A/N: This one has more than one chapter so keep an eye out for updates.
Miles caught the messenger as he came down the hallway. "News?" he demanded.
The young boy shook his head. "I'm sorry sir."
Miles swallowed hard. "It's alright. Dismissed soldier."
"Sir, Mrs. Matheson…"
"I said dismissed," Miles barked. He turned away without another word.
Miles didn't have time to think about Rachel now. She had come when they asked and Miles had made sure she was transported to Philly completely ignorant of her purpose. He and Bass had agreed to make it look like Rachel was a prisoner rather than a guest. That would put her in far less danger. They holed her up in a guest room then basically forgot about her. The family had to first grieve for the loss of their baby. And now…
Now Miles couldn't' care less about Rachel's comfort or her questions. They were secondary to what was going on in the nursery. Not that he wanted to be there anyway.
Most days this part of the mansion was ringing with life. You could hear Lilly's laughter all around. But today there was a grim air surrounding the whole of the house. What normally never touched this wing seemed to hover over it in a cloud.
Two guards stood posted at the door and they gave Miles the same hopeful look he had given the messenger. He wished he had better news. Just like Miles, their faces fell when they found there was no news. One of them opened the door and allowed him in.
It was usually such a bright and cheery sight that Miles couldn't help smiling. Now he wished he could run back to his own home. This was never a sight he wanted to see.
Lilly was lying on her bed, pale and drawn. The bed had been stripped of all sheets and every window opened. It made no difference. Her body glistened in a sheen of sweat caused by the fever currently raging through her system. A doctor stood nearby to help force liquids through her cracked lips when he could.
Bass knelt by the bed, one of Lilly's pale hands clutched in his own. His lips were moving in a steady stream of fairy tales mixed with prayers to any deity that would listen to save his little girl. Miles felt for the man but it was Nora that really pulled at his heart.
Nora was literally curled on a nearby chair. Her knees were pressed up to her chest with her arms resting on top. Miles could barely make her out because she had buried her head in her arms which allowed her long hair to curtain around her. As if by hiding from this event, she could truly make it go away. Miles completely understood that logic. No parent should watch their child die.
The doctor approached him. "What's the news?"
"The messengers have all returned," Miles murmured. "All say the same thing. They found nothing."
"Then we'll send out more," Bass growled.
Miles knew it was a lost cause. They had already lost so many children to the virus. The medicine that could have saved them, that could save Lilly had disappeared with the power. But how could Miles tell his best friend that his daughter was doomed to die? How could he crush Nora and Bass like that? The doctor solved his problem. "Sir, there have been troops sent throughout the entire nation. Your daughter…there's nothing we can do. I'm so sorry."
"Don't say that." It was just a hiss but everyone turned to Nora just the same. She had been silent for days. Now she lifted her head just enough to make her look like a dangerous animal. "Don't you dare say my little girl is dying."
"Maybe she isn't," the doctor said. "But my work here is over."
Nora scowled fiercely. "Your work here is over when my husband tells you it's over," she spat.
Miles struggled to be the voice of reason. "Nora, let him go. He's speaking from exhaustion like all of us. I'll have one of the guards bring in a replacement."
Silence reigned for a moment before Lilly squeaked out a breath. "Mommy?"
Nora was by her husband's side so fast Miles almost didn't see her move. "I'm right here, baby," she whispered, stroking Lilly's hair. "I'm right by your side. Always."
Lilly turned to her parents, dull eyes cracking open just so. "Mommy, is heaven real?"
Nora frowned. "Of course it is sweetie. Why would you ask that?"
"Jason and Steve said it wasn't. But I knew it had to be real." She smiled at them. "I knew I was right."
Bass drew a shaky breath. "How did you know, Lilly of the Valley?"
"I can see an angel," Lilly replied.
Miles waited but no one spoke. "What does it look like, Lilly Flower?" he asked, bracing himself for the answer.
