CHAPTER 4

On the auspicious day of May 13th, 1987, amidst the gentle embrace of spring, Olivia and I exchanged vows, pledging our love and devotion to each other for eternity. It was a day suffused with the radiance of newfound love, a celestial symphony echoing the joyous union of two souls destined to be together. As we stood beneath the azure canopy of the heavens, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends, it felt as though the very heavens themselves were rejoicing in our happiness, blessing our union with their divine grace.

And just two short months later, our joy knew no bounds as we received news that Olivia was with child. My heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and elation, a torrent of emotions cascading through me like a rushing tide. Without hesitation, I sought leave from my duties, eager to be by Olivia's side as we embarked on this new chapter of our lives.

Racing against time, I made my way to the hospital, each step a testament to the urgency and fervor of my anticipation. Ward 17 beckoned me like a beacon in the darkness, guiding me towards the precious treasure that awaited me within its hallowed halls.

And there she was, my beloved Olivia, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight that filtered through the windows, casting a halo of ethereal beauty around her. With bated breath and trembling hands, I approached her, my heart overflowing with love and adoration.

Dropping to my knees before her, I buried my head in her lap, overcome by the overwhelming surge of emotions that threatened to engulf me. But before tears could fall, her gentle voice cut through the silence like a beacon of light in the darkness.

"Don't you remember our promise?" she chided gently, her touch a soothing balm to my troubled soul.

"Please, just one this time," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper as I sought solace in her embrace.

But even as we reveled in the bliss of our burgeoning family, the specter of tragedy loomed ominously on the horizon, casting a dark shadow over our happiness.

On the eve of our anniversary, as I hurried home to surprise Olivia with a token of my love, the shrill ring of the phone shattered the tranquility of the evening, plunging me into a nightmare from which I could not awaken.

"Hello, is this Mr. Harry Fern?" came the voice on the other end, its words striking fear into the very core of my being.

"Yes, it is," I replied, my voice trembling with dread. "Who is this?"

"Who is Mrs. Olivia Reynolds to you?" the voice continued, its tone grave and somber.

My heart seized within my chest as the words registered, a cold dread settling over me like a suffocating shroud. "What happened? Yes, she is. What happened? What is going on?" I demanded, my voice betraying the panic that gripped me.

And then, with a single devastating sentence, the world as I knew it crumbled around me, leaving me adrift in a sea of sorrow and despair.