Elizabeth burned with fever for three days. Nathan sat by her side helplessly, unable to do more than cool her body and try to get fluids inside of her. She couldn't keep much down. Faith and Carson were worried about dehydration setting in. They were also worried about the condition of the baby since Elizabeth was unable to eat.
Bill had taken over for Nathan while he cared for Elizabeth. Jack was still with the Coulters and Allie was staying with the Weises. Everyone was pitching in so Nathan could stay by Elizabeth's side, trying to nurse her back to health.
By the fourth day, Nathan was starting to panic. Elizabeth was unresponsive. Her body continued to burn. A deep, wracking cough started, rattling her lungs and making her body heave and convulse. He paced back and forth when Faith came into the room to check on her.
"Why won't she wake up, Faith?" Nathan asked, wringing his hands. "Even when she's conscious, she won't open her eyes. She barely drank a cup of water since she collapsed." A groan slipped from his lips, a groan he was powerless to stop. "How do we help her? If this keeps up, she's going to die." The words choked him. He couldn't lose her.
Faith listened to Elizabeth's heart and lungs before turning to him with a grim look. "This cough worries me more than the fever. I know she's been unresponsive, but I will need you to place hot towels near her face every hour so that she can breathe easier. Make a tent of them over her mouth and nose. It would be best if she were awake and could breathe deeply, but this will have to do." She rummaged around in her bag, clearly looking for something. "I brought something that might help," she said, pulling out a funny-looking bag with a long, skinny tube attached.
"This is called intravenous therapy," she said. "It's not widely used, but we learned about it in my medical classes. A saline solution is put in the bag, along with vitamins and other nutrients that can help a person." She hesitated. "It will keep Elizabeth from dehydration, and it might even provide her body with enough nutrients to keep herself and the baby alive."
"Might?" Nathan repeated weakly.
Faith placed a comforting hand on his arm. "We're going to do everything we can to make sure mother and baby come through this," she said. "I promise."
Nathan watched as Faith set up the bag with the tube. "How does that get inside Elizabeth?" he asked.
Holding up a needle, Faith looked at him. "I insert this into one of her veins," she said, attaching the needle to the tube. Then she prodded the flesh on the inside of Elizabeth's elbow. She must have found what she was looking for, because she smoothly slid the needle into his wife's body, securing it with two pieces of tape so it wouldn't move. When she had finished everything, she placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Pray hard, Nathan," she said softly.
He did. With almost every breath, he lifted up his wife and unborn child, pleading for their health and wellness. He followed Faith's instructions carefully, placing steaming towels over Elizabeth's face and letting her breath in the steam, weak though her breaths were. There was nothing else he could do but wait.
By the sixth day of Elizabeth's illness, Nathan was exhausted. He lay in the bed beside his wife, tears streaming down his cheeks as he pressed his face into her neck. Her skin burned against his, but he had to be close to her, had to feel that she was still alive. The intravenous solution continued to slowly drip into her body. Faith came by twice a day to refill it with the life-giving liquid. Nathan wasn't sure if it was making a difference or not, but at least Elizabeth was alive and breathing. Barely.
His hand traveled to her stomach, tentatively placing it over the small bump protruding there. Their baby. How was this illness affecting the tiny child inside of her? There was no movement from within, nothing to give him a sign that the baby was alive.
He got up and gave his wife a round of steam treatment, then went to the ice box to crush ice and wrap it in towels to place on her fevered skin. As he ministered to her, he prayed hard that all the treatments would work. He prayed that she would wake up. At length, finished with what he could do, he leaned back in the chair, staring at his wife. Her chest rose and fell, but the movement was so faint he could hardly see it. A deep cough wrenched from her body. Nathan quickly turned her to her side, afraid she would choke if she remained on her back. When the coughing fit ended, he laid her on her back once more, taking her limp hand in both of his. Tears fell from his eyes, a sob escaping his lips.
How could he keep holding onto hope when things looked so bleak?
Elizabeth felt like she was wandering through a restless dream. Everything hurt. The burning in her lungs was worse than any pain she could remember before. She heard the sound of weeping coming from somewhere above her, but she couldn't open her eyes to see who it was. She felt weak, so very weak. She struggled to wake up, to offer comfort to whoever it was who sounded so sad. But she couldn't. Exhausted from the effort, she succumbed once more to sleep.
