Chapter 10- Safe

"Her vitals are good, there's no sign of her being hurt physically," Portia explained as she examined Scarlett. "I don't think she needs to stay the night."

"Thank goodness," Molly said as she lifted the baby off the examination table and smiled at her.

"We're just waiting to hear if we can take her home with us," TJ said.

"Well, this room is Scarlett's until you know, so you can wait in here," Portia said. "But I have a good feeling about this. Let me know if you need anything."

After Portia left, Molly stroked Scarlett's hair. "She's so beautiful. Oh, TJ, what if the courts don't allow us to adopt her?"

He sighed. "We just have to stay positive. She has no other family."

"That we know of. What if someone comes out of the woodwork to claim her?"

He rubbed Scarlett's back. "I don't know, but I feel like she's meant to be with us."

They turned to Molly's coat when the phone rang.

Molly swallowed hard. "That could be child services. Can you answer?"

"Yeah…." He pulled her phone from her coat and pressed it to his ear. "Hello?... Yes, this is TJ Ashford…. Yes…. Yeah…. Yes, she's been cleared to leave the hospital…. Really?... Okay, thank you…. We will…. Okay bye." He hung up and swung around to Molly. "We can take Scarlett home for a trial basis."

Molly's face lit up. "Really?"

"Really. And a support worker will come by in two weeks for a home visit and we'll go from there."

"Hear that, Scarlett? You get to come home with us."

TJ wrapped his arms around them and kissed Molly.

GHGHGH

Kevin, Laura, Spencer, and Felicia rose in the waiting room when Dr. Randalph finally came in.

"How's Ace?" Spencer asked anxiously.

"He made it through surgery," Dr. Randalph explained. "We need to monitor him closely but I'm feeling optimistic."

Laura sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. Thank you so much."

"We've moved him to ICU. Immediate family can visit only, until he's moved to a regular room. Laura, I think you and Spencer can count as immediate family because I know how involved you are. Especially since his mother is detained right now."

Laura nodded at Spencer. "Okay thank you."

"You both go ahead," Kevin said. "I'll be right here."

Laura and Spencer followed Dr. Randalph down the hall.

"Are you okay, Felicia?" Kevin asked. "How are you holding up?"

Felicia ran her hands through her hair and let out a deep breath. "I don't know. I'm relieved. I'm hopeful. But I'm also scared and torn."

"What are you torn about?"

"About how to help her and how much I should be doing right now. I know she didn't kidnap baby Scarlett. I was with Esme all night. I tried talking to Dante, but he needs more evidence than just my word. I guess the silver lining is she still has a guard outside her room so she's safe, because whoever did this is still out there. But I don't know whether to go home, stay here, or what. But everything inside me doesn't want to leave her when I just found her."

Kevin nodded. "I understand. But how does Esme feel about you being here?"

Felicia sighed. "I don't know. Confused, I think. But I think I did help calm her when Willow fixed up her hand."

"Well, my suggestion is to go home. Ace made it through surgery and Esme is safe. Laura mentioned staying the night here with Ace, so they'll both be taken care of. I'll check on Esme before I leave and I can tomorrow too. I can keep you posted on them. You've shown Esme already that you care about her, but I worry if you overdo it, you might unintentionally overwhelm her and push her away. And once both Esme and Ace recover maybe you can approach Esme again and tell her the DNA results. But right now, her mind is on Ace. But I'd also suggest telling Mac and Maxie about Esme, sooner rather than later."

Felicia paused in thought. "You're probably right. I'm glad they have you and Laura. I don't know how Mac and Maxie will respond though. I've kept this from them for so long. And I can already tell that Maxie doesn't like Esme."

"Yes, but they need to hear it from you. They both love you, so I'm sure everything will work out fine."

GHGHGH

"So, the bloodwork shows that Esme had levetiracetam in her system," Finn explained to Esme and Dante. "It's an antiepileptic drug used to treat partial, myoclonic, and tonic-clonic seizures. It causes dizziness and drowsiness. This same drug went missing from the hospital last night."

Esme stared at the wall.

"Is it still in her system?" Dante asked.

"No, it should be gone now."

Dante cleared his throat. "Esme, I need to ask you more questions."

"Esme, after Dante asks you more questions you are free to go once you sign the paperwork," Finn said before leaving.

"I want to see my son," Esme said.

"I know you do, but if we don't get to the bottom of what happened last night and today, then I will be taking you to the PCPD." He stepped closer to her. "Esme, where were you last night?"

"With Ace."

"Was anyone else with you?"

"No."

"Hmm…." He squinted at her. "No one at all?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Well, the nurse came in and out a couple times. And Felicia came in and left."

"Okay. But they weren't with you the whole night?"

"No," Esme said.

"And what time did you leave this morning?" Dante asked.

"After Spence kicked me out."

"What time was that?"

"I don't know," Esme said. "I wasn't watching the time."

"And where did you go?" Dante asked.

"Outside."

"Where outside?"

"Just outside."

"Okay," Dante said. "Did you see anyone outside?"

She stared at her lap. "No."

"No one at all?"

"I said no!"

"All right. So, what happened next?"

"Nothing," Esme said.

"Did you go anywhere else?"

"No."

"What's the next thing you remember?" Dante asked.

"The cabin."

"Okay, what about the cabin?"

"I left."

"So, you woke up in the cabin and then left?"

She nodded.

"Was anyone at the cabin with you?"

Her eyes welled with tears and her lip trembled, picturing Heather hovering over her. "No. No one was."

He stared at her for a moment. "And did you hear or see anything?"

"The baby. But it wasn't Ace's cry."

"So, how did you leave?"

"Through the window."

"And how did you end up with the key?"

"I found it in the snow," Esme said.

"Esme, do you have any idea who did this to you and Scarlett?" Dante asked.

"No!" she cried. "I said no! Stop asking me."

Dante nodded. "Okay. Esme, I don't believe you kidnapped Scarlett." He walked over and uncuffed her. "But I do think you're scared of something… or someone. You are free to go, but please don't leave town because we'll need to question you again." He walked out.

Esme started to get up when Kevin walked in.

"Hi Esme," he said. "How are you feeling?"

Esme's eyes darted back and forth. "L-laura isn't with you?"

"She's with Ace. I wanted to make sure you're okay."

"F-f-felicia still here?" She stood but backed towards the wall.

"She went home," Kevin said. "Would you like to see her?"

"I want my son."

"Okay, I can take you to him."

"I'll go myself."

Kevin nodded. "Okay. I heard Dante say he believes you. Laura and I do too. Ace made it through surgery and the doctor is optimistic." He looked at her wide eyes. "You don't need to be scared. I will go. I'm glad you and Ace are going to be okay." He stepped out.