The week went by quick enough for the weekend to be in Cara’s sights. It was Friday and the clock was almost at five. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered around, excited to see her fiancé yet dreading any conversations that they were going to have. Archer had distanced himself from her, putting a blockade up and refusing to talk to her. Even general conversation had dulled down and she began to wonder if this was what their relationship would become. She hated herself for thinking it, but the anxiety that crawled up her spine and settled in her brain wouldn’t leave. It had manifested throughout the week, each beat of heart only increased the worry. She kept reminding herself that Archer had changed, he wasn’t anything like his father or Rich. But her inner demons would sneak up on her and destroy any hope or idea that she had of him.
Cara saw Archer’s car parked up as she reached the a
It was late morning, the bedroom was bathed in dim light as the autumnal sky snaked its way through the windows. Cara awoke to the sensation of kicking, her baby girl was awake and hungry. “Alright, little one.” She whispered, giggling as she rubbed her bump. She rolled out of bed, picking up Archer’s t-shirt from the floor. His alluring scent still lingered on it and she threw it over her head, inhaling the aftershave and revelling in it. She headed to the kitchen, locating the ice cream from the freezer. She grabbed a spoon and took a position on the sofa. A spoonful of ice cream entered her mouth, the soft vanilla mixed with lumps of cookie dough melted on her tongue. Cara closed her eyes and a moan escaped her. The baby’s kicks ceased and Cara fell back against the sofa.
Johnson carried Cara out of the car, Jessica’s quick thinking to call them and notify them meant the doctors were already waiting for her, prepared with a wheelchair. Jessica rushed into the emergency room, following closely behind Cara. As Johnson watched them both being escorted inside he exhaled loudly. He knew exactly where Archer would be, his safe haven when things got too much for him. It was somewhere they both visited.He pulled out of the parking bay, his foot down on the accelerator as he joined the motorway. After everything that Cara and Archer had been through together, they deserved to be happy. He didn’t know what had happened, but clearly, Archer had taken the news of his mum's death hard and he couldn't blame him. He had only just got her back in his life and all too soon she was taken from him. He was worried for his best friend and even more worried for Cara; he only hoped t
Cara let out a loud giggle as Archer cocooned her in the duvet cover. “I’m not going to break.” She squirmed, trying to pull her arms free. “I know,” he kissed her on the nose. “But I am not taking that chance.” He winked at her before closing in on her lips. The past week had been draining on both of them and Cara wanted nothing more than to be in Archer’s arms, revelling in each other’s company. Cara had been discharged from the hospital a day after being admitted once the doctors had confirmed that she had a case of Braxton Hicks. Archer had been metaphorically wrapping her in cotton wool ever since they had arrived home. Worry had embedded itself under his skin, scared of what he could have lost. He was constantly running around, making sure Cara had everything she needed whil
“I don’t want to go,” Archer whined at Cara. He was holding her in his arms beside his car, saying goodbye before he headed back to HQ. He held onto the sweet smell of her hair, the soft touch of her skin. Memorising everything about her. “I don't want you to go, but you have to.” She replied, leaning into his lips. “I’ll call you when I get to camp.” Archer kissed Cara’s soft lips. “Ok.” “And tomorrow.” “Ok.” “And…” Zach! I’ll keep my phone on me.” She chuckled at him. After a week of torturous rest, she was glad to be able to get back to work. She needed to keep herself busy, she needed to help Aubrey deliver the p
The autumn weather had set in, leaves whipped and wove around the trunks of their trees. Branches swayed and swerved through the wind as it assaulted everything in its path. Cara clutched onto Archer’s arm while they followed the path to the Church of All Saints. She gazed up at the strong, stoic man beside her, it filled her with pride that he had remained determined to hold his composure. They had silently got ready that morning, she had opted for a loose fitting black dress and flat shoes, her movement was restricted enough without having to fight the constant battle of tight clothing. He was dressed in an all black suit with a silver tie over his white shirt. His tattooed hands peeked from his sleeves and wrapped around Cara’s slender fingers. She offered him a feeble smile which he returned. The deep emotions of sadness were evident as they entered the church, the organ played in the background
The crisp coastal breeze felt refreshing as it circled their bodies. Cara didn’t mind the shiver it instilled in her, Archer’s arms around her was enough to settle the chill. They had sat for a while, mostly in silence and listening to the soft breeze and crash of the waves as they lapped on the shore. It was a break from the chaos around them, the months had been difficult and Cara inwardly hoped that things would settle down; get easier in a way. Archer was evidently excited as the due date neared, while Cara held onto the slice of anxiety that simmered beneath her skin. She still held onto the worry that would course through her veins at night, wondering what the next problem would be and how Archer would react. It can’t have been easy for him, she knew as much. Meeting your biological mother after decades of absences would cause you to harbour resentment but he had worked through it. The news of
The rain was attacking from all sides unforgivingly as Cara walked the path. Almost like the puddles had a mind of their own, the droplets bounced up from the pavement, spraying around her feet and up her skirt. Her umbrella fought the wind valiantly but by the time she had reached the door to her work, it was a broken mess of material, wire and water. Her skirt and shoes were drenched and she silently cursed herself for not bringing spare clothes with her. It was strangely quiet in the building today, the deep echoes of Cara’s footsteps resonated through the corridors. Normally there would hustle and bustle around the labs, general chit chat about weekends and events. The only sounds were the wet pads of her feet slapping against the tiled floor below her. The lab was in her sight and she welcomed the warmth that she would receive from entering her office. S
The corridors blurred into one as Cara ran as fast as her feet would take her. The blood seeped down her leg and she clutched her stomach protectively. She needed to get out of the building, but on each turn of the corner, she found herself more confused than the last time. The excruciating pain gripped her spine, it felt like it was almost breaking but the adrenaline that coursed through her veins refused to let her stop moving. She needed to get to safety; she needed to find Agent Carter. Everything had happened so fast, one minute she was waiting for Agent Carter to return and the next she woke up on the top floor of the building. She was now wandering aimlessly across the seventh floor, unsure of how she got there and dazed and disoriented by her surroundings. *One Hour Earlier*