Hello everyone and welcome back for chapter six! When my sister and I first began talking about this story, this chapter was at the forefront of the whole thing. We saw this chapter first and from there, this story was brought to reality. That being said, the previous five chapters were able to lay a beautiful foundation for bringing the scenes in this chapter to life and also help in seeing the future of this story. A Missing McCord is so very close to our hearts and I am just so grateful and thankful for the support all of you have given and your kinds words towards this story. It means a lot and that phrase falls short in comparison to how my heart feels but I hope it reflects my gratitude.
With that out of the way, strap in for this chapter. It is an emotional rollercoaster but one that has been coming for a long time.
-lovelylavenderlady
Could it be true? The question rang in both of their ears like a bell above a church. Loud and unwavering. After three years of wandering through the unknown, could this really be real? Had their daughter truly been found or would this prove to be the shattering blow to their already cracked hearts. While they wanted more than anything to believe that Madeline had been found, they had to entertain the possibility that this lead would amount to nothing. They had to preserve the ground they had gained and maintain reservation that they might not be going to identity their daughter, but a complete stranger. After all this time, yes there was a chance this information could true but there was also every chance that it wasn't and this news would prove to be nothing more than a mistake. The color that had filled their lives when their family had been complete had never truly returned to their lives but they could say without a doubt, blue skies had shown once more. While they wanted more than anything to see and feel the vibrancy of those colors again, they could not risk the cloudy, grey forecast that would cover them if they let their hearts believe their Madeline had been finally been found, only to realize that this conclusion was false. While DNA did not lie, Henry and Elizabeth McCord needed to see the truth for themselves. They needed to see their daughter with their own eyes to truly let themselves believe she was found.
After they had received the call from Agent Miller they had been giving all of the information they needed to get where they were going. Agent Miller had said she would meet them at the hospital the following day and so Elizabeth had contacted her close friend Isabella Barnes to come be with the children until Will or Henry's family could. They had no idea how long they would be gone or how this was going to change their lives. If it wasn't really Madeline, nothing would change other than having to relive very painful memories. If it was Madeline...everything would change. There would be so many questions and the possibilities of all them flooded Henry and Elizabeth's mind like a tidal wave. Where had she been all this time? What had happened to her? If this was Madeline, would she be the same child that they had lost on that dreadful day? And the most frightening of all...would she even remember them? Would she remember the life she once had? Would she remember how much she had been loved or would the damage of what had happened to her have erased it all? There were many questions and all of them left the ground shaking beneath their feet.
They had kissed their children goodbye and did their best to assure them that nothing was wrong for they could not tell them the truth until they knew for sure. They could not give them hope that their sister had returned until they were absolutely certain she had. Their lives did not deserve to be disrupted all for a hope they were not sure was their's to hold yet. So they had said their goodbyes and gotten into their car and began what felt like the longest journey of their lives.
The drive was only a few hours as their destination was only on the other side of the small state but to them it was but an eternity. An eternity that was spent in silence. Both of them too afraid to speak or voice the trepidation their hearts felt as they walked into the unknown. Three years they had waited for answers. Three years they had spent longing for this to come to end and find their daughter or at least find out what had become of her. Three years their hearts had not been whole and they had lived a life that was not truly lived for how to do you truly live when a part of your heart is missing? Madeline was missing. What if that was going to change? Even worse, what if it wasn't? What if all of this was nothing more than a mistake?
And so they drove, hand and hand as they headed toward their answers with the thought of their Madeline resting between them. All the memories of their beautiful baby girl playing in their brains as they recalled her image, her laugh, and how it felt to be loved by her. They recalled all the moments they had the privilege of holding her in their arms, of hearing her voice speak the words, 'I Love You', and simply being able to look at her and know she was safe. All these things they had taken for granted and had not known it till she was gone and remembering these things were all they had. They would give anything to see her again. To hold her and remind her of how much she was loved. Would this finally be their chance or would this be the reminder that the chance would most likely never come?
As the car finally came to halt, all they could hear was the hum of the engine and faint sirens as they looked at the neon blue sign that read,
Main Entrance
They had made it to the hospital that supposedly held their daughter. If this was true, this was the closest they had been to her in three years and that shook them both to their very cores. Could she really be just beyond those doors? Could they really be this close to seeing those bright blue eyes again? There was only way to find out...they had to go in and yet neither moved.
