Welch, D [Shadow People 03] Shadow Twins

by Doug Welch

  The guard led them through the door and into a wide, carpeted hallway. Standing in the hall was another guard who clutched a radio. The first guard slipped back through the door and closed it.

  The guard with the radio turned on his heels and led the way without looking back. “Please follow me.” He walked a little way down the hallway before realizing they weren’t keeping pace. He paused and allowed them to catch up.

  Cecil glared at him. “Mrs. Fox is pregnant you idiot. She can’t walk that fast.”

  The guard bowed his head for a moment. “I apologize, but it’s necessary. It’s just a little further.”

  He stopped in front of a door. “There is a bathroom should Mrs. Fox need to use it.” He opened the door. “You’re to stay here until someone comes to release you.”

  Elizabeth paused at the doorway. “I want to talk to Grieg Pearson about this. I protest being confined like a common criminal.”

  “I’m sorry. The Association President is busy greeting his guests. I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you after the ball.” He ushered them into the room and closed the door.

  Relieved to have escaped the ballroom without having to confront the twin, Elizabeth wondered if the result had been for the better or the worst. She looked around at the suite. It was similar to her room but without the connecting doors. Curious to see if the entrance was locked, she opened the front door only to find the guard barring the way. She slammed the door and nodded to Cecil. “Looks like we’re stuck here. I wonder where Dan is.”

  “No sense in fretting,” Cecil replied. “You need to sit and let me worry about it.”

  Sitting wasn’t a problem, Elizabeth thought, but not fretting certainly was. Her mind whirled through all the possibilities. Had Grieg Pearson or the Borgias discovered their plan? Had the Borgias used the false Paris to subvert the Family’s interests? She feared the consequences of a Borgia take-over.

  Paris had often spoken of the delicate position the Family occupied. If the Borgia House gained control of their territory, they would all suffer. Particularly upsetting was the Borgia’s fixation on the twin’s genetics. She could only imagine what that might portend, considering the way they treated Audrey.

  But what could she do about it? Stuck here in this suite she could only brood. She was in good shape and if she wasn’t carrying her child she’d have attempted to outwit the guard and escape. Sitting on the couch she looked up at Cecil who paced around the room. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

  He stopped pacing and sat beside her. “I know, but we can’t risk you or the baby.”

  Elizabeth once more cast about for a solution. She thought briefly of setting the suite on fire. It would certainly get them out of there if they didn’t burn up first. Discarding the idea as a non-starter, she searched her mind for a less radical solution.

  Then it hit her. “Cecil, call the guard and tell him I’m going into labor. Tell him I can feel baby coming.” He leaped from the couch and hurried to the door. She shifted her position to lay supine on the couch and massaged her stomach.

  Cecil opened the door and yelled at the guard. “Mrs. Fox is going to have her baby. We need to get to the nearest medical facility immediately.”

  The guard rushed in and took one look at her. Seeing her grimace and clutch her stomach, he raised the radio to his mouth and called for help.

  * * *

  Elizabeth gazed around at the walls of the delivery room. They’d rushed her to a nearby hospital and now she reclined in a raised hospital bed wondering if she should tell the resident it was a false alarm.

  She’d faked the labor pains simply to get away from the room and out of the reach of the Shadows but now she felt the contractions of beginning labor. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t have the baby unless Paris was with her but if she was right it was a promise destined to be broken. She looked to her left at Cecil brooding in the chair next to her bed.

  “Did they say when the resident or an intern would come?”

  Cecil shook his head. “You mean the doctor?”

  “Yes, I’d prefer a resident,” Elizabeth said, “but I guess an intern will do. After all, I’ve delivered a few babies in the emergency room myself.”

  “Do you want me to check?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Ask a nurse. Also I’m worried about Dan. He disappeared just before we left. He might be in trouble.”

  “Not much we can do ‘bout that, Beth,” Cecil said.

  “I know,” Elizabeth said, “but it doesn’t stop me from worrying. Just check with the nurse and while you’re at it get yourself a cup of coffee. We could be here for a long time.”

  Cecil rose and left the room.

