Chapter 4: Eye of the storm
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Once Richard recovered from the shock, a nurse looked in on Richard and his daughter, "Well, Captain , she's a healthy enough now that I think we can move her out if the intensive care and to the main nursery, but to where?"
He looked up at the nurse and away from watching his daughter sleep, "Would it be possible to move her to her mother's room? I think she needs to be there." He looked back down to the baby in his arms; "I would like to bring her if that's all right."
"Her mother is in the intensive care unit. We can not keep her rooming in, but she can go visit her."
"I would like that." He gave a weak smile.
Richard sat at Lynn's bedside, holding her hand, and watching the Baby in the bassinet beside him. Lynn was pale and drawn, it was obvious that she had been through alot. He had always considered Lynn to be fragile. But this had given another meaning to the term. Lynn was at peace, and she was at least comfortable thanks to the medication.
Lynn moaned in her sleep still under heavy sedation. Chrissy opened her eyes and looked at her daddy, just giving a contented yawn before going back to sleep.
"Lynn?"
Lynn moaned again, her only recognition , if you could call it that was her eyes tightening, then releasing. Richard breathed a jagged breath, and held it in, trying not to sob. Lynn blinked her eyes, "Lynn...can you hear me?" Lynn slowly started to open her eyes, but blink them and moans again in her sleep.
"Sweetheart...I brought someone who wants to see you."
"Hmm." Lynn seemed to be waking but was confused. She opened her eyes but they were unfocused and groggy.
"Lynn? Do you know where you are? Or what happened?"
"Who... what?" Lynn tried to make sense of what all was around her. Lynn closed eyes again, "Richard??
The baby whimpered next to him. It was near her next feeding and she was getting hungry. Richard picked up the baby, "Yes?" Richard found a formula bottle for the baby. It wasn't' much but it would have to do until they could get her back to the nursery.
"No. No. Starbase..." She shook her head trying to make sense of how he could be here when he was on Star base 71. "Dream... He's there..."
"What about the Huron Lynn? Who's where?"
Lynn finally opened her eyes fully, and looked him in the face, "Richard?"
"Lynn...I came. I'm here now."
"How did you get here?" Lynn was still weak and heavily sedated, but she was making sense.
"USS Mackenzie. I got a Runabout as soon as I found out."
"I can guess a runabout but how did you know?" her voice wasn't much more then whisper.
"Lilly told me...she made me think you were dead." he rubbed his hand on her cheek.
"Mom... she has been in here a few times. I might not have the energy to open my eyes but I can hear her bellow any where." Lynn managed a weak smile.
After a moment pause, "Lynn...I'm sorry..."
"What for?"
"I should have listened to you. I know how much you don't like being so far away from home. The Fringe is too far, I should have listened. I know how much you wanted to have this baby at home and what it meant to you. I ignored that. and I'm sorry."
"Richard I..." she sighed. Richard squeezed her hand. He looked down and rubs his wedding band against hers. That action said more then the words could. After a few moments Lynn found her voice again, "Did you see her? " She gave him a bright, if not weak smile.
"Are you up for a visitor? I brought someone who would like to meet you a little better."
"Oh? Who?"
Never letting go of Lynn's hand he moved Chrissy so Lynn could see her in his arms. "Her name is Chrissy, and she would like to see her mom. Are you up to it?"
"Yes." Lynn moved her hand so she could touch her. Richard laid the baby across her mother's chest so she could hear her heart beat and just watches for a moment.
Lynn ran a finger across her head an feeling her face, an how tiny but precious she was, " Richard. I know you wanted a boy but..."
"She's sweet. One look and I changed my mind." He smiled as she wrapped tiny fingers around his finger.
Lynn smiled at the baby, "I was afraid you wouldn't like her name," She looked up in Richard's eyes.
Richard smiled back at her reassuringly, "I think it suits her well."
"So your not mad?"
"No, not at all...Why would I be? I'm just glad she has your smile." Lynn
Managed a slight blush, "The question is... Are you still mad at me?"
"No. I wasn't mad at you. more hurt." she diverted her eyes to the baby.
"I guess I should have listened to you more. Looks like you got your way. Your daughter was born in your hometown. " He offered her another smile.
There was a knock on the door frame and cough from a nurse, "She needs some rest and I'm sure your daughter is ready for her next feeding." She reminded them as she came over and got Chrissy back in her bassinet.
"I need a shower and I need to get going. Get some sleep, I'll come to see you in the morning." He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. He didn't' mention he was going to have a word with Lilly regarding why he was told a lie.
Lynn managed a steady smile; "I'll be here.
Craven Rose was waiting out side with a couple mugs off of coffee."Mr. Rose when is Lilly?"
"In the waiting room I think why?"
"Thanks," Richard headed down he hall.
"I wonder what that was all about." Craven raised an eyebrow.
"Think I might know." the nurse that was caring for Chrissy spoke..
"Huh?"
"He thought his wife was dead." The nurse watched Richard go around the corner.
"What?" Craven almost spilled the coffee.
"When he came to the nursery he was referring to his wife and when I asked him why he said that he had been told that she was dead."
Craven cursed then looked to where Richard had went," Lilly! Here take these," He handed the coffee to the nurse and took off after Richard. By the time Craven got to the waiting room he could see the two already in a heated argument.
"...and you think I would purposely do this to you !" Lilly shouted at Richard.
"You knew that Lynn was alive when you called me! "
"Lynn was dying when I told you ! " she bellowed back at him.
"Both of you be quiet or your both going to be tossed out of here." Craven stepped between both of them.
Richard took the moment to take a seat in a chair and put his face in his hands." I just want some answer from her."
"I told you the truth Richard!"
"Lilly hush!," the then went over to Richard. "I thought they told you that she had survived?"
"No they didn't. I have spent the past few days in hell because my wife was dead."
"Lilly I thought you called and told him that she made it? "Craven looked to his ex-wife.
"Well I tied they said he had already left I thought he was on his way." she shrugged, arms crossed, " Serves him right for hurting Lynn like that."
"I didn't hurt her!" He shouted,but then sighed, and said to his self, "I did hurt her but I didn't do this."
"You left this boy to suffer for your own revenge Lilly and you know it!" Craven got in her face about it." And don't deny it I have known you long enough to se through you."
Lilly started to protest but she saw how Richard really was miserable."I'm sorry Richard, I should have told you."
"This was just a series of mistakes and what is important is Lynn and Chrissy." Richard stood up.
"Yes," Lilly offered a slight smile to him.
Seeing that , for now any way, things were at a truce Craven spoke up," Richard after your long trip I bet you could use a good meal and a hot shower." He clapped Richard on the shoulder.
"Ya I could use that," Richard sighed and Craven started to lead him away but he stopped in the doorway."Lilly could you do something for me?"
"Could you look after my wife and my little girl while I'm gone?"
Lilly smiled, "I promise I'll take care of them for you." Richard nodded and left.