Faith in the Future

PART 4

“Are you sure?”  He asked, hoping it was just a false alarm.  He knew that it was the only thing he couldn’t help her with, his powers were useless.

“Yeap, I’m sure. I’ve been through this before remember.”

“But ………… but it’s not due for over two more months Liz.”

“You try telling it that.  I don’t think it liked the crash or me having to clamber over the seats out of the jeep.”  She said.

“Ok, no problem, let’s just stay calm.  The ambulance should be here soon.”  Max said trying to relax her.  In his mind he hoped that if she stayed relaxed and calm, perhaps the contractions would just stop.

“You ok Is?”  He asked his sister.

“Yeah.”

“And the baby?”
”Active as normal.”  She replied much to Max’s relief.  One pregnant woman in labour was quite enough for him.  Lifting Liz up a bit, Max sat behind her to give her back some support.  Rubbing her lower back, he hoped to try and ease some of the pain she was feeling.

It took just under ten minutes for the flashing lights of the ambulance to light up the quiet road.  Climbing out of the cab, the paramedics headed over to the group sitting on the grass verge.

“Ok, what happened?”  One asked

“The other car just flew out of nowhere and hit us.”  Max replied, suddenly feeling very drained of energy.

“Ok, how are we doing?”  The guy asked Liz

“Not so good.”  Liz replied, riding a mild contraction.  Placing his hand on her stomach, the paramedic tried to feel for any signs of movement from the baby.

“When did you last feel it move?”  He asked

“Erm just before the crash.”  Liz replied.

“Ok, let’s get you to hospital.”  He said, signalling to his colleague to bring the stretcher. 

After checking over Isabelle, all four friends were helped into the ambulance before it sped off back to the hospital.  For Liz, the trip was agony, every bump or twist in the road seemed to reverberate throughout her body.  Her head was fuzzy from the painkillers she was given, and she found herself fleeting in and out of consciousness.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital, Liz, Isabelle and Alex were whisked away to be checked over.   Feeling useless, Max decided to call his parents and Liz’s to let them know what had happened.  He knew they’d want to know, and at the very least he had to let his mother know they wouldn’t be able to collect Ellie for a while.

On hearing the news, both sets of parents dashed off to the hospital, both with vested interests as to how their daughters were.  Pushing through the automatic doors, the sound of tiny footsteps was unmistakable.  Turning round from where he was standing, Max steadied himself for the ambush that was heading his way. 

Running towards him a full pelt was his little girl.  Ellie, showing no signs of slowing down, ran straight into her father, and hugged his leg tightly.  Prising her away from his leg, Max lifted the little girl into his arms and held her close to him.  Her sobs were uncontrollable, her little face so distraught and upset, it broke his heart to see her like that.

“Hey little one, shhh don’t cry.”  He said soothing her back.

“Mummy, I want to see mummy!”  She wailed.

“I know baby, so do I.  I promise you can see her soon.”  He replied as she laid her head back down on his shoulder.

“What happened Max?  Are you ok?”  His mother asked, finally reaching her son.

“I’m ok.  The car came out of nowhere, jumped the lights.  God I should have seen it.”  He swore to himself.

“Hey go easy on yourself son, I’m sure you did everything you possibly could.  How’s Liz and Isabelle?”  Philip asked, putting a supportive hand on his son’s shoulder.

“I think Isabelle’s ok, Alex and Liz took the brunt of the impact.  She’s quite shaken up, but no real injuries.  I don’t know about Liz though, she was taken away as soon as we got here and I haven’t heard anything since.  But ……… but she thinks the labour has started.”  He replied, visibly upset.

“Oh Max!”  His mother cried, hugging her son and granddaughter together.

“I’m sure she’ll be ok Max, Liz is a fighter.”
“I know, I just hope the baby is too.”  He replied quietly, as he clung on to his daughter even tighter.

When he was eventually allowed to see his wife, Max tentatively walked in and took hold of her hand.  She had an IV in her arm, pumping in some sort of drugs and a heart monitor listening to the baby’s heart.  It comforted him to hear the sound of the quick beating, knowing their baby was at least alive.  He silently commended himself for making sure he left Ellie with his mother.  The little girl had been extremely upset at not being able to see Liz, but Max knew she’d be scared if she saw her mother in a bad way.