  Elizabeth settled back in the bed alone with her thoughts. If she was going to deliver, it left her in an extremely vulnerable position. She knew Cecil would guard her with his life but she didn’t want it to come to that. Trapped in Canada with only two other allies, one of whom was missing, she had few choices. She thought about insisting that she be transported to a hospital on the U.S. side of the border but she knew as a doctor, the hospital would be unlikely to agree to that. Besides, the Canadian health care system was very good. She couldn’t receive better care.

  She fretted over the seeming disinterest shown by Grieg Pearson. He and Paris were very close friends but Grieg had often tried to convince Paris he should marry the Family to the North American Shadow Association. Was he using the false Paris to make that happen? Was that why he’d avoided meeting with her?

  Shadows were quite ruthless in their dealings with other Houses. It was why the Council existed, to prevent major conflicts between competing Houses and keep the territories small to prevent one House or Association from becoming too powerful. Surely if Tony Anagnostopoulos knew what was happening, as a Council Member he’d step in to prevent it.

  Another contraction hit her, this one more severe and lasting longer. She endured it with clenched teeth until her womb relaxed. She was resting in anticipation of the next one when she heard raised voices outside her room.

  She opened her eyes only to see the Paris lookalike rush into the room followed by an angry Cecil.

  Chapter 20

  The Fruit of our Labors

  Paris held his hands out. “Before you pound me into a puddle, Cecil, wouldn’t it be a good idea to let Elizabeth decide?” He expanded his mind glow and locked it to Elizabeth’s.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Paris?”

  Paris noticed her small frame snuggled in the bed and his eyes watered. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around her “Yes, baby I’m here. I told you I wouldn’t miss the delivery.” He leaned back to study her face. “How’s our daughter?”

  Elizabeth smacked his arm. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, buster. Do you have any idea how worried I was? Where have you been?”

  Paris winced and rubbed his arm. “That hurt. If you’d have stayed in the room at the hotel, I would have come for you. I’ll explain later when we’re alone. Are you really in labor or was that a ruse to escape?”

  “It was at first,” she replied, “but not now.”

  Her eyes widened again. “Damn, my water just broke. Get the nurse. I’m really going to have the baby.”

  While the nurse prepped Elizabeth’s bed for the delivery, Paris changed into hospital scrubs. He’d learned of his Shadow twin from Tony while still stuck in Italy and using his new Italian company’s funds, had flown from Corsica to Canada.

  To his surprise, his twin had shown up in Canada. At Paris’ urging, Grieg had incarcerated him in a secure room at his mansion. Together they’d dreamed up the idea of Paris impersonating his twin to find out what the Borgia’s planned. So far, he hadn’t learned anything of value.

  From Gerardo’s statements, he’d gained the impression that the twin had assured the Borgias his impersonation was successful. Once Paris had learned Elizabeth would attend the conference and Kitty as the Family Adept, had paved her way, he suspected th
e twin was lying.

  Protesting to Gerardo that it would seem out of character for him not to be at Elizabeth’s side during her delivery, he managed to escape the ball and rush to the hospital. Now that he was here and once Beth delivered the baby, he’d think about what to do next, but the very first thing would be to wring the truth out of the twin.

  Reentering the delivery room, he was alarmed by the change in Elizabeth. Looking exhausted and wet with sweat, she panted. Her chest, arm and abdomen were decorated with sensors which were connected to monitors that beeped rapidly. He became calmer once he realized she was in the middle of a contraction. Reaching her bed, he slipped an arm around her and rubbed her back until the contraction stopped.

  Elizabeth fell back on the bed. “God, that was a strong one.” Calmer now, she looked at the fetal monitor. “The baby’s heart rate is too high.”

  The delivery nurse glanced at the monitor. “Don’t worry Mrs. Fox. The doctor will be here in a moment.”

  Angry, Elizabeth said, “Don’t tell me to not worry. I’m a doctor. I know when a baby’s heart rate is too high.”

  “Maybe we can fix that,” Paris said, “You ready to go all Vulcan with me?” They’d planned to merge mind-glows with little Dorri during the delivery and right now was a good time to do it.

  Elizabeth nodded, and grabbed his hand.

