Hope from the Ocean: 39

It had been at least thirty-five minutes, and Blair had not stopped crying or shaking, and mumbling to herself under her breath.  The nun began to become very anxious.  She pulled Starr and Tina aside into the hallway, and said, "I know it's not the time or place, but I need to call Todd.  I'm starting to worry what will happen to Blair if she doesn't stop this."

"Call him.  It's not time for the storming yet.  We can still catch him."  Starr said.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?"  Tina asked.  "Whatever you do, don't let her know you're calling.  If he can't answer, because he's busy, she'll completely fall apart, and we'll be calling an ambulance."

"I'm not sure we shouldn't be doing that already,"  Starr added.

"Good Lord, yes. I was just thinking the same thing," the nun said, clasping her hands.

"Call Dorian," Tina said.  "She'll know what to do."

"Yes, and while one of you is doing that, I'll call Dad."  Starr added.

***

"So therein lies the plan.  Is everyone clear?"  Aiden asked.  Todd hadn't realized that Aiden, with his headaches and missing past, was clearly the leader of the little band.

There were nods and agreements all around.  Todd and Aiden were assigned to locating the secret door.  There was nothing else added to their assignment; they were to locate Patrick's holding area, and nothing more was said.  

What comes after that?  Maybe they don't want to think about it.  

"Well, we all know what to do.  Now's the waiting game.  Anyone want some whiskey to take the edge off?"  the red-head said.

A few hands went out, and the bottle was passed.  Todd didn't take it; he knew he needed to be one hundred percent.  He noticed that Aiden didn't either.  Finally, someone said, "Ya fools, don't ya think Todd ought to know our names at least?"

"That was something we forgot like last Tuesday's sun," William said.  "Ya know me, William.  This is Darren."

The red-head extended his hand.  "I never thought I'd meet ya.  The scar is just as they said."

"I'm Colin," the oldest man with the salt-and-pepper hair said, also extending a hand.  "Pleased."

"We'll meet up with the others in about twenty minutes.  Then, it's a go."  Aiden said.  "Todd, are ya ready?"

"I suppose.  What else is there?  Gotta get him out, before it's too late."  Todd added.

"Let's just hope it's not already," Colin said, and Todd refused to allow the thoughts of what he believed to be his last few moments in the cell to enter into his mind.

"Just so ya know, we know y'ar history, and y'ar current life.  No one here intends for y'ar wife to be a widow.  Whatever it takes, ya'll be protected.  Ya've given enough of ya life so far to try and defeat these bastards.  Y'ar here to help us, not to die.  We'll die defending ya,"  Darren said.  For a kid, he was outspoken and seasoned.  

Misery does that.

"I'd prefer no one has to do anything like that," Todd said.  "I take pretty good care of myself, but I appreciate your words."  Just then, Todd's phone softly buzzed in his pocket.  Picking it up, he said, "Blair," softly.  

Aiden, seeing him answer it, said, "Mates, let's go into the bar, and give him some privacy, eh?" 

Soon he was alone, and went back to the phone.  "No, Dad, it's me."  Starr sounded worried.

"It's bad?"

"It's very bad.  We're getting Dorian up here.  Mom's not right."

"What's wrong, Starr?"

"She's . . . sort of in shock or something.  Muttering a lot, crying, shaking.  Before she was telling me things, that, she knew I already knew, just sort of, out of it, you know."

"Does she need the hospital?"

"I don't know.  Dorian's on her way up.  She'll know what to do."

"Maybe you need a real doctor, Starr."

"She is a real doctor, Dad.  You always say that.  She's a real doctor, and she loves Mom."

"Can I talk to your mother?"

"If you think it will help.  Sister Rebecca Katherine is nodding.  She thinks it's a good idea."  Starr went to the bed, and handed Blair the phone.

He said, "Hi."

She said, "Hi," but her voice was filled with pain and crackled, like thin ice.

"I can't wait to see you," he found himself saying.

She closed her eyes and squeezed out two lonely tears, one from each.  "Me, too."

"I'm looking forward to just being in your arms," he said.

"I'll be here."

"I just met some of the guys from the RA21.  Cool people.  They think I'm some kind of celeb."

"You're my celeb," she said.  "I want your autograph."

"I'll be glad to give it to you, on your body, with my tongue, when I get home.  Not much longer now.  Trust me, Blair.  I need you to trust me and believe in me."

She closed her eyes again, and swallowed down her tears.  Something inside her rose up like a dawning.  "I do, My Love.  Save him, and get home to me," she said.  Then, raspy and hushed, "I'm so proud to be your wife, Todd."

"I'm lucky to be your one-and-only.  I'll call you in a little bit, okay?"

"Yes.  I love you," she said.

"I love you.  Gotta go."

Blair let the phone gently fall to the pillow, and sat up.  "Well.  No more of this.  I have to be strong for him, and start thinking positive.  He wants me to trust him, I'm going to trust him."  She paused.  "What else have I got?"

All three women looked to Blair with their eyes wide.  Dorian came to the door just in time to see the last few things unfold.  "My God, Blair, are you all right?"

She continued, through tears, "Yes, Dorian.  After all, he's Todd Manning.  If anyone has nine lives, it's him, right?"  Her phone was on the bed, and on the home screen was their gold balloon wedding picture.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Your comments are 'payment' for the work of the authors. Our writers like to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment when you read.