CHAPTER 5

Jeremy waits for his Mama to return and watches Candy sit by his side hour after hour after hour. He knows Candy is getting worn out, but there is nothing he can do. He wants to help her, to hold her, to tell her he is trying to come back, but he is in limbo. All he can do is sit and wait just like she is doing.

During the night, Jason, Josh, and Allyn come in to check on Jeremy. And Candy. They try to get her to go get a little fresh air, to eat something, to answer nature's call, but she won't budge. She is afraid if she leaves, then Jeremy will leave too. She can't take that risk.

Candy sits and holds his hand, talking to him constantly. "Jeremy, I'm so sorry. I should have insisted you stay with me. Instead I urged you to go to Ben's. You said I was trying to get rid of you. I wasn't. Oh please believe me. I wasn't. It's my fault. It's my fault you got shot. Oh Jeremy, please forgive me," she lays her head down on the bed and cries.

Jeremy listens to her and cries also. Candy, please don't blame yourself. It's not your fault, it's not Ben and Emily's fault. I guess you can say it's not even that man's fault. It wouldn't have mattered where I was. Mama says it is my time to go. But why? Why is it my time to go? I haven't lived long enough yet. I haven't even made it to my 21st birthday.

I'm not ready to go. I don't want to go. I want to stay with you and our baby. Our baby. Candy, I was looking forward to our son or daughter being born. I hope he or she looks just like you. You'll make a wonderful mama. I just hope I can be there with you to help raise our child.

You are so beautiful. You're beautiful on the inside and on the outside. You have so much love to give. I have felt blessed to be the one you chose to spend your life with. I don't know why you chose me. I don't feel worthy of your love, but just know that I am so grateful and I love you so much. I will always love you no matter where I am.

"Candy," Allyn says as she comes in to check on them again. "Candy, are you all right?" She frowns. "I know you're not, but is there anything I can do for you? Bring you something to eat, get you some water."

Candy lifts her head up and wipes her eyes. "No Allyn, I don't need anything except for Jeremy to wake up." She watches Allyn take his vital signs. "Any change?"

Allyn shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. He's the same."

"At least he's not getting any worse. That's a good sign, isn't it?" Candy asks hopefully.

"Maybe. I don't want to say anything that will get your hopes up. Candy, he is just barely with us. He's hanging on by a mere thread. Just keep praying," Allyn replies. She goes over to the window and looks out. "It won't be too much longer til daylight. I honestly didn't think he would make it this long. He's a fighter."

"Yes, he is. He is so strong."

Allyn sighs, "Well, I'll be back shortly to check on him again. Try to get a little rest. If not for yourself, then for the baby."

"I'll try. Thank you Allyn," Candy tells her.

"You're welcome. I wish I could do more." She leaves the room.

After another hour passes, Candy is still at Jeremy's side talking to him. All of a sudden, she gasps, "Oh my goodness! Jeremy!" She moves to sit on the bed beside him. Taking his hand she places it on her abdomen. "Jeremy, the baby! The baby moved! Can you feel our baby moving?" she asks all excited.

Candy, I feel it! I feel our baby moving! Jeremy is just as excited.

The light gets brighter and Jeremy is drawn to it again. He sees his Mama standing at the entrance. Mama, the baby. . . it's moving! I felt it Mama!

Go back to your little family, she says.

You mean it? I can stay with Candy and the baby. Oh Mama, thank you. I love you, Jeremy says as he hugs her.

Sarah kisses her son, I love you, my sweet little boy. Be happy. Now go quickly. She steps back into the light and it disappears.

Jeremy eases himself back down on the table. His hand caresses Candy's baby bump.

Candy feels Jeremy's caress and sees his eyes flutter. "Jeremy! Jeremy, are you trying to open your eyes? Are you. . ." she gasps. "Allyn! Jason! Joshua! Come quick. Jeremy's waking up!" she yells.

"Oh Jeremy, that's it sweetheart. Open your eyes."

Allyn, Jason, and Josh run into the room. "Are you sure, Candy?" Jason asks.

"He still looks asleep," Josh says.

"The baby! The baby was moving so I placed his hand over the baby. He felt the baby move and he caressed it. I know he did. And his eyes fluttered. He's coming back to us," Candy laughs and cries happily.

"Candy, I don't see anything," Allyn says. "Maybe you were just imagining it."

"I was not imagining it, Allyn," Candy snaps. "I know Jeremy showed signs of movement. I know he did."

Allyn checks his blood pressure and then takes a light and looks into his eyes. "Well, I'll be," she says.

"His blood pressure has risen, it's still low, but it has come up quite a bit. And his eyes, they don't look dull like they did before." She looks at Jason, "Candy may be right. There is some improvement. He's not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, but he is some better."

Jason and Joshua give a high five and laugh. "Jeremy Bolt, brother you need to wake up," Jason booms.

"Yeah, Jeremy," Josh adds. "You've slept long enough. It's morning and it's time to open those eyes."

Jeremy's eyes flutter again. He tries to open them. He mumbles something, but nobody can make out what he says.

"Jeremy," Candy whispers to him as she leans over closer to him. "Jeremy, sweetheart, I love you."

"L-love you," he manages to whisper back as he finally gets his eyes to open a little. He pats Candy's bump, "B-b-baby."

"Did you feel the baby move?" Candy asks.

Jeremy slightly nods his head and whispers, "Yeah."

"All right, everyone. We don't want to tire him out. He needs to rest. I want everyone out, now. Go eat breakfast and get some rest of your own. You can come back later," Allyn states.

"Okay, we'll go," Jason says. "Jeremy, you take it easy and we'll see you in a few hours."

"Candy, you coming?" Josh asks.

"Not yet, maybe later. I just want to sit and watch him sleep a little longer."

Jeremy winces as he tries to move. "Jeremy, are you in a lot of pain?" Candy asks.

Jeremy nods his head.

Allyn takes a syringe and injects some morphine into his arm. He feels the warmth spread throughout his body. In no time at all, he is asleep with his hand still resting on Candy's bump. On his baby.