Holidays are Hell

Mrs. McCormick clutched his arm. "Oh, yes, it's late… and so close to Thanksgiving. Everyone's so busy and…" She faltered, her eyes going wide at a fresh thought. "Oh, honey! Our first holiday with our baby girl! I just can't believe it! We've been waiting, dreaming for so long…"

Her husband shot Zoe a helpless smile as his wife collapsed into his arms.

"Technically, you won't be with her for Thanksgiving." Zoe's voice came out louder, sharper than she would've liked. She checked it, along with her emotions, and plastered a bland expression on her face. "She must remain in the hospital until she's strong enough to be self-supporting. Another sixteen weeks or so."

"But maybe by Christmas," Nancy reassured, smiling as she pushed away from the counter. "I'll just go make sure the baby's ready."

"Ready?" Zoe turned back to the couple who were trying—unsuccessfully—to temper their giddiness.

"Oh, yes. Didn't you know?" More fluttering by Mrs. McCormick as her wide eyes searched Zoe's face. "We're having the child moved to the Sheep Mountain Medical Facility. They have the best neo-natal unit in town and… well, we don't want to risk the birth mother seeing her and, you know…"

"Changing her mind," her husband said flatly. "We know she's young. Probably fickle… or confused. Obviously not of the best moral character."

"Dave!" his wife slapped ineffectively at his shoulder. "The girl is giving us our darling baby!"

"I'm sorry, sweetie. You're right."

Almost nauseated, Zoe fumbled in her briefcase and reminded herself that she'd picked these people out of hundreds of candidates. She'd researched their backgrounds, those of their extended families, and even did a drive by on their neat, suburban home. She needed them. And the child needed to be in hiding because of who and what she was. She'd be safe with the McCormicks. Safe from the judgment of those who'd fault her for the circumstances under which she was conceived. And, most importantly, safe from the Shadows.

"If you could just sign here," she said, her voice sounding hollow even to her own ears, as she dropped the paperwork on the counter and moved away. Suddenly all she really wanted to do was get away.

The McCormicks moved in close, chattering excitedly as they each signed the small stack of papers completing the adoption. When they were done, Zoe ripped off the copies and handed them to Mrs. McCormick. She then dropped the rest back in her briefcase, settled her glasses more firmly on her nose, and said, "Congratulations."

Dave blinked and drew back. "That's it?"

"Wow, that was fast."

"The birth mother isn't contesting anything." She shot them a smile. It felt brittle on her face. "Enjoy your new family."

But she'd only taken a few steps before half-turning again. She couldn't help it… and asking now would save her the trouble and risk of searching later. "What will you name her?"

"Jenna."

"Samantha."

They answered at the same time, then looked at one another sheepishly, bursting into giggles again. Dave recovered himself first. "We're still working that out."

Zoe nodded shortly and forced an aspect of bored professionalism in her voice before turning. "Good luck."

And she strode away, closing the last chapter on her old life forever.

Zoe's plan was to turn in the paperwork finalizing the McCormick adoption to social services in the morning, quit her job right after that, and lay low until she figured out a new identity to replace Traci Malone. She'd have liked to take a little vacation, get out of town while everyone else was celebrating the holidays, but her finances wouldn't allow it. Every dime she had, and every safety net, she'd had to leave behind. She was starting over for the third time in her life, and doing it with fewer resources than ever before.

But she had seen her family safe, she thought on a sigh, and had secured her lineage for the next two generations. Joanna possessed everything she needed to heal and eventually she'd be better and stronger for it. And now her granddaughter was hidden deep, if in plain sight, and the Shadows would never know of her existence. Yes, thought Zoe as she exited the hospital into a cool November night, it was all worth it.

Caught up in her thoughts, Zoe hardly noticed the black town car glide up to the curb, or the driver hop out to open the passenger door.

"I'll pull around to the side and wait for you there, Miss Olivia," the driver said, holding out a hand.

"Thank you, Brian," his charge said, and Zoe turned to see a beautiful young girl alighting from the car. She was on the cusp of womanhood, with peaches and cream skin and billowing blond hair that stood out like a beacon against her black sweater set. Zoe stared, unable to take her eyes from the girl. It'd been six long months since she'd seen her youngest daughter.