The drive to the hospital literally took no time at all. The paramedics finally convinced Millie to lay down on the stretcher so they could fast pass her into the ER. Dr. Carson met them coming in the door. "Hey Millie," he smiled, having already been briefed on her current state. "Remember me?"
"You stuck the needle in my back."
"Yeah. Sorry about that."
"It's ok. You made me better."
"Good," he smiled again. "This guy over here is my friend Det. O. He works for your Grandpa."
"Hi," Millie whispered.
"He wants to ask you a few questions. Is that ok?"
Millie looked to Danny who winked at her and nodded. "Ok."
"Hi Millie," Det. O smiled. "How are you feeling today?"
"I want to go home. That mean Dino man wouldn't let me go home for a long time. I've been gone forever."
"Yeah I heard. What did they feed you while you were gone?"
"Ugh!" Millie remembered. "Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That's all they let me have. It's good one time a week in your lunchbox, but not every single day."
"Did they let you have anything else?"
"No… just one peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day… until a few days ago. I must've been bad because they quit giving me food. And they didn't let me drink because I'd have to go to the bathroom and they didn't like to let me out of the closet."
"You weren't bad, Mil," Danny said softly. "It wasn't your fault."
"What else did they do? Did you guys play games?" Det. O asked.
"No. They just made me swallow a pill that made me go to sleep if I cried… I cried a lot."
"Were there a lot of people there?"
"Sometimes. I didn't see them a lot. Sometimes they left me by myself. But they always made me take the medicine before they left."
"Were they nice to you?"
Millie thought for a minute. "No sir."
"I'm sorry they did that, Millie. I'm going to hang out over here while Dr. Carson checks you out. Will that be alright with you?"
Millie nodded.
"Ok," Dr. Carson said as he wheeled his chair back in front of Millie. "Remember this light from the last time you were here?" Millie nodded. "Do you mind if I look in your ears and in your throat?"
"Ok," Millie shrugged.
"Good. That's good," he smiled. "Now, as I remember, you don't like needles, right?"
"No, I don't."
"I don't really like them either, but here's the thing. They didn't let you drink for almost two weeks, right?"
"Right."
"I really think it would be a good thing if we could put one little needle in your hand and give you some liquids through an iv. Do you think we could do that?"
"Or I could just drink water," Millie said, matter-of-factly. "I promise to drink a lot. I'm really thirsty."
"Well, we can definitely get you all the water you want." He looked to Nurse Sam. "Could you grab her some water and something to eat?"
"Sure," Sam smiled at Millie.
"But you see, Millie, this iv has good vitamins in it. Water doesn't have all those good vitamins and I think you need some before you go home. Will that be ok?"
Tears formed in her eyes as her lip stuck out. "It's ok," Danny soothed. "I'll be here the whole time. And the quicker we get you well… the quicker we go home."
"We can go home after?"
"Yep."
"Ok."
"Good," Dr. Carson said as Sam returned with a bottle of water, a bottle of Pedialyte and a pack of peanut butter crackers. "My friend, Nurse Sam is the absolute best at putting in ivs. I bet she can do it in two seconds."
"I sure can," Sam smiled. "But I need Millie's help." Sam got her distracted as she got the stuff ready for the iv. "First," Sam said, "Let's get you a cool new gown. I just got in some new ones with monsters on the front. Do you like monsters?"
"She has psychodellic pajamas with monsters on them," Danny said.
"I'll just take off my shirt," Millie said as Danny helped her out of her grungy little sweater and into a tiny hospital gown. Det. O handed him an evidence bag that he could place the sweater in.
"Ok. What else do we need?" Sam asked.
"Alcohol to clean it," Millie said. "And a Band-Aid for when you're through."
"Millie Reagan, are you sure you aren't a nurse?" Sam asked as Millie beamed.
"Mrs. Aunt Linda is. She taught me all about it. We practice on Atticus sometimes."
"Tell me about Atticus," Sam said as she cleaned Millie's hand. Millie rattled on and on until Sam was ready to insert the needle. "Ok, Millie Reagan. Here's the deal. There will be a small pinch, but I bet we can make it not hurt if you can scream as loud as you can, "FUZZY PURPLE BROWN COW!" Millie looked at her perplexed. "Go on, try it one time. As loud as you can. Dad and Dr. Carson can help. Ready?"
