Chapter fourteen

Abi sat in Ethaniel's room for a while holding his hand. She suddenly remembered she hasn't seen her grandmother yet. She kissed Ethaniel's palm and said "Please, return to us my dear friend." She left his room going to the nurse's station to ask for her grandmother's room.

"Your grandmother is on the 4th floor," said one of the nurses, and Abi got into the elevator heading up. There was only one person in the elevator, and although Abi had a strange sense about him, she tried to ignore it, thinking it's just her over protective reactions to all that has occurred.

The elevator suddenly stopped making a loud sound and rocking from side to side. Then darkness as the lights went out. The man next to her didn't make a move but she was frightened. When the emergency lights went on, she took a deep breath trying to relax. She reached for the emergency bell and pushed it. Hearing it ring made her relax a bit more since if she heard it someone else must have heard it as well.

The man in the elevator with her sat on the floor waiting, she however did not. After a few minutes he suddenly spoke "Why are you looking at me like that?" and to her confused look he added, "You look at me as I'm about to jump and rape you or something. Relax, I assure you I have no such meaning."

Abi felt the tension leave her body. I'm way too tense she thought. Then she smiled at him sitting on the floor across from him. "I'm sorry," she said, "I'm just a bit tense."

"Well, you can relax. I'm Samuel, but most people call me Mooli."

Abi giggled at that. "Nice to meet you Mooli," she said. "So what are you doing at the hospital so late?" she asked.

"I work here. I'm a doctor."

"Oh, sorry doc.," she said smiling again relaxing completely now. "What kind of doctor are you?"

"A child psychiatrist," he replied. "I was told there are two 18 month old kids I'm to see tomorrow morning. It seems they were kidnapped. I got a call from the doctor in the emergency room to come check them before they are released in the morning. I was gonna read some material on the parents and the children's environment before seeing them. Well actually I need to speak to their parents and make some kind of judgment."

"You mean if the children can be released to their parents? Has someone said the children are in danger from them?" asked Abi not reveling she is the parent in question.

"No. But from what I've been told, the mother is into strange stuff. Supposedly she fights demons and ghosts for a living. Can you imagine that?" he asked in disbelief.

Abi sat silent unable to say a word wondering what is she to do now.

"So," he asked, "What are you doing here so late?"

Abi looked at him wondering what to say. "I have a good friend in intensive care, and a grandmother in the 4th floor, so I'm just checking on both."

"Tough," he said. "Are they gonna be all right?"

"My grandmother will be fine. My friend, I don't know. He is seriously injured."

"Well, if you need to talk about it. It seems I'm not going anywhere for a while."

Abi forced herself to smile feeling hostility growing inside her for this man. This doctor.

"No thanks," she said. "Nothing I can't handle."

"Ok," he answered feeling her change in mood.

Right then the elevator started moving again. As soon as the doors opened on the 4th floor Abi rushed out with out even a wave of her hand for goodbye.

"Dr. Gordon," said one of the nurses greeting him before the doors closed and he went on up to his office on the 6th floor.

Abi went to see her grandmother, thoughts of tomorrow's meeting with this doctor on her mind. I need to find a way to avoid this meeting she said. I can't let this meeting take place. She decided and entered the room.

Her grandmother was awake and smiled as soon as she saw her. "Abi, honey. I'm so happy to see you. Joseph said you found the children."

"Hi gran. Yes we found them. They are ok. We're taking them home in the morning. How are you?"

"I'm fine child. I am also to be released in the morning. No broken bones. I'll just be purple in a few places for a while, but other then that I'm fine." Hanna looked at her granddaughter and her face frowned. "Abi, what is it child? What got you so worried?"

Abi looked at Hanna and smiled. "Nothing gran. Nothing I can't handle." She kissed Hanna and said, "I'm going back down to Ben and the children. I'll see you later."