Turning her head, Liz gave Max a small smile.

“Hi.”  She said, visibly groggy.

“Hi babe, how you doing?”  He asked softly.

“Ok I guess.  They’ve given me some drugs to try and relax the baby, hopefully it will stop the contractions.”  She said.  Placing his hand on her stomach, Max rubbed in gently, subconsciously hoping it would calm their eager child.

“You’ve got another little one outside who’s eager to know how you are.”  He said.

“Ellie?”

“Yeah, I called yours and my parents to let them know.  Your parents are on their way now.”

“Thank you.”  She mouthed as her eyes closed again for a few moments.

“Oh god Liz, I wish there was something I could do to help you and the baby.”

“Just being here with me is doing something.  I don’t think I could go through this on my own.”  She replied, opening her eyes and seeing the despair in his face.

“But I feel so useless.” 

“No Max, you feel human.”  She replied, lifting her hand and placing it gently on his cheek.  Bending his head towards her, Max gently kissed her lips, trying to pass his strength through to her.

They were interrupted during their passionate clinch, by a quiet cough from the doorway.  Reluctantly relinquishing her from his grip, Max turned to see Jeff and Nancy waiting to be invited in.

“Oh Liz, you poor thing.”  Nancy said, rushing over to the vacant side of Liz’s bed.

“I’m ok mum.”  She said, trying to be brave.

“You don’t look ok from where I am honey.  Diane says there’s a problem with the baby.”  Nancy replied.

“They’re pumping me full of drugs to try and stop the labour.”  Liz said, holding her arm up that was connected to the IV.

“Do they think it will work?”  Jeff asked.

“I guess so, otherwise they wouldn’t do it.”  Liz replied

“How’s Liz?”  Isabelle asked as Alex returned to her room.  Although she didn’t have any major injuries, just a couple of scratches and bruises, because of her pregnancy, the doctor had decided to keep her in over night, just in case there were any complications.

“She’s ok Is, please don’t worry, you’ve got to think of yourself and the baby.”  Alex insisted.  His arm was in a sling to give his shoulder some support.  As he had suspected, he’d dislocated it, and it had been extremely painful when the doctor had clicked it back into place.

“But I can’t help worrying about Liz.  God Alex, she can’t have the baby yet, it would be so small.” 

“I know Isabelle, but worrying won’t help Liz.  Please, you have to stay calm or you’ll risk our baby.”  He replied softly, placing his hand protectively on her stomach.

Watching Ellie sit quietly beside her in the waiting room, Diane wished there was something she could do to help her.  The poor little girl was coping with so many demons inside.  She knew her mother was sick, and just couldn’t understand why her daddy wouldn’t let her see Liz.  Laying her head down on her husband’s shoulder and closing her eyes, Diane wished her children’s lives weren’t so complicated.

Turning her head to her grandparents, Ellie noticed they were both sitting with their eyes closed.  She so wanted to see Liz, she needed to know her mother was ok.  In her mind, Ellie thought that if she could get to her mother, she’d be able to heal her.

Quietly slipping her feet down on to the floor, Ellie pattered away from the waiting area, down the corridor she’d seen her father take a few minutes earlier.  It was a very long corridor to Ellie, and it seemed to go on forever.  There were windows every so often, but every time Ellie peered in, no familiar faces shone back.  Continuing to walk, she eventually reached the end, and had to make a decision, left or right.  Just as she was about to turn back down the corridor, a nurse spotted her.

“You ok sweetie?”  She asked

“Erm, yeah.  I want to see my mummy.”

“Ok, do you know where she is, or why she’s here?”
”She’s having a baby.”  Ellie replied.

“Well the maternity ward is just up those stairs.  Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, I’m a big girl now.”  Ellie replied.

“Oh, ok then.”  The nurse replied smiling at the little girl’s maturity.

Climbing the stairs and pushing open the large door with some difficulty, Ellie found herself face to face with another long corridor that seemed to have no end.  Sounds of crying and whimpering babies filled the air as she gingerly started to walk down.  For a moment she was scared, this was a strange, new place, but the thought of finding her mother spurred her on.

Lifting her head up, Diane couldn’t believe she’d actually dropped off for a few minutes.

“Gosh I really must be getting old if I need a catnap.”  She said to herself as she turned to Ellie.

