Chapter 4

Loraine strode briskly into the NICU, making a bee line to Eli's unit. She stopped short when she noticed the group of nurses gathered around one of the units. She watched them while she said good morning to her son and blew him a kiss. When the crowd dispersed, she crept forward.

The baby in the unit was a little boy. His nametag read 'Leonard' and he was dressed in a black onesie that read 'Strong like a lion' and a pair of soft, brown pants. A little black graduation cap lay by his head.

"NICU graduate. 56 days behind me, a lifetime in front of me!"

The worry that had built up in her belly melted away. A bright grin spread over her face.

"Let me guess," Yavaine stepped up beside her, "Little Leo is going home."

"Yes. I know it probably sounds silly but I can't help home that my baby won't be in here much longer."

Yavaine nodded, "I get that. Nattie's been here for twenty days so far, We're all ready for her to come home soon. Where's Otto this morning?"

"No. He had some paperwork to send to his substitute back home and he wanted to call his little sister. He'll come by for a little bit later."

Yavaine chuckled, "I understand that, too. How's his son doing? Toby, right?"

"Toby's doing ok. He's staying with Otto's brother right now and he has a son a little older than Toby," Lorraine looked down and lowered her voice, "He hasn't said anything but I know Otto misses him a lot. They've been apart for almost four weeks."

Yavaine nodded slowly, "I bet you're right. Heck, if he misses Toby half as much as I miss Will and Anna during the day then I don't know how he's done it for three weeks."

The two women made their way back to their babies and sat in the chaires between the units.

"At least the doctor said Natasha should be able to go home soon. They haven't even begun to talk about Eli going home. I tried to tell Otto he could go home. That I'd be fine. But he wouldn't hear it. He insistes on staying and helping me with Eli."

Yavaine laughed.

"What?"

Yavaine shook her head, "Nothing, Lenny. Just remembering something Tristan said the other day. Don't worry about it."

Lorraine fixed her friend with a hard look. She sighed and looked over at Eli in his unit, cuddling his crochet octopus. The feeding tube had been removed only a few days before. As such, he needed even more attention. He cried a lot more, not used to the sensation of hunger he now experienced.

"With any luck he'll be off the CPap soon," Yavaine's voice cut into her thoughts, "Once that happens the doctors will probably start talking about him going home."

Lorraine nodded slowly, eyes trained on Eli. Then she shook her head and turned back to Yavaine.

It was Loraine's turn to make dinner. An envelope on the counter, however, distracted her from the hotdogs she was cooking.

"Otto? What's this?"

The man looked up from his laptop, "Ah! I changed the film in your camera und got the pictures developed today."

Lorraine stared at the envelope for a moment. Then she yelped and turned back to the hotplate. Otto chuckled.

"VVe can look at zem after dinner. Und zats not ze only zing I have for you tonight."

"What does that mean?" Lorraine forked the hotdogs onto slices of bread.

"Nono sent you a package. It arrived zis afternoon," He closed his laptop and packed up the paperwork that surrounded him.

"She didn't have to do that."

"She wanted to. She did the same thing vvhen jim vvas born."

"But not Toby?" Loraine set the plate on the table.

"No. Toby...came vviz everyzing. But she did knit him a svveater," Otto took his share of the food and lifted an eyebrow, "Americans are vveired."

"Shut up and eat the cheap Hungarian sausage," Lorraine smirked.

Otto chuckled and did as he was told. As soon as they finished eating, Otto washed the plate and handed Loraine the envelope. She took it eagerly but carefully. The two moved to the sofa to look at the pictures together.

Lorraine's heart practically broke when she saw the oldest photos. Eli was tiny, wearing nothing but an equally tiny diaper, a seemingly endless number of wires and tubes attached to him. But as time went on the baby got bigger. The crochet octopus joined him. The heart monitor was moved to his little wrist from his foot.

Then, there were the pictures Otto had taken. Lorraine giving her son a hand hug; giving Eli a bath; changing his diaper. She stopped and swiped a thumb over the picture.

