To Catch a Dragon

Tabitha's Despair

I’m sitting at home waiting for my family to arrive. I feel a flutter in my belly and smile. “Hi, little one. I am so excited to meet you.” I hope your sister is, too, I immediately think. Lauren, my sweet girl. Well, she used to be sweet, but now she’s angry and rebels against everything. I wish she could let her anger go and see that Kane and I both love her. Things aren’t the way they seem.

I hear the car drive in, and I hear Lauren’s laughter. Could this be a turning point? My hopes are dashed when I see Ruby walking in. I smile and say, “Hi, Ruby.” “Hi, Tabby,” she replies. I hug Lauren; she’s stiff at first, then relaxes. “Hi, my Lauri-Bell,” I say, calling her by her childhood nickname. “Hi, Mom,” she replies, wrapping her arms around me. My heart swells, and tears well up; this is the closest she’s allowed me to get to her since her father died. I savor this moment with tears running down my eyes. I hear Lauren’s sniffles and see the tears in Ruby’s eyes. I look over at Kane and see him smiling softly at us. As I reach out and our hands touch, the baby moves. My eyes widen, and Lauren goes completely still. My face must have conveyed my panic because Kane freezes and asks, “What's wrong, my love? Are you ill?” I’m frozen, Lauren has pulled away, and I want to pull her close again. “Mom, what was that?” You felt that?” I asked, “Yes, I felt it, and it calls to my magic in a familial way.” Ruby’s eyes shoot open, and Kane moves next to me. “Um”, he chuckles, “So about that, Lauren, your mom and I wanted to talk to you.” “Does it explain what I just felt?” Oh, my poor girl looks like she’s going to fall out any minute. “Laurie-Bell, Kane, and I, well, we’re going to have a hatchling. You’re going to be a big sister.” She stares at me for what seems like forever before she screams, “WHAT?! YOU DID WHAT?! HOW COULD YOU?!” When she stops yelling, her eyes go white, and she passes out. I look at Kane. “What do we do now?” I asked him as a fresh set of tears streamed down my face.