Chapter 6
Esme's POV
Our arrival at the ER was followed by a whirl of scrubs, questions and protocols. Without the parents' presence, a social worker was called to act in the best interest of the children until a next of kin could be located. The kids, all suffering from hypothermia as well as other injuries were in no condition to be questioned at this point; the number Dillan had given for their grandparents wasn't bringing about results and he couldn't remember their first names or address which made the search even more difficult. At Dillan's request, I remained by his side, holding his hand while he was examined, during his stitches and even after as he was being treated with humidified oxygen to get his body temperature up. The boy had a bump the size of an egg on his head where now he also had a series of stitches and an angry, red gash. I watched as he fought to stay awake, reaching over to caress his cheek. He turned to look at me without a word.
"I know you're tired, sweetheart," I sighed, "Perhaps you should try to get some sleep. Hmmm?"
"I'm not tired," he protested. I knew it was a lie, and I was pretty sure he knew I knew as well; however, based on what the kids had experienced that evening, I wasn't about to call him out on it.
"I could see if there's something on the television you might like," I offered, casually.
"No, thank you," he looked as though he wanted to say something.
"What is it?" I asked, softly.
"My...my Mom, sometimes she lays down with me when I can't sleep," his face distorted like he was about to cry again.
"Dillan, would you like me to lay down with you?" I waited for his response, not in the least bit surprised when he looked away with embarrassment. "I don't mind," I added as I took a seat beside him. "In fact, I think a little nap might do me good."
I thought he might protest, too proud to accept my offer, but instead, he curled up against me, "Just rest, now," I held his face in my hands, smoothing the wrinkles from his forehead. "We'll deal with whatever tomorrow brings, but for now, we both need sleep."
I hummed softly until his soft snores filled the room. I looked up to see my husband watching from the doorway.
"We haven't been able to reach their family," he reported, sadly. "His sisters are stable for now. Hope was exposed to the water the longest; it's been a bit touch and go, but I have no doubt she's going to pull through." Carlisle leaned down to press a kiss behind my ear, "I'm proud of how you handled things tonight. That was a hard scene. Are you all right?"
"I'll feel better once we reach someone in the family," I tucked the boy beneath the blanket he'd kicked off. "They should have someone here."
"They do have someone," he smiled before kissing me once more.
"You know what I mean," I argued.
"I do," he nodded, "However, for right now, we are going to do everything in our power to love on these kids and support them just like we would our own. And that, is something I know we are more than capable of doing."
"We can and we will," I agreed eliciting a smile from the man I admired more than anyone else I'd ever met.
"Good, that's the spirit," he pecked me once more on the nose before leaning over to touch Dillan's forehead. "He's feverish."
"What does that mean?" I asked with a tone of worry.
"It means he's normal," Carlisle smiled to put me at ease. "It's common in patients who are being treated for hypothermia. It shows me his body is fighting."
Carlisle's POV
A nurse walked in carrying a chart and a pen, "Oh, excuse me, Dr. Cullen," she looked embarrassed, "I can come back later."
"Not at all, Karen," I chuckled beneath my breath at her embarrassment upon catching my wife and I in a semi-private moment. "What do you need?"
"I was just hoping you might look over something," she stopped short. Her face held recognition as she stared at Dillan. "Um...Dr. Cullen, where is Naomi?"
"Naomi?" I questioned.
"Naomi McCallister," she pointed at Dillan. "That's her son."
"You mean..." I glanced down then back to her as she nodded with certainty. My gut sank as I realized why the kids looked so familiar. Naomi was an ER nurse I'd worked closely with over the past few years since moving to the area. Inside her locker, she hung pictures of her family as well as in the locket around her neck. What a loss! "Karen, leave the chart so I can look it over. Have someone look up Naomi's emergency contacts and get someone down here." Glancing down at the boy, I shook my head. "I knew both his parents. They were good people. If I recall, his grandparents live across town. Let's send an officer over to drive them in."