“Oh my god Philip!”  She called out, waking her husband from his own sleeping slumbers.

“What’s wrong Diane?”
”Ellie, she’s gone.”
”What?  She can’t be gone.”
”Well she is.  Oh Max is just gonna kill me.  Come on we’ve got to find her.”  Diane insisted, getting up and heading over to reception.

After asking the receptionist if she’d seen the little girl, and drawing a blank, Diane and Philip started to walk around the immediate area.  Diane assumed a little girl on her own would be quite easy to spot, but not in a hospital.  There seemed to be children running all over the place, while their parents or relatives waited for news on loved ones. 

“Oh Philip, what are we going to do, what if someone has taken her?”

“I’m sure she’s fine Diane, but, I think there’s only one thing we can do.”  He replied

“What?”
”Tell Max.”  Her husband replied.

As she walked along the white shinny floor, Ellie loved the sound her shoes made.  They clicked along just like her mother’s shoes would, making her feel very grown up.  The couple of people she met smiled sweetly at her, but carried on walking.

“Are you sure we should worry him yet?”  Diane countered

“We’ve got to Diane, he needs to know.”  Philip said as they reached Liz’s room.

“You need to rest Liz.”  Nancy announced, trying to mother her daughter.

“I will.”  Liz replied.

“Erm, hi.”  Philip said tentatively as they stood in the doorway.

“Dad?  What are you doing here, where’s Ellie?”  Max asked, surprised to see his parents.

“Well, that’s kind of what we need to talk to you about.”  Diane replied.  “In private.”  She added, looking at her extremely pale daughter-in-law.

“Is something wrong with Ellie?”  Liz asked, getting concerned.

“Calm down Liz, think of the baby.”  Max insisted, rubbing her hand.  “Ellie’s fine isn’t she, mum?  Dad?”  Max asked, looking for confirmation from his parents.

“Well ………..”  Diane trailed off.

“Where is she?”  Max asked trying to stay calm.

“She was with us a few moments ago, but you know how inquisitive she is ……….. she really wanted to see Liz.”  Diane babbled.

“Mum!  Where is she?”  He asked again.

“I don’t know.”  Diane admitted.

“What!”  Liz cried, almost pulling out the IV in her arm in her hast to sit up.

“I’m so sorry.  I only took my eyes off her for a moment, and then she was gone.  Oh Max I don’t know what to say.  We’ve looked around and we can’t find her anywhere.”  Diane replied feeling awful that her son had enough to deal with.

The room went extremely silent for a few moments, no one knowing what to say.  Inside, Max was fighting his own demons, stay with his wife or go and find his daughter.  The deathly silence was eventually broken by a shrill cry from Liz.

“What is it?”  Max asked anxiously.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh, oh god that hurts.”  Liz cried out again.  “I …………. I don’t think the …………… drugs are working.”  She added breathlessly.

“Huh?”
”The baby.  I think I’m in labour again.”  Liz clarified, trying to take deep breaths to ride the pain.

“I’ll get the doctor.”  Philip offered, before leaving the room.

“Shit!”  Max swore under his breath.

“Find her Max.  Find Ellie.”  Liz instructed.

“But …………… but I can’t leave you like this.”  He replied.

“I have to know she’s safe, please.”  Liz said, looking at her husband and touching his cheek.  “Please Max, I’ll be ok.  Go and find our little girl.”  Liz added, as tears welled in her eyes.

In her mind, Liz knew she wouldn’t be able to relax until Ellie was found.  She felt so useless lying in the hospital bed, connected up to a drip, and having labour pains once again.  She desperately wanted Max to be with her, she was scared for their new baby, but they had to find Ellie.

PART 5

As Michael tenderly placed Charlotte into the crib by Maria’s bed, the little girl started to whimper.

“Hey little one, your mummy needs some sleep now, how about being the angel you look like?”  He said softly, rubbing her tummy as he spoke.

Maria looked on in awe and amazement; he was taking to being a daddy like a natural.  She’d been worried, yes she’d managed to get him to open up from time to time, but with the babies he was effectively admitting he’d never find his real home.  Ending a dream that he’d carried with him for as long as he could remember.

“Ooh keep that up and you’re hired!”  She joked.