"Zat's ze first time you got to hold him."

She nodded. They had used a method called 'kangaroo care'. She had had to unbutton her shirt. Then Eli was laid against her bare chest and a blanket laid over them. He had fussed under the blanket but she couldn't have cared less. She was just happy to be holding her baby. She flipped to the next picture and grinned. Yavaine had taken it.

The other woman had taken the camera from Otto and told him to get in the shot. He had knelt by her side, hands folded on the arm of the chair, eyes trained on the tiny baby.

"You should take this one," She tried to hand it to him.

Otto shook his head and pushed the photo back to her, "Nein. You keep it. I can make a copy if I vvant vvone."

She nodded and scootched closer to him. Otto slipped one arm over the back of the sofa and they continued to flip through the pictures. The very last picture was of the day the doctor had taken out the feeding tube. Lorraine had gotten to feed her baby with a bottle for the first time. She smiled softly at the picture and lay her head against Otto's shoulder.

"Would we be able to get a photo album for them?"

"Of course. VVe can do zat tomorrow. Now, open vvhat Nono sent. I vvan't to know vvhat she zought would be good gifts for you und Eli."

Lorraine sat up and tucked the pictures back in the envelope before pulling the cardboard box towards her. Otto handed her his keys to break the tape. Inside was a letter and a small assortment of onesies. She read the letter first.

"Loraine,

Otto told us about your little 'dilemma' with dressing Eli. I decided to take it upon myself to rectify the situation. I hope these do the job.

Sincerely,

Nomura

PS: I know he said you complained about all the 'bird' onesies but I couldn't resist."

Her eyebrows shot up and she lifted out one of the onesies. It was black with green writing that said 'I make a DRAMATIC entrance' and a little beret on the 'D' of dramatic. The next one was green with black writing that said 'Enter with' and, in sparkling gold, 'Flaire!'. The Greek theater masks were stitched into the bottom. Excitement flooded her body as she pulled out the last onesie. It was white with a blue bird and gold words reading 'Free Bird!'.

Lorraine giggled and rocked back. Otto chuckled. He watched as she clutched the onesie to her chest and leaned against his shoulder. They were quiet for a moment as she relaxed.

"Do you think he'll be released soon?" Lorraine whispered.

Otto rest his hand on her arm, "Yes. Yes, I do."

"Do you think he'll be home by Christmas?"

"I sure hope so."

The comfortable silence fell over them once more. Lorraine folded the onesies and put them back in the box. She would put them with the rest of Eli's things later. She lay back against Otto's shoulder again. The light on his computer camera started blinking.

"VValt's calling early. Do you vvant to give him a bit of a surprize?"

"You haven't told him yet?"

"I vvanted you to see the look on his face!"

Lorraine nodded and sat up, letting Otto open his laptop and turn on the chat. A young, red haired woman appeared on the screen. She held a chubby, red haired baby in one arm and a lanky, raven haired baby in the other.

"Hello, Otto! Oh. Um. Hi."

"Hello."
"Hallo, Barbara. VVhere's VValt?"

"I got off early today and figured you wouldn't mind seeing Toby Bear early. Walt should be home in a couple minutes. You must be Loraine?"

"Yes. You must be Barbara Strickler and those are Jim and Toby."

"Yep!" Barbara hefted the babies into more upright positions, facing the computer.

"Hallo, Baerchen," OTto leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

The red haired baby shrieked and kicked. One foot landed squarely in the center of Barbara's chest. Otto cringed.

"Es tut mir leid, Barbara."

"Bitte," She groaned before taking a deep breath, "I guess he's just excited to see you. Any idea when you'll be coming home?"

Lorraine hung her head. Otto sat up and held her hands in one of his own. He licked his lips and looked back at the computer.

"Ze doctors haven't said anyzing yet. Hopefully soon."

Barbara nodded, "How is Eli?"

"He's-"

"Barbara? I'm home!"

The woman in question looked off screen and smiled, "Dining room, Walt."

"Ah, calling Otto early?' The tall brit stepped into frame and took Jim from his wife, "Hallo, Bruderlei- Lorraine?"

