prologue: wish.

She looked up from the couch in the hospital waiting room of the maternity ward, as the nurse called to her.
      
      "Yes..?" She said meekly.
      
      "It's your turn. You can visit your mother now."
      
      She gave a small nod, thanking the nurse. She followed her down the hall, towards the delivery room. She didn't know whether to be happy, or shocked that her mother made it out alive.. Her mom nearly died when she was born, let alone another baby; 15 years later.
      
      The nurse opened a door on her right, and let the girl in first.
      
      "Mum..?" She said softly, her mothers eyes being closed.
      
      She saw her mother smile. "Hi sweetheart.." Her mother said just as softly back.
      
      She couldn't hold it back any more; one lone tear rolled down her cheeks.
      
      Her mother opened her eyes. "Oh honey.. What's the matter..?"
      
      She didn't answer. She looked out the small window across the room, seeing a brick wall; no escape.
      
      "Honey..?"
      
      "I.. I was scared you weren't going to come out of here, mum.. Or.. At least, not alive.."
      
      Her mother gave her a questioning look. "Are you sure that is all that's bothering you..?"
      
      "Yes, mum.." She didn't look her mother in the eyes as she answered.
      
      Her mother sighed. "Alright then.. Would you like to meet your baby brother..?"
      
      "P-please.." She was happy that it would be a boy; some one she could teach to be a better father to his children than hers had been to her.
      
      "Nurse Jenna..?"
      
      "I won't be a minute." As she smiled, already out the door to retrieve the baby.
      
      She smiled at her mother, not showing how she felt, but knowing she knew either way. Nurse Jenna returned within seconds, pushing the see-through cradle, which she could see a blue blanket through.
      
      "Mum..? There's no name card on his bed.." She noticed.
      
      Her mother smiled. "I'm giving you the chance to name him.."
      
      She froze; shocked, overly happy, and not having a clue what to name him. Her mother chuckled. "It's alright.. Take your time.. He won't notice yet, either way.."
      
      "Can.. Can I hold him first..? It might.. Help me think."
      
      Her mother nodded. "Do you want to sit down first..?"
      
      She shook her head. "Pacing helps too.."
      
      "Alright then.." She nodded towards Nurse Jenna, who picked up the baby gently, and quickly showed her the proper holding position before leaving the room. She started to walk slowly by the foot of the bed; back and forth. Back and forth. "What.. What will his last name be?" She asked her mother.
      
      "Brown; my maiden name."
      
      She nodded as she continued to pace. 'Brown, brown.." She thought over in her head. 'David? No.. Nicholas..? No.. Zack? Zack Brown..? Yes.. Middle name..' She continued to think, pacing slower every time she passed her moms feet. 'Zack Something Brown.. Something.. Henry..? Eww, no.. Hmm.. William.. Zack William Brown..' She smiled suddenly.
      
      "Zack William Brown.." She whispered in her brothers ear. She took her face away, and his bright blue baby eyes were looking at her. She gasped slightly, not expecting that; he'd been sleeping previously. "Do you like that name..?"
      
      The baby had no response; no baby noise, no cry; nothing. He blinked at her.
      
      "He's awake.." She looked at her mom, smiling.
      
      "He's probably hungry.. Did you find his name then?"
      
      "Zack William Brown." She smiled.
      
      Her mother smiled back. "Wow.. That's.. A really cute name."
      
      She blushed, not expecting that reaction. She handed Zack to her mother after she sat up, and sat on the bed next to her. "Mum?"
      
      Her mother didn't answer, as though she knew this question was coming; after all, the question was inevitable. It had been since the second Zack was born. Since she was 10. Since she was 5. Since Preschool. Her mother finally looked up. "Yes..?"
      
      "Why..?" Hoping, yet knowing already, that she would understand.
      
      Her mother sighed softly. "You're the only one in the world.."
      
      "I know, mum, and that makes me unique. You've told me that. I want to know why."
      
      She didn't answer again, just looked down at baby Zack.
      
      "Mum.." She said, not getting distracted.
      
      She still didn't answer her. She hated when her mom ignored her when she asked about this. This one question that her whole life was based around.
      
      Why, when she was born, had her mother not given her a name? Why, did she still not have a name?
      
      She had no first name, middle name, or last name. Sure, she was famous; but she didn't want that. She wanted a name.
      
      "Mum..?" She repeated.
      
      Finally she sighed again. "Because.. Your father wanted to name you.."
      
      "So..?" She didn't get the relevance of that statement.
      
      "He wanted to name you after his mother, whom of which had already died, as you know.. And he never found the name before he left."
      
      "That was 7 years later, mum! You could have gave up, and just named me!"
      
      "He.. He wouldn't give up hope. And you only listened to the name, "Nameless," anyway.."
      
      "So, that's my name? 'Nameless'?"
      
      Her mother nodded slowly. "I'm sorry.."
      
      She glared at her mother. "As soon as I turn 16, I'm picking my own name, and getting it registered; and you will sign for it.."
      
      Her mother just nodded.
      
      She sighed. Nameless laid back on the bed, wishing she wasn't Nameless. But she was happy that she had gotten the chance to name her brother. Then he wouldn't have to go through the same shame as she had. Sure, by the time he knows who she is, she'll have her name. But she'll forever be known as, "The Nameless Child."