“Hey, you’re not laughing at me are you?”  He replied, looking hurt.

“Never Spaceboy.”  She replied as she cradled Emileigh. 

Watching her hold their youngest daughter, Michael still struggled to take in everything that had happened to them that day.  He still couldn’t believe that the bump his wife had carried round for nine months had produced two perfect daughters.

Staring back at him, she saw the tears forming in his eyes and it touched her heart.  She beckoned him closer to her, wanting to envelope him in her arms.  As he went to take a step closer, Maria saw something out of the corner of her eye, something that went past the window to her room.

“Can’t you announce something on the PA system?”  Max asked the receptionist.

“I’m sorry Mr Evans, the PA System is for emergencies only.”  She replied.

“Well what do you think this is?  My five year old daughter is missing, if that isn’t an emergency I don’t know what is!”  Max snapped.

“Please Mr Evans, getting angry with me isn’t going to help the situation.”  The receptionist said.

“I’m not helping the situation?  Well what are you doing about it?”  He replied becoming extremely agitated.

“Michael, that was Ellie.”  Maria said.

“What?  No ‘Ria, it couldn’t have been.  She’s with Max’s parents, and Max, Liz, Alex and Isabelle left ages ago.”  He replied.

“No, it was.”  She added.

“It was probably just someone who looked like her.”

“Please Michael, just go look.”  Maria insisted.

“Fine.”  He replied, feeling it was just going to be a waste of time.

Stepping outside the room, Michael looked left, nope no Ellie there.  Then, turning his head, he saw a little brown haired girl wearing a denim dress and denim jacket.

“Ellie?”  He called out, assuming she wouldn’t turn around.

“Uncle Michael?”  She said, turning in the direction of the voice and seeing a familiar face.  Running towards him, Michael crouched down and scooped the little girl into his arms. 

“What are you doing here darling?”  He asked, as she brushed away tears from her face.

“Michael?”  Maria called, watching the exchange through the window.

“It’s ok ‘Ria, you were right.”  He said, walking back into the room.

“Hello Ellie, have you come to see me?”  Maria asked.

“No.”  She replied.

“Who are you here to see?” 

“Mummy.”  Ellie replied.

“Why’s mummy here?” 

“’Cause there was an accident.”
”An accident?  Oh my god Michael!” Maria cried out.

“Hey, stay calm ‘Ria.  Is daddy here Ellie?”

“Yeap, he went to see mummy.  He said I couldn’t come but I wanted to see her.”
”So you were looking for her?”

“Yes.”  She replied quietly.

“Ok, how about we go for a walk and try and find them together?”  Michael offered as the little girl nodded her head.

“I’ll be back as soon as I have some news, I promise.”  Michael said, kissing his wife’s forehead before heading out of the room.

“Look I understand you have your procedures, but I have to find my little girl!”  Max said as he continued to argue with the receptionist.

“Max!”  A voice behind him called.  Turning around, Max saw the most wonderful sight, his daughter. 

Wriggling free of Michael’s arms, Ellie ran towards her father and threw her arms around his neck.

“Oh my god Ellie, thank god your safe!”  He cried, pulling her close to him.  Beside him, Philip Evans breathed a sigh of relieve too, the little girl was safe again, the crisis was over.

“Where were you baby?”  Max asked

“I wanted to see mummy.”  She replied innocently.

“But you know better than to go off on your own, anything could have happened.  Don’t scare me like that again.”  Max said, trying to scold her but feeling too grateful that she was back.

“I’m sorry.”  She replied.

“How did you manage to find her?”  Max asked his friend.

“One of the nurses directed her up to maternity, she told them Liz was having the baby and they must have assumed she’d be in there.  Maria saw her walking past the window.  What happened Max, Ellie said something about an accident.”

“Yeah, someone crashed into the jeep.”
”Are you all ok?”
”I’m fine, Isabelle is being kept in as a precaution and Alex is with her at the moment.”
”And Liz?”
”Not so good, she’s gone into labour.”  He replied.  “I have to get back to her.”  He added.

“Hey no problem, I have to go and tell Maria so she doesn’t worry.  Do you want me to take care of Ellie?”

“Won’t Maria want to sleep?”
”I think she’s still too pumped up on adrenaline right now.  I really don’t mind, it’ll keep her out of mischief.”
”That would be really great, thanks mate.”