His eyes went wide. He clutched Jim closer. The word was little more than a whisper.

"Hi, Strickler," She waved sheepishly.

"You're ali-I didn't dare think that you were the same- My God…"

Barbara looked between her husband and the computer, expression morphing from confusion, to understanding, to shock, "You're...Loraine Pepperjack?"

Lorraine nodded mutely. Otto grinned and squeezed her hands. Then, Walt's face morphed from surprise to anger.

"VValt?"

"Who did this, Lorraine?"

"W-What?"

"Who hurt you? Because if I ever see him, if he ever shows his face in Arcadia Oaks, our firewalls will be the least of his problems."

"VValt!"

Lorraine's blood ran cold. She may have been gone for a year but the Walter Strickler she remembered was not prone to threats. Barbara put one hand on her husband's shoulder. He sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Loraine. It's just...we were all so worried when you never came back. Just...Just know, no one here will let him hurt you again. Even if they don't know that you are you."

She couldn't say a word. Heart was pounding in her chest. She squeezed Otto's hand and nodded. Jim chose that moment to start crying. And, once his cousin started crying, Toby wan't far behind.

"We'll have to call you again later, "Barbara bounced Toby gently.

"Ja," Otto nodded, "Liebe sie alle. See you soon."

"Love you, too,' Walt lifted Jim to his shoulder and turned off the computer.

Even after the screen went black, Loraine stared at it. Her reflection stared back.

"Loraine? Are you alright?"

She nodded. Otto wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a loose hug. She leaned into it.

"What was I thinking when I stayed with him? Why didn't I call or-or write? Why did I leave at all?"

"I-I don't know. But zere's nozing you can do to change vvhat happened. VVe'll be home soon und everyzing vvill be ok. I promise."

She nodded against his shoulder. They stayed like that, not caring as time passed.

It had been a few days since Loraine and Walter had been 'reunited' and he had returned to his usual self in every conversation since. Now, however, Lorraine only had one thing on her mind. Helping her son get better. There was a nurse waiting for her at Eli's unit when she arrived at the NICU.

The nurse grinned and stepped out of her way. Lorraine's knees buckled and she nearly fell when she saw her son.

"He was taken off the CPap early this morning," The nurse explained, "But, if he has a relapse, he may have to be put back on it."

Lorraine nodded and slipped her hands into Eli's unit.

"I'm going to double check with the doctor but you should be able to hold him again today."

Lorraine couldn't say anything. She was on cloud nine. Eli yawned and grabbed her finger. His grip was getting stronger.

"Loraine!"

She turned to see Yavaine rushing towards her. The other woman had a baby car seat in hand. Lorraine gasped.

"Nattie's going home today?"

"Yes. And I wanted to give you this first," She fished a piece of paper out of her pocket, "Here's my Email and phone number. Don't hesitate to write and absolutely call when Eli is released."

"I will," Lorraine pulled her hand from her son's grasp and hugged her friend, "Thank you so much for all your help."

"You're welcome. I know you're moving back across the country but please don't be a stranger."

"I won't if you wont."

"Deal!" Yavaine turned to the unit and smiled down at Eli, "And you get well soon, Stinker. Your mama and Otto are ready for you to go home."

After that, it wasn't long before Yavaine and Tristan packed up their daughter and left. For the first time since Eli was born, Lorraine didn't have a friend to talk to. So, she talked to Eli.

She told him about her night; about all the things and plans she and Otto had for him once they got to Arcadia; about Otto and Walter and Nomura and their family. She told him about all the people that were waiting to meet him and about his Aunt Maranda. She changed his diaper and gave him a bottle.

"Ms. Pepperjack?"

Lorraine turned to the nurse. She hadn't realized how much time had passed.

"Would you like to hold Eli for a bit?"

"Of course!" She hastily sat down and reached for the buttons on her blouse.

"Oh. You don't have to do kangaroo care now. You can just hold him if you want."

