Whatever It Takes Read Free

arms. He was adorable and had many of Jake’s features. I was so happy that I was finally able to meet him. We waited what seemed like forever for the birth of our baby boy. Jake gazed at the baby with love in his eyes. “Do you want to hold him,” I asked.
    Jake nodded and held out his arms. I rested the baby in Jake’s arms. I’m taken away by the sight before me. My two loves are standing in front of me and my heart swells at how wonderful this is. Jake looked up at me and an evil grin consumed his face. Terror swept through me like a tsunami. The skin melted off his face leaving a skeleton. A black cloak appeared over him. It’s as if my love has transformed into a grim reaper with all the accessories as well.
    I’m too scared to speak. “You don’t deserve this baby. You are the reason I am taking him away. He is going to a better place now. Say goodbye to your child for he is about to die.”
     
    I bolt upright drenched in sweat. I look over at Jake who is sleeping peacefully. I lay back down but there is no way I can get back to sleep. This is a great way to start my birthday. Why are these nightmares still haunting me? This one is different though. This is the first time that Jake was the one who took my baby from me.
    Why Jake? It makes me think that he blames me, even if it’s just a little bit. I look over at Jake and wonder how he truly feels. We haven’t really talked about it since that night I came to my senses and realized he was hurting too. My heart is still racing and I can feel the pounding in my head. Jake looks so peaceful.
    I don’t want to tell him about the nightmares. I know he worries about me already and I don’t want to add to that. Tossing the sheets off of me, I silently leave the bedroom. I walk into the kitchen and feel relieved when I find my favorite ice cream in the freezer. I take out the pint and grab a spoon. In the middle of the couch I sit and eat my ice cream in the dark. The bones of my fingers are chilled but my mind isn’t recognizing the effect.
    All I can see is Jake’s skinless skull and empty eye sockets staring at me. He’s holding my baby and blood is dripping on the floor. I see my baby boy open his eye lids but there aren’t any eyes behind them. They are hollow and it is a terrifying sight. Eyeballs begin to form but they were just a pearly white. Thick blood begins to seep out of his eyes as if he were crying. My baby boy’s mouth opens and in a raspy voice he says, “Why did you kill me?“
    With a scream, I jolt and realize I fell asleep with the melting ice cream in my hands. I close my eyes and rest my head on the couch, but quickly reopen them. All I see is my baby boy and I can still hear that skin crawling voice.
    “ Sweetness?”
    I snap my head to the right to see Jake walking towards me. I look back down at the milky ice cream as I feel Jake’s arms wrap around my shoulders as his chin rest s on my shoulder.
    “ I heard you scream. What’s the matter?”
    His voice is gentle and I feel as if he really wants me to tell him what is going on. I just don’t want to put another burden on his shoulders.
    “ Just a bad dream,” I tell him. He reaches down to take my ice cream and leaves for the kitchen. Jake returns and holds out a hand for me to grab. I do so and he leads me back to the bedroom. We lie down and cuddle together with my back against Jake’s chest.
    “ Want to tell me about it,” his breath caresses my ear.
    I squeeze my eyes closed, but that image pops up again. I roll over to face him and squeeze into my favorite spot.
    “ Sometimes, I just wish I could forget it all. It haunts me no matter what I do.”
    Jake holds me tightly to him as he takes a shaky breath. I close my eyes and feel the pulse in his neck against my forehead.
    “ I want to help you, but I don’t know what to do.”
    “ Just being here helps.” I feel as if I  am lying, although I am not. It is true that his presence helps me, but sometimes, I wonder