“I want to see mummy though!”  Ellie cried.

“Ok, but just for a moment.  Mummy’s got to rest.”  Max replied, knowing it would do Liz good to see their daughter was safe and sound again.

“Ellie!  Oh my gosh are you ok?”  Liz asked as she saw her husband walk into the room.

“Mummy!”  Ellie cried, wanting to wriggle out of Max’s grasp and hug her.

“No Ellie.”  Max insisted, holding her tighter.

“It’s ok Max.  Just a quick hug sweetie.”  Liz replied, needing the hug as much as her daughter.  “You scared us honey, you know you shouldn’t go wandering off on your own.”  Liz added as she help her tightly.

“I know, but I wanted to see you.”  She replied.

“Well I’m ok sweetie, I promise.”  Liz said, trying to sooth her daughter’s fears.

After Michael had taken Ellie with him back to Maria, the doctor came back in to assess Liz’s condition.  Clearing the room of all people bar Max, the doctor listened to the heartbeat of the baby, and checked Liz’s blood pressure.

“Ok, I know this baby isn’t due for another couple of months, but it’s starting to get into distress.  I really think the best course of action is to get it out.”  He said bluntly.

“But won’t it be too small.”  Max replied.

“Yes it will be small.  But I’ll be honest, this baby isn’t going to survive if we don’t do something.”

“Then do it.  Take me off these drugs now.”  Liz instructed, her primeval motherly instinct taking over. 

“Oh god poor Liz, she must be going through hell right now.  I want to see her.”  Maria said, once Michael had filled her in.

“Don’t be so silly ‘Ria, of course you can’t see her.  You’ve just given birth yourself, you’re in no fit state to be up and walking about.”  Michael insisted.

“But this is my friend we’re talking about.”
”Yes, but there is nothing you can do to help Liz.  Please ‘Ria, I don’t want anything to happen to you.  You have to think about Charlotte and Emileigh as well now.”  Michael said.

“Mummy will be ok Aunty ‘Ria.  I can feel it.”  Ellie said, as Maria cuddled her.
”I hope you’re right sweetie.  And I hope you’re little brother or sister will be ok too.”  Maria replied.

“Oh mum, do you think the baby will be ok?”  Isabelle asked

“I really hope so Isabelle, it’s gonna be really small, but I just hope it’s a fighter.”  Diane replied.

“Please don’t worry about it Isabelle, there’s nothing you can do.”  Alex said, afraid his wife would bring on labour with all her worry.

“I know Alex, but it’s so hard.  That could have so easily been me in there instead of Liz.”  She replied softly.

Rubbing her back, Max tried to ease some of the pain Liz was feeling.  The contractions were coming quicker and quicker, and they both knew it wouldn’t be too much longer.

“I’m scared Max.”  Liz admitted.

“I know babe, so am I.”  He replied.

“What if the baby is too small?  What if ………..”

“Don’t Liz, you have to stay positive.  You have to believe the baby will be ok.  Please.”  He insisted, as she grabbed for his hand.

“Now Liz, with the next contraction I need you to push, ok?”  The doctor said

“Ok.”  Liz replied.  She’d been in full labour for nearly three hours, but was already exhausted.  As the contraction started, Liz did as the doctor instructed, and pushed as hard as she could.

“That’s it babe, you’re doing great.”  Max encouraged, moving a loose piece of hair away from her face.  As she relaxed back against the pillow, Liz saw the doctor move away and consult with the senior nurse who was also in the room.  She couldn’t hear what was being said, but something told her it wasn’t good.

“What’s wrong?”  Liz asked, as the doctor turned back to her.

“Well, things aren’t progressing as quickly as they should be, considering how close your contractions are.  We think there might be a problem.”

“What sort of a problem?”  Max jumped in.

“I don’t know, but your baby is definitely having some difficulty.”  The doctor said as the sound of the baby’s heartbeat dropped somewhat in the room.  The nurse moved over to the heart monitor and called out the stats.

“The heart beat is dropping quite rapidly doctor.”  She announced.

“Right then, there’s no choice.  I’m sorry, Liz, Max, but we’re going to have to do an emergency caesarean.”
”Is it that bad?”  Liz enquired, beginning to panic.

