Dear Diary

Chapter 114

16 October 2000
Afghanistan Refugee Camp

1600H

"Elizabeth, I really think you should go home," Cole said as he stared at his wife with a firm look on his face. 

His gaze drifted from her womanly features to her heavily protruding stomach.

"I can't, Cole. I've already told you that," Elizabeth replied as she looked up at her husband.

Cole pressed his lips together. "Elizabeth, it's not safe here and you know that," he said, trying to keep his irritation at bay. 

For three days this has been the usual argument that ensued between the couple. Ever since Cole found out that she was expecting, he began pressuring her into returning to America.

He never liked the thought of his wife going to these war-stricken countries in the first place because of how dangerous it could be for her. But she was as stubborn as they came, especially if she had already started doing missionary trips like this before they got married. 

It was much the same as her forcing him to quit the army. 

It wouldn't happen.

But he had to put his foot down now. She was pregnant and he didn't want anything to happen to her or their unborn child, even if he had only found out that he was going to be a father a few days ago. 

Unfortunately, their fields of work made it difficult to stay in touch, sometimes for months on end, but he knew that it was his child. The timing all added up. But he never would've even known he was going to become a father if he hadn't been forced to retreat with many of his injured men to a nearby camp (which was basically an old abandoned town), where Elizabeth happened to be stationed for her missionary work.

"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Elizabeth replied as she raised her shoulders.

"You should've been on the first plane back home when you discovered that you were expecting," Cole responded exasperated.

"How could I? The closest airport was blown up after I arrived and I didn't even know yet!" Elizabeth countered annoyed.

Cole took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "You could've told me and I would've arranged something."

"How, Cole? I didn't even know where you were for the past seven months. And it's not like I'm in a dangerous area," Elizabeth said and crossed her arms over her chest.

Cole stared at his wife dumbfounded. "Elizabeth ... you are in a country at war, and you're pregnant! You haven't even been checked up by a doctor throughout the whole pregnancy."

"There are experienced mothers and midwives here," Elizabeth countered angrily. "It's not like I've been stuck in a jungle-"

Elizabeth cut herself off as she took a sharp intake of breath and held onto her stomach.

Cole's anger immediately evaporated as he moved towards her. "What's wrong?" he asked quickly. 

Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and looking back at her husband.

"Braxton Hicks. It's nothing," she said firmly.

"No, it's not. Maybe you should go lie down?" he pressed as he reached out for her arm, but Elizabeth stepped away from his touch.

"Stop treating me like a fragile piece of china, Cole. I've been perfectly fine these past few months," Elizabeth said and glared at him.

"Elizabeth, this is no longer about you. I'm thinking of the baby and you should start too!" he couldn't help but snap in reply and he saw Elizabeth look at him with both shock and hurt.