Elizabeth looked through the windshield glass and she felt the world fall away as she imagined her little girl in there somewhere, surrounded by white sheets and unfamiliar faces. If it was her, what state would she be in? Would she be able to recognize them as familiar faces or would she put them in the category of everyone else around her? Even more so, would they walk in there and find familiar eyes? Would they find the eyes of their daughter or those of a stranger? "Henry?" Elizabeth spoke his name in questioning. Her voice was weak and laced with fear. He turned towards her, looking at her, waiting for her to continue as he grasped her hand in his own. "What if it isn't her?"
He reached out, gently turning her head towards him and wiped away the tear that had slipped from her eye. He felt the same fear she was feeling. He felt the question tugging at his heart with all the force in the world but he also felt hope pulling in the other direction. "And what if it is her?" he asked softly as he stared into her blue and watery orbs that held the weight of true tragedy. Held the weight of a mother who had lost their child. A weight he knew all too well.
"I can't lose her again," Elizabeth sucked back her breath as she gently bit the knuckle of her index finger between her teeth. Her body ridden with anxiety and apprehension.
"We may not have to," he nodded knowing what she meant but also seeing that this was the first solid lead they had since the day Madeline had disappeared. "The last three years have been radio silence...absolutely nothing but this? This is something!"
"I know I-" she stopped as a sob escaped her mouth and she shook her head slightly. "Henry I'm so scared..."
"I know...I am too," he voiced as he leaned over the console and pulled her into his arms, her head pressed into the crook of his neck. They both had changed that day but Elizabeth had a lost a piece of herself she had never been able to get back and if there was a chance she could, he would do anything to try and give her that piece back. He would do anything to see their daughter again. If it was Madeline, they owed it to her to have the strength to walk in there and find out. Pulling away he cupped her face and looked at her lovingly as he wiped her tears away. "We owe it to ourselves and to our family Elizabeth...we owe it to Madeline to walk in there and know for ourselves. To know for sure. We can do this...we have to do this," Elizabeth nodded hesitantly as she exhaled heavily and squeezed Henry's hand tighter than she ever had before, looking for the security that laid in the conjoining of their hands. Together, both Henry and Elizabeth exited the car and walked into the possibility of seeing their daughter again.
Fluorescent lights buzzed above them and illuminated the room brightly as they walked in from the crisp air of outside to the artificial air of the hospital. The smell of sanitizer filled their nostrils and they looked around momentarily trying to gather their bearings. Elizabeth was wearing an earthy blue scarf that her hands entangled themselves into out of nervousness as they searched for the next step forward. They saw a nurse sitting at her desk at the front and figured this would be the best place to start.
"Excuse me, we are looking for-" Elizabeth spoke out amongst the chatter around her but was interrupted by a voice that seemed familiar but they couldn't quite place, that was until they looked in the voices's direction.
"Mr. and Mrs. McCord!" it was agent Miller, whom they had not seen in over a year but whom they had never truly lost contact with.
"Agent Miller," Henry greeted, extending his hand towards her as she walked up to them.
"It's good to finally see you both under more hopeful circumstances..." she gave them a small smile but there was also underlying worry and Henry and Elizabeth could both see it.
"Is it?" Elizabeth furrowed her brow as she stood with her arm linked around her husband's. "Are you certain it's her? Are you sure these are more hopeful circumstances?"
Agent Miler lowered her gaze as she took a deep breath herself. She understood where Elizabeth was coming from. After so many years of sitting in the unknown of the cold case herself, it was hard to believe they were here, but they were. While there were things she was not looking forward to sharing with the parents about the state of their daughter she was certain that the girl was Madeline McCord. "Do you remember that birthmark you told me about Elizabeth? The one at the base of her neck?"
"Of course I remember it," Elizabeth gulped and she felt her voice trembling.
"She has it..." Agent Miller stated plainly. "Not only does DNA match, every piece of information you both gave us to help identify her is present. There is no doubt in my mind...we have found Madeline."
Elizabeth and Henry both felt the reality of her words sink it and both felt their knees weaken as they turned looking at each other in silence. Suddenly, there was more hope than there had ever been and they both felt the ember burning brighter inside them than it had in a very long time. That hope reflected strongly at each other as they stared into one another's eyes.
"Take us to her," Henry turned towards agent Miller as longing and a need to see for themselves took hold of their features.