“I’m afraid so.  If we don’t act now, both your life and that of your child will be in danger.”  He said frankly. 

As she was wheeled into the operating theatre, Liz held tightly to Max’s hand.  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt as scared as she did at that moment.  Things were happening way too quickly for her liking, and events were rapidly spiralling out of control.  Breaking her grasp on his hand so Max could put on a surgical robe and mask, Liz tried to blink away the tears in her eyes.  As the injection to numb her lower body took affect, Liz allowed two tears to fall down her cheek and onto the pillow below.  Her feelings of being afraid and frightened mirrored in the eyes of her husband.

Inside ten minutes of being moved to the operating theatre, Max and Liz’s second child was born.  A little boy, weighing in at just over 3 pounds.  He was very small, and as soon as he’d been shown to the new parents, he was whisked away straight to intensive care and placed in an incubator. 

As the huddled together in the quiet room, both Max and Liz shed tears.  The birth of their child should have been such a wondrous, happy event, but it was overshadowed by the tininess of their little boy and the complications that had occurred.  It should have been their time to bond with the little boy, enjoy private time in his first hours of life.  Instead they were left together to try and keep each other’s spirits up.  Both knowing in their hearts the fight for their first son’s life had only just begun.

PART 6

“Oh Max, he’s so teeny.”  Liz said, choking back a sob as she touched his diminutive hand through the small window in his incubator.

“Yeah, that he is.”  Max replied, standing just behind his wife and looking at his son.

Despite her doctor’s advice, Liz had insisted in coming into the intensive care unit to see her son.  Her doctor had told her she needed rest, since she’d had a major operation, but Liz would have none of it.  To her, the life of her baby was far too important.  Although she wouldn’t admit it to herself, Liz secretly needed to see her son in case the unthinkable happened and he didn’t pull through.  He was only seven hours old, and he looked too vulnerable laying in the incubator, his body full of tubes and wires making sure he stayed alive.

“We’re gonna have to give him a name sweetheart.”  Max said, trying to give the subject a more positive outlook.

“Yeah, I was thinking about that.”

“Any suggestions?”
”Well, I thought about Christian, or perhaps Philip after your dad, or maybe even Max?”

“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to inflict my name on the poor lad.  I like Christian actually.”

“Yeah?  What about a middle name?”
”I’d quite like to use Michael if that’s ok?”
”Definitely, that’s what I was going to suggest.  Well Christian Michael Evans, now that you’ve got a name, you have to fight to get well.  Because the Evans’ don’t let people go that easily.”  Liz instructed to her son.

From his vantage point standing behind her, Max watched his wife in awe.  Not for the first time since he’d met Liz Evans, Max couldn’t help but admire her.  Yet again they were faced with a  difficult situation.  No aliens or FBI this time, but in some ways this was an even worse problem to overcome.  Yet here she was, sitting by her son’s incubator, seven hours after giving birth.  Her strength and will to carry on no matter what was an inspiration to him.  His love for Liz was magnified, if that was possible, as he watched her stroke the tiny hand of their son.

“He’s perfect Max.”  Liz whispered as tears filled her eyes.  However much she tried to not think about it, she was afraid of what was going to happen.  She didn’t think she could cope with loosing her son, that was something Liz didn’t think even she had the strength to get through.

“I know.”  Max replied, hearing the shakiness in her voice.

Pulling her into his body, Max engulfed his wife in the immense love he felt for her.  He believed, at that moment, that they would overcome anything, their love for each other so strong.

“Ellie sweetheart, not so fast honey.  You remember what happened last time you ran off.”  Diane Evans said.  She had a firm grip on her granddaughter’s hand, determined not to loose her again.  Instead, she and Philip were being pulled through the corridors of the hospital by the eager young five year old.

Ellie couldn’t hide her excitement.  She’d been upset when uncle Michael had taken her away the previous night, but she’d been so excited when her grandmother had collected her that morning.  Diane had told the little girl that she had new a baby brother.  Ellie’s little face had lit up like a bright beacon at night, all her dreams coming true that day.  All she’d ever wanted was to live in a big house with a huge garden, her parents to get married and to have a baby brother.

“Come on grandma.”  Ellie insisted, continuing to pull Diane’s hand.