Everything changed. The pain vanished. Elizabeth found herself standing in a bright room, but the light didn't hurt her eyes. She felt weightless, almost floating as she moved around the room. There was nothing discernable inside, just white light as far as the eye could see. Maybe she wasn't in a room at all.
Where was she?
A voice sounded behind her. "Elizabeth."
She turned, heart jumping into her throat. Hardly able to believe her own eyes, she stared at the face she hadn't seen in over three years. "Jack?"
He smiled, a serene expression on his face, holding something close to his chest. "It's good to see you, Elizabeth."
Her heart slowly began beating normally again, then just as quickly stopped as she realized something. If she was seeing her deceased husband, then…
Jack shook his head, breaking into her thoughts as if he could read them. "You're not dead," he said softly. "You came close a few times, but you're going to pull through this."
"I am?" Relief flooded her, though she couldn't explain why. Why wouldn't she want to join him on the other side of life? All her cares, all her concerns would fade away. She wouldn't have to worry about the hardships of life. So why did she cling so desperately to it?
Jack's knowing eyes pierced hers. "You have a lot to live for, don't you?"
The scene changed. They were suddenly standing in her bedroom. Elizabeth stared at herself lying on the bed. She was sweating, whiter than the sheets, and still. So still. Standing beside her own body was the strangest feeling Elizabeth had ever experienced. Her eyes slowly traveled to the side of the bed, where Nathan was weeping as he sat in a chair. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest. Her husband was gripping her hand tightly, misery etched in his strong features. She had never seen him like this. Tears streamed down his face as he pressed his lips to the hand he held.
"Don't leave me," he whispered, moving her hand to his heart. "Please don't leave me. I love you. I need you." His voice broke and his head bent as his sobs filled the room.
Elizabeth tried to go to him, to comfort him, but she found her feet were stuck in place. "Nathan," she whispered, the brokenness in her voice matching his. She hated seeing him in pain.
Jack came to stand beside her, a knowing look in his eyes. "You love him."
Elizabeth started, staring up at the man who had shown her what it was to love. "I...I…" She had opened her mouth to deny it, but she couldn't.
Jack was searching her eyes. "Why won't you admit it, Elizabeth?" he asked softly. "It's plain as day that you love this man. You've loved him for a long time. What's stopping you from letting yourself believe that?"
Tears filled her eyes. Here in this room, with her first love looking at her steadily while her current love wept over her still body, she had no desire to run from the truth. It came out in a rush. "I'm scared to lose him the way I lost you."
Jack's gaze bored into hers. "Would you have stopped yourself from loving me, knowing how it ended? Knowing the pain you would endure?"
"No," she replied immediately. "I'd do it all again in a heartbeat."
Jack raised his brows, a smile on his lips. "Is that so? You'd be willing to face that heartbreak again for me, but you're afraid to face it with Nathan? Why?"
Why indeed? She stared at the man by the bed, watching as he murmured softly to her still form, hearing his words of love and fear. Letting them penetrate her heart, the heart she had kept wrapped away in hopes of keeping it safe. Keeping it from pain. The pain of losing him.
Jack stepped closer. "People can be lost for any reason," he said softly, looking between her and Nathan. "Right now your husband is terrified of losing you to this virus. It would break him. But he took a chance on love, Elizabeth, and he wouldn't regret it for a second. The same way you don't regret loving me. Love means risking your heart. Tragedy could take Nathan at any time." He bent to look directly into her eyes, his own shining with compassion. "But the chances of that happening are very low. It's much more likely you'll spend your days together, happy and healthy to a ripe old age." He raised a brow. "Do you really want to miss out on what could be a great love?" He smiled again, no jealousy or regret in his eyes. "He is meant to be your lifetime love, Elizabeth. Will you let go of your fear and let him in fully?"
Elizabeth stared first at Jack, then at Nathan. Was fear the only thing keeping her from admitting her love for Nathan? Was it really as simple as letting that go? She was terrified she could lose him. It would be easier to keep parts of her heart locked away from him, keeping him at a distance so she wouldn't be hurt again.