She took the stairs down this time. Walking into the room the children were in, she saw they were still asleep. So was Ben. She sat on the bed next to him and stared at his face. Smiling she thought how lucky she is to have found a man who loves her and her children so much as Ben does. She put one hand on his handsome face and caressed them gently. The touch awoke him. "I'm sorry Ben. I didn't mean to wake you," she said her voice soft.

Ben felt something was wrong. "Abi. What is it? What's troubling you? Is it Ethaniel?"

"No. Well it is but not just him," she said and told him about her encounter with Doctor Samuel Gordon in the elevator.

"Don't worry honey. No one will take our children away from us. Not now, not ever," he promised.

Abi smiled at him wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you," she said. "Thank you for being the love of my life, and allowing me to be a part of your life."

"I feel the same sweetheart."

They sat on the bed holding on to each other for the longest time. Neither one of them noticed Dr. Gordon peeking in and looking at them.

Next morning

The cheerful sunrays woke her up. They must have fallen back to sleep during the night because they were sleeping face to face holding on to each other. Abi smiled and kissed Ben's lips gently, awakening him. "Morning my love," she said.

Ben kissed her back and got up. "Morning sweetie, "I'll go see the Dr. about getting us out of this place," he said.

"Ok. I'll get the children organized," replied Abi.

Ben nodded in agreement and left the room heading for the nurse's station. He spoke to one of them and she said she'd get the Dr. to come with their release papers.

Ben returned to the room and helped Abi get the children dressed with some fresh clothes he got for them yesterday when he was at the house.

"Ben, can you please go upstairs and check if my grandmother is ready, we can take her home as well," asked Abi.

"Sure. I'll be right back," he said.

"Thank you," she called behind him. The children were dressed and ready and Abi put them in their stroller and headed out of the room. She saw Dr. Gordon approaching them and her face frowned.

He came closer and said, "You should have told me yesterday in the elevator who you are."

"What good would that have done?" she asked. "I'm taking my children and leaving. Excuse me," she said pushing him aside.

He wanted to stop her and tell her he found no reason to keep her children away from their parents and home, but she did not give him a chance to do so. That's ok he thought, We shall meet again Mrs. Adler. She fascinated him, and he was gonna find out who she is, exactly.

Ben came down with her grandparents and said they are ready to leave. Abi looked at him and hoped he will not get angry at her request. "Ben, do you mind taking them all home? I don't want to leave Ethaniel alone. I think he needs someone familier beside him. Is that ok with you?"

Ben knew how close Abi and Ethanirl are, and he trusted his wife. He knew all she felt for Ethaniel was pure friendship so he didn't mind. "You sure honey? Don't you want to come home and rest, get cleaned up?"

"No Ben. I really think, I feel I have to be here for him. Please."

He smiled and gave her a tight hug before heading out with the children and her grandparents out.

"Mommy, don't go," cried out little Sarah, making Noah cry as well "Mommy."

She went over to them and bent down next to the stroller. "I'm going to stay here for a while dear, but I'll be home soon. I promise. And I'll get you guys some nice surprise when I return."

"What?" asked the two children.

"Oh, something nice. I promise. Daddy and your grans will be with you. And I'll be back real soon."

Little Sarah wrapped her arms around her motherneck holding tight. "Love mommy."

"I love you to my precious child," she said hugging Sarah and then did the same for Noah. "I love you too my dear boy."

With that the children seemed to relax and did not mind when Ben weeled them out.

Abi was headed back to Ethaniel's room to sit with him when the doctor stopped her. "I wanted you two to talk to the child psychiatrist before you leave."

"We don't need that," she dismissed him entering the room and closing the door behind her. She sat down next to his bed, holding on to his hand and praying. Abi talked to him about old times. How they met, things they have gone through in the army, adventures they have experienced together. All she could do was keep talking in hope he hears her and will wake up. After a few hours of talking almost non stop, she put her head on the bed next to him and fell asleep.

Abi's Dream/Astral travel

Abi found her self standing in front of the same judges she faced when she suposadly died. She looked around and saw Ethaniel standing there as well.

