Could it finally be? Anticipation driving her, Sam was racing home. She'd been waiting her whole life for this, and she wasn't even sure that this was it. Even the slightest hope was enough to make her giddy, in spite of the fact that the letdown would kill her if she was wrong. While all the other little girls had been talking about their weddings, Sam was preoccupied with the day she would give birth. Now, six years into a marriage with no children, she sped home with the pregnancy test on the seat next to her. With a baby she could die a happy woman.
Everything was beautiful to Sam. The snow was falling gently with the pure white of new born life. The sun was setting with the vibrant colors of a hopeful future. Even the icicles on houses seemed to shine at her with a song of light. And the baby she believed to be within her rested peacefully.
Two minutes until home. All that was left was to cross route 68. The road was busy today, but there were enough gaps in traffic that she could make it through. Her opportunity came after a red Chevy truck. She started to accelerate, but her tires began spinning on ice. She was just enough into the intersection that her car would be crippled by the eighteen wheeler coming down the road. She floored it, which only caused her tires to slip more. Frantically, she laid on the horn, hoping the truck driver would get the idea. He slammed on his brakes, but continued to slide toward her on the ice. The whining of her engine mixed with screams of terror as her tires spun. The lights of the truck stole her attention and breath as she watched it's final feet of approach in silent horror.
Then her tires caught and launched her across the street. The truck nearly landed in the ditch, but regained control and continued on it's way. Sam pulled to the side of the road to regain composure. As she looked around it was like a bad dream that was now over. No sign of any near misses, only the quickened beating of her heart. Then her eyes fell on the test and as quickly as her near miss played out, it was forgotten.
That night when Jason, her husband, came home she met him at the door. She was nearly bursting with the news, but tried to make him guess. She lasted about fourteen seconds before she exploded. Sam had always known what she would name her children, but now that it was really here all certainties were gone. Maybe she and Jason could find a better name. They had to have the best name for their baby. And a nursery! The most up to date nursery loaded with toys. There was so much to do to get ready, and Sam couldn't wait.
The screaming of the engine, no, her own screams pierced her ears. Her body screamed in pain from the tension. The truck was sliding toward her, probably still traveling around fifty miles an hour. Her heart raced and she forced her foot to the floor. The headlights of the truck. She stared in horror as they drove in on her. The pain increased and she braced for impact.
Sam sat upright in bed. It was time. Her heart still beating from the nightmare, she knew the pain was because she was in labor. Finally! She'd waited so long, and now she would be a mother! Jason was already up and running. They rushed to the hospital and were quickly attended to by the nurses.
After fifteen hours of labor, Sam lay exhausted, but satisfied. She had held her baby in her arms. He was so tiny! Ryan, she and Jason had finally decided on, was a pink, healthy baby. He spit up on her, whimpered a little and she loved every minute of it. She was convinced that she was the happiest woman alive. Now she could die a happy woman.
The day after the accident officer Uche called Jason, "You asked us to look into that pregnancy test that was found in the car, sir. Your wife was not pregnant."
"Thank God." Jason quietly replied.
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