But it was futile. With no barriers for her to hide behind, she knew Jack was right. She had to let go of her fear. She had to. So finally, she admitted the truth.
She loved Nathan.
Joy burst from her heart. She turned to her late husband. A radiant smile filled his handsome face. "You're letting go?"
She nodded. "Yes, Jack, I'm letting go. You're right. I'm in love with Nathan." Saying the words out loud felt freeing. Why had she fought it for so long? All that wasted time...
Jack chuckled. "It's about time, Elizabeth." He shook his head. "I can't tell you how often I've wanted to shake some sense into you over the past three years. Nathan is perfect for you. I couldn't have asked for a better man to come into your life after my death."
She gasped. "You've been watching me?"
He gave her a tender look. "Of course I have," he said softly. "I've never fully left you or our son." His eyes softened even more. "You're doing a wonderful job with him, Elizabeth. Just like you'll do a wonderful job with your future little ones." He shifted, cradling the bundle he carried closer to his chest.
She focused on the bundle for the first time, her brow wrinkling. "What's that?" As she stepped closer, she saw a tiny baby wrapped in a blanket. A shot of fear sliced through her. "Jack," she whispered, a hand going immediately to her stomach, instinctively knowing who it was he carried. "Why is my baby in your arms?"
Her eyes darted to the bed, desperate to make out the small bump in her abdomen. As if in response, Nathan let out a groan and stretched out his hand, laying it over the spot their child should be resting.
Should be…
"Jack!" she exclaimed, panic lining her voice when he didn't answer. "No! Please, God, no!" The prayer came out on a hoarse cry. Not her baby!
Jack's soothing voice broke through her pain. "It's alright, Elizabeth," he said quietly. "Your little girl will be just fine. I'm simply taking care of her until you can again." He motioned toward the bed. "You are very weak right now. This baby just needs a little extra attention until you're better."
Relief released inside of Elizabeth as she pressed her hand to her stomach. "Thank you, Jack," she whispered. "Thank you for keeping my baby safe." She paused, his earlier words coming to her. "Did you say...little girl?"
Jack's grin spread over his face. "Did I say that?" His grey eyes twinkled. "Oops."
Wonder spread through Elizabeth. She tried to get a peek at the babe in Jack's arms, but she was bundled too tightly.
"Ah ah ah," Jack said, stepping back slightly. "I might have given away that she's a girl, but you can't see her until she's born." He looked up as if receiving directions from an unseen someone, then looked back at Elizabeth, his eyes soft. "It's time for me to go." He nodded toward the bed. "And it's time for you to truly live." He began to fade, but his smile still warmed her heart. "Be happy, Elizabeth."
He faded completely, but Elizabeth felt a sense of peace envelop her. Now she had to focus on getting better. Nathan needed her.
And she needed to tell him that she loved him.
Nathan kept his grip on Elizabeth's hand. It was hot and clammy and limp, but he couldn't let her go. He willed strength into her body, praying hard that she would open her eyes. He hadn't seen them in seven long days. Even in her brief moments of consciousness, she hadn't been able to open them.
"Come back to me," he whispered, running a cool cloth over her face and neck. "Please, Elizabeth."
A sound from the door caught his attention. He looked up to see Allie in the doorway, tear stains on her face. She had been at Opal's for the past week, Nathan wanting to keep her from the sickness even though she'd already had it. He didn't want to take any chances with her falling ill again.
Nathan held his arms out to his daughter. No words were needed. She ran to him, snuggling into his embrace while sobs shook her body. They held each other for a long time. When Allie pulled back, her words seared Nathan's heart.
"This is all my fault."
"What?" Nathan lifted Allie's chin, looking into her large brown eyes. Eyes so full of pain and hurt. "Sweetheart, this is not your fault!"
Allie sniffed. "But I got sick first. Aunt Elizabeth got sick because she was taking care of me. If she had left with Jack, maybe she wouldn't have caught influenza." She reached out, touching Elizabeth's shoulder. "What if she dies, Dad?" The words were barely a whisper. Nathan felt pain shoot through his chest at Allie's words, but his daughter wasn't finished.
