A New Beginning

By Chris Axcan

Alison will do anything to save Noah from death, she is not willing to give up everything they´ve built together. New challenges darken their uncertain future, the custody battle of their daughter Ayleen. Everything spins in a spiral of problems for the Jeffersons. It all depends now on a decision for them to live happily ever after.

But, would you give everything up to start over?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Aug 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781507173503

Book preview

In every love story there is something getting us closer to eternity and the essence of life, because every love story locks each of the world’s secrets.

Paulo Coelho

Chapter 1

I looked at my watch for the hundredth time. Three in the morning and Noah has not come back home yet. I could not stay still. Where could my husband be?

I was leaning against the frame of the dining room window, looking straight ahead. I couldn’t see anything, a thick white mist was making it impossible to see and to make matters worse it was starting to snow again. I groaned in frustration.

I noticed someone putting something on my shoulders to warm me up. It was Margaret. I turned my head slightly to look at her. He eyes too reflected concern.

Alison, come and sit. You can’t be standing there all night. It’s not good for you or the baby. She said nicely.

I’m so worried. I whispered.

I know. Calm down, surely Noah took refuge from the snow some place safe. With this snowfall I’m sure the streets are jammed. Come one. She said putting her arm around my shoulders.

She took me to the family room and I sat on the sofa with Thomas and Ann. Cedric and Jeffrey were beside the chimney. Ashley took Ayleen and had to care for Christopher, she told us to call her if there were news.

Why is my brother so stupid? Thomas asked with frustration.

Thomas Ann warned him to shut up.

What? I just do not understand why he is acting this way. He should be happy, at least I would be if I was going to be a dad for the second time.

He’s scared I explained sadly.

Scared...But hasn’t he thought that maybe this pregnancy could go by fine? He could’ve ask me, damn him and his big head, instead of running off, I could’ve told him that everything was going to be fine without revealing the sex of the baby of course. Ann said upset.

I looked at my sister-in-law. She was right. Noah had always been so negative and it was annoying to be honest. When was he going to face things? I knew perfectly fine what he feared, because I was scared too. But something inside of me was telling me that everything was going to be fine, I could feel it, I was sure.

Hours went by slowly. I asked Cedric and Margaret to go and rest, and I would tell them in Noah came back. There was nothing we could do by staying there. Thomas, Jeffrey and Ann stayed with me.

It was dawn, I was so nervous I couldn’t sit. Everyone was so active, Margaret and Ashley got breakfast ready. Cedric called the hospital, just in case he was there. Jeffrey and Thomas went to see if Noah’s car was down the road.

Mommy My daughter called while coming into the room.

I tried to look calm so she wouldn’t notice anything.

Good morning sweetheart, did you sleep well? I asked.

Yes. Where is daddy? I want to give him a good morning kiss.

He stomach spun, my eyes covered in tears and I answered with a knot in my throat:

He went out, you’ll see him later.

Ann showed and when she noticed I was about to burst, she said taking my daughter to the kitchen:

Come with me Ayleen, grandma is waiting to serve you the breakfast she prepared for you.

When I was sure I was alone, I cried. I couldn’t take it anymore. Noah, where are you? I screamed inside. The bell rang at that moment and as if my life depended on it, I ran to open it. Maybe it was him and he forgot the house keys.

I stood at the door looking at Daniel with a silly smile on his face.

Good morning. Merry Christmas, Alison. He said smiling.

It was such my disappointment to see him instead of my husband that I moaned in pain and yelled at him without noticing.

"What’s so good about this morning?!"

The look of his face changed instantly and he looked at me closely. He raised an eyebrow and asked:

What’s wrong with you?

Nothing! Get out Dan, this is not a good time.

It’s because of him, isn’t it? That’s why you’re all worked up...damn him. What has he done to you!? He demanded to know angrily.

I couldn’t do anything but sob at his words. I hid my face in my hands and lowered my head.

It’s none of your business, please leave. I mumbled.

When will you realize he doesn’t deserve you, huh? He has no right making you suffer like this. I...would never do it. I swear. He whispered.

At his inappropriate words, I raised my head covered in tears and said furiously:

Get out...NOW, if you don’t want me to punch you again!

I saw his jaw tightened with strength, he turned around and left. I shut the door behind him.

When I got back, I noticed Ann was sitting on the stairs. She had her hands on her knees. I looked at her face and was stunned to see the expression on her face. She was pale white, her mouth wide open and her eyes lost. 

Ann!

I went to her and took her by the shoulders fearing the vision she was having.

Tell me what you see! I asked barely talking.

It comes and goes. She whispered.

What? I pleaded this time.

"Noah’s...future."

"Nooo....no...No!" I couldn’t believe it.

It’s so weird, it’s the first time I get a vision like this. I don’t understand its meaning. She said calmly.

My heart shrunk and I looked at her.

I did understand. Noah’s life was in danger, so bad that he was disappearing from the future. I stood there, beside Ann without saying a word for I don’t know how long.

