Page 114 of Lost In Kakadu

They needed this food and taste wasn’t a priority when it came to survival.

That night was the first in over a week it didn’t rain, but that was the only good news.

With the dreadful food churning in his stomach, Mackenzie hoped they weren’t going to regret eating those eggs come the middle of the night.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Abi woke once again to a debilitating queasiness that had her on her hands and knees dry retching. Finally succumbing to the nausea that gripped her, she threw up. She sat back panting and Mackenzie’s gentle hands were comfort on her shoulders.

“You need a doctor. I think you’re really sick.”

The concern in his eyes was raw and true. Her chin quivered. Their love was so real, she didn’t want to spoil it, but she couldn’t hide the truth any longer. She’d been suspicious for a few weeks, certain for a few days. The nausea, her continual exhaustion and sore, swollen breasts were undeniable signs. She was pregnant.

Mackenzie smoothed her hair. “It’s okay, honey. We’re going to make it. I know it.”

“Mack.” Tears spilled over her cheeks. The moment had come; she stared into his light brown eyes, anticipating his reaction. “I’m sorry, Mack, but I’m pregnant.”

His jaw dropped, his brow furrowed, his eyes pierced hers. “You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?”

He jumped up and spun in the air. “I’m having a baby,” he yelled into the surrounding trees. “Abi, oh my God. This is amazing. How did you … when did you?” He pulled her to his chest squeezing her so tight she couldn’t breathe.

Overwhelmed with relief, she crumpled into his embrace.

“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I’d accepted that I’d never have children. A baby … we’re having a baby.” He pulled her back from his chest, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Then his eyes lit up. “Show me.”

“Show you what?”

“Where the baby is … your pregnant belly.”

Delirious with happiness, she lifted her shirt and laughed as he eased her back onto the ground and his fingers glided over her flat stomach. He then surprised her by pressing his ear to her smooth skin. “Hello, my little bubby, it’s your daddy here.”

She cried tears of joy as she threaded her fingers through his hair. “I’m so glad you’re happy.”

“Happy? I’m ecstatic. I just want to jump up and scream, tell the whole world.” And he did exactly that, dancing about the bushes yelling at the top of his voice. “I’m going to be a daddy. Me … Mackenzie Steel … a father. Woo hoo.” He punched the air with his fist, then he ran back to her and fell to his knees.

A serious look crossed his face. “How many … how much?” He still couldn’t find his words.

She guessed his questions. “I think I’ve missed three or four, maybe five periods. I wasn’t really taking notice. I’ve never had to worry about birth control.” She dropped her eyes. “The day Spencer found out I was pregnant with Krystal, he made sure he’d never have any more children. Anyway … I guess I’m anywhere between three and five months pregnant.”

Holding both her hands; fear showed in his eyes. “We need to move faster now. You need a doctor and the sooner the better.”

“I know.”

He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes. “We’ll make it, Abi. All three of us.” He clenched his teeth, squaring out his jaw, and the look of determination in his eyes was the most powerful thing she’d ever seen.

The days, nights and weeks that followed were a whirlwind of grunt and determination, but the never-ending river continued to stretch outbefore them like an enormous umbilical cord. Abi succumbed to her tiredness and the hours they spent walking decreased dramatically.

She was constantly hungry, but they’d been fortunate with the discovery of Charlie’s Ozioxidant berries, as they gave her an energy boost she desperately needed. She chewed on their collection of the dried-out fruit at every opportunity.

The river grew clearer with each day’s hike, fewer crocodile tracks were a welcome relief and Mackenzie continued to find food with an uncanny ability.

One day they discovered a billabong where Mackenzie speared a foot long barramundi fish clearly visible in the water. Eating fish for the first time in months was like discovering a new sense in her body and Abi savoured every morsel of the white flesh. They devoured the entire fish in one sitting.

The scenery gradually changed again. They no longer had to navigate their way through unyielding shrubs. The landscape was more like an open savannah. The knee-high grass was easier to push through, but the downside was the lack of shade and relentless heat.

Mackenzie rubbed mud over their exposed skin to avoid crippling sunburn. They both resembled creatures from a B-grade horror movie when he was finished. Termite mounds as tall as Mackenzie and shaped like mud cathedrals dotted the area. In the moonlight, they looked eerie and haunting, like men in heavy robes walking through the field.

As the days turned into weeks, Abi’s stomach hardened, her fingers and ankles swelled and each night she had to elevate her legs to reduce the throbbing.

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