Her eyes were locked on Elizabeth. "I've been so busy being mad at her for what she did months ago, I let the bitterness get in the way of love." More tears poured over her cheeks. "I almost said the words back to her after I got better, but stubbornness wouldn't let me." A choked sob escaped. "I do love her. What if I never get the chance to tell her?" Her words ended on a strangled wail, and she buried her face in Nathan's chest.
"I want to tell her I love her. I want...I want to call her Mom," Allie cried, her voice muffled against Nathan's shirt.
Nathan gripped her close. "We have to keep praying she'll wake up," he whispered. "That's all we can do now." He stroked Allie's hair, letting his own tears fall once more. "I hope you can call her your mom before too long, Allie girl." He stood, sitting his daughter on the edge of the bed before sitting beside her. They each held one of Elizabeth's hands, though Nathan was careful with the one he held since it was attached to the arm with the intravenous drip. He gave Allie what he hoped was an encouraging smile. "Why don't you talk to her?" he suggested. "Maybe she will be able to hear you."
Allie looked skeptical, yet hope lit her eyes. "Do you think so?"
"It's worth a shot," Nathan answered. He'd been talking to her all throughout the long, lonely week, hoping against hope she could hear his words of love and care.
Allie spoke hesitantly. "Hi...Mom," she said softly. She said the word as if it felt foreign to her, so she said it again. "Mom." Tears trickled down her cheeks. "I miss you," she continued, sniffing. "Please wake up. We all need you. Dad and me and Jack and the baby." She placed her free hand on Elizabeth's stomach, then froze. Her mouth dropped. "Dad," she whispered. "I felt the baby move!"
"What?" Nathan had held his hand over their unborn child every day. No movement had ever met his palm. But now, as Allie moved her hand and he placed his over the baby, he felt a distinct movement. Relief unlike anything he'd known before filled him. "Thank you, God," he breathed, leaning his forehead against Allie's as the baby kicked once more against his hand.
A sign of life.
After Allie went back to Opal's, Nathan fixed a quick supper for himself, then trudged back up the stairs to keep vigil over his wife. The hours stretched on. The room began to darken with the coming night. Nathan stretched, ready to get up to change into his pajamas.
A movement from the bed caught his attention. It was slight, but after days of stillness, he noticed it.
Elizabeth's head was slowly and slightly moving from side to side, as if she was trying to wake up. Nathan sat on the edge of the bed, clasping her hands in his and holding his breath. Would she finally open her eyes?
"Hmmm." The soft moan escaped her lips, the first sound he'd heard other than a cough all week. He gripped her hand, placing his other hand on her cheek. "Elizabeth? Sweetheart? Can you wake up?"
Her eyes fluttered slowly. Almost a minute passed with the tiny flutters. And then she opened them and looked at him, her crystal blue eyes gazing at him as a soft smile crossed her lips. "Nathan." The single word was hoarse and raspy from lack of use and from her raw throat, but it was the most beautiful sound Nathan had ever heard.
"You're awake," he breathed, feeling the tears fall from his eyes. He didn't bother trying to stop them. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I thought I was going to lose you," he rasped, the lingering fear still clutching his heart.
She was awake, but that didn't mean the danger had passed.
Elizabeth smiled softly. "So tired," she murmured.
"Here," Nathan said, springing into action. "Let's get some water in you." He took the cup he'd been keeping on the nightstand and brought it to her lips. "Can you drink, love?"
He slid an arm behind her, lifting her enough so she could drink. As she swallowed, she grimaced in pain. "Throat hurts," she said weakly.
"I know," Nathan whispered, wishing he could take her pain on himself. "But you have to drink, sweetheart. It will help you get better."
She didn't protest further, just drank the liquid as he poured it into her mouth. He was relieved to see she drank the entire contents of the cup. Laying her back down, he smiled, brushing the damp hair from her forehead. The small bit of activity seemed to have exhausted her. Her eyes were already drifting shut again. But she smiled at him through the slits in her eyes, reaching out a hand to him. He took it and held it against his heart.
"I love you, Elizabeth," he said. "Get some rest, okay? But wake up again soon."
She nodded, eyes closing as she relaxed. She murmured something else. Nathan had to lean close to hear the whispered words, but they sent his heart pounding with strong emotions.
"My Nathan. Love...you...too."