Present
Milly and Eric sat across from Dr. Weaver in her posh highrise office which overlooked the entire city.
Dr. Weaver looked over their medical files that had been faxed over, a no nonsense middle aged woman with a short bob haircut and eyeglasses.
"Okay, Eric and Medelia Gibb. Ages thirty-six, and thirty-seven. First pregnancy was at age nineteen, where an automobile accident caused internal bleeding, and spontaneous abortion at fourteen weeks. Since then there's been seven other miscarriages, all ranging from three to thirteen weeks..."
Milly shifted in her chair uncomfortably, before Eric reached for her hand and squeezed it. Dr. Weaver continued scanning Milly's file, before Milly cleared her throat.
"Um, my surgeon Dr. Baxter said that none of my injuries were from the original accident..."
Dr. Weaver looked up. "Did you physically deliver any?" Milly dropped her eyes.
"Um, just one...not counting my first that I was...Um...two."
"The last miscarriage was?"
"Um...eight months ago. My gynecologist had me go back on birth control for the time being to..."
Dr. Weaver looked up, before sadly smiling.
"It's all right here. Forgive me, just a lot of history here to catch up on. I must say..."
She placed their files down before smiling.
"My children absolutely love your books. In fact, it's my son's favorite. It's the only book he'll listen to before he goes to bed. So...I take it this is Eric Gibb, the famous boy that could fly."
Eric smirked over at Milly who softly laughed. Dr. Weaver smiled.
"I've read up on you two. High-school sweet hearts, you really helped open people's eyes to the world of autisum. I've read your articles you published as well. It's a very endearing story. I would like to try and help you. I'm not bragging, but I'm the best there is in this country, and I'm willing to try and make your dreams of starting a family come true."
Eric and Milly looked at each other, before Milly took a deep breath and sighed.
"Do you think it's possible?"
"Of course. In fact, I would like to start you on a round of hormone injections. We'll repair your body so you can carry a child to full term. As for your husband..."
She scanned the file before looking at Eric.
"When was the last time you ejaculated?"
Eric flushed with color, before he smirked and signed to Milly. She smiled, just as embarrassed, before raising an eyebrow.
"No, that's not right we..."
She then understood and blushed even more.
"Oh okay. Um, yesterday."
Dr. Weaver looked unfazed. She nodded, writing something down, before, looking up.
"We'll need a semen sample before you leave. I've seen your sperm count goes up and down. If it seems low, I'll email a list of things you can do to increase it, as well as send over a perception for you. As for you..."
Milly smiled.
"Please call me Milly."
Dr. Weaver smiled as she went on...
"I'll start a round of hormone injections. Sixty days. You take a shot every night in your side before bed."
Instantly Eric looked worried and motioned to Milly before signing... Milly watched him, and saw he was nervous. Nodding, she turned.
"Um, my husband has some questions..."
She half glanced at her, half glanced at him as he franticly continued to sign. Milly nodded, before taking a deep breath.
"Okay, um my husband wants to know the side effects..."
"For his perception?"
Milly watched Eric as he signed again, looking slightly frustrated. Milly nodded, and turned towards Dr. Weaver.
"Okay, um no...he wants to know the side effects for my hormones."
Dr. Weaver nodded.
"Perfectly understandable Mr. Gibb, your wife will be totally fine. She might experience some mood swings. Some mild nausea, but my success rate in starting with these injections are at 80%. If I see any problem we can start IVF." Eric sighed, before looking at Milly. She simply smiled politely at the doctor, all the while feeling Eric's hand squeeze her hand.
Later...
Milly leaned over the bed in shorts, and her T-shirt pulled up. Eric stood in his sweats and baggy T-shirt, holding the filled syringe she helped him fill. He held it looking overwhelmed, before Milly looked over her shoulder at him. "Just inject it right there where I swabbed." Eric sighed, his eyes big. Looking at him, she sadly smiled.
"Eric, it's okay. You're not hurting me. Come on. We promised we would do this together."
Sighing, Eric nodded, before standing behind her. He held her other side, before injecting her with the needle. It stung, but Milly held it in not to scare him. She knew he hated doing this, but the actual chance that they could actually do this made her heart swell. She remembered a thing Mrs. Sherman once said that made her include it at the end of every book she wrote...
"If you dream long enough, and love hard enough...anything is possible."
