my angel).

She kissed him and gave him her pinky to grab.

Carmen: su nombre es Angel Shane Morales (His name is Angel Shane Morales).

Tbc. Thanks for the comments and tell me what you think.