“Mrs Evans, I really think you should get some rest.  You’ve had a rough day and you need to keep your strength up.  Otherwise you’ll make yourself ill and you’ll be no good to Christian.”  The doctor said to the young mother.

“No, I’m not leaving him.”  Liz insisted.

“Liz, he’s right.”  Max replied softly.

He was worried about her, he couldn’t hide that.  She looked so pale and weak, and the life to their child hanging in the balance wasn’t helping.

“I can stay here, I promise I’ll wake you if anything changes.”  He added.

“No Max, I’m not going anywhere.  Do you really think I could sleep right now?  I’m scared Max, scared that if I fall asleep I’ll wake up and he’ll be gone.”  She confessed.

“You know that I will do whatever it takes to keep our son alive.  If that means using my powers and being exposed then so be it.”  Max said hoping to elevate some of her fears.

“I can’t Max ………….. I need to be here.”  She pleaded with him.

“Mummy!”  Ellie cried out as they entered the room.

“Hello sweetie.”  Liz replied, trying to smile for her daughter.

“I love you!”  The little girl announced, enthusiastically throwing her arms around Liz’s neck.

“I love you too Ellie ……….. Ahhh!  Just be gentle …….. with me.”  Liz winced, suddenly feeling Ellie’s exuberant hug tug at her stitches.

“Come here baby, your mummy just needs some rest.”  Max said pulling Ellie into his arms.  “This is your baby brother Ellie.”  Max said, turning his daughter to the incubator.

“Wow ………….. he’s even smaller than my doll you bought me for my birthday.”  She announced.

“Yeah, he’s small, but he’s a fighter.”  Max replied.

“How are you doing Liz?”  Diane asked her daughter in law.

“Ok I guess.”  Liz replied looking pale and tired.

“Perhaps you should get some rest?”  Diane suggested.

“Don’t go there mum, I’ve already told Liz that.”  Max interjected.

“I know you’re just concerned about me, but I’m fine, really.”  Liz insisted before standing up.

At that moment, the previous 24 hours suddenly caught up on Liz.  Without warning, an overwhelming wash of dizziness descending over her body.  Blinking furiously, Liz tried to clear the blackness covering her eyes.

“Liz!”  Max called out, catching his wife with his spare arm as she began to fall, stopping her from crashing to the ground.  Quickly allowing Ellie to slide to the floor, Max pulled Liz into his arms.

“Liz?  Are you ok?”  He asked gently.

“I …………. Just feel ……………. A bit …………… dizzy.”  She mumbled, her pasty white face staring back up at Max.

“Ok, that’s it Liz, I won’t let anything happen to you.  Now please, let me take you back to your room for some rest.”  Max insisted, before scooping her energy-zapped body up into his arms.  Although she wanted to, Liz had no energy to fight Max’s actions, just lying limp in his strong arms.

After finally getting Liz settled in her room and waiting for her to fall asleep, Max returned to the Intensive Care unit where his parents were.

“She looks rough Max.”  Diane commented as her son returned.

“Yeah, it’s been pretty rough.  But Liz is stronger than anyone I know, we’ll get through this.”  He replied, looking weary.

“You look tired too son, perhaps you should rest too?”  Philip interjected.

“I’ll be ok.”  He replied, picking Ellie up from the seat and sitting down before placing the little girl on his knee.

“Why won’t he open his eyes daddy?  I keep asking him to, but he won’t”  She complained.

“He’s very young sweetie, opening his eyes takes a lot of energy, and he needs all of that energy to get better.”  Max explained.

“Oh.”  Ellie replied, still not totally happy with Max’s explanation.

As he reached in and touched Christian’s soft skin, Max was suddenly aware of a shrill alarm going off around him.  It took a few moments for Max’s brain to realise the alarm was coming from his son’s incubator.

“Oh my god!  What’s happening?”  Diane cried out.

“I ………… I don’t ………… don’t know.”  Max stammered, pulling Ellie from his lap and directing the little girl to his parents.

Inside a few minutes doctors and nurses flew around the tiny baby in an attempt to keep the child alive.

Standing back, tears welled in Max’s eyes.  He felt so helpless as he watched more tubes be inserted into Christian’s fragile body.  As a single tear trickled down his face, Max desperately tried to rack his brains for clues on how he could do to help his sick son.

TBC ………………..?

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