I freezing breeze ran through my body when suddenly the door opened. My eyes opened wide and I panted when I saw Thomas bringing Noah by his shoulders, Jeffrey and Cedric were with them.

I ran down towards them.

Noah?! I called but there was no answer.

There is no time to lose, let’s go. Margaret, bring me my briefcase and Alison’s. My father-in-law said.

They took him to my room and took him straight to the shower. I didn’t understand anything until my eyes met my love’s eyes. His skin was so pale it was staring to look blue, his lips had a shade or purple and he was shaking. His lip was bleeding and his right eyebrow as well.

Alison, fill the tub with warm water, now! Cedric said.

I did what he asked quickly. I put my broken heart aside to let out the doctor in me. I took scissors and cut Noah’s clothes, they were wet, almost frozen. The diagnosis was clear: Hypothermia.

Oh my poor son! But what happened to him? Margaret said from the door sobbing.

Get out of here, you won’t want to see this. Cedric told his wife.

I took Noah’s temperature to adjust the water two degrees above it. I was alarmed to see the thermometer indicated thirty-three degrees. His heart was in danger if his body temperature was lower than thirty-five and his vital organs were in danger anyhow.

He submerged him under water slowly; Thomas was holding his head out of the water. He was crying in silence, he looked overwhelmed. As the temperature rose, I put more hot water in with my eyes fixed on the thermometer. Cedric had a digital one in his son’s ear, he was taking his temperature every twenty seconds.

Noah, I’m here my love. You’ll be OK. I murmured.

Alison, we can take him out now, his temperature is almost back to normal. Cedric showed me.

I nodded. Thomas took him out of the water and when I was sure to dry him up well, he put his pajamas on. He laid him in bed and I covered him with blankets. I was worried Noah was still unconscious, but I knew it was normal, his body went through shock and he was exhausted.

I took care of the wounds on his face, I stitched his eyebrow. What happened to him? I examined his neck, his arms and hands, that’s when I found his knuckles were bruised and swollen. I palpated his ribs in case he had a broken one, I sighed when I didn’t feel any broken rib.

It seems my brother fell from a tree. Thomas answered my silent question.

No, that’s not it. Actually, I think he fought someone and I think I know with whom. I said in disgust.

What?! Who did he fight? I would’ve liked to...

Thomas. This is not the time for that. Cedric interrupted.

He shrunk his shoulders and didn’t say more. He went to put more wood into the fire from the chimney.

I looked at Noah’s face. Big circles underneath his eyes. He was breathing slowly, but regularly. I ran my hand on his face, he was sweating.

Noah has a fever. I informed.

Cedric came with the digital thermometer; he took his temperature and said:

Thirty-nine and a half, that’s too high. We’re setting intravenous now. I was afraid of this as soon as I saw him, I suspected he would get sick... serum and antibiotics.

When the dropper was set and adjusted, I took a cold cloth and put it on his forehead gently. Now the hard part; waiting.

Noah was agitated in his dream. His eyelids shaking. I pressed his forearm, I didn’t want him to feel alone, I wanted him to feel I was here.

"Alison!" He called desperately.

He opened his eyes suddenly and looked in all directions. I leaned to face him. He was awake, I was happy about it. He wanted to get out of bed, but I didn’t let him, I held him by the arm.

Noah, I’m here, calm yourself. I said calmly.

He turned to my voice but didn’t look me in the eyes; it seemed he was looking without seeing.

"Alison? Where are you? Why can’t I see you? Turn the light on!" He said with effort.

I froze for a moment because I was so surprised to hear this, I took his temperature again. It was higher than before. Only two decimals left to reach forty-one degrees, this was excessive. I put the cold cloth again on his forehead. Then I took the lantern and examined his pupils. They were dilated and barely reacting to the light. I covered a sob with my hand on my mouth.

Cedric moved me away for a moment. He wanted to talk to me, I understood. I let Margaret with the wet cloth to keep pressing it against his forehead. He went out the hallway where Ann and Jeffrey were.

Alison, there is no need for me to explain anything. You know as well as I do that Noah is very ill. Cedric said.

Yes. I know, though it would’ve been nice to be wrong about the diagnosis.

I’ll call for an ambulance.

Ann got in front of him and said:

They won’t make it. The snowfall is really bad, the roads are closed and a helicopter won’t make it either.

What? What are we going to do? He responded looking at his daughter’s eyes.

I have a bag full of medication in my car and it’s everything we need for first aid, I even have a small oxygen tank. I said.

Good, go get that. Jeffrey, help her. Ann go warm up the water, we have to set up a room and disinfect it fast. Cedric ordered.

In a while everything was set. Eleonor’s old room was transformed into an improvised hospital room. We took Noah there. Hours went by and I was anguished to see my husband fighting against his fever, it was unbearable. He looked to weak and fragile, it broke my heart. His body began to