Millie looked at them as they both closed their eyes and screamed "FUZZY PURPLE BROWN COW!"
"Mrs. Nurse Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I think you're kinda crazy."
"Probably," Sam laughed. "Now, I'm going to count to three and I want you to scream as loud as you can… see if you can beat Dr. Carson. Ready?"
"Ready."
"One, two, three…" When Sam said three, she slid the iv straight into Millie's vein as she yelled. "Did I do it?" Millie asked.
"Yeah," Danny answered. "All done."
"No, Silly. Did I beat Dr. Carson?"
"Sure did," Dr. Carson laughed. "Want to lay back and rest for a few minutes while that good juice gets into you?"
"No, thank you. I want to sit with Mr. Uncle Danny.
Danny smiled as he took a seat on the gurney and she climbed into his lap. "That's perfectly ok with me, Kid." He opened the peanut butter crackers and Pedialyte and handed them to Millie who was quick to devour them both. Like a flash, Linda, Sean and Jack all burst through the curtain.
"Careful," Danny said as they all attacked her with a hug. "Nurse Sam just got that iv in first try. We don't want to have to do that again."
Linda sobbed as she held Millie's face in her hands. "Why are you crying Mrs. Aunt Linda? Are you sad?"
"No, Millie. I'm so so happy that you're ok. Oh, how I've missed you!"
"Us too," Jack said as he gave her a hug. "We've missed you so much… we haven't even had Christmas yet!"
"I brought you something," Sean smiled as he pulled out Atticus from inside his coat.
"Atticus!"
"He missed you too."
"Have you checked her out?" Linda asked Dr. Carson as Millie got reacquainted with her brothers. "Well… so far she's just let me see ears and throat. But from what your husband said and what Millie told me, there's reason to believe we need to do a complete exam. They seem to have been drugging her for most of the stay. I want to make sure she hasn't been sexually assaulted, but she doesn't seem willing to do that quite yet."
"How about if I stay and Danny, you take the boys out in the waiting room to meet the rest of the family? Huh? We'll take another crack at it?"
"Ok. Mil," Danny smiled, turning back around, "I'm going to take these guys out into the waiting room to find Pop and Grandpa…"
"And Mr. Jim?"
"I'd say it's a pretty safe bet Mr. Jim's out there. And as soon as you let these guys finish checking you out and that iv gets empty, come out there and find us and we'll go home. Sound good?" Millie nodded. "I love you. I love you. I love you," he repeated as he leaned down and kissed her dirty little head.
"I love you more than more!" Millie said as she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"We'll see you in just a few minutes," Danny said, once again wiping away a tear.
"I'll step out with you," Det. O excused himself. "Doc, we'll need to circle back once the exam is complete."
"Of course."
When they left, Linda looked to Millie. "So little one, you know how when we're at Aunt Wendy's house and I tell you not to touch all her crystal because you'll leave fingerprints?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Well, fingerprints aren't just left on crystal. You leave fingerprints wherever you go."
"Really?"
"Uh huh. And I bet Det. O is going to want us to find all the fingerprints that we can so he can lock up those bad guys. Right?"
"Right. But I don't want to go back there to find them. Please don't make me go back," Millie began to cry.
"Oh Millie, no. No. No. No. We will never ever do that," Linda shushed as she gathered her into her arms. "We're going to find all the clues that we can while we're here. Then we're going home. We'll send some of Grandpa's police officers to find the rest of them at that house."
"Ok," Millie sniffed as a flood of relief washed over her. "Where do we find them here?"
"Well, I bet there's a lot on your clothes. Did they ever touch you or push you?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Ok. So we need to get your pants and stuff and put them in here with your sweater. Millie obliged and took off her socks and shoes and stood up so Linda could slip off her pants and put them in the bag.
"Even my undies?" Millie gasped.
"It's ok," Linda said. "We're going to buy you some brand-new ones. These kinda look like Sean and Jack's if they haven't changed in a week." Millie giggled as Linda made a face.