Lorraine gaped at the nurse and held out her arms like a child. The nurse chuckled and handed her the baby. Eli fussed for only a second before settling into his mother's embrace. The nurse nodded in satisfaction and went over to check on another family. A set of twins. Lorraine couldn't take her eyes off her son. Her only regret was that she couldn't hold him and take a picture of him at the same time.

"Hallo. Sorry I took so long today. I saw zat Natasha vvent ho- He's off ze CPap?"

Lorraine nodded and grinned up at Otto. He chuckled quietly. A short gasp of a laugh. Then, he took the camera form on top of her coat and took a picture. He put the camera back and leaned against the back of the chair. He reached around Loraine's shoulder and stroked Eli's cheek with the back of his fingers.

Even though it was technically Loriane's turn to make dinner, Otto had walked down to a small diner and ordered dinner to go. Lorraine was finally calling her sister and he wanted to give her a little privacy in which to do so. The hotel room was quiet when he returned. He set the food on the table and went looking for his companion.

It didn't take him long to find her. He opened the bedroom door and found her sitting on the floor by the bed. The hotel phone was still in her hand. She was sobbing.

"Loraine? VVhat happened?" He dropped to his knees in front of her.

She shook her head, "I c-called Maranda. I-I told h-her that I-I-I'm in New Jersey. Th-That I got into some trouble in Europe. But before I could say anything else she cut me off. She- She's livid! I've never heard her that angry before. I-I don't blame her but she barely even let me speak! I didn't even get to tell her about Eli…"

Otto sat beside her and pulled her close. He stroked her hair and rocked her gently. When her sobbs were reduced to hiccups he eased the phone from her hand. He hit the redial.

"Hallo?"

"Listen, asshole," The voice that answered was similar to Loraine's but harsher and more shrill, "I don't care who you are or how my sister got involved with you. Just tell her to fix her own problems and if she wants to talk to me, she can do so if she makes it back."

The line went dead. Otto's blood began to boil. He no longer cared what anybody thought. Maranda Pepperjack had just made this personal. He scooped Loraine into his arms and picked her up.

"I vvill talk to VValt und Nono tonight," He insisted, "If need be you vvill stay vviz vvone of us."

Lorraine looped her arms around his neck for more balance, "But-"

"No 'buts'. You have been hurt enough. I vvon't let it happen again. Das verspreche ich."

She didn't know what to say. She just lay her head against his shoulder.

"Are-are you sure? I can cook and clean until I can get a new job. Then I'll start paying ren-"

"Nope. Not happening. You vvill not be paying to stay. If you insist on doing anyzing, you can vvatch Toby during ze day.

"But-"

"I said 'no buts'," He set her on the sofa and knelt in front of her, "Staying vviz me vvould be much ze same as staying here. But vviz two babies. VVe can talk to VValt, Barbara, und Nomura tonight. Zen you can make a choice. It vvill be ok."
She nodded and squeezed his hands. Otto smiled. He kissed her hands and stood. He brought the food over and set it on the coffee table.

"How about vve eat here tonight."

She nodded again. Otto stayed far enough away that they weren't touching but close enough that she could reach out to him if she wanted. They ate in silence and sat on the sofa until Otto's computer camera began to blink.

"Good evening, you two," Walt greeted, Toby against his shoulder, "Yikes. Have you two slept at all tonight?"

Otto looked at Loraine and sighed, "Actually, VValt, vve need to talk."

"Oh no. Is Eli alright?" The other man's eyes darted between the two.

"Yes! Yes. Eli's alright. He's doing great, actually. It's…"

"I called Maranda," Lorraine blurted.

"Ah. I take it it didn't go well?"

Lorraine shook her head. Otto squeezed her shoulder gently.

"VVould she be able to stay vviz vvone of us for ze time being?"

"Of course! Otto, have you and Loraine talked about some of this already?"

"Ja."

"Alright. Barbara, Nomura, Lorraine needs a place to stay. Otto has already started the conversation. We just need to finish it."

The other two women entered the frame.

