Chapter 3
Carolyn, Roger, David and Barnabus all stood around the bed looking at the pale near emaciated figure that lay under the sheets. She lay in a hospital gown, her face had been cleaned and her hair brushed, but still in need of a good washing.
An oxygen tent covered her upper torso as she lay pale and weak. "She looks so pale." Carolyn said as she held Vicki's hand, careful not to disturb the tubes that now pumped medicine into her body.
Julia and Professor Stokes entered the room and Julia lifted the chart from the end of Vicki's bed and flipped through to the lab results. "Julia will she come out of this?" Roger asked the question that was on everyones mind.
"She does not have scarlet fever as I feared but she does have an upper respitory problem that has resulted in us putting her on oxygen and in the tent. She is very emaciated, malnurished and has been very abused. I just hope that her spirit is not broken and she finds a reason to live."
Passionately, Carolyn spoke up holding Vicki's hand to her cheek. "My dearest sister, if you can hear me, fight, fight to come back to your family we need you!"
Carolyn was sobbing holding her sister's hand and her tears soaked Vicki's hand when she pressed it to her cheek. Carolyn quit crying feeling the slightest movement. Carolyn's head moved back her eyes searched Vicki's face and gasped softly "Look!" Vicki's fingers moved slighty and then she curled her hand around Carolyn's hand and squeezed.
All eyes were drawn to Vicki's slender hand slowly curling around Carolyn's. From the depths of her dreamless sleep, she could faintly make out a familiar voice, "Was it Millicent?" She felt pressure on her fingers. "Were those tears?" she felt against her hand. She felt warm and with her other hand she pressed it and then curled it into the bed and covers. "Where am I?" confusion rained down on her driving her emotions into a whirling tumbling sea of fear, happiness and then love.
Those demanding fingers that clutched at her fingers were fingers that belonged to someone sweet and tender and they loved her. The words penetraited her fog filled brain and the person kept calling her sister.
Oh God dear sweet God, did you answer my prayer and let me die? Am I dead? Her confusion was compounded by the fact that she did not feel very ethreal or angel like. She knew she had to open her eyes.
That would help if she could just open her eyes. What was that annoying wistling noise she kept hearing?Time seemed to pass quickly for Vicki seeking her refuge in the dark abyss of her mind and sleep.
Vicki occassionally heard a voice she thought she should know, there was Naomi's voice, then she thought she heard Millicent's voice only it wasn't Millicent, it was Carolyn's voice. Then she heard David's or no it was Daniel's voice. Her confusion topped with that irritating whistling noise she heard was rather annoying.
Finally, time had passed and Vicki was tired of laying around avoiding the world, or rather her destiny. She was semi conscious of people moving in and around her and the whistling noise had stopped but there was a new noise that as irritating as the whistling noise.
It was a constant beeping and hissing sound. From off in the distance Vicki heard a voice. It was a familiar voice, one she knew a long time ago. It spoke forecefully to her, "Vicki! Open your eyes! Look at me."
The voice was demanding, no commanding. It broke no argument and Vicki slowly opened her eyes. "Countess duPres?" Vicki saw the distorted features through the heavy plastic tent.
Confusion permeated the very air around her she looked around and noticed she was in a hospital. A modern hospital, not one from the 18th century, but the 20th century.
A nurse entered and helped Julia pull the tent back and Julia shut off the oxygen. "Well hello my dear, it is good to see you awake. How are you feeling?" She lifted Vicki's wrist and took her pulse then used her stethiscope to listen to Vicki's lungs and heart.
"Julia? How . . . When?" Vicki's voice was weak and raspy and she coughed and felt her body wrack with pain she felt her whole body was coming apart from the cough.
"Easy Vicki, we will answer all questions, right now my concnerns are if you are feeling better than when you first arrived. Your fever has broke, and your lungs are a lot clearer than they were. Your body has been undergoing a war of sorts with a bad respitory infection."
Vicki looked around again and felt she was finally home and safe, she looked with a better form of confidence and nodded, "I am not praying for death. My fever and chills are gond I do feel very weak and my stomach hurts."
Vicki looked at the tubes and glass bottles that hung from her bedside and then back at Julia. "I know you are full of questions, but for now just know you are safe back in the 20th century and in Collinsport. There are a lot of people that love you."
Vicki looked around her private room and did not want to think of what this would cost she had no job or insurance to pay for it. "How long have I been here?"
Vicki put her fingertips to her throat. Frowning she looked at Julia for a response and feeling her throat thinking to put pressure there it would help with its raspiness.