"There's something I need to tell you before you see her," she looked at them hesitantly. "There is irrefutable evidence that Madeline was being held against her will and subjected to extreme conditions. Since she has been found, any attempt to interact with her, beyond her comfort zone, has not been well received. I only say this because I am uncertain to how she will react and I feel it's important that you both are prepared for whatever that reaction might be."
Elizabeth inhaled deeply as she turned looking away briefly. She let the reality of the words sink in and did her best to not let it break her. She felt Henry place an unsteady hand on her shoulder, clearly reeling from the truth himself. She didn't turn to face him but simply reached up grabbing ahold of his hand as they both tried to come to terms with the information. Of course they had always imagined a fate like this but hearing it spoken was a crushing blow that left them both faltering.
"Thank you for your honesty," Henry sniffled as he looked at the woman and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. He tried to control the well that was building in his eyes and he knew his wife was doing the same.
"Of course," she nodded knowing it had been the right thing to do. "When you both are ready, we can go back. The doctors are expecting us."
Henry nodded as he wiped his nose. "Elizabeth?' he spoke her name as he looked at her.
"I'm ready," she nodded as she turned towards them, her palms sliding up and down on the fabric of her pants as she tried to steady herself. "I want to see her..."
"Follow me," Agent Miller gave them a small smile as she took the lead.
They followed her, both of their bodies leaning forward as their eyes scanned, as if she could be around each corner they turned. Each step felt like ten as they walked down the lengthy hallways going deeper and deeper in into belly of the building. Agent Miller clearly knew where she was going and walked with purpose never turning around to see if they were still with her. She knew they were. Henry and Elizabeth followed unwavering, their hands clasped together tightly and they both held their breath. Whether or not their minds knew it, their bodies knew they were close, closer than they had been to their daughter in a very long time. They stopped at double doors and Elizabeth read the sign on the wall next to it.
Intensive pediatric care unit
Inhaling deeply, they both looked at each other knowing this was it.
The double doors opened and gave them entry and again they begin walking. This time they did not walk far before Agent Miller stopped and turned towards them.
"Room 202," she stated as she looked behind her towards a door that was merely feet away. "She's in there..."
Henry and Elizabeth looked at each other with glazed orbs and trepidation written on both of their faces. Could this really be happening? Could she really be just beyond that door?
Agent Miller stepped aside and put her hand out, cueing them both that it was time and so with slow feet and bated breath, they moved forward. As they reached the door they both looked through the small window pane and the world slowed down and all noise faded from their ears as their eyes locked with blonde hair. They could not see her face, only the back of her head as she was sat up in the bed facing away from them.
"Henry..." Elizabeth said so quietly Henry barely heard it as her hand went to her mouth.
"I see her," he stated his voice barely able to say the words as emotion and tears took hold of him. Slowly, hand in hand, Henry pushed the door open. He did so gently, no noise was made and together they stepped into the room. Nothing else mattering but the little girl that sat before them. The sound of a monitor filled their ears and the voice of a nurse who stood in front of the girl appearing to be helping her with physical therapy as she instructed her to move her limbs in different ways. The nurse stopped speaking as her eyes left the girl and fixated on them as they entered. Seeing their facial expressions, she guessed who they were and simply stepped back, motioning for the girl to turn around. "You have visitors..." she spoke softly with a smile.
"Madeline?" Elizabeth called out softly as she moved closer. Though she had not seen her face, something in Elizabeth's body knew. She knew this was her daughter. How could she forget what it felt like to be in her presence? The girl's body stiffened at the name as she sat up taller and her attention snapped towards them.
Blue eyes met blue eyes and after three long years, Elizabeth and Henry saw the face of their daughter staring back at them. Neither had forgotten her face and though she had changed, there was no doubt left in their minds, they were looking at their Madeline. A muffled sob escaped Elizabeth's mouth and Henry tightened his grip on her hand as they both held the gaze of their little girl. She had grown but she was whole...she was still recognizable. While she was whole, there were obvious things that immediately screamed at them concerning her appearance. A cut that was angry and red marked Madeline's right cheek and neither parent failed to notice it. It was not something one could ignore.