June 1988
Milly felt as if she was floating. At first she was absolutely terrified as she struggled underneath the water. The panic filled urge to get oxygen, and the struggle beneath the cool water caused everything to suddenly blur into darkness. It hurt for just a second, as finally the fight was lost on her. She breathed into the water, and there was pain, before...nothing. Then, she saw herself standing on the shore of the lake. She wasn't wet, or even dripping. Instead, she thought she heard her father's soft comforting voice.
"Milly, come on home."
Milly desperately searched for Eric and the others, but the park remained empty. The water was still, and as she looked up at the sky, the clouds parted showing thousands of beautiful stars. She slowly lifted her hand, feeling as if she could almost touch one, but her movements were slow, as if she was doing them still underneath the water. Everything seemed to vivid and beautiful, and a sudden sense of calm washed over her. She stood on the shore, watching a thick beautiful blueish white fog roll in, like clouds surrounding her. She remembered that wonderful dream with Eric years ago as they flew up through the clouds, and watched the fireworks explode. Closing her eyes, she felt as if she could feel her feet lift off the ground, and become surrounded completely. Suddenly, she wasn't scared anymore...
In reality, it was Alex who noticed Milly had gone under, and after a minute hadn't resurfaced. Raising an eyebrow, his eyes scanned the water, before he shook his head.
"Shit!"
Geneva looked at him.
"What?!"
"Milly, I don't see her. She went under, but I haven't seen her come back up!"
Before Geneva could say anything, Alex dove into the water, and began swimming to roughly the area where Milly had gone under. Geneva could see Eric now standing waist deep in the water, his eyes wide, and his face worried, as he lipped breathless words, and looked frustrated that he couldn't go any further.
Then...
Alex popped up from the surface, almost exploded in fact, and was holding onto Milly, who's soaked hair covered her face. She laid limp in his arms. Alex struggled to swim, as he choked on water. "She got wrapped up in some weeds, come...on!" Geneva cried out, before jumping into the water, and swimming like a madwoman straight towards them. Alex struggled as he dragged Milly to the shallow side. As soon as he was close enough, Eric ran over, splashing, before he helped Alex, as the two dragged her to shore. Moments later Geneva nearly tripped, dripping wet as they laid her on the ground. Eric was completely hysterical. His face was scrunched up, and red. He was crying, and circling around Milly, flapping his hands, and making a low moaning sound. Alex moved Milly's hair out of her face, before laying his head against her chest, and listened. Geneva knelt in the sand, panicked, and crying.
"I didn't see her go under! I swear! How long was she under?!"
Alex didn't listen to her, before he shook his head, dripping wet. He laced his hands together, placing them on Milly's chest, before he began to pump up and down. He counted, his bangs dripping down, and hanging in his face.
"One...two...three..."
He then tilted Milly's head up, pinched her nose, and opened her mouth. He leaned down and gave a deep breath into her. Eric, confused and scared, moaned louder, and leaned in close. Frustrated, Alex pushed him away. "No Eric!" He snapped. He then leaned down and breathed again for her. Sitting back up, he laced his hands together, and began tp pump down in even rhythms.
"One, two...three..."
Geneva was no help, crying and begging Milly to wake up. Alex leaned down again, and breathed into her mouth. He took three even breaths, before he went back down to pumping down on her chest. Eric shook all over, watching as Alex repeated the same thing over and over, and over. Suddenly, he stopped and sat back, looking exhausted.
"She's...gone."
Geneva cried out, lowering her head, before Eric stared with wide confused eyes. He stared across at Alex, waiting for him to help, but instead Alex simply sat back and shook his head.
"I'm sorry."
Eric stared at him, then down at Milly who laid pale and lifeless, her wet hair plastered to her face. That's when Eric completely lost it. He let out a deep blood curdling scream, causing both Geneva and Alex to jump. He grabbed Milly, yanking her forward, before Geneva tried to move forward and tell him to stop. Eric bared his teeth like a wild animal, causing her to jump back, before he firmly slammed Milly down on the ground and hovered over her. His bare skin beaded with water, he stared down at her, before clumsy pinching her nose shut, and breathing into her mouth in panic filled breaths. He did this several times, before he put his hands together and pounded on Milly's chest. Nothing. Eric shook all over, before his face crumped, eyes filling with tears.
Then...his face handed into anger. He cried out again loudly, before he slapped her right across the face. Geneva cried out, as Alex went to pull Eric away.
