Page 124 of Lost In Kakadu

With a curt nod the police officer continued. “Abi. My name’s Detective Thompson. I just wanted to let you know we’ve found your daughter and …”

Abi’s mind ran adrift as she imagined Krystal’s reaction. How would this news have shattered a seventeen-year-old girl’s life?

Is there a place in her world for me?

She wanted to hold her and tell her everything that happened, to say sorry for ever leaving, but more than anything she wanted Krystal to accept her and Mackenzie and their unborn child as her family.

“… be here in about an hour,” the officer concluded.

“What?”

“She should be here in an hour,” he repeated.

She sat upright. “Oh my God, Mack, help me get dressed.” She threw back the covers and tried to swing her legs over the side, but Mackenzie was instantly at her side.

“It’s okay, honey. She’ll just be happy to see you.”

“She won’t even recognise me.”

“And you may not recognise her.”

The police officer excused himself and Mackenzie placed a reassuring hand on Abi’s forearm.

Her mind cast back to the last time she’d seen her daughter. Krystal was a young, underdeveloped, fifteen-year-old girl and now shewas nearly a woman. How much would she have changed physically and mentally? There was one thing she knew for certain. She would never give up on her daughter again.

She reached for Mackenzie’s hand and ran her fingers over the fine hairs on the back of it. “I love you.”

He bent over, kissing her gently and she inhaled his scent of sandalwood and leather. When he straightened, he reached up and unclipped the silver chain from around his neck. His mother’s ring fell into his palm, and he picked it up with two fingers. He took her left hand. Tears welled in her eyes as Mackenzie slid the ring onto her finger. “I love you too.”

The baby suddenly moved within her, and Abi knew no matter what happened she would forever be in a loving family.

They sat in comfortable silence as Abi ran over a list of questions she should ask Krystal.

But how will I introduce Mackenzie?

Looking down at her oversized belly, she wondered if any words were enough.

Fear once again gripped her.

A knock on the door made her jump and Abi held her breath as the door slowly opened. A young woman, tall and regal, with cascading blonde hair, stepped into the room. Abi froze as she stared into her daughter’s eyes.

“Mum,” Krystal squealed as she raced to her.

Abi clutched the daughter she’d been longing for. She held her tight, wanting to take all the hurt away, to absorb all the pain and suffering and to start their lives afresh. They embraced for a long time and Abi smoothed her hand over Krystal’s silky hair as her tears wet her cheeks.

Krystal eventually released her grip. She wiped her eyes. “I thought you were dead.” Her voice trembled. “We b-buried you.”

“I know, sweetheart, and I’m so sorry.” Abi didn’t know where to start.

Krystal’s eyes fell on Abi’s stomach, she tilted her head in an inquisitive way and frowned. “Mum?”

“I want you to meet someone.” Abi held her hand toward Mackenzie.

His eyes held a mixture of hope and trepidation as he approachedher bedside.

“Krystal, this is Mackenzie. He’s the man who saved me.”

“And the father of the baby?”

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