Time Heals all Wounds

 

Chapter 12: One Last Breath

Charley walked out into the waiting room, still dressed in his uniform, at least he had the forethought to wash his hands and arms before coming out. John was sitting next to Derek, wringing his hands, trying to hold a semblance of calm for Derek, but he was barely holding it together. His face hid nothing, Charley felt bad for the kid. Sarah had a hand on Derek's back absently rubbing his back, her other hand in a death grip inside Derek's . Derek's hand wiped over his face, the eyes haunted when he looked up at Charley. Derek was a man defeated.

“Hey Johnny, Sarah. Hey Derek, you can come on back. I'll be back in a little bit guys.” Charley had that tone to his voice when he was being kind, sympathetic. He'd been Derek once with Michelle, before she'd passed on. He truly understood how Derek felt, planned on being there if Derek needed someone to talk to. Charley put his arm around Derek's shoulder, and led him through the door, back into the OR.

Thank God Miriam and Charley had things cleaned up before they had brought Derek back. The overhead lamp was on low, a single soft light shone down on the clean white sheets and blanket in the middle of the OR table. Miriam stood back in the shadows, in case Charley needed help. She had been conscientious to position the little boy at peace, his tiny hands as if he were sleeping, before carefully wrapping his clean body in the soft white blanket.

Derek walked slowly into the OR, Charley waited by the door. This was Derek's time to see his son and say goodbye. War was hell, everyone paid some price, whether they thought they had to or not. Miriam watched Derek, silently praying the “The Lord's Prayer” , hoping that the broken man in front of her would find some peace.

Derek picked up his son's small body, cradling the boy to his chest. Derek knew his son didn't make it, but he was thankful for Miriam and Charley doing what they did for him. At any rate they tried their best, it just wasn't meant to be.

Derek whispered against Thomas' forehead, “I love you son. Be at peace with your Uncle Kyle and your Grandparents.” Derek kissed his son tenderly as a a tear fell on the baby's cheek. Derek carefully laid his son back down, brushing his fingers over the baby's downy dark hair.

“Has his mother seen him?” Derek whispered into the dark.

“Yes son, his mother is the one who asked me to lay him at peace for you. She is resting if you would like to see her. She also asked me if I would make the arrangements to have him buried in the children's cemetery at St. Nicholas. My husband and I belong to that church. We would be glad to pay for the arrangements if that's alright with you?” Miriam came forward as she spoke, laying a hand on Derek's shoulder.

 

Derek turned to Miriam, hugging her gently, “Yes, please do that. Thank you so much for what you've done for us. Thank you.” Miriam nodded, softly patting Derek's back, “It will be alright son, now the wee lad is at peace with the angels.”

Charley led Derek back to where Enve was asleep. “Miriam is letting you stay as long as you need, your wife needs to rest for a few days. I can take her back home for you when you're ready.”

Derek nodded, “Thanks Charley. For everything.” Charley opened the door for Derek, nodding slightly. Charley still had to bring Sarah and John back so they could say their goodbyes.

Charley had never seen Sarah cry until he took her and John back to say goodbye to Derek's son. Charley stood next to Sarah as she held his hand like a lifeline to a drowning man. She gathered John against her and cried as John cried into her chest. Charley wrapped them both in his arms, kissing the top of Sarah's head.

John looked down at his baby cousin, realizing just how fragile life really could be. He needed to get home to Cameron, needed to talk to her, needed her.

After everyone paid their respects, Miriam gathered up the baby in her arms. She kissed his forehead before she tucked his hands into the wrapping. “Goodnight sweet laddie. Sleep peacefully” she whispered as she covered his face with the blanket.

Enve woke to gentle sunlight creeping through the blinds. A hand with a black titanium wedding band rested over her protectively, she could feel the warmth of another body pressed up against her own, feel the quiet even breathing of someone in REM sleep. Enve looked at her own hand, seeing a smaller, thinner, matching band around her ring finger. She carefully pulled it off, flipping it over in her fingers. Inside was engraved “DTR-012327”, Enve felt a pang of confusion hit like a herd of cattle in her gut. It wasn't 2027, she didn't spend her wedding night in a room this nice in 2027.

Where the hell was she then?