"You could stay with me," Nomura offered, "I work kinda long hours at the museum some nights but I have a bonus room that could work for you and Eli. I might even be able to hook you up with a job at the museum!"

"And we have a guest bedroom you could stay in. Eli could share the nursery with Jim. Neither of them are sleeping through the night so we wouldn't have to worry about them waking each other up at night," Barbara rocked her son.

Lorraine looked at each of the siblings, shaking like a leaf. Nomura blinked. Her eyes darted around the screen for a moment.

"But I think staying with Otto would work best."

"What?"

"Yeah. Toby and Eli are closer in age than Eli and Jim so you really won't have any trouble with the whole 'sleeping and waking each other up at night'. For longer than with Jim and Eli, anyway. And you're already used to each other. I just think it would work the best."

Lorraine looked at Otto. At the same time, he looked at her.

"It's entirely up to you, Lorraine," Barbara insisted.

Lorraine looked between the siblings. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"I-Is that ok, Otto?"
"Y-Yes. Zat's fine vviz me."

She smiled wanly. Despite knowing that she and her baby wouldn't be on the streets, she couldn't shake the hurt feeling in her stomach.

"We'll find another crib for Eli," Barbara continued, "And make sure that everything is ready. And, Lorraine? If you ever need to talk to someone, You can talk to any of us."

Otto was just closing his phone when Loraine approached that morning.

"Everything alright, Otto?"

"Ja! Yes. I'm just...I'm going to be a little late zis morning. I have to make some calls before I come in."

"Are you sure? I could wait for you."

"No. Go on. I vvon't be long. I promise. You go see Eli und I'll bring breakfast vvhen I come in. Alright?"

"Alright," Lorraine put on her coat, "Don't be too long, ok? And don't forget your hat. It's colder than usual."

"I vvill. Now go. Or you'll miss ze cab."

She chuckled and shook her head. By the time she made it out of the hotel, the taxi cab was waiting for her. At the NICU, any thought of Otto and his being late was quickly pushed out of her mind.

She practically bounced to her son's unit. Eli was still asleep, as usual, cuddling with his octopus. Tucked into his unit was a little black graduation cap.

"NICU graduate. 21 days inside, a lifetime ahead of me!"

Her heart stopped in her chest. Was it a joke? Was Eli really coming home?

"Surprize."

She turned to see Otto standing behind her. He had the baby carrier in one hand and Eli's baby bag in the other.

"You knew?"

"Zey called zis morning. I vvanted to see ze look on your face."

Lorraine chuckled and hugged him tightly. They talked with the doctor and finished up the paperwork. Then, bundling up Eli in a warm outfit, they were finally able to take him home.

They didn't bother to wait. Even though it was around six in the morning in Arcadia, they called Walter and Barbara.

"Otto? Lorraine? *Yawn* What's going-Is that-is that Eli?" Walter sat upright in the chair, suddenly very awake.

Lorraine grinned and held her son closer. Walter laughed.

"So...so when are you all coming home?"

"Our flight is at ten o'clock tomorrow morning," Otto said, "VVe should be home around four."

Walter grinned, "That's wonderful! I'll pick you up. Or Nono will. You get it. Someone will be there."

Lorraine laughed. The first real laugh Otto had heard from her.

Walter then turned more serious, "And you're going to do it as soon as we finish talking?"

"Yes. Just ze push of ze button."

Walter nodded firmly, "Alright. I'll see you all tomorrow. Love you."

The screen went black but not for long. Otto leaned forward and began to type hastily. Lorraine recognized her and Eli's Janis Initiative fails. Otto turned to face her.

"Ready?"

"...Yes."

He pushed the button and, after a moment, closed the laptop.

"Loraine Pepperjack died on December 16, 1999 in an accident on a New Jersey pier. She drowned in the bay before the rescue team could reach her. On ze same day, Lenora Janeth vvas informed zat her son Elijah would be able to go home from ze Arcadia Oaks NICU after he recovered from a serious illness, vvhich he vvas born vviz."

Loraine nodded and leaned over until her head was resting on top of Otto's. Eli cooed quietly in her arms.