"Eric, she's gone!" Eric continued to loudly groan, as he slapped her again, then took her by the shoulders and shook her like a rag doll. Seeing she wasn't moving, Eric's color faded, before he gathered her up in his arms, tears streaming from his big brown eyes, as he began to rock her limp, wet, dead body.
Then...
A cough.
Eric's eyes widened, as Alex and Geneva cried out. Eric pulled back as Milly was vomiting a great deal of water. She gagged, before turning slightly on her side. Alex came over, as Milly continued to vomit, laying in Eric's arms. Her hair laid in her eyes, before Geneva, and Alex crawled over, everyone crying in pure shock and relief. Eric laughed through tears, as he continued to cradle Milly's body, petting her face, and making sure her wet hair wasn't in the way. Milly choked for another minute, before blinking, and looking around dazed. She saw her friends worried crying faces, and instantly her head started to throb. She looked up and saw Eric crying, and clutching onto her tight. Her eyes weakly glanced up at the sky, staring up at the stars, before everything faded and went dark.
Later...
Milly's eyes slowly fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was her mother's worried pale face. She blinked, before she found herself in warm dry PJs, laying in her own bed. It was daylight out, and she saw Dr. Granda, and a very worried looking Geneva sitting off to the side. Looking around, Milly's head pounded. She was confused, and had no idea how she got here.
"Milly? Baby?" Her mother said, tears in her eyes. Milly blinked, before looking around.
"What? Happened?"
Geneva twisted her hands together nervously.
"We went swimming and you got tangled up with some weeds. You...drowned. Alex did CPR, and..."
Her face began to break up, as she softly cried shaking her head.
"We thought you were dead. Eric cried, then must have squeezed you tight enough the water came up."
Milly only remembered starting to swim out to the raft. After that...everything else was a second, she blinked.
"Where's...Eric?"
Her mother exchanged a worried look with Dr. Granada, before Milly sat up, her head feeling soupy and light headed. Her mother told her to lay back, but she ignored her.
"Where is he? Is he okay?"
Dr. Granada sighed before shaking her head.
"Your friends called an ambulance and Eric...he became very frightened when you fainted again. He must have thought you were dead. When the paramedics came he wouldn't let you go. He carried you and tried to run away. He fought them, and another ambulance had to be called and he had to be sedated. His uncle and Mrs. Sherman became involved. They felt it would be best if he spent the weekend at the institute. Mrs. Sherman guaranteed that he'll be home by Sunday, but this is one of the worst incidents he's had in years. They're calling it a breakdown. He'll be sedated until he calms down, and his blood pressure lowers."
"He went to the institute?! He's all alone?!"
"Honey it's just a weekend..."
Her mother tried. Instead, Milly pushed her away, tears filling her eyes.
"He needs to come home. He'll get sick there! Please!"
"Mrs. Sherman said she'll come get him Sunday morning with you if you're feeling better. Now you need to focus on resting."
Milly threw back the sheet that was covering her, and tried pushing back her mother who tried to take her by the shoulders, and get her to lay back down. Instead, Milly pushed her back, yelling, and struggling. Geneva and Dr. Granada tried coming over, but Milly stood up shaking all over. Tears ran down her face.
"I wanna see Eric! He's probably scared, and confused, and doesn't know where he is!"
Dr. Geneva stepped forward.
"Mrs. Sherman said she'll sit with him, his uncle allowed it. He's going to be sedated throughout the weekend Milly. He needs just to rest same as you..."
Milly suddenly felt beyond exhausted. She snapped her eyes shut, shoulders hunched, and she began to sob, before her mother, Geneva, and Dr. Granada all came over and wrapped their arms around her as she sobbed.
Sunday...
Uncle Hugo had volunteered to drive Milly to the institute to pick Eric up. Mrs. Sherman was staying with him, and had phoned the day before to measure that Eric was perfectly fine. Still mentally, and emotionally exhausted, Milly sobbed over the phone apologizing.
"If only we just stayed at the movie and I didn't listen to stupid Geneva. I knew it was too late. I should have stayed with him..."
"Honey, you did nothing wrong. Nothing that all. You hear me? Nothing that all. You and Eric are teenagers and were just saying fun. It was an accident plain and simple. You're lucky things hadn't turned out the other way and you God forbid were killed. I'm sure that York boy has a lot to do with the fact you started breathing again, but after listening to your friend, it was Eric who I think willed you to come back. Don't you forget that."
