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I took my lips from hers. With that, the nurses wheeled her away, our eyes on one another’s until she disappeared around the corner.
Once Ma and Claire were gone, it was just Kellan and I left. I let out a sigh, and he did the same.
“This what I have to look forward to, brother?” he asked with a smile.
“Oh, it’s like any other job; you have your good days and bad.”
He laughed. “God, we’re having a bit of whiskey when this is all said and done.”
“You’re damn right about that.” I turned to Kellan, looking him up and down, sizing up the man my little brother had become. “You’re going to be a damn good leader. I hadn’t doubted it before, but tonight clinched it for me.”
“Thanks. I’ll do you proud.”
We hugged, clapping one another’s backs.
After that, there was nothing left to do but wait. We passed the next hour in the waiting room, each minute seeming like an eternity. Finally, one of the doctors emerged from the backrooms, coming over to greet us.
“What’s the word, doc?” I asked, desperate to hear news.
“They’re both in good shape,” she said. “Your mother’s fine, just a few bruises. I’m thinking we keep her overnight for observation, and tomorrow morning she’ll be good to go.”
“And Claire?”
“A bit rougher, but she’ll be OK. Couple of small contusions. Forty-eight hours for her.” After she spoke, the doctor’s face turned grim, as if she were about to say something of great importance. “And don’t worry, the baby’s fine. I’ll keep you posted on anything else that develops. And please, ask for Dr. Winn if you have any questions.”
With that Dr. Winn headed off, leaving Kellan and me alone once again. I stood still for a moment, completely bewildered.
“I’m sorry,” I said, finally breaking the silence. “Thewhatis fine?”
EPILOGUE I
CLAIRE
I awoke in a daze, the world bleary all around me. Through the confusion, I was able to make out four figures. One of them, as I could tell by the baby-blue scrubs, was one of the nurses. The other three unblurred with each passing second, a smile forming on my face as I realized who they were.
“There’s the girl!” Kellan called out, his grin completely beaming. “Wondering how long you were going to nap for!”
One of the other figures, Ma O’Leary, wasted no time reaching over and giving her son a slap on the arm.
“Boy, show a little more manners than that! The poor dear went through some serious trauma!”
The world grew more into focus, and soon I could make out with perfect clarity the people around me. The nurse hurried over, looking me up and down and making sure that everything appeared to be in order before checking my vitals.
“Good to see you,” Connor said, stepping over and taking my hand. His touch calmed me right away, eliminating the worries of how strange and surreal the situation was. “How do you feel?”
“I feel like I’m one big bruise.”
That got some laughs out of the crew.
“You’re going to be fine,” the nurse said. “You passed out once we had you in here, but we saw right away it was from exhaustion. No internal damage to worry about.”
Internal. The word brought to mind the other person I had to worry about. But as I lay there, I realized that I hadn’t told any of them. It was a secret I didn’t know how would be received.
“I… I…”
Connor’s face turned grave, and pure fear rushed through me. He turned to his family and the nurse.
“Mind if we have a moment alone?” he asked.
