Chapitre (heh heh) Five
Aftermath
Jennifer's eyes slowly opened to reveal machinery, and lots of it. Several IV's poked painfully in her arms, and the blankets around her were worn and scratchy. This was a hospital. She looked around to see a medicine cart nearby, filled with needles marked MO, the abbreviation she recognized for morphine. She groaned and blinked, the metallic lights becoming painful to look through.
The door swung open and a kind looking nurse entered. She smiled at Jennifer. "Well good morning Miss Lloyd!"
She sighed and sat up. "How, how long have I been out?"
"Two and a half weeks, you lost quite a bit of blood. Oh, but everything is fine! Your father has arranged for you to come home tomorrow! How do you feel?"
"Stiff, a bit sore. What have you had me on?"
"Some morphine, we also had to give you a few shocks from the old bars, we lost your pulse a few minutes."
"I see," she shifted in her place and sighed. "Is there something you needed?"
"Just checking up on you, you feel fine?"
She chuckled. "Peachy keen."
Jennifer pulled her jacket more tightly around her as she exited the plane. She entered the terminal and her eyes immediately began to scan for a familiar face. Her eyes caught an older nurse, with a sign. It read, SMITH'S GROVE WARREN COUNTY SANITARIUM WELCOMES JENNIFER MYERS. She grinned and shook her head, made her way over to the nurse who smiled at her.
"Well hello Jennifer! Looking lovely as ever!"
She smiled and blushed lightly. "Thank you Gertrude, you don't look so bad yourself." She followed the nurse who had taken care of her since she was young to the familiar white van and they drove off. She fell asleep mid-ride and didn't wake until they were pulling into the gate. She yawned, stretched and slid from the van to the waiting group of doctors.
They applauded her return and one, a good friend of hers led her to Wynn's office, where he awaited her. She entered without a sound and watched a wry smile spread over his face. "Why good afternoon, Jennifer." He looked up at her. "I trust your flight went well."
She cut right to the chase. "Look, I'm sorry. I've caused you a lot of trouble. But I was afraid, and emotional and dammit please try to understand I meant no harm."
He frowned. "I'm past all of that. The curse has ended, that's what matters. You have done your job and done it well. Now, Michael's at the house, with Jacob and Anastasia. I suggest you get there and quick, your car is in the lot, space 28."
She blushed and felt a tear come down her cheek, she looked away for just a moment, then back to him. "Thanks Dad."
He waved her off. "Go, go. Your life is waiting."
"I.. Still work here, right?"
"Of course, of course. Go, go!"
Jennifer pulled up to the large white house that had dominated Lampkin Lane for nearly 40 years. She glared and kicked some candy wrappers from the sidewalk, darn kids didn't know what a trash can was! She chuckled to herself, she had to calm down!
She went in and looked around, it was eerily silent. She went upstairs, then to the basement. "Hello? Anybody home?"
She stepped into the kitchen and grinned as she saw Michael, unmasked playing with the kids out back. She pressed through the screen door and Jacob looked up and let out a delighted squeal and ran to her. "Mommy!"
She burst into tears as she took him into her arms, hugging him close. Ana was right behind him, leaping into what little space there was left. She ignored the pain of her stitches and held them close for a while. Ana yawned and Jennifer smiled. "Jake, why don't you get her a bottle and put her down on the couch?"
"Ok Mommy." he took his little sister's hand and led her inside. She turned to Michael and smiled softly.
He returned the smile, moved to her and cupped he cheek, gazing into her eyes, his blue ones piercing hers. She melted and fell into his arms, burying her face in his chest, for once not in a jumpsuit, the sweater was soft, nice compared to the usually scratchy cotton.
"I'm so sorry I doubted you." she murmured and felt him shake his head.
"I'm sorry I left you alone in there with him."
She sighed and pulled back, they shared a languorous and teasing kiss. He smiled as he ran a hand through her thick hair. "You're ok?"
She shrugged. "A few achy stitches but that's all. You?"
"Not a scratch, I'm a bit too experienced to let a six year old take me out."
She rolled her eyes and pulled away. "Shut up."
He chuckled and brought her close again. "Promise me you'll never leave me?"
She felt a bit cheesy but smiled. "Now why would I do something stupid as that?"
Mwa ha ha. Another chapter? Sure, may as well tie it up.
SA