Milly sniffled.
"Is he in trouble with the hospital?"
"Not at all. I smoothed things over, even when the state came. I told them that thanks to you Eric has made leaps and bounds with his progress with signing, and being more social. He was just out on a date with his girlfriend who's responsible for all the hard work that's happened. I talked with Eric's uncle, and we're going to continue his therapy."
"Was it bad? Geneva said it looked like he was having a breakdown."
Mrs. Sherman sighed on the other end of the phone.
"I was called to help get him in the park. What really was the matter was he was worried about you. He didn't understand Milly. You're his whole world, and I think it was just a prime example of how much he loves you."
Milly shut her eyes, clutching the phone as a single tear rolled down her face.
"I love him too."
"I know darling. That's why it's important for you to be the first face he sees when he comes around."
Milly sniffled again, before she nodded and thanked Mrs. Sherman for as always being there. That weekend her mother fussed over her, and Milly could fell she wanted to say something, but didn't dare do it. Instead, she forced Milly to stay in bed, and even wheeled in her mini TV from her own bedroom so she could pass the time, as well as buying her all of her favorite magazines. Still, Milly found herself missing Eric more than ever during that weekend. She sat up in bed, staring at the framed photo of them taken on Halloween, and kept trying to listen to the faint sound of wind chimes. When finally Sunday came, she woke up early, changed, and called Uncle Hugo, and said they were going to get Eric around eight.
"He was awfully upset Milly, I'm just glad you're okay."
As hard as Milly tried, she couldn't remember a single thing about what happened after she started swimming towards the raft. Only that she woke up in her bedroom, and heard she nearly died. She had called Geneva who gave her a blow by blow of what happened that night, as she asked for Alex's number to thank him.
"God Milly, it was awful. Alex knew right off the bat something wasn't right. He dove in like a superhero and popped up holding you. You looked dead...like dead dead. It was horrible! He dragged you to shore, and I swam in, and Eric was losing it. He was crying, and moaning, and Alex started doing CPR just like in the movies. He did it for like forever, and you weren't breathing. I honestly thought you were dead Milly. I was so scared. That's when Eric tried doing CPR but you could tell he wasn't really doing it right. He kept screaming, and then hugged you and that's when you started coughing up water. Alex ran and called 911."
"When did Eric freak out?"
"Well after the paramedics came. He wouldn't let go of you. He kept rocking you back and forth, and kissing your forehead, and brushing back your hair. He bit one of the paramedics, and started showing his teeth, and moaning and yelling. That's when everyone was called. I watched as it took almost four guys to rip him away from you. He kept moaning and screaming and they had to give him something to knock him out. They loaded you into one ambulance, and him into the other. It was a total scene."
Sighing, Milly knew it was, and it absolutely broke her heart. Later that night she called Alex and thanked him, and before they hung up he said...
"That Eric sure does love you Milly."
Milly sadly smiled.
"Yeah. He does."
The ride over that Sunday morning was nerve-racking. She nervously picked at her nails, as Uncle Hugo drove her, softly listening to a baseball game on the radio. Finally, he turned the knob, and cleared his throat, looking straight ahead as he drove, clearly a little uncomfortable.
"I never really get the chance to tell you Milly, but I think you're an absolute God send angel. I know I'm an old screwy drunk, and I don't always take care of Eric the way I should. My sister I'm sure would sometimes be horrified. Still, ever since you came into his life I've seen a real change in him. He's different...and in a good way. He's always smiling, and seems like...an almost half way normal teenage boy. He loves you Milly, and I know that what happened at the pond was scary, but it's just a reminder that Eric thinks the world of you. Now...I know you're a pretty smart young thing. If there ever comes a time you get into a school far away, or meet another boy...I don't want you feeling guilty. Don't feel..."
"Hugo?"
He glanced over for a second, before Milly softly smiled.
"I'm not going anywhere. I think there's proof in that with what happened. I love Eric."
Uncle Hugo smirked as he continued driving. Once they arrived at the hospital, they checked in, before taking the elevator upstairs. Uncle Hugo patted her back.
"Places like this seem a little scary, but remember, he was in here to calm himself down. That Mrs. Sherman is another angel, and she's been with him basically the whole weekend. She stays during all the visitor hours, until they kick her out. He's been sedated most of the time, and they said he's going to be a little out of it, but I'm sure he'll sure be happy coming home and seeing you taking him home."
