(a/n) Well, sorry I was really late, my life has been like hell, and I'm not kidding….well here's the penultimate chapter of my story!
Just Remember
Chapter 13: Finally
By Medha
Nick looked around and sighed. The snow fell onto his nose, cheeks, and stung his ears. Amiya came back with some food and they talked about anything and everything for two hours. Nick described, in full detail, his daughters' accomplishments. He spoke of Christina's acceptance into Stanford University, Emily's Junior Statesmen of America trips, and Alyssa's new book report grade.
"They sound great," said Amiya. Suddenly, her phone began to ring, and she picked it up.
"Roy," she said into her phone. Suddenly, her face screwed up into a look of horror, shock, and then relief, "We'll be right there." She hung up the phone and turned to look at Nick. Her face reflected that of a shocked person. "They've found Sara," said Amiya. Nick stood up very quickly.
"What?" He asked.
"Yeah, she's—she's at Christ Hospital right now. I think she tried to fight him. But the doctors say that she'll be okay," said Amiya. Nick wrapped his coat around him and rushed to her car.
"Well, come on!" He said, "Lets go!" Nick felt slightly elated and nervous. He knew she was safe, he knew she was in good hands. She was going to be okay. She was going to be with him soon. Amiya laughed nervously and followed him.
"She'll be okay, how are you?" Asked Amiya.
"Confused," Nick admitted. In reality he felt not only confused, but also very nervous. He did not know what to say or how to say it. His thought turned to how much his family's life would change—how Alyssa and Emily would accept Sara. He knew Christina would, but then again she wouldn't be around as much anymore. They both stepped into the car; Amiya drove, and drove to the town of Clifton where the hospital was. Amiya got all the details on the way there.
The car had driven north and Sara had tried to stop the car. Angrily, the kidnapper had stopped the car, which turned out to be a mistake. He threw her to the side of the road, and she fell into a gorge. While he stumbled down to find her, he was convinced she had passed out. In reality she mustered up all her strength and went to the nearest person's house. From there, "911" was called and she was saved. As Nick heard all of this, he nodded, he knew his wife—and he felt proud that she was his wife.
As they pulled up to the visitor's entrance, Nick's stomach did a series of back flips, and he felt near throwing up. Amiya turned to him.
"Are you alright?" She asked once more.
"No," Nick admitted. He turned to her, "I've been dreaming for a long time that I would be able to hold her in my arms. I always said that I believed she was still alive, but deep down, I lost all hope. And now, suddenly, I wake up and I find that the one woman whom I thought dead is really alive, and—and there are no words to even begin to describe my happiness, and confusion!" Nick exclaimed. Tears flooded down his eyes as he stepped out of the car. He brushed the ferocious water with his tears. They stepped inside.
"We're her for Sara Stokes," said Amiya. Nick felt tears threaten to pour from inside as he heard them say which room she was in. They both walked quickly upstairs and found Ryan, Greg, and Warrick standing up there. Greg's eyes looked red, and Warrick wrung his hands. Ryan stepped forward.
"The doctor received her statement, we have SWAT out looking for this guy. The FBI stepped in with the case. Mrs. Stokes is free to go, but the doctors want to keep her overnight," said Ryan. Nick looked longingly at the door. He felt jealousy that Warrick and Greg saw her before he did.
"We'll leave you guys alone with Sara, just call us when you need a ride anywhere. The case can now be officially closed, after we catch that bastard at least." Laughed Amiya. Nick smiled. Ryan and Amiya left side-by-side and left the three men standing awkwardly.
"So, what is she like?" Asked Nick. Warrick wiped some tears.
"You tell us," He said.
"We figured you would want to see her first. I mean, you being her husband and all," said Greg. Nick smiled and embraced all of them. He wiped his tears with the back of his hand, and stepped up to outside her door. With a sigh, he opened it. He saw her lying there with her eyes closed. She hadn't changed at all in the last eight years. He noticed some wrinkles outside her eyes and that was it. The heart monitor beeped in rhythm and the lines seemed to rise and fall like her chest. Slowly, and very tenderly, he reached down and stroked her hand. Her injuries were not that bad, her face seemed cut, and bruises reached down her body. He knelt by her bed and put both of his hands in hers. She opened her eyes slowly; they seemed almost lifeless. A warm smile spread to her eyes.
"Hey," she said almost painfully.
"Hi," said Nick softly. Their eyes met and tears fell out of Nick's eyes. "I love you," he said.
"I know," Sara answered, tears now came down her face, "I love you too." She gripped his hand stronger. "I've been trying to contact you for the last eight years. How are the kids?"
"Great, but they need you, I didn't think I could handle it," said Nick. Sara smiled.
"Well, Christina should be eighteen now right? And Emily is fifteen, sixteen in a week, and Alyssa is eight…right?" Sara asked. Nick nodded. "I've missed eight years of their life, I haven't been able to be a good mother at all," said Sara. She cried and looked up at the ceiling. Nick leaned up and held her hand.
"No Sara—you aren't a bad mother, you—you are wonderful! It wasn't your fault," he stammered, "It wasn't your fault," said Nick more firmly. He took his other hand and stroked her hair. She took her hand and stroked his.
"Why, you have grey hair Mr. Stokes," said Sara. Nick laughed and kissed her softly. Suddenly the door burst open. Warrick and Greg came in, arms laden with Chinese takeout, balloons, flowers, and chocolates.
"We thought we would bring some food," said Greg.
"And some gifts," said Warrick. They both kissed Sara on her cheek. She quickly wiped tears from her eyes.
"Thanks guys," she laughed. A doctor came into the room just then.
"Mrs. Stokes, I'm here to remove the IV, you may leave whenever you are ready to," he said, "We have everything you need, and we figure, its time for you to go home." He smiled and started taking her IV out.
"Thanks," said Sara.
"Yeah, you just have some minor scratches and bruising. It seriously looks worse than it is. Just take it easy for a few days, see a counselor, and everything should be fine. Your story is like a fairytale for us now. We all admire your courage." He took out the IV and left.
"Yeah," said Nick, "We do…" He laughed. Sara carefully got out of the bed. Greg laughed.
"Oh, Sara, You might need these." Warrick pulled out some clothes, "Catherine sent them, and she figured you might need them…" He handed them to her.
"Thank you!" said Sara. Nick followed her to the bathroom, and made sure she could make it over there. She pulled him into the bathroom, and he shut the door.
"Nick," she said, "I was so scared for the past eight years…seeing you, I feel like I'm reborn or something." Nick nodded, "And it's over. So, I want to talk to you about it, so I'm not avoiding it. And by the way, nothing happened between us. I don't think he was interested in me that way. I just 'know' the law." Sara laughed. Nick hugged her. Kissing her quickly, he began to walk out, and turned around.
"It'll be okay Sara," he said. She nodded. He walked out and collapsed on a chair.
"Wow," said Warrick.
"Yeah," laughed Nick. Greg patted him on the back.
"You alright man?" He asked.
"Of course I am," said Nick. Sara walked out quickly; her hair was up in a ponytail. Nick took off his jacket as they walked out. He wrapped it around her. They took a taxi to a small hotel and stayed for the night. Nick and Sara were in one room, and Warrick and Greg in another. Nick and Sara did not sleep at all that night. Nick described everything that had happened as well as he could. He showed her pictures of the three of them, and they both reminisced. Yes, Nick thought, It was all finally coming together.