The reaction to their voice's speaking her name had been indisputable and though she did not speak or move, it was clear as she looked into their eyes, she recognized them as her parents. As she did not move, neither did Henry or Elizabeth. They both knew it had to be her choice and were both apprehensive as they saw the look in her eyes. It was hard to read what she was feeling. While much had remained the same about her, much was also different. She had changed and it was evident.
Madeline looked at them as if they were not real. She was finding it difficult to truly believe what her eyes were seeing. After all the times and moments she had imagined them rescuing her or finally seeing them again, it was now hard to separate if this was fiction or reality. Was this another one of her fantasies or hallucinations? Or was this authentic? Had she conjured this or were they truly standing before her? Tears stung her eye's and her mouth moved to speak but no words were spoken. A thousand different emotions filled her orbs and her nostrils flared as her breathing quickened.
Though they couldn't be certain, Henry and Elizabeth could've sworn she had tried to utter their names. What would it be like to hear the words 'mom and dad' fall from her lips again?
Madeline looked at them, still unmoving as fear plagued her thoughts. Was this really over? Could she run to them and find they would not disappear this time? Or would they fade away right before she touched them like all the times before?
"Madeline..." Elizabeth had not spoken her name in a question this time but in an exhale of relief and soft reassurance as if encouraging her that it was really them.
At her name, the tears began to slip from Madeline's eyes and finally she found the will to move. She counted her steps when she first began as they were slow and calculated but soon she found her steps had become too big to count and too quick to keep track of. So she stopped counting. It frightened her as she took what seemed like a leap of faith and the space begin to close between them for there was still a blaring question in her mind. Was it real or was it all just a figment? Either way, she had to find out. As she came closer to reaching them than she ever had before, she stretched out her arms for them. If this was a dream, images she had conjured from deep within her mind, it was still something. It felt like she had jumped from one cage to the next and she was counting on these familiar faces to tell her it was okay...that it was finally over.
As her arms outstretched, unlike all the other times she had imagined it, Henry and Elizabeth eased down onto their knees, next to one another, opening their arms as they did so and received Madeline into their embrace. "Madeline," both parents breathed in unison as they wrapped their arms around her tightly.
Their scent enveloped Madeline's senses and she inhaled deeply through her tears, taking them in. She could feel them. She could touch them. If this was a dream, it was the best one she had ever had. "It's-it's over?" she choked out through her tears and both parents barely caught it.
They did though and they both let out gurgled sobs as they finally heard the sweet voice of their baby girl.
"Yes baby," Elizabeth cried as she grabbed the back of Madeline's head and took a handful of hair, still shaking and trying to obtain any hold she could on her daughter. Anything to make her feel like she was impossibly closer. "We've got you..."
Madeline's breathing exited in waves of labored gasps as her chest heaved against them. They could feel her heart beat pounding against them more then they could hear her crying, though they felt her tears dripping onto them. She clutched her hands, her grip tightening on their clothes in an act of desperation to grab as much of them as she could. Close was not close enough.
"You're safe baby girl," Henry sniffled as he kissed the side of her head and felt his own tears streaming down his face. "We're here now."
Elizabeth gently ran her hand along Madeline's arm and felt the welts under her fingers that were pronounced along the skin. Looking down Elizabeth saw the welts were encircling small cuts all along the inside of her forearms and on the outside of her upper arms much like the one on her cheek. Elizabeth moved her gaze towards Henry, signaling him to look as well. She watched his eyes notice them and they both breathed heavily wondering what she had gone through to obtain these wounds. Had someone done this to her or had they came from something else?
Madeline let out a choked wail into their necks and refused to relinquish her grip on them. She couldn't believe it was real. She couldn't believe it was their voice's she was hearing and their arm's she was in. She felt the softness of her mother's scarf against her cheek and the familiar smell of her mother's perfume. It was like the woodiness of patchouli mixed with the sweetness of vanilla. It was a memory encapsulated into a fragrance for Madeline. For as long as she could remember, her mother had always smelt like this and it was just one more reassurance that this was really real. That this was really them.
Together, they all took a breath as they settled into the arms of another and soaked in the feeling being together. After three long years, Madeline McCord had truly been found.
The sight of the reunion was touching and emotion filled. Not only for the family but the medical personal in the room and without disturbing the moment, they gave up their positions and gave the family the room and the space to be together without interruption.
Neither parent dared to move, afraid that this would disturb their daughter and also afraid that it would stop them from savoring the fact that she was in their arms. It was unreal that she was truly tangible to them and it wasn't a figment of their imagination.
