22:00 27th February 2013 Dingle District Hospital, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland
Aaron was outside having a cigarette, talking on the phone to Carl, who'd called to see what was going on. He'd told him everything that had happened and promised to keep him updated on the situation. He had been so calm and understanding, he'd made Aaron feel like everything might turn out alright after all.
They were in the middle of saying goodbye when Aaron saw Cain come out and lean against the wall on the opposite side of the entrance, taking deep, shuddering breaths and looking up to the sky.
"Got to go now, I'll speak to you tomorrow" Aaron said, "Bye".
He ended the call and pushed the phone into his pocket, before throwing his cigarette butt on the floor and walking over to his uncle.
"Cain?" he called, getting his attention.
Cain looked over and tried to cover his distress by scowling, but Aaron saw through it.
"Something happened?" Aaron asked, wondering what was causing his obvious upset.
Cain shook his head. Aaron waited for him to speak. It took a while, but eventually Cain began talking.
"Months of wondering where and why, and this…I just…" but he couldn't explain his thoughts. He'd never been able to express himself in words, he found it much easier to talk with his fists.
Aaron saw the struggle, felt it himself more often than not. "She knows" he told his uncle, earning a questioning look back. "Mam" he explained, "if it wasn't for the baby, she said she would have faced up to you, taken a beating, she'd have begged for forgiveness, and then hoped that one day she'd be allowed back into the fold. She was itching to talk to you, to all of you. She missed the family so much – all of us – but especially you. She said it felt like her left arm was missing, knowing she couldn't speak to you ever again. She knew that it was eating you up, looking for her and never finding her. I thought it was just because you were after revenge, but she always said it wasn't just about that. And I can see now, she was right".
Cain nodded, refusing to look at Aaron, because if he did, he'd see that he was crying. Tears of frustration and love, and in the knowledge that his sister still knew him better than anyone else on the planet.
Aaron's phone started vibrating and Cain took the opportunity of him being distracted to discretely wipe his eyes. Aaron pulled his phone out and saw it was Belle calling. She must be worried, it had been hours since she'd called to warn him. He didn't want to talk to her yet, so he rejected the call and turned to Cain.
"Belle" he told him, waving the phone, "she overheard Diane telling Lisa you'd stolen her post and called me. Thought I might be able to sort it".
"Smart kid" Cain acknowledged. He was rung out, unsure of what to do next.
"What shall I tell her?" Aaron asked. He felt strangely calm, like he was on autopilot.
"Nothing yet" Cain answered, "let's see what the deal is with your mum, and go from there".
Both men went back inside and walked in silence to Chas's room. The doctor was in there with two nurses, everyone taking readings and conferring quietly. When he noticed the newcomers, the doctor greeted them with a small smile.
"Hi. Good news, everything is under control and we're happy with the way Miss Thomas is responding to the treatment. The system function tests weren't completely clear – she was in the first stages of renal failure and she has a bit of fluid on her lungs, but it's all treatable, nothing to worry about in the long run".
Aaron and Cain both let out sighs of relief.
"When will she wake up?" Aaron asked.
"Could be a few days yet" the doctor told him, "it's really hard to say. Quite often with eclampsia-related comas, the patient will have memory loss, so it may be scary for her when she wakes, as she may not remember the birth, perhaps even the couple of days before it. Although, from what I've heard about the birth, it may be for the best – sounds like it was pretty traumatic" he laughed.
Cain said nothing.
"What about the baby?" Aaron asked.
"All good" was the reply, "we can keep her in overnight, but we'll be happy to release her into your care tomorrow Mr Thomas, until your mother comes round".
Aaron and Cain looked at each other in surprise "me?" Aaron asked.
"Yes" the doctor smiled, "it says in your mother's notes, she made it clear if anything was to happen, her next of kin – son, Aaron Thomas – would be contacted and given full legal guardianship of the baby. She has given you authority to make decisions regarding her own care in case that was to be an issue also, but thank the gods, that wasn't necessary".
"Did she not talk to you about it?" Cain asked.
"No" was all he could say.
"She must have known something was going to happen" Cain carried on.
"Yeah. She was scared she was gonna die and leave the baby on her own" Aaron replied, "I suppose this was her way of making sure we'd at least have each other if…" but he couldn't finish.
And Cain didn't want him to. He had Chas's words circling his head again, "Please, please please, keep her safe. Don't let them get her. Promise me, you'll not let him take her away".
The doctor started speaking again, "I'd suggest you go home, get some rest and prepare your place for the new arrival. Sandy is in safe hands with us, you can come back after nine tomorrow and visit her".
They nodded, both still stunned. The doctor and nurses left the room for them to say their goodbyes.
Aaron gave Chas a kiss on her forehead, avoiding the huge bandage that was still wrapped around her head wound. He whispered into her ear, "see you tomorrow, Mum. Love you" and left the room.
Cain approached tentatively. There was no kiss, but there was a squeeze of the hand. And a gruff sort of whisper; "I'm so glad I found you. We can fix this together, I promise".
Uncle and nephew got into Aaron's rental car and drove back to Chas's little cottage to start fixing the physical damage that had been done. The rest could wait 'til the morning.
I know there are some people reading this, but are you enjoying it? Review if you have a brain and fingers please, I'd love to know thoughts.