Chapter 35 - Wasting Time, Asking Why I took my time getting ready after Nathan left. It usually took a while for a baby to actually be born, so why would this one be any different? I took a long shower, got dressed, and took care of Rocky and Orion, since I wasn’t sure when we’d be back to feed them. I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. On the way out, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror in the hallway by the front door. I studied my reflection critically for a few minutes, then broke out into a smile. The person staring back at me was no longer just a person, who I had no feeling for, and who was simple there. That person was me, Lily Rose Blackstone, and I loved her. After years of staring blankly into the mirror, trying to see what others saw, I finally could. Nathan, by loving me for who I was, had finally been able to show me what had been there all along. I turned away from the mirror, still smiling, and walked outside. The sun was shining brilliantly, and although it was a little cold, it was a beautiful day. A great day for a baby to be born on. I hopped into the car and backed it out of the driveway. I sang along with the radio as I headed for the hospital. Close my eyes, Let the whole thing pass me by, There is no time to waste Asking why Today was promising to be an awesome day. I turned onto Page Avenue, about a block from the hospital, only to find it completely jammed. I sighed and put a CD in. I should’ve gone the other way. As I neared the end of the line of traffic, I noticed a car off to the far right side of the road, near a cluster of trees. It was wrapped around a telephone pole. Fucking rubber-neckers, I thought to myself. Then, I got closer to the car. Wait…that looks almost like Nathan’s car. But it couldn’t be…Could it? No, of course not, it can’t be his…I don’t think I remember that bumper sticker…and I thought his car was gray, that one’s blue… Is that his license plate number? His is…HRF…umm…Something? I can’t remember! All these thoughts ran through my head as I slowed down, frantically trying to get a better look at the car. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! “GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY LADY! WHAT, YOU NEVER SEEN A WRECK BEFORE?!” I pulled over to the side and flipped the guy off as he sped past me. I jumped out of my car and walked slowly towards the other car, trying to convince myself with every step that it couldn’t be Nathan’s car; I was being stupid, and that I should just turn around and get back in my car. Nathan was probably already at the hospital with Haley, and if I didn’t get there soon he was going to wonder where I was. Then I saw the stupid “I break for beavers” bumper sticker on the back of the car. Nathan had made it once on a school field trip in the fifth grade. My God…It is his car, I realized with a start. With my stomach churning violently, I walked around to the driver’s side of the car...or rather, what was left of the car. I took a deep breath, bent down, and looked through the window into the car. ...It was empty.