Madeline was also experiencing the same feeling. She was fearful that if she let go, they would disappear and she would be left alone back in another cage and so the trio stayed just as they were. On the floor in each other's arms. They stayed like this until they felt Madeline's heart beat calm and her body start to become limp.
"Is she asleep?' Elizabeth voiced quietly but her words were coated in concern.
Henry pulled back slightly and glanced at his daughter's face. In the movement alone Madeline's grip tightened and she mumbled something that neither could understand. He looked at his wife and shook his head. "No, but her eyes are heavy..." he whispered.
"It's okay baby," Elizabeth nodded as she rubbed soothing circles on Madeline's back. "We're here...we're here."
They felt Madeline's head softly nod and her body once again resume it's limp state. After everything she had endured, they were not surprised at her weak state but how clearly the exhaustion had overtaken her brought concern to their minds. There was of course an understanding that the emotional moment they had all just experienced was playing a part, for they themselves felt the weight begin to tire their own bodies, they still felt questions swirling through their minds.
Eventually Madeline's breathing had completely evened out and her eyes had closed and her body gave into her exhaustion. She had fallen to sleep in their arms but her grip had not loosened on them.
"You want to move her to the bed?" Henry asked softly.
"Mhmm," Elizabeth nodded as she kept a tight hold her the girl's head. As more of Madeline's body was on Elizabeth, Henry was the one who dared to leave the trio's embrace and placed her arm over Elizabeth's shoulder.
"I will help you stand," he whispered as he got behind his wife and carefully helped her stand as she was not just supporting her own body but Madeline's as well.
Elizabeth groaned as she finally changed positions and her knees creaked upon standing. While Elizabeth struggled to stand it was not because of Madeline's weight. In fact, Elizabeth took note that her weight had barely changed since the last time she had held her. It was her change of height that made things awkward. She had grown more than a few inches and her legs now hung far below her waist. Elizabeth felt pain in her heart that she missed seeing her daughter age and grow taller but also felt pain that she was so far from being a healthy weight. It felt like she could feel every bone in her body poking through her skin. Her grip tightened and it was just as tight on Madeline as Madeline's was on her. They were both clinging to each other after so much time of not being able to reach the other. Quietly, the family walked over to the bed but Elizabeth hesitated to let go of her. She cupped the girl's head in her hand and put her face in Madeline's hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her daughter. She swayed slightly, much like she had done when Madeline had been a baby and the only way to calm her had been swaying her to sleep. Years might have passed but Elizabeth had never forgotten the things that brought her comfort.
Henry had sat on the bed, and simply watched knowing his wife needed this and he needed it too. He needed to see their daughter safe in her mother's arms and at peace to bring him his own semblance of peace. There was so many times he had imagined this moment, imagined them being reunited but imagining was nothing compared to actually experiencing it.
Elizabeth began to hum softly as she treasured the feeling of holding her daughter close. It was an eternity since she had done so and nothing had ever felt so right even though the weight of what had happened and the state of her daughter had a hold on her heart, gripping it till it felt like it would bring her down.
After they had stayed like this for quite some time, Henry saw Elizabeth eye's begin to droop and knew it was time to seek out information before they truly came to a state of calm. "Why don't you move to the bed babe?" he suggested. He knew Elizabeth didn't want to let her go but he also wanted them both to be in a more comfortable position.
Elizabeth looked at him, fear and pain shining through her eyes at thought of putting her down. "She's changed so much Henry... so much time has passed."
"I know..." Henry looked at her in understanding as his eyes reflected the same. "A lot has changed." He stood and placed a hand on her back before he kissed Elizabeth's cheek and then kissed Madeline's head. "I will help you." He carefully helped Elizabeth ease down onto the bed and positioned the pillows behind her so her and Madeline were both supported. Elizabeth sighed deeply as the weight was taken off her feet but also sighed in satisfaction at the weight on top of her chest. It was her daughter and she cherished feeling her resting on top of her like she had done so long ago.
"I missed this..." Elizabeth stated as she closed her eyes and leaned her head against her daughter's.
"I missed it too," Henry smiled softly as he sat on the bed and lifted Elizabeth's legs so that they were resting on top of him. "I missed seeing her in your arms." The change in Elizabeth was obvious. While there were new worries in the picture, that piece of her that had been taken away, had been given back now that Madeline was finally within their reach.