"Now," Linda said. "Let me look at your legs. Do you have any bumps or cuts or bruises?
"I don't think so," Millie said as Linda looked at her little knees and down her shins and in between her toes.
"You need a good bath when you get home, missy. You've got to scrub between all these toes." Millie smiled. "I think it will take 1,000 bubbles."
"1,000 and 1,000,000!" Millie exclaimed. "In the big bathtub."
"Yep. In the big bathtub."
"One more thing," Linda said as she took a deep breath. "Dr. Carson here needs to check out everything else… to make sure those men didn't hurt you."
Millie's guard officially went up. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you need to lay down on this bed and let him check out your chest and your tummy and your bottom to make sure they didn't leave fingerprints anywhere else."
"I don't think so."
"I have an idea," Nurse Sam smiled. "How about if we put up this drape and we make shadow puppets? So you won't see him and he can't see us? How's that?" Still distrustful, Millie lay down as Sam brought the drape over and put it at Millie's chest. "Now Mrs. Aunt Linda, if you will stand right here with Dr. Carson, you can make shadow puppets and me and Millie will guess what they are." That lasted one whole minute. Long enough for him to check out her chest and stomach. The minute he tried to assess for sexual trauma, Millie freaked.
"STOP IT! NO! NO! NO! BAD TOUCH!" Mr. Uncle Danny and Mrs. Aunt Linda says you don't supposed to be naked and nobody looks at you naked! And nobody touches you naked! Not nobody! Right, Mrs. Aunt Linda? I'm a lady!"
"Yes you are, Mil." Linda patted her shoulder and tried to keep her from squirming. "And that is our rule."
"Mr. Uncle Danny will get you! Right, Mrs. Aunt Linda? He said if anybody tries to look at me naked, he will get them!"
"That's a really good rule," Dr. Carson said. "I'm so glad to hear you say that. Did you learn good touch and bad touch at school?"
"Yes. And that's a bad touch. You don't do that! Mr. Uncle Danny will put you in jail!"
"That's right," Linda said. "But it's ok if it's a doctor and I'm here. I promise. Only if me or Uncle Danny take you to a doctor. Then it's ok."
"I don't like it!" Millie sobbed.
Sam, ever the magic maker, had another brilliant plan. "Millie, I know what we can do. How about we fill this room full of bubbles. So many bubbles that Dr. Carson can't see any of us. How about that? Can you help me?"
"Yeah. I like that idea."
"Ok." Sam grabbed a can of bubbles and gave one to Linda and one to Millie. "Ready? Go!" The girls blew sticky bubbles all over the exam room, calming Millie and allowing the doctor to perform the check. And just like that, Dr. Carson completed his assessment with the ruling that Millie hadn't experienced any sexual trauma at the hands of her captors.
"Millie, Nurse Sam, Mrs. Aunt Linda… where are you guys?" he asked as he came out from around the drape.
"We're right here!" Millie said as she sat up and blew bubbles into his face.
"There you are! I couldn't see a thing! Hey look, your iv is done. If you promise to go home and drink lots of water… I might just let you leave."
"Yes sir!" Millie yelled as she and Sam continued blowing bubbles and Linda stepped over to talk to the doctor.
"I don't see any signs of sexual trauma. I am going to prescribe her a round of antibiotics and some topical cream. Sitting in those pants for two weeks… she's got a pretty severe rash and probably a UTI." Linda nodded, somewhat sad but extremely relieved they hadn't touched her. "Make sure she gets plenty of liquids and follow up with your pediatrician in a couple of weeks. You may also want to get her to a dentist if she complains of tooth pain. Not brushing her teeth for two weeks may lead to decay."
"Will do. What do you think about her mental state?"
"She seems with it to me. I know you know this, but kids are incredibly resilient, but don't be surprised if she shows signs of PTSD. If she'll go to a counselor you may want to take her. If not, just love her. I'm sure you guys have plenty of family time to make up."
"Thank you so much. You're amazing."
"You're a good mom," Dr. Carson said as he gave Linda a hug.
"And you, get Nurse of the Year," he smiled at Sam.