Julia nodded to the nurse to disconnect her IV and then turned to Vicki and smiled. The smile was genuine. Though at one time Julia considered Vicki a rival for the affections of one Barnabus Collins, Julia was over her petty jealousies, and now was happily married to Elliott Stokes.
Vicki looked around the room, then she reached for Julia's hand and felt it warm, confident and real. She looked to the hand that held hers and squeezed. "See I am real, and you are safe and back with us again." Vicki felt the burning sensation of unshed tears her eyes grew over bright with her emotions.
"Now Vicki, you have several people that have been concerned for your welfare. They are waiting outside that door and they have been here every day for the past six days since we brought you back."
Vicki looked over at the door and Julia smiled. Julia was careful in choosing her words. The nurse finished taking the IV out of Vicki's arm and was putting the tubing and bottles on the cart.
Julia looked over at the nurse's name badge and said softly, "Miss Jenkins, please tell the family members they can come in now. I want her on a liquid diet for today and if she tolerates it we will start her on a soft diet tomorrow."
The nurse smiled and nodded to Julia, "Yes, Doctor Hoffman. It is good to see you awake Miss Winters."
She patted Vicki's hand and then pushed her cart to the door and opened it. Moving outside Julia and Vicki could hear the soft mummur of voices and one by one her visitors entered the room. David. Carolyn, Roger, and finally Elizabeth Stoddard all moved to surround Vicki's bed.
Her eyes began to sting with unshed tears as she smiled widely seeing everyone she remembered and loved standing around her bed, then a tall man with intense blue eyes and handsomely chiseled features moved in to tower over everyone at the foot of the bed.
They all began to talk at one time, Carolyn saying, "Vicki, I am . . ,"
David piping up, "Miss Winters, we missed you. . ."
Roger, "Where have you been?"
to Mrs Stoddard, "Vicki darling, your safe and back with us."
Realizing they all were speaking on top of each othe,they stopped and began to laugh together. The tall man spoke, "Well let me introduce myself. I am cousin Quentin Collins and I will be the one driving you home when you leave here, and Julia tells me that should be very soon."
Vicki could not hide her joy at the mention of coming home. "Thank you Mr. Collins. I would be honored to have you accompany me home."
Quentin laughed and oozed his charm "It's Quentin please and if I may call you Vicki we will be even."
Vicki smiled brightly and nodded. "Thank you Quentin." She looked around at the happy expectent faces surrounding her and she shook her head. "I thought I would never see all of you again and here I am."
Elizabeth moved forward and hugged and placed a light kiss on her forehead. "Julia tells us you can leave here in a couple of days. We will be having a grand welcome home party for you."
Carolyn moved to stand next to her mother and hugged Vicki, "We have so much to catch up on, you rest and we will see you soon."
Roger came over and hugged Vicki. "Vicki, I am so glad you are back. If there is anything I can do, please give me a call." He stood back then cupped her chin and the look he gave her was of pure joy and love.
After the others left the room, David straggled behind. "Vicki?"
Vicki smiled at her charge and said very softly, "David?"
He rushed to her and hugged her close. "Please don't go away again. I need you, we all need you." Vicki kissed the top of his head she felt the dampness from his tears he was trying to hide them from her.
"David, sweetie, don't cry. I am home, and I promise I will never go further than you can walk to me or ride your bike."
She pushed him back and lifted his chin and gently wiped his tears away. "You are almost 15, soon you will be driving and going away to college, then it shall be me that will need to fly or drive to see you." She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
David smiled and then turned and left the room following behind his father whom had stood in the doorway and witnessed the tender exchange between his son and Vicki.
Julia was the only one left. Julia turned to Vicki. "I think the day after tomorrow we will send you home, but with strict orders. Orders you will follow or you will be brought right back here or to Wyndecliff."
From the doorway, a soft cough was heard and Vicki looked up to see Professor Stokes standing there. "Well my dear, it is good to see you among the land of the living. You gave my dear Julia quite a time upon your return."
Vicki smiled looking over to Professor Stokes and then was surprised when he entered and gathered Julia up in his arms and kissed her head.
"Ahh, I see by your reaction you are surprised?" Julia said and smiled. Elliott had put a protective arm around her shoulders. "We were married 2 years ago."
Vicki was pleased and showed her happiness in her smile while she studied them, "Congratulations to you both. I hope you will be very happy together."
Elliott squeezed Julia close to him and said with a modest boast, "We discovered we both were lacking something in our lives after Julia divorced Barnabus, it only seemed natural we should gravitate to each other." Another shocking revelation that had sent Vicki's head swirling.
However, she recovered quickly and then asked in a shy voice. "How is Barnabus?" She could not keep her disappointment out of her voice.