"I can't believe it's really her Henry," Elizabeth's eyes welled. "After so long of wondering without answers, it feels too good to be true. I keep waiting to wake up and we are right back to where we were...living in a reality where she is not in it."
"It's not a dream Elizabeth," Henry reached up gently stroking her cheek. "She is here and we are with her." Elizabeth nodded as she leaned into the warmth of his hand and relished in the feeling of having them both so close to her. It was something that had not happened in a very long time. "I know you don't want to let her go...I don't want you to either, but I think it's important we speak with her doctor while she is sleeping."
Elizabeth's chin quivered at this. Henry was right, she didn't want to let her go but he was also right that it was time for some answers. Real answers. "Ok," she answered in a cracking voice that was filled with hesitance. Elizabeth cupped Madeline's head and placed a gentle kiss to her head before she carefully began to slip out of the girl's arms, praying she did not wake. Madeline stirred slightly and her features furrowed as if she knew, even in sleep, that she was no longer in her mother's embrace. Elizabeth tenderly stroked her hair and shushed her, her face softened at this and she seemed to be peaceful once more. Elizabeth stayed bent over her small frame, her hands still unable to bring themselves to relinquish their hold on her.
"She's not going anywhere..." Henry assured her and placed his arm around her waist.
"I know," Elizabeth whispered but the whisper teetered on a sob as a tear rolled down her face. "I just can't seem to find the strength to let her go..."
"We will be just outside the door. We will be able to see her the whole time," Henry encouraged as he soothingly stroked her back. "We won't be long."
Elizabeth's only response was to slowly take her scarf off, the one Madeline had been clinging to and gently lift her head to the side so she could tuck it beneath her. She wanted a piece of her to be with Madeline, afraid that if she woke up she would think it hadn't been real. Elizabeth was afraid of the same thing herself. She softly put the girl's arm over the fabric so it was directly in her grasp. "I love you sweet girl," Elizabeth whispered as she bent down and placed a kiss to her forehead and a tear dripped down onto the girl's face. "My beautiful Madeline..."
Though it was last thing the parents wanted to do, they slowly made their way towards the door to exit the room but not before Elizabeth turned to take one last look at their daughter to engrave the image into her brain that she was safe and she was found.
"I feel it's important that both of you as her parents have the full picture of what we have found in our observations and through tests and scans..." Madeline's main doctor, Dr. Randal, spoke quietly as the trio stepped out of the room, hoping to not disturb the sleeping girl. She was red of hair and had light freckles that graced her fair skin. She had a kind face and gentle eyes that made it easier for Henry and Elizabeth both to trust her.
"At this point we are looking for any information you have," Henry stated as he stared at the woman, his features giving way to his concern and his need to understand.
"We have been without answers for the past three years. Anything you have is going to help us gain a better picture of how we can help our daughter," Elizabeth added as she stood hand in hand with Henry, her eyes going back in forth from the doctor to locking her eyes with her daughter's sleeping form through the window on the door. She still could not seem to look away, fearing that if she did, even for a second, her little girl would disappear.
"In full disclosure," she begin opening the file in her hands. "It has not been easy. It is very clear Madeline has sustained immense physical and mental trauma in her time in captivity. Mentally, things might be able to be reversed with time but it is still proving to be an area of great difficulty for us right now. She very unreceptive to people in general at the moment. When she first woke in our care, things did not go well at all. Since then, we have had to keep her on a consistent drip of a mild sedative to even be able to treat her at all given without it she is proving to be more of a risk to herself than anything else. Luckily one of our nurses has been able to build some form of connection with her but I'm afraid that has its limits as well."
"Is the sedation harmful?" Henry asked seriously as he felt Elizabeth's grip tightening on him.
"No, not right now at least, but keeping her on it much longer could prove to have some cons. Which is why we are hoping that with you two now in the picture we might be able to pull her off of it soon," she explained as she looked at them both, blatancy shining through her orbs. "Concerning the physical, things are a bit more complicated. Her scans showed she has been subjected to extreme physical abuse. Her ribs show multiple fractures that have been sustained over the course of the last two years. While they are healed now, it appears that they have been broken multiple times and never received treatment to ensure proper healing."