"I know," she laughed as she turned back to Millie. "Ready to teach Mrs. Aunt Linda what we say when an iv comes out?"
"Ready!" Millie grinned as Sam counted down.
"3-2-1…"
"PURPLE FUZZY BROWN COW!"
With that, Sam put the Band-Aid on Millie's hand, Linda picked her up, and out they went. The waiting room erupted when they walked through the door. "Millie!" the Reagans and all of their partners and friends smiled as they surrounded Linda, who was still holding Millie.
"Is that my granddaughter?" Franks asked as he walked over and retrieved her from Linda's arms.
"Hey Grandpa! We missed Mr. Jim's birthday. And Christmas."
"Don't worry. We will make it all up. I promise."
"Hi Peanut!" Henry smiled.
"Hey Pop!"
Millie made her rounds hugging all of the tired, but elated people that had worked so diligently to bring her home. She was very quick to let Danny know, she herself was ready to go and he was happy to oblige.
"I want you in Bay Ridge tonight," Frank instructed. "Go home. Pack up all your Christmas stuff, get the cats, and come to the house. We're all camping at my house for a few days. I've got officers sitting on your house and got a call that there are reporters camped out."
"Ok."
"Want me to take the kids?"
Linda looked to them both. "I promised Millie a bath with a thousand bubbles in the big tub… besides that, I don't think she's letting go of Danny anytime soon."
"Ok," Frank smiled. "Mil, what would you like for Christmas dinner? You can pick anything you like."
Millie thought for a minute. "What do we want Jackers?"
"All up to you, Mil. I bet I know something you like though…" Jack leaned over and whispered something in her ear as her eyes lit up.
"Grandpa, can we please have a roast with potatoes and those itty, bitty carrots?"
"We sure can."
"And ketchup."
"And ketchup. Absolutely. What else?"
Millie looked to Sean. "Seany, what else do we want?"
"Whatever you want, Mil. How about…" Sean whispered something in her ear as a huge smile spread across her face.
"Chocolate pudding with wafers and whipped cream on top."
Frank and Henry looked to Erin and Nicki. "Let's go troops, we've got work to do."
"We'll see you guys in a little while," Danny said as they all headed out to the parking deck.
When the Reagans arrived at home, there were reporters swarming, just as Frank had warned. Danny looked at the family. "Ok. Here's the plan. Everybody jump out and rush into the house as quick as possible. Ok?"
"Mr. Uncle Danny…" Millie stammered.
"Don't you worry, Mil. I'm going to carry you. You just hang tight until I get out and open your door. Ok?"
"Ok," Millie sighed a sigh of relief.
"Jack, count us down."
"3-2-1- GO!" Jack and Sean jumped out and sprinted to the door with Linda not far behind. Danny got out, went to the backseat, picked up Millie before wrapping her in his giant coat, and hurried inside, avoiding all questions. When they walked inside, it only took Gus and Phil about two seconds to either smell her or hear Millie's tiny voice before they came barreling down the stairs like a herd of elephants.
"My cats!" she squealed as she picked up the top halves of both of them and sat down on the couch so they could lay on top of her. Linda looked on lovingly as Danny walked up and put his arm around her.
"Our baby is home," she whispered.
"Yes she is," he smiled. They stood that way for a while, while Millie talked to Phil and Gus. Jack and Sean had both crashed on the love seat and were enjoying the reunion as well. Finally, Linda knew that they needed to get going in order to make it to Bay Ridge in time for dinner.
"Ok. Boys, run upstairs and pack an overnight bag… you may want to make it enough clothes for a couple of nights, then come back down here and you can help Daddy load the car. Mil, we need to go get you a bath, huh?"
"In the big bath with 1,000 and 1,000,000 bubbles?"
"Absolutely," Linda answered as she stuck out her hand. Millie happily hopped up and made her way up to Danny and Linda's bathroom.
"Mr. Uncle Danny, don't go without me."
"Don't worry, Mil. I'll be right here."
Linda ran the water and added entirely too much bubble bath before turning on the jets, but she didn't care. They were so happy to have Millie home, she would've flooded the house with bubbles. "Make sure you scrub real good," Linda said as Millie began by washing her feet. "Get in between all your toes."