"Abi, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Trying to get you to come home," was her reply.

"Abi, you have to leave. I'm not sure I wan't to return."

"Ethaniel, how can you do that? Don't you know how much I need you? How much we all need you? I couldn't possibly run the house without you. Please return. It is not your time yet."

"Abigail, you are here again," said Judge othniel.

"Yes, I am trying to get my friend to come back with me."

"Ethaniel Davidof. What do you have to say Mr. Davidof? Do you want to leave or move on?" asked the judge.

"I don't know yet," was Ethaniel's answer. "I just don't know."

"Abi, go back. I think Mr. Davidof would feel easier if you were not here."

Abi looked at him, "Is that true? You want me gone?"

"Yes Abi. Please. I need some more time."

Abi awoke in an instant still holding Ethaniel's hand.

Other Realm

"So Ethaniel, why is it you wanna leave your mortal body?" asked the judge.

"I love her," he said. "I don't think I can take much more. Seeing her and Ben so happy together is killing me inside day by day."

"That is rather selfish, wouldn't you say? Abondoning your friend over that. She needs you, you heard her yourself. Will you let her down over that?"

"I can't stand the pain anymore," said Ethaniel.

+++

Abi knew what was Ethaniel's conflict. And she kept talking to him. "Ethaniel, please. I know how you feel. I've known for a long time. I never encouraged it. You will find a woman to love. I promise. You have my word on that. And you will be happy with her. You will have children as well. Please Ethaniel, come back."

She had her eyes closed so again she did not notice Dr. Gordon was peeking in looking and listening to all she said.

+++

Ethaniel heard Abi's words, but was unsure. "Is she telling the truth?" he asked judge Othniel.

"You will never know if you will not return," Othniel answered.

Ethaniel felt he is being drifted back into his mortal coil. He felt Abi's tight hold on his had and opened his eyed.

"Welcome back old friend," she said.

"Hey Abi," was all he manged to say, still weak.

"I'm glad you decided to stay with us Ethaniel. I can't imagine our lifes without you."

"You don't have to. I am here to stay," he managed saying and fell back to sleep.

Abi knew he will be all right now, and decided to let him sleep and go home to her babies.

"I'll see you later," she whispered in his ear and left the room, stopping at the nurse's station asking to be informed immediately on any change. "When He wakes up, please contact me immediately," she asked the head nurse.

"No problem Mrs. Adler."

Abi smiled at the woman and went out of the hospital stopping a cab to take her home.

At the house

"Ethaniel is ok and Abi is on her way back, " said Derek Suddenly.

"How can you tell?" asked Phillip.

"I can see it. I can feel her relieve."

Ben looked at all the people in the living room. Derek was playing with his grandchildren, Phillip and Kristin were talking amongst themselves. "I wanted to thank you all for all the help you have given us. I can't thank you enough for being here for Abi and for me."

"It was our pleasure," said Nick. "Althoght I do not believe this is over. I think this demon will be back to bother us soon."

"Especialy since Abi's visions have not yet happened. And they never fail," said Erick.

"Abi said she killed him before. Do you know who that demon is?" asked Derek.

"We encountered him before. Actually it was our very 1st case," remarked Eti.

"Well, we have to find out what exactly this demon is and how to get rid of it," comented Derek.

"I'll get right on it," replied Erick and headed for the data base in the control room.

A few minutes later Abi walked through the door and joined everybody in the living room.

"Hello dear," said Derek and got up to hug her.

"Hi dad. Hi all." She stepped over to her children who were reaching their hands to her, hugged and kissed them. She took out two lolypops out of her jacket, unwraped them and handed it to them. They took the candy and had such smiles on their little faces she felt joy fill up her heart. "If you excuse me all I think I'm gonna go take a shower and a discent sleep for a while."

"Want some company?" she heard Ben's question.

"I'd love some," she replied reaching out her hand to him and together they climbed up the stairs to their room.