Elizabeth inhaled deeply as she turned away momentarily and breathed shakily trying to maintain her balance. It was like all the force in the world had slammed into her gut, knocking the air from her lungs in a split second. How could someone have done this to her baby girl? How could they have harmed such an innocent child who had no way to fight back and retaliate?
Seeing both parents response, Dr. Randal gave of them both a moment to gather themselves before she continued. "As far as other bones are concerned we only saw a previous break in the right wrist but there were no other breaks present from what we could tell. Given that, my main concerns are her labs. She is deficient in almost every vitamin and is extremely anemic from what appears to be a very prolonged state malnourishment. She came in dehydrated and severely under weight for a child her age."
At these realizations, Henry and Elizabeth leaned on each other as tears filled their eyes and they began to fully grasp the picture of what their daughter had been enduring for the past three years. It was world shattering and earth quaking for them both.
"What about the marks on her face and arms?" Elizabeth inquired pale faced and her voice was barely even able to ask the question.
"From what we have gathered, I believe they were sustained not long before she was found. Given the dirt and other particulates in the wounds, I'd say she struggled through brush and was trying to shield her face seeing how they are mainly on her forearms. I wouldn't be too concerned about them. They have already started to heal nicely and I doubt they will leave scars. The one on her face might take longer to heal but with proper care even that would one should fade with time."
"Thank you for all you have done for her..." Henry voiced gratefully even though his words were heavy with emotion. "You don't know what it means to us to know she has been well taken in our absence."
"It's my job Mr. McCord but I will say it's hard not to provide care and do I everything I possibly can for Madeline given the circumstances..." Dr Randal said somberly as she recalled everything they knew about Madeline's situation. "She is a special girl and I'm thankful for the chance to play a part in her recovery."
"We will forever be grateful to you Dr. Randal," Elizabeth tried to give her a small smile but it faded just as quickly as it had appeared.
"Please call me Anne," she smiled back. "As a mother myself, I would only hope that someone would be willing to do the same for my daughter."
"The world could use more doctors like you in the medical field," Henry stated as he looked at her in full belief of what he was saying.
Dr. Anne Randal did not spend anymore time on pleasantries and knew it was time to get back Madeline's needs. "Now, while we have managed the dehydration, the malnourishment is proving to be a battle in and of itself. She has refused to eat and drink so all of the nutrients she is receiving has been through IV which is helping but it's not the same as being able to intake them herself and I'm afraid that until she eats on her own we cannot release her. If this does not change soon, we will have to put her on a feeding tube but I would like to avoid that," Randal explained the situation they were in. "We are hopeful that having people she knows around her will improve her chances of going home sooner." It was at this moment Randal's pager went off and it was clear that it was something she would have to attend to. "Excuse me I'm afraid I have to take this. We will talk again soon," she nodded as she quickly made her exit and disappeared around the corner.
As soon she was gone and they were standing all alone, a whimper escaped Elizabeth's mouth and she bent over, her body giving into the weight that pressed upon her shoulder's making her feel like she would surely collapse under the pressure.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Henry breathed calmly as he immediately got under her body and lifted her back up, acting as her support. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm here." He pulled her into him as her sob muffled against his chest.
"It's not okay!" she gasped as she tried to calm her breathing which had quickened rapidly and she found her chest heaving. "Our little girl-she is-" but her words faded as she pulled back slightly and avoided his gaze as her world closed in.
"I know," he choked as he felt the toll and saw that it was weighing on her too. He reached forward grabbing her face as she shook her head and he tried to get her gaze to meet his own.
"I can't-I can't breathe Henry," she panicked as she grabbed onto his forearms tightly and fought for a way out of the closed off space she was in.
"Breathe with me," he encouraged her softly as he pushed the hair out of her face. "Look at me Elizabeth."
At this her eyes snapped up and she met his eyes. Blue meeting deep brown and slowly the world only became the comfort of eyes she had looked into many times. "Help me Henry..." she sobbed as she gave into the weight instead of fighting against it.
"I'm here baby, I'm here," he assured as he pulled her back into him and cupped her head to his shoulder. "I'm here and so is she. She's safe Elizabeth. She's safe." He knew there was nothing he could do but be there and assure himself and Elizabeth that Madeline was longer in that situation. She had been found and she was safe. So he did not just say this for his wife but also for himself.
"Oh god Henry," she gasped as she finally found her breath and gripped onto his shirt tightly as tried to find her way back to steady ground. "Why did this happen? Why did this happen to our little girl?"