Lilly just lay there breathing for a long moment. "It's a he." She took another shaky breath. "He's got honey hair like daddy but its' straight and down to his chin." She smiled at Nora. "He's got brown eyes, like you mommy."
"What else?" Bass prompted.
"He's…he's short. Shorter than you. He's got a thin nose and a sort of round chin. Long…sideburns." Lilly paused to gather her breath. "He's dressed all funny. Like Uncle Miles when he watches me. Jeans and t-shirt and a jacket." Her eyes widened as though something surprising had happened. "Now he's in uniform. A militia uniform like the people in training wear. He's got something in his mouth." She let out a weak giggle. "He says it's a lollipop."
"Lilly, where is this man?" Nora whispered.
"By…by…he's by Uncle Miles. I like his smile, mommy. He's got a nice smile. Like he's got a good joke."
Nora kissed her temple. "Please," she choked out.
Lilly turned to her. "I love you, mommy."
"I love you too, baby."
Lilly's eyes fell to her father. "Can we sing my lullaby?"
"Anything you want Lilly of the Valley." Bass gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I have a dream/A song to sing/To help me cope/With anything/If you see the wonder/of a fairytale/you can take the future/Even if you fail /I believe in angels/Something good in everything I see/I believe in angels/When I know the time is right for me/I'll cross the stream/"
"I…have…a…dream," Lilly breathed.
Miles didn't even realize she had stopped breathing until he watched Nora's shoulders begin to shake. The doctor moved from his side and reached around to feel Lilly's throat. "I'm sorry," he sighed. "She's gone."
The crack echoed through the room. No one realized Nora had moved until she slapped the doctor. "You liar," she hissed. "You useless son of a bitch!"Miles had to cover his ears against the screeching. "She isn't dead! Don't you dare say my child is dead!"
Nora seized one of Lilly's wooden dolls as the doctor backed away. He barely ducked her vicious aim in time. "Nora," Miles warned.
"You bring her back!" Nora screamed. "You find a way to bring her BACK!"
Bass grabbed her from behind as she reached for another object to throw. "Nora, stop this," he ordered. His voice was wet but it still held all the power of the President of the Republic. Miles could tell that his grip on her arms was strong enough to hold her but not to leave bruises. "He…he can't bring Lilly back," Bass insisted, his shoulders beginning to shake. "She's…she's…"
Nora let out a wail to rival a banshee as she fought against his grip. "Oh god, Bass, my little girl! I want her *back*!"
Bass pressed his head to her neck. "I know, Nora. Baby, believe me I know."
Nora threw her head back to let out another howl of rage and pain. Together, Bass and Nora sank to their knees by Lilly's bedside. Bass pulled Nora close, never letting go of her wrists, to sob into her neck. Nora's screams continued unabated.
The doctor looked from them to Miles before heading outside. Miles looked past his grieving friends to the child who looked like she could be sleeping. "Good bye, Lilly Flower," he murmured before leaving the room.
The two guards looked to him. "General?" one asked.
Miles swallowed hard. "Lilly Monroe is dead," he stated. "One of you needs to send for someone to prepare the body for burial. The other guard the door." Miles took a moment to gather himself. "Allow no one inside until President Monroe orders you otherwise. Give…give the president and his wife some time with their daughter."
"What about when the funeral people get here, sir?"
"If Ba—President Monroe and his wife have left, allow them inside. Otherwise get permission." Miles turned and then thought of something. "Don't let the funeral service people ask the president or Mrs. Monroe any questions. I'll be taking care of all the arrangements."
"And where will you be sir?"
"In my own house. The door will be unlocked. They can just come over."
"Yes, sir!" They both snapped off a salute and one of them hurried to find help.
Miles decided he needed to head back to his home right away. He had a bottle of Eagle Rare 17 Year Old whiskey hiding in the back of his one cupboard. It was supposed to be used to celebrate the birth of Bass' son. Miles didn't think his friend would mind if he used to it to mourn the five year old that had become like a daughter to him.
