Page 123 of Lost In Kakadu

The room began to swim, and a whirlwind of questions raced through her mind, “What … where … how?” She wanted to ask everything at once.

They were talking. She could see their mouths forming words, but she had difficulty understanding them. Tears stung her eyes and for the first time in her life, she wanted her mother more than anything in the world.

Covering her eyes, she openly sobbed. Did her shattered life have a chance of being whole again?

Would mum take me back after all the horrible things I’ve done?

She had to know, and she couldn’t wait another moment to find out.

She looked up. “When can I see her?”

Abi woke to the smell of disinfectant and flowers. Her eyelids were sandpaper rough as she blinked at the stark white surroundings. She tried to sit up and gentle hands were immediately there, helping her.

“Mackenzie?” She didn’t recognise her own voice.

A woman in a white uniform smiled at her kindly and helped her sit up. Nurse Walters was embossed on her name badge. Abi caught movement out the corner of her eye and turned to see the most glorious sight. Mackenzie was there, the sun beaming through the window behind him like the fingers of God. He was clean shaven and radiant in a white shirt. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

“I’m here, honey.” He leaned in to hug her.

She gripped his muscular arms and drew on his strength. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she released a well of pent-up emotion, as much from joy as relief. “We made it.”

Mackenzie eased away from her and, standing by the bed, rested his hand on her shoulder. “We did.” His voice was full of triumph. “We’re in Darwin hospital. You and the baby are doing just fine.”

She placed her hands on her stomach willing her unborn child to show her signs of life. “Do we know when?” She looked from Mackenzie to the nurse.

“Any day now.” The nurse checked her blood pressure. “I’ll leave you two alone for a minute then I’ll come back and give you a bath.”

“No!” Abigail shook her head.

“You don’t want a bath?” The nurse blinked at her.

“I want a shower … a real hot shower.”

After a heated discussion, in which Abi was unyielding, she eased onto unsteady legs and refused an offer of a wheelchair. Mackenzie helped her into the bathroom, and she removed her hospital gown.

Standing naked before the mirror, she didn’t recognise her own reflection.

Her long hair was now a dark chestnut colour, and her rosy lips complimented her tanned face. She turned to see collarbones dominate her shoulders and her toned arms were shapely and defined. Her breasts were full and sensuous, and she ran her hand over the silky tight skin of her stomach, caressing its smooth roundness.

Mackenzie placed his hands on her waist and looked over her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

She nodded.

“Let’s get you into the shower. You’ll feel like a new woman.”

“I already am a new woman. I don’t need any more transformations.”

“You know what I mean.” He adjusted the water temperature and then helped Abi lower herself to the plastic chair in the middle of the shower.

Abi turned up her face and allowed the warm water to pound her skin and soak her hair. Slowly washing her body, she relished the sweet smell of a simple cake of soap. Mackenzie stepped into the shower and began washing her hair and as she relaxed into his hands, she wondered if she had actually died and gone to heaven.

When Abi emerged from the bathroom, savouring the feel of a fresh bathrobe she was surprised to see a police officer waiting at her doorway. He knocked when he saw her, and she welcomed him in.

“Hello, Abigail. My name?—”

She interrupted. “It’s Abi … just Abi.”

A smirk touched Mackenzie’s lips and Abi suppressed a smile of her own.

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