Sleepy Hollow 2015

In her year in this new world, Katrina had yet to become accustomed to the ways places of healing had changed. Hospitals. They were much more advanced, but one thing was the same. Everyone was still too busy running around with important things to do. As she sat with the Mills sisters, she watched her son cradle her daughter as he walked back and forth cooing to her as he went. Despite the current circumstances, Katrina couldn't help her small smile. If someone would have told her a year ago that she'd have a new little girl, plus her son she'd thought long dead, she'd have been worried for their sanity. But now, watching Jeremy hold Faith, she found herself filled with a profound sense of happiness. She only wished Ichabod were well enough to see it.

"This is taking entirely too long."

Katrina tore her eyes from her children to see Jenny fidgeting in her chair, a pack of ice held to her head.

Abbie sighed. "I'm sure they're just taking every precaution to make sure he's alright."

Katrina hoped that was why so much time had passed since their arrival. She honestly wasn't sure how much more waiting she could take, not to mention the fact that her body felt as though it would tear apart any minute. Her adrenaline had finally worn off and the full extent of her labor and injuries were taking affect.

When the authorities and medical help had arrived, they'd all nearly been forced into ambulances themselves. Only Irving's word had saved them. Ichabod had, however, been loaded and carried to the hospital, and they'd been waiting for a while.

"All I'm saying is that they could at the very least tell us if he's breathing."

Katrina turned to her as Abbie shot her a glare and spoke through gritted teeth. "Jenny, shut up. He's going to be fine."

Going back to watching her children, Katrina sighed and shifted in her seat, every movement more painful than the last.

Abbie touched her arm. "Katrina, maybe you should let someone check you over."

"No," she said, with a shake of her head. "I'll be fine."

"Katrina-"

"I said, no, Abbie!" She regretted her tone the moment it came out. "I'm sorry. I just...I have to stay here. I need..."

"To make sure he's ok. I understand. I probably wouldn't either."

A soft cry from Faith pulled her gaze. Jeremy was still making odd little sounds at her while swaying gently.

"You know, he's not so bad at that."

Katrina agreed with Abbie wholeheartedly. "No, he's not."

"For some reason, I feel Crane isn't going to be her favorite guy," Abbie said with a chuckle.

With her own chuckle, Katrina smiled. "He'll be furious, or at least put on a good show of being that way."

"I can imagine."

After a few more moments, Katrina looked down the hallway. "I can't feel him. I've always been able to feel him, even when he was buried. I wish my magic wasn't so depleted."

Abbie gave a nod and stood. "I'll go see if I can find out something."

As Abbie disappeared down the hallway, Katrina noticed Jenny watching Jeremy and Faith.

"Thank you, Jenny"

At her words, Jenny jumped and turned to look at her. "What?"

Katrina gave a small smile before looking down at her hands. "For saving me. For saving all of us. Without you, I'd probably be dead."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Jenny shrug. "It was nothing. I just like being the hero."

Katrina turned back to Jenny with a serious expression. "It was everything to my family." Tears prickled her eyes. "You and Abbie mean everything to us. You played a large part in giving Ichabod and I a second chance at happiness. That is something I can never repay you for. You're like family to us now."

It didn't take much observation to know that Jenny was extremely uncomfortable. "Yeah, well, what would the world be without its most sickeningly cute Cranes."

With a resigned chuckle, Katrina looked up to see Abbie coming back.

"Hey, so they've got him in a room. He's still out of it, but they he say he should be fine. You can see him now."

Katina stood and threw her arms around Abbie. "Thank you, Abbie."

When she pulled back, she noticed Abbie's curious expression.

Jenny laughed. "She's still loopy from her pregnancy. She's been out here talking about the sun and the moon and how bright life is."

Abbie raised her eyebrows before leading them all down the hall and stopping in front of a door. "He's in there. We'll wait out here."

Katrina glanced back at Jeremy.

"We're ok, mom. You go in first."

With a nod, Katrina took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open. It was dimly lit inside the room, even more so as she allowed the door to close behind her with a click. A light beeping sound hummed at the bedside as she hesitantly approached him. He looked peaceful, despite the many cuts and bruises covering his face and arms. Placing one hand to his upper arm and the other to his cheek, she let out a low sob. He was okay.

"Ichabod."

He stirred slightly before slowly opening his eyes and blinking a few times, attempting to adjust to the lighting. After a moment, he focused on her. "Katrina?"

His voice was raspy so she reached for the small cup of water on his bedside table. Helping him with the straw, she held the cup for him as he drank. His hand reached up to lay over hers, bringing the cup back. "Is that enough?"

With a nod, he dropped his head back to his pillow, but tightened his hand over hers. "Am I at the hospital?"

"Yes."

He sighed. "I abhor this place."

With a chuckle, Katrina set the cup back down before, once again, placing her hand to his cheek and sliding it up to push back his hair. "I suppose that's the same in any century."

His eyes found hers and a suddenly startled expression took over his face as his hand tightened around hers. "Faith?"

Katrina smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "She's fine. Jeremy is as well. They're out in the hall."

With a relieved sigh, he settled. "I suppose the Lieutenant and Miss Jenny are as well? And the Captain?"

"All fine and anxious over you. That was quite the scare you gave us."

"Well, you know I have a penchant for drama."

Katrina laughed. "Yes. I'm well acquainted with your flare for the dramatic, my love."

He regarded her for a moment, his eyes dancing over her face. "Are you alright? I feel as though our places should be reversed."

Sighing, she put on a brave smile. "I'm a little tired, but otherwise fine."

"Katrina..." His voice left no doubt to his disbelief at her words. "You've winced at least five times since I awoke."

With a roll of her eyes, she allowed him to pull her to sit with him on the bed. Once adjusted beside him, she smiled. "Jeremy's already Faith's favorite person. He won't let me have her back."

The bed shook with Ichabod's chuckle. "Is that so? We'll see about that."

A knock sounded throughout the room before the door opened to reveal Abbie. "Hey, sorry, but the little miss out here is missing her mommy."

Katrina smiled as Jeremy came in behind Abbie with his upset sister and approached the bed. "She won't stop crying."

As he laid Faith in Katrina's cradled arms, he sat on the end of the bed and looked over at Ichabod. "I'm glad you're alright, father."

"Thank you, Jeremy. I'm glad to see you've faired alright as well."

Faith was squirming as Ichabod reached over to run a finger over her cheek. "She's beautiful, Katrina."

Glancing to him, Katrina found him admiring their daughter intently and felt her heart jump. This was all they'd ever wanted and they finally had it.

Abbie stepped to Ichabod's side. "You're just lucky she looks like Katrina."

Ichabod quirked an eyebrow. "Yes, I am."

Epilogue next :)