Milly smiled, feeling a little nervous, before the doors opened. They walked to the other nurse's station, and the doctor who had been handling Eric's case talked with Uncle Hugo for a minute, handing him some paperwork, and telling him to keep him nice and relaxed, and to give him one of the pills he sent over to the drug store before bed for a week if he continued getting upset. Milly looked around, seeing all the patients sitting around like drugged up zombies, and instantly understood why Mrs. Sherman remarked that Eric couldn't survive in a place like this. Sighing, she cupped her elbows nervously, before Uncle Hugo walked over.
"He's right in the main room. You ready Milly?"
Milly nodded, as she walked with him, and saw the large room with beds lined up in rows. Patients were either sleeping, or sitting around in wheelchairs. Milly instantly got chills, when she saw him. He was in sweats, and a wrinkled white T-shirt. He was sitting up in bed, his hair messy, and his face pale. Mrs. Sherman was sitting by him, when suddenly Eric turned his head and saw her. His eyes widened, before he fumbled, and nearly fell out of bed.
Mrs. Sherman turned and smiled, before Eric ran full speed down the row of six or so bed, and straight towards her. He nearly knocked her down, as he wrapped his arms around her in a tight bear hug, that nearly took her breath away. Eric buried his face into her shoulder, and instantly Milly's anxiety seemed to float away. She didn't know if it was the feeling of him holding her, or the smell of sweat in his hair, but somehow she felt in a strange way that this was home. Not her house back in the neighborhood, or the house she had been born in and lived with her father...but Eric was home. A strange safe feeling, that made her close her eyes, and squeeze him back. Uncle Hugo chuckled.
"Easy Eric, remember Milly's ribs are still sore, be gentle." Milly shook her head at Uncle Hugo. "It's okay. I don't mind." Squeezing him tight, she softly whispered in his ear...
"I love you."
Pulling back, tears of happiness streaming down his face, he smirked staring at her. His large brown eyes, locking with her hazel ones. Slowly, and with struggle he said...
"Mmm...Milly."
Instantly Milly smiled from ear to ear, before she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. Uncle Hugo rolled his eyes, while Mrs. Sherman watched and smiled.
Later...
Uncle Hugo had treated them al a cheeseburger lunch, and ice cream. He allowed Milly to go upstairs and spend some time with Eric, as long as they didn't go outside just for tonight. He wanted him to rest and relax. Milly promised, and Uncle Hugo twisted off a beer to watch a game downstairs. Once they were upstairs, Eric led her upstairs to the attic, where Milly clicked on all the lights, and nervously played with her ring. Both ended up laying back on the soft blankets, as Eric and her gazed into each other's eyes. Milly swallowed hard, before reaching forward, and gently brushing his cheek. Eric closed his eyes, and smiled. Milly then brought his hand up, and gently kissed each one of his fingers, before looking up, and seeing him watching her. Smiling, she tilted her head.
"I don't remember anything about what happened. Just being stupid and swimming out to that raft...then waking up in my bedroom and hearing that happened. You and Alex saved my life."
Eric just continued to stare at her, before Milly sighed.
"I heard what happened. I honestly think if it was the other way around I would have reacted the same way. I could never lose you Eric. Never."
Eric reached forward, and squeezed her hand gently. They continued laying together, staring at each other, before Milly smiled.
"I promise you, I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you. We're in this together. Deal?"
Eric looked as if he was thinking about it for a second before nodding. Milly laughed, and continued staring at him. Finally Milly knew after what happened at the lake, enough was enough.
"In a few days it's going to be my birthday. I told my mom I don't want a party. Just maybe a few of us to go to Skips, and hang out in the backyard. After everyone leaves and it's later...will you take me flying like you did before?"
Eric smiled and nodded. Milly then took a deep breath, and decided to finally say it.
"Once we get back, I want to make love to you Eric, right here."
Eric stared at her stunned. Milly took a second, before she asked...
"Is that okay? Do you want to? I don't want to rush you into anything..."
Eric reached forward, and brushed a fallen strand of hair out of her face before nodding. Milly stared at him and smiled.
"You want to?"
Eric took a second, struggling, before slowly and softly saying...
"Y...Yes."
Milly grinned before a small smile showed on his face as he nuzzled his head against her chest, and tightly wrapped her arms around him. Laying there in the attic, Milly knew she was safe...and very much alive.