Linda and Heather Dawnda were overjoyed when they discovered Heather was pregnant, happily dreaming of the life they would build together as parents. But their joy soon turned to fear when their baby arrived dangerously early…
Linda was at a showjumping competition in her hometown of Dundull1, focused on preparing her horse, Meteor, for the event. It was a moment for which she had worked for, yet, everything came to a halt when her trainer, Nona, pulled her aside and delivered the news: Heather had gone into early labor.
It felt like a rug had been pulled out from underneath her. Her heart raced as she struggled to process the news. "What? N-Now? But she’s only 22 weeks…" Linda's breath hitched. Her mind raced. For a moment, the noise around her faded. Twenty-two weeks. That was too early. Way too early. The risks were staggering. The word ‘viability’ echoed in her thoughts.
Heather and Linda had only just started imagining the nursery, the tiny shoes, and the lullabies. Now they might not even… Get a grip, Linda! Now is not the time to panic, not when Heather needs you! She tried to clear the fog drowning her with a shake of her head, but it was Nona’s sharp tongue that cut through her thoughts.
“You need to get your head in the game, Dawnda!” Nona barked. “You’re up next, so quit panicking about your kid being born a little early,” Linda just stared at her. For a moment, she thought she had misheard. A little early? A cold, numbing disbelief settled over her, quickly giving way to something hotter. It felt as if the air had thickened, but then the fog in her head cleared with a surge of fury.
Linda straightened, fists clenching at her sides. “My wife is having our baby almost four months too early,” she snapped, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m not just “panicking”, as you so kindly put it -I am terrified! I am terrified because my child might not survive!”
Nona just sighed and shook her head in exasperation. “Look, I get that this is hard,” her tone clipped. “But we all have obligations, and this competition is yours. That’s the reality of professional competition. And if you leave, you forfeit. Doctors deal with early babies all the time. They’ll handle yours, so why don’t you just focus on the competition? Besides, you and Meteor have been practicing for months; this is your chance, Linda! That scout out there is searching for the next Grand Prix champion and that champion is you!”
Linda barely heard Nona. A scout? A future Grand Prix champion? None of that mattered right now! She felt a bitter laugh bubble in her throat. Did Nona really think she could just push aside the absolute gut-wrenching fear clawing at her heart? Did Nona really think she could focus on anything else right now when her Heather was fighting to bring their baby into the world? Linda’s stomach twisted.
What if I stay and something happens? What if I miss my only chance to be there? What if- No. Competition be damned, she was not about to take any risks!
“Well then, I am leaving!” She finally replied. “My family needs me right now, and that’s more important to me than some ribbon or some scout!” Linda turned heel and stormed out of the stables to her car before the trainer could get another word in.
*Hometown: one's present fixed residence
Fanfic'Autobiography#By ME#PLS GIB FEEDBACK#Aiyla#WIP#Prologue#Aiyla Prologue#HeatherxLinda#Meteor-mention#Linda Chanda#Linda Dawnda