Elliot moved over to draw two chairs to the side of the bed. "My dear, he is exhausted. He refused to leave your side until three days ago. He was here night and day, constantly keeping vigil over you my dear."
Timothy held Julia's chair until she was seated and then he took his seat and looked happily on the beauty before him. He admired her and the reason Barnabus was obviously quite taken with her. Julia smiled tucking her chin then peered up to Vicki and said softly, "I had to order him home to rest he was falling asleep on your bed, holding your hand. Than about 3 days ago, when you squeezed Carolyn's hand while he was out of the room, I insisted that he go home and rest."
Vicki' disappointment at not being able to see him and thank him was buried under a hopeful look. "Do you think he will be here tonight?"
Professor Stokes reset his monicle and then shook his head. "He had let things around the old house go so he has been going with Mr. Loomis to help catch up on somethings. However, he will be available for your homecoming day after tomorrow."
Elliott nor Julia wished to tell her he was preparing the old house for her return, seeing to contracting plumbers and electricians to see to wiring and plumbing the house. He was taking a cloest in Josette's dressing room and having it made into a fully equiped bathroom.
Though he still had Willie light candles, the majority of the house had been wired and the kitchen up to code with running water and a fully equiped modern appliances. He had made his plans and they had to be completed to welcome his Victoria home.
"I have missed him, I could have sworn he was in the cell with me when I thought I was dying."
Professor patted her hand and said tenderly, "My dear he was there. He was instrumental in rescuing you from that horrible place."
Julia nodded as she studied Vicki. "Sarah came to Barnabus and told him that you were in trouble and you needed our help That you were very ill." Julia chewed her bottom lip and then said softly, "So we traveled back to your time and Barnabus rescued you a with the help of Ben Stokes."
Vicki felt very moved and spoke softyly with sincerity. "Thank you all for being there for me. I will never be able to repay all the sacrifices and kindness you have shown me."
The Professor and Julia both reassured her that her being home was the only thanks they needed. Too soon Julia and Elliott left her and she laid in the comfort of the modern hospital bed, and closed her eyes. She felt loved and cherished by all her friends. She said a silent prayer of thanks and fell asleep
Vicki moving from her bathroom had watched the nurse entered and laid her dress on the bed. The clothing that laid on her bed had an odor and was so soiled and dirty. Vicki looked at the soiled 18th century gown; she really did not wish to wear it. That dress was a reminder where she had been.
Vicki had been looking at the dress rather forlornly and curious as to why she was being given her dress. That was how Quentin and Julia found her when they entered her room. "You are doing so well my dear that I am going to release you. I do want you to follow the orders I have written out and sent home with Quentin."
Much to her delight and surprise, Quentin held an overnight case and moved to the bed. "I would burn that thing as soon as possible. Here Liz and Carolyn sent you this."
Vicki opened the over night case and gasped. There were hair products, shoes, clean clothing and undergarments with a make-up bag. "Oh my, I must thank them for sending these and thank you for bringing them."
Julia shut the case and moved to the adjorning bathroom and reached in to the shower with a flick of her wrist she had the shower on a warm inviting steam was rolling out of the bathroom. "Vicki if you are strong enough to stand and shower, the water is ready and we will wait for you to get ready."
Vicki was looking forward to a hot shower and wash her hair. It was in need of deep conditioning and a trim. With Julia's help, Vicki made her way to the shower.
Quentin moved to a chair and sat down. Julia closed the door behind Vicki and moved to Quentin. "I am going to check in on two more patients I have here, I will see you later."
Quetin nodded and sat back picking up a magazine he began to idley thumb through the pages. Occassionaly, he would glance down at his watch.
Finally, forty-five minutes later he stood and looked at the former governess of Collinwood and was very surprised, she stood before him, carefully groomed and dressed in the lovely A line dress in vibrant red.
The black piping accented under her breasts, to allow the material to fall gracefully over her slender body. The dark hair was pulled back and carefully groom, through it appeared to still be slightly damp, she had it tied up with a red wide band ribbon. She had applied minimal amounts of make up.
"I am ready Quentin." She smiled noting his appreciative stare. Quentin was a scamp but today he was his brother's keeper and was putting on his best manners and was the perfect gentleman he bowed from the waist.
"Vicki you look utterly charming and very pretty." He noticed how she flushed with his compliments and understood what Barnabas had meant about her modesty. Smiling brightly he extended an arm he reached to take the over night case from her.
"Once we get home, I am going to burn that dress."
He scooped it off the bed and wadded it into a ball. "Well my dear lady your carriage or should I say a four door sedan awaits your presence."
