Liam was woken by the sound of someone knocking at his door, he didn't bother to go check who it was because he already knew he won't meet anybody there, it has happened for the past two days he had been here and each time he goes to see who it was no one is always there, he knew this won't be different, he checked the time and it was two am, he tried to go back to sleep but couldn't so he got up from bed, got himself a glass of water and went to the sitting area where his laptop was, as he opened it, he had the sound of cracking, not cracking it was the sound of a crying child, he wondered who was out at this time of the night with a baby, he continued with what he was doing but the crying became louder instead of it to go away.
"Maybe the neighbors have a newborn kid,"He said to himself, he had seen the light at the next apartment on, this evening when he got back, he has still not met the person in the house but twice he could have sworn he saw a woman leaving but he has never seen her face, maybe she worked always had only come to the house to either rest or sleep, the other apartment occupant were nurses who were not always at home, he had met them once and they said they worked at the local clinic.The child kept crying and at a point, he felt like the child was crying at his front door, giving in to the urge to go check his front door, he pulled up his robe already cursing himself for being paranoid and thinking the baby was crying at his doorstep, but when he opened the door, his eyes collided with the basket before anything else, he looked around to make sure he wasn't seeing things or his mind wasn't playing tricks on him when he looked back in the direction of the basket, it was still there and the wailing was coming for inside, he quickly rushed to the spot and looked inside the basket, a baby was inside wailing his or her eyes out, he couldn't make out the gender.He carried the wailing child out of the basket, the crying stopped a little only for it to hit another high, he stepped down from his apartment and looked around For the baby's mother, but she wasn't anywhere around, he ran around the area with the crying child in his arms hoping to catch a glimpse of her, even went as far as going to the next apartment where he saw the lights on earlier but it seems no one was home."They may have left again."He thought going back to his apartment with the crying child in his arms, he wondered what he was going to do with the child, he knew a little about babies because he has babysitted his sister's kids several times, but that didn't mean he was ready to do that, he looked at the child who looked so red from crying, why would it mother drop it off and just run away? Why give birth to a child and just abandon it?He didn't have a baby formula or any baby food, but he had cornflakes and some milk, so he took the child into the house with him and tried to make it stop crying, he fed it some of the corn flakes and milk but the child didn't want food so he abandoned the food and try to make it stop crying but the baby was obviously in distress because no matter what he did, it didn't stop crying, after trying to calm it down for long without succeeding, he decided to try and remove the kid's diaper when he did remove it he found out not only her gender but also that the diaper was soaking wet, which might be the reason the child was wailing nonstop.After successfully cleaning up the child, he found himself in another dilemma, what was he going to wear her, he went back to his doorstep and collected the basket which the child had been brought in, thankfully there were a few clothes and diapers."Thank God,"He said running back inside, he dressed her up and she calmed down for the first time in over one hour, she had round pretty eyes and curly baby hair, she was pretty, one of the prettiest babies he might have seen, despite all the crying, her baby beauty couldn't be hidden. what would have made a mother abandon such a beautiful child? He couldn't get answers, he hoped she would return for her because he didn't know what he will do with the child, he hasn't even gotten to know the island fully yet, and also the reason he came here, he hasn't found anything, the locals he asked questions seemed not to want to talk to him, even when he talks to them in their local language, seeing as there was no letter attached to the child may be the owner will come back for her at dawn, he hoped she does.He didn't sleep throughout the night, because each time he drops her, she starts wailing, he sang all the lullabies he knew and she finally fell asleep at five am in the morning, he dragged his sleep-deprived self into the shower and took a cold bath, coming back to the room, he looked at the sleeping child, she looked so peaceful."I hope your mom turns up this morning,"He said while making an early breakfast, he waited for the mom to come back for her daughter but by three pm in the afternoon there was still no sight of her, he really began to panic, what was he going to do with her? So far, he fed, and she has been a good girl, she only cried when she needed to either eat or when she wanted her wet diaper gone, he even went to the local convenient store and got more baby supply including baby formula, the kid looked about two or three months old.When he still didn't hear from her mom at four pm, he decided to take the child to the local clinic and leave her there with the nurses since the clinic also had a place where kids stay, there wasn't a police station that he could report the abandoned child to so it had to be the clinic, at least they might have a clue as to who the child's mother was."Hi, "He greeted the nurse at the front desk hoping she could speak English, he wasn't in the mood to speak his broken language, he was still learning to speak the island language and couldn't carry on a full conversation yet."Hello, sir, how may I help you? Did you bring your baby for a check-up? The children ward is that way,"She said pointing him in the direction."She is not my kid, I found her on my doorstep in the early hours of today, I have been waiting for the mom to show up and she didn't which is why I am here, who can I report to?""Sorry sir, but I don't think we can help you, all our babies are accounted for and I don't think anyone is missing,"She said looking at him with suspicious eyes."Is there no one I can talk to?"He asked looking around, he spotted one of the nurses he had seen at his apartment the other day, hoping she would