"I will. Will you wash my hair?"
"I sure will. As soon as you get the rest of you clean. I'm going to run and get your clothes for tonight. Will you be ok until I get back?"
"I will."
"Good. Don't forget to get the back of your neck and behind your ears."
"Mrs. Aunt Linda!" Millie screamed as Millie started out. "Will you tell Mr. Uncle Danny to come here? I don't want to be by myself in case the bad guys come back."
Linda walked back over and bent down beside her. "They aren't coming back. I promise," she said as she kissed Millie's forehead. "Let me yell at Daddy to come in here, ok?"
"Ok."
Linda started out of the bathroom and nearly jumped out of her skin when she found Danny standing guard in the hallway. "What in the world are you doing? You nearly scared me to death."
"Just don't want to get too far away."
Linda smiled. "Well good. She doesn't want you far away. She wants you to sit with her. Can you go hang out with her until I find her clothes?
"Silly Millie!" Danny announced as he knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," Millie yelled back.
"Where in the world are you?" he asked as he looked at the tub, which resembled a rather large igloo.
"In here," Millie smiled as she popped her head out of the water and blew a few bubbles out of her face.
Danny sat down beside the tub as Millie rested her head on her arms on the edge. "Hey Mr. Uncle Danny, you still look tired."
"I guess I am a little tired. It's fine. We'll all sleep good tonight."
"Guess what."
"What?"
"I don't smell like stinky feet anymore."
"Well, I'm glad," he chuckled. "Did you wash your stinky feet?"
"I did. I started with my toes and washed all the way to my nose. Mrs. Aunt Linda is going to do my hair. It's too tangled up. I haven't been able to brush it since… since the last time I was at home."
"I bet Aunt Linda will fix it," he said softly as Linda breezed back in with Millie's clothes in tow.
"Aunt Linda will fix what?" she asked.
"Mil needs help with her hair."
"I know. And the boys need help loading the car. So, if you will, go help them get everything loaded. All those gifts under the tree need to go, Millie's suitcase on her bed needs to go, and our suitcase in the bedroom needs to go. And don't forget the extra litter box, litter, and cat food."
"Ok."
"Alright, Missy. Let's get that hair washed."
When Millie got out and got dressed, Linda quickly realized she needed to rethink the outfit she'd picked out. Millie's clothes were absolutely falling off of her from all the weight she had lost. "Hold on, Sister. Let's go see if we can track down some smaller pants."
"Can I just wear some leggings?"
"Sure. They'll be a little softer on your legs, won't they?" Millie nodded.
"And can I wear Mr. Uncle Danny's sweatshirt?"
"Sure," Linda smiled. "Let's go pick out one."
Danny was just coming up to get his and Linda's suitcase when Linda and Millie made their way down the hall.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Mil wants one of your sweatshirts."
"Ok," he smiled. "Which one you want?" He led her over to his dresser drawer and pulled it open.
Millie surveyed her options. "What do you think?"
"How about this one?" he asked as he pulled out a very old, grey NYPD sweatshirt. "Maybe it won't fall off of you."
"That's why we had to change outfits. Her Christmas one is way too big."
"Is it too big or are you too little?" Danny asked as he picked her up and gave her a hug.
"She's just perfect," Linda smiled as she wrapped her arms around them both.
"You guys ready?" Jack asked.
"Yep. I've got a Millie if you and Sean can grab Phil and Gus."
"What about our suitcase?" Linda asked.
"Ok. Change of plans. Mama has Millie, you guys get Phil and Gus, and I'll get the suitcase." They all laughed as they headed out. Thankfully, most of the reporters had left, never thinking that the family would be venturing out so soon. Phil and Gus happily rode right on top of Millie for the entire ride. Danny knew there was no need to put them in cat carriers. They were so happy to have their human back, they literally just sat and stared at her, purring ever so contently.
The Reagans were ready for a Christmas celebration and they were without a doubt due one. As Danny and Linda looked back to their amazingly protective boys and their little Christmas miracle, Millie, they knew this one was going to be something special.