Mrs. Kelly Clark rested her hand on her swollen stomach. She smiled to herself, knowing she'd soon have the daughter she had always dreamed of. A daughter who'd fulfill all her dreams and be successful in everything she put her mind to. Nothing would stand in the way of her happiness. No one would dampen her mood or take a smile from her lips.

'Two more weeks, dear child of mine,' she thoughts, caressing her stomach. 'Two more weeks and you'll finally be in my arms.'

"Honey, I'm home!" the deep voice of Mr. Clark rang through the front door.

"I'm in the living room," she called, still stroking herself.

The tall figure of Mr. Charles Clark walked into the room, smiling sweetly down at her. The love in his eyes shone passionately, sending butterflies into her stomach.

Charles walked across the room and knelt down on the floor before the chair she was sitting in. His eyes dropped to her stomach.

"How is little Marie today?" he asked, smiling lovingly.

She smiled. Charles wanted to name their daughter 'Marie.' Had always wanted a daughter named 'Marie.' But, they had agreed, after lots of conversing, their daughter would have a much more unique name. But, he had insisted on calling her 'Marie' before she was born.

"She is being very impatient. She's been kicking a lot today," she beamed.

Charles just gazed into her eyes. She could see how excited he was and how happy he was that the pregnancy thus far hadn't had any problems. She hadn't even had so much as a single contraction or been on bed rest. She hadn't been nauseated or had any of the symptoms many women had during the long nine months of pregnancy.

"And how are you doing, love?" he asked her.

She smiled, love flowing in her veins for him. "I'm just as anxious for this baby as you are."

Charles rose up and tenderly kissed her. "That didn't answer the question."

"Oh, I'm just a tad tired."

Charles rose to his feet. "Then, you go to bed."

"No, no, I'm fine," she insisted.

"Bed."

"I'm -"

"Bed."

She sighed, faintly smiling. He was such a good husband, full of love and care for her.

"Alright," she said, rising slowly.

Charles took her arm and led her to the bed in the guestroom. He insisted they sleep in there, so she wouldn't have to climb the stairs in her delicate stage. So, they shared that bed instead of the master bed.

She laid down and let him cover her up to her chin in the thin sheet.

'Oh, my dear child,' she thought. 'How wonderful it shall be when you finally are born. The flowers are so beautiful in the Spring . . .' She closed her eyes and succumbed to the soft sheets of the bed. She knew Charles was watching over her like a guardian angel, and the thought made her heart swell with love for him and the child within her.

'Little Marie' kicked, making her smile with love. But, she suddenly felt a fierce pain. It was as if someone had stabbed her with a knife, and her eyes popped open.

"Charles!" she barely gasped out in pain. "Charles! Call the hospital!"

"Kelly! Stay calm! Everything will be alright!" he cooed, dialing 911 into the phone.

She closed her eyes, telling herself to inhale and exhale. She tried her best to stay calm and barely noticed the doctors helping her into the ambulance.

'Oh, dear child,' she thought. 'The flowers are so beautiful. You'll love them.'

"Okay, Kelly, breathe," she barely heard her doctor tell her.

'You'll be the most beautiful girl,' she thought. 'You'll never have any problems to deal with. We'll always be right next to you.'

"Mrs. Clark, it's over."

She opened her eyes. Her stomach felt empty, and her heart beat wildly with excitement. "Where is she?" she whispered.

"Mrs. Clark . . ."

"Give her to me!"

She saw the doctor reluctantly give her the bundle of blankets. A broad smile spread across her face as she felt the light weight in her arms and the light warmth of Charles' hand on her shoulder.

She looked down at her sleeping daughter. 'You are finally here,' she thought.

"She's beautiful," Charles whispered in her ear. "You did good." He kissed the top of her head.

"I wouldn't have been able to without you," she whispered, gently peeling the blankets away from their daughter's face. She heard Charles stiffen and gasp at what they saw.

'Little Marie' had two red, pointed ears resting atop of her bundle of thick auburn hair. She also had a tail with red hair barely covering the long bone with white at the end.

"We have very good surgical procedures now that can correct her," the doctor spoke up.

Charles gazed deep into her eyes, asking what should they do. She replied with her own question of whether or not he could still love 'little Marie.'

"She is beautiful," Charles repeated to her with sincerity in his eyes.

She looked down at her daughter. "Yes," she said. "She is beautiful."

'Little Marie' opened her eyes and seemed to smile up at her. Her eyes were a brilliant blue with intelligence and cunning shining in them.

Kelly smiled up at Charles, who was also smiling with tears brimming his eyes. Her heart burst with joy. He wasn't displeased with her.

'Oh, precious child,' she thought. 'Mommy and Daddy are here. We'll never leave. Never. Spring is such a beautiful season . . .'

Kelly laid back down, eyes locking with Charles'. "Isn't she beautiful?" she whispered, her strength leaving.

Charles' eyes overflowed with tears. "Yes," he choked out. "She's gorgeous."

Kelly smiled. Closing her eyes, she died.

A/N: Yeah, Kelly died giving birth to 'little Marie.' Well, can anyone guess what animal 'little Marie' resembles? Cuz I know I didn't do a good job describing it . . . so I'm wondering whether or not any of you readers caught on or not . . . anyway, whatcha think about this prologue? I hope you liked it. Make sure to leave a review -k-? If you do, you'll be sure to see me reading and reviewing your works . . . then again, you already know that . . .so, yeah. Thanks again!!

Damaged

"Why do we dream when our thoughts mean nothing . . .?" -Godsmack "Serenity"