  From long practice, Paris blended his mind-glow with Elizabeth’s and together they sought the spark that lay in her womb. Paris was surprised at the changes a few weeks had made. The first thing he noticed was the chaotic, seething turmoil deep within like a tiny sun about to be born. Soothing the writhing furnace of primitive emotions caused an instant change.

  The delivery nurse gasped. “What did you do? The baby’s heart rate just dropped.”

  Paris smiled at her and shrugged. “Daddy’s here.”

  Exploring Dorri’s unborn mind further, he sensed a vast, smooth plane containing few patterns but unlimited potential. It vibrated with suppressed energy just waiting to burst into life.

  Elizabeth’s mid-glow gravitated to the core, to the fierce sun at the center, blending with it and embracing it. He became overwhelmed by a powerful surge of unlimited love and a ferocious sense of protection like a lioness guarding her cubs. Shaken, he thought of withdrawing and disengaging Elizabeth’s mind from the place it clung to, but the connection changed to one of peace and contentment so he decided to let it continue.

  The birthing grew easier. Any sense of fear on the part of little Dorri’s mind was countered by the love that flowed in waves from Elizabeth’s.

  Paris felt that this experience would be a life-changer. He and Elizabeth had lived through a facet of what it meant to be human that no man or woman had ever experienced before. The whole of it filled him with awe.

  After the difficult trip through the birth canal, little Dorri emerged. At first the delivery doctor became alarmed that she was not breathing but Paris disengaged Elizabeth’s mind-glow from the baby’s core. It was only then that Dorri drew a breath and cried.

  Placing Dorri in Elizabeth’s arms with the umbilical cord still attached, the doctor commented, “She had me worried for awhile, but congratulations on the birth of your new daughter.”

  From the look of serenity on Elizabeth’s face Paris suspected the mind connection still lingered but he did nothing to prevent it. Linking again with Dorri he saw the quiescent areas of her mind burst into life and rapid connections began appearing across her mind-glow. As she gazed intently at her mother one pattern stood out and her lips sought Elizabeth’s breast.

  Fascinated, Paris thought he could examine Dorri’s mind forever and never learn enough but the doctor took her from Elizabeth and he and the nurse busied themselves removing the umbilical cord and cleaning her up.

  They gave Dorri back to Elizabeth to nurse and Paris hurried out of the room to deliver the good news to Cecil.

  Walking to the waiting room, Paris found him pacing the well worn floor. Stopping, in mid-pace he asked, “How’s Beth? Is Dorri born yet?”

  Paris smiled. “Congratulations, Cecil Rigaud. You’re a new Godfather. Beth is doing fine.”

  Cecil’s breath let out with a whoosh. He found a chair and collapsed in it. “You children are gonna give this old man a heart attack. When can I see Beth and the baby?”

  “Soon,” Paris replied, “they’re prepping her to transfer her and Dorri to a room. Do you have your cell phone with you? I need to call the Family.”

  Cecil handed him his cell phone. “They might not believe it’s you, since your evil twin tried to fool us.”

  Paris shook his head. “Dan’s at Grieg Pearson’s mansion. I asked him to call and tell the Family the crisis was over. We’ve captured the imposter but we haven’t interrogated him yet. The Family doesn’t know that Dorri’s been born. I want to surprise them.”

  He punched in Caesar’s number but got transferred to voice mail. Trying again he used Alex’s number with the same results.

  Frustrated he dialed June’s office number and she immediately picked up. “Cecil, I’ve been so worried. Is Elizabeth safe?”

  “It’s Paris, June, I’m using Cecil’s phone.”

  Sounding cautious June said, “How do I know it’s the real Paris.”

  Paris frowned. “Didn’t Dan call you? I asked him to call and tell everyone I’m back.”

  He heard her sigh. “He did, but I wanted to be careful. I’m so happy this has been resolved. I need to talk to you about the withdrawals and what you intend for the company in Italy.”

  “Later,” Paris said. “Right now, I have happy news. Elizabeth delivered the baby. I’m a brand new father.”

  June gasped. “That’s amazing.”

  Puzzled, Paris asked, “What’s so amazing? Women give birth daily.”