remember him."Can I talk to her?"He asked the lady who looked like she wasn't ready to call the nurse, thankfully she walked in their direction."Hey, nurse,""Oh, hi, Liam right?""Yes, Liam,""You brought your kid for a checkup? Nurse Sara is around she is best at handling babies aside from the doctor,""Hmm, not really a the check-up, the baby isn't mine,"He said and her expression changed completely."I'm sorry let me get the head nurse,"She said heading off and leaving him standing there with the kid, he turned to face the other nurse who still had the same look on her, he couldn't understand why they thought the baby was his.The nurse came back with a much older-looking nurse, she would be around her late thirties or early forties."Good day nurse,"He greeted. as she came close to him."Yeah good day, mister, how may I be of help to you?""Aha, thank you, this kid, was left at my doorstep in the early hours of today, let's say by two am, I tried waiting to see if the mom would return for her but she didn't and I am new around here and haven't seen any police station that I can report to, so I brought her here since I have seen a few other kids here too."He explained, even as he talked he could sense that the nurse didn't believe what he said."I am sorry mister, but you can't leave your kid here, we can only do a former check but that's all, there is no evidence that the kid is indeed abandoned or you are about to abandon her for us, all our newborn are accounted for and no one is missing,""Why will I abandon my kid? She isn't mine,""And where is your proof? Any letter or anything?""I searched the basket she was brought in with and there is no letter, but I can go get the basket if you want,"He said getting frustrated, the baby was starting to feel uncomfortable."Can you hold her for me? I need to prepare her formula,"He said handing her over to the nurse, but as soon as she held her, she started crying and didn't stop until he carried her back."And you say she is not your kid? This is proof that she is though, mister I would advise you to take your child home, we are already short on supplies and we can't help her here,""For Christ sake, she is not mine,"He barked, startling the baby, he smoothed her back, while giving the nurse dead stares."Ruby should handle this, I can't anymore,"She said, leaving him with the first nurse and walking off."Where is she going to?""To get the doctor, I think,""Aha, better,"He replied. he hoped the doctor would be someone who will listen to him because he couldn't keep the baby..."We can't leave until we are sure these women will be okay, you guys sent us here knowing how this island is, and now you want us to leave knowing there are people here especially women and children who need us?"Ruby asked dropping her glasses and biting down on her lips to prevent her from saying the words that bubble in her head."Then you are in your own, we are only going to pay for your expenses back, you return now or face whatever it is that comes with your decision to stay, the hospital is officially taking its hands off this, you have to return by the next ferry ride, tell us before you board it so that we can send a plane, have a nice day doctor,"The director said and ended the call before she could say more, so they are just going to abandon them? Just like that? How will they expect her and her team to leave knowing there are people here who need them?""This is bad, this is so bad,"She said out loud, her whole body ache from staying up all through the night, one of the
Going back to his apartment with the now sleeping child, Liam tried to think of how he will come up with what to do with the child, no one seemed to believe him when he said he wasn't the father, he couldn't believe what was happening, he had so much to do, he had been able to set up a hidden camera and a listener close to the marina where he suspected was where the gamblers and probably the drug dealers were based, he wasn't totally sure but he had asked a few of the locals and they had told him that place was a no go area, a tracker and a camera there will help him get at least a lead, but with a baby, in hand, he didn't know what he will do and he wasn't bad enough to leave a child on her own."I just need to get someone to help until I can find a permanent solution,"He said out loud, he thought of taking the child to the city to either of his sisters or mom, they will gladly care for her but what if the child's mother comes back for her, ruling out the thought of taking her out o
Ruby sat tiredly in her office, this was the first time she was sitting in over seven hours, one of her expectant mothers had gone into labor earlier than anticipated and she didn't have an easy birth which hadn't been easy for Ruby not with the shortage of supplies and staffs' it was one of the most difficult birth she has had in a while she took a deep breath calming her tired muscles' she knew she couldn't relax yet as the new mom had lost a lot of blood there wasn't any blood left in the blood bank so she hoped she doesn't go into a crisis.The hospital still hasn't changed their mind, in fact, they were no longer answering her cars, it was really up to her and her colleagues to help the women here, she didn't have much but she would do her best and the others swore to do the same, she believed in teamwork and know they will achieve much if they continue like this, everyone has been helpful even the women in the island were helping, so far they were doing okay but she knew things
"Can you please trust me on this and let me go and return? I promise I am not running away,"Liam pleaded, the pretty doctor wasn't convinced, he could tell bit he needed her to help him."I will help you in any way I can if you do this, I heard you telling your nurses that you guys don't have supplies, I can help you get those if you will just help me this once, oh and I can lean a hand at the clinic too,"He promised, he didn't know how he was going to keep that promise but desperate tikes call for desperate measures."How am I supposed to trust your words when I don't even know you? Yes, I need those things you are promising but his am I sure you aren't going to run away right after I agree to care for the baby and where are you going to in the first place? Why is it so urgent and why can't you bring your baby with you?"She asked, she was one feisty woman and she wasn't even going to let him go if he doesn't tell her, and he didn't know or trust her enough to tell her the truth."