"I don't know," he sniffled still holding her tightly. "I don't know..."
"What do we do?!" she cried as she pulled back and looked at him, her broken orbs pleading for him to have an answer.
He looked down for a moment before he took her hand and lead her back to the door and pointed through the window at their daughter who was laying in the bed. "There is only one thing we can do...we be there for her. We stay strong and steadfast because that's what she needs right now. She needs us, Elizabeth and the only thing we can do is focus on the fact that we now have the ability to help her. She is here and she is safe. Now we have to help her realize that. We have to show her that she can trust us so that she can begin to heal...so that she can come home."
Elizabeth exhaled unsteadily as she placed a hand on the window pane and nodded. Henry always knew what to say. He was like her light tower in the midst of stormy seas in the dark of night. Now as she looked at their daughter she felt the light coming up over the horizon and finally she truly caught her breath. "I just want to take her home Henry..."
"I know you do," he whispered as he placed a hand on the small of her back. "So do I...so do I."
"I think I'd just like to hold her," Elizabeth sniffled as she reached up to dry her tears. Even though she could see her, it wasn't enough. She needed to feel her and assure herself that Madeline was really here. That no matter how bad things were, she was safe and within their reach.
"Then that's what we will do," Henry stated as he grabbed her hand. "Come on...let's go be with our daughter."
As they made their way back to the bed, Elizabeth took a deep breath and wiped her face once again before she lifted the covers and crawled into the bed beside her daughter. Exhaling in relief, she stretched out her hand and gently placed it to Madeline's cheek as she studied the girl's face. She marked the areas that had not changed in her brain and the ones that had. She had grown up more than Elizabeth could have ever imagined and yet somehow she looked exactly like the little girl she had lost that day in the park. It was strange and a robbing feeling. It felt like a thief had taken something more precious than life itself and left her with only scraps to hold onto. She had watched Stevie, Alison, and Jason all grow and change but with Madeline, she had been robbed of that and she had missed so much. Things that she felt like she might not ever get back.
Henry picked up a chair that could pull out to make a cot and placed it next to the bed so he was close to both his wife and daughter. He gently placed a hand on Elizabeth's leg and he too begin watching their daughter. Soaking up every little detail and trying his best to engrave it into his brain. There was so much they had missed and it felt like no amount time could make up for that.
Carefully Elizabeth lifted Madeline and slid her arm under and pulled her daughter into the safety of her side. Pulling her leg's up and she placed Madeline's legs over her and leaned her head against the girl's head and begin running her hand's through the corn silk hair strands. Humming in satisfaction, she felt her breathing deepen as her body settled into the act and took comfort that they were not longer separated by the door. They were not separated at all and Elizabeth was not going to let anything change that. Their bodies meshed perfectly together just like they always had and she smiled as Madeline drew her head closer to her chest in her sleep, her body having not forgotten when her mother was near. "I love you beautiful angel...more than you will ever know," she whispered as she bent her head to softly kiss the top of Madeline's head. She held her daughter close and felt her eyes begin to droop as soothing Madeline began soothing her own body and mind. She had longed for this for what felt like a lifetime and for the first time in years, Elizabeth McCord drifted into a peaceful sleep that was not plagued by dreams that were conjured from the unknowns of her daughter's fate. While she knew that fate had been terrible, she was longer wondering, for her daughter rested safely in her arms.
"I love you both," Henry whispered as he stood, pulling the covers further up on them both and he too leaned down to place a kiss on his daughter's head. "Everything will be alright now... we found you."
While the road ahead was still long and not without bumps or bends, everyone took comfort in the fact that Madeline McCord had been found and with time would finally be able to go home. Most of all Madeline herself.
CHAPTER SIX! I don't know about you guys but this chapter sure had me in tears as I was writing it and as I read over it. Seeing Henry and Elizabeth finally be reunited with Madeline is like a breath of spring air but also comes with many worries for them as parents. How do they face the reality that Madeline is so far from the carefree child they knew? It's a lot to take in but I cannot wait to see them face it together and see Madeline make steps forward and away from the tragedy that is her past. Though it will never leave her, I believe the love and support from her family will change everything even if it is a slow journey. Chapter Seven will be up before too long. Please review and let me know what you think, it always helps to see yall's thoughts.
-lovelylavenderlady