  “I guess you haven’t heard,” June replied. “Alex is at the clinic. She’s in labor right now. She may have already had the baby.”

  That was surprising. For two women so closely connected to give birth at almost the same time bordered on the unusual if not the improbable. “Let me know when she delivers. Meanwhile spread the word that we have a healthy new baby daughter. It’ll take me a while to accomplish the business here and Elizabeth needs to recuperate. We’ll all fly back to Kentucky as soon as that’s done, so don’t expect us for a while.”

  “Shall I tell Kitty?” June asked.

  “No, let me do it. I want to surprise her.”

  “I don’t know if she’s been informed you’re back,” June said. “She may be suspicious of anyone posing as Paris. Maybe I should call her.”

  Paris sighed. “Okay. Have her contact me on Cecil’s cell number. Right now, I need to get back to Elizabeth and the baby so I’ll call you later.” He disconnected the call. Turning to Cecil, he said, “Alex is in labor. June said she may have already had the baby.”

  “Well what-a-yah know,” Cecil said. “Both of the girls havin’ their babies on the same day? Them’s mighty high odds.”

  “Tell me about it,” Paris said. “I’m going to check to see if Elizabeth has been transferred to a room and then we’ll both go up to see her. I can’t wait to tell her the news.”

  * * *

  Cecil and Paris flanked Elizabeth’s hospital bed staring down at her.

  Dorri’s birth had been the most amazing experience of her life and she was still trying to get over it. And it hadn’t stopped after she gave birth. When she’d nursed her baby, she’d sensed the connection renew and grow stronger.

  Beside Paris, who would ever believe her? It was too bad she’d never be able to write a paper on it. But if she could, she was sure it would revolutionize medicine forever.

  Tired from her ordeal, but relishing the after-glow of having given birth, she knew that after the endorphins wore off she’d feel some discomfort. But it was a small price to pay for having created a miracle.

  Paris leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Do you know that you’re breathtakingly beaut
iful?” His eyes glistened and held a look of wonder.

  Although the nurse had brushed out her hair and fanned it on the pillow she didn’t feel beautiful, just tired. “I’ll bet you say that to every woman who’s just given birth.”

  Paris smiled and stroked her forehead. “You really don’t know, do you? Trust me. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”

  Cecil cleared his throat. “He’s right Beth. You look like an angel.”

  Elizabeth held up a languid hand. “Lean over here Cecil.” He complied and she planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” she said.

  Cecil stood and walked away looking out the window. Elizabeth saw him wipe his eyes with the back of his hand.

  Paris had heard before that a woman was never lovelier than the days after she’d given birth. Now he understood. It was something about the face, the look of peace and contentment. Maybe it was the sense of triumph that women felt, having accomplished something bordering on miraculous. At that moment he felt cheated that nature had reserved birth to only women.

  Reacting to a sound coming from the door of the room Paris turned.

  A nurse wheeled a portable crib into the room and parked it next to Elizabeth’s bed.

  Elizabeth rose on one elbow and looked down at the crib’s tiny contents. “Gentlemen, allow me to present Miss Dorri Fox.”

  The nurse removed Dorri from the crib and handed her to Elizabeth.

  With Dorri cradled in Elizabeth’s arms, Paris thought of a painting of the Madonna and Child.

  “Miss Dorri Fox, allow me to present you to your father,” Elizabeth said.

  Paris swayed toward the bed but hesitated. He ached to hold Dorri but was afraid he might break her.

  “Well daddy? Are you going to hold your daughter?” Elizabeth asked.

  Paris took Dorri from Elizabeth’s arms. He noticed she was sleeping and he was reluctant to wake her. With tentative fingers he stroked her cheek. Her skin was like no other texture he’d ever touched. Nothing he’d ever encountered before could compare to its velvet softness. Leaning his head to kiss her forehead he smelled something more than just hospital soap. It was like home and the clean scent of growing things, a perfume that spoke to some primitive part of his brain. It said, ‘this one is yours to love and protect, guard her well’. It was a primal urge more powerful than the link the three of them shared. A little shaken from the experience, he handed her back to Elizabeth.