Ruby looked up to see the handsome father of the kid, walking into her office, he kept his words and was back earlier than he had earlier said, his baby was still sleeping."I am back doc,"He said with a smile, he was handsome, if she still dated, she would have looked his way, he was everything her type, his broad shoulders that were well defined with the sleeves he wore which were now rolled up, his short milliary styled hair, adding to his alluring appearance, she had the urge to pass her hands through his hair and see if it felt soft or if it was all hard like his muscles, not that she knew much about those."Doc?"He called as she realized she was supposed to respond to his call."Yeah, thank goodness you are trustworthy, hope you could do what you went for?""No, not really,"He answered, he looked disappointed like things didn't go as he wanted, she wanted. To hug him and tell him that it will be just fine, then she cautioned herself, she didn't know the dude and she should be
The next morning, after doing her rounds, she walked out of her office towards the reception, and she handed over the list she had made the night before to Emily, who stared at it and back to her face."What's this doc?""Oh it's a list of supplies, I want you to give it to Liam, you know him right? He lives at our apartment too, he came with his kid to the clinic recently,”She explained and Emily nodded."Oh, I know him but I can't go there now, I have to watch the patients in room 003, Sara had to go see the old lady who can't walk,"She explained, Ruby, nodded in understanding, she figured it would be better if she just went by herself so she took the list back from Emily."Okay, I will just go by myself, I will be back shortly,"She said going back to her office to get her phone and her purse, she would just use the opportunity to take a bath and bring fresh clothes here, she could also sleep a little too."Call me if anything goes wrong okay?""Yes, doc,"Emily replied as she st
When Ruby left, Liam decided to make the call, he didn't know anyone who could get him hospital materials, so he had no choice than to call his mom, if he called any of his sisters, they would tell his parents and his mom will be mad that he didn't call her instead, so calling her was his best bet even though he risked getting an ear full."Hey, Mom,"Liam greeted when his mom picked up."Wait, you really called me first? This is not a dream?"His mom asked, he rolled his eyes at her dramatic response, it made it seem like he doesn't just up and call her, even though that was truly the case, he didn't like being reminded of it."Mom, come on,""What is it that you want? Because there has to be a reason why you called,"His mom said, she was right but that didn't mean he was going to agree with her."Mom, come on, why would a son need a reason to call his beloved mother?""Yeah, except you are the son involved, now spill, I will do it,""Wow, you are such a sweetheart Mrs. Wellington,"
"The ferry arrived last night, that's a day earlier and we got a call,"Sara announced walking into Ruby's office, Liam smiled, he knew his mom would pull some extra strings to get what he needed for him."Wow, really? That's good news,""Yes, doc, I can't believe this is happening, I thought you are capping when you said we are getting materials doing,""I told you I was serious, you have to start believing me more,""Well, don't blame me, I have gone through so much betrayal in the short period of time to trust just words,""I understand Sara, I understand and we have this young man over there to thank for it,"Ruby said pointing at him, he waved not knowing what else to do."Oh, really? On top of helping here, you also helped us get what we need to work? You are an angel, Liam,"The older woman said."No, he is not, he is a devil with a good heart,"Ruby replied smiling in his direction, he smiled back, the nurse looked from her to him."Alright, Mr. Devil with a good heart thank y