Page 12 of Alexander's Heart

“Lily will need to be monitored closely, needing round the clock intensive care so I have them setting up the room next to Alexa and Davies room, I knew you would want them all together but Lily needs an ICU room for now, room for all the machinery and staff to have easy access, there will be a nurse in her room twenty-four seven.”

“Okay, I can manage that.” I let out an exhausted chuckle.

“What we both need right now is some sleep! Both of us, I know Alexa is asleep and Charlie team is collecting our team, they’re expected in a few hours, they have to stabilize Caroline and that piece of shit before they can leave. And we need to get at least an hours sleep before they arrive, we’ve going hard for forty-nine hours, it’s not a request, it’s an order.”

I’m shaking my head, but I know I need it, or my body will start breaking down, “Yeah, I know.”

“Give Lily a kiss and follow me.”

I do as Doc instructs; I kiss my beautiful angel on her forehead, and whisper how much I love her and our babies, then rub gently over her lower belly and turn away and follow Doc. We don’t walk far before he stops and opens a door, we enter the dark space, it’s like a bunk room we have when deployed. Both of us lay down on the bottom bunks in the room and the sheer relief of having my angel back with us, has me smiling.

“Congratulations, Chief, today was a tough one but we had the best outcome and I’m so fucking happy.” Doc says proudly.

“Thanks, Doc, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would have done, losing Lily is not an option I could bear.”

“I know, and we won’t lose her, I’m confident. Now close your eyes Chief, we need sleep.”

“Yeah, roger that.”

I start to fade as soon as I close my eyes, dreaming of a house full of kids... we need to buy a bigger place and soon. I can picture it, all the noise, giggles, mess, tantrums, and I love it. Alexa is going to be thrilled, and the best big sister to these babies, I can’t wait to tell her, but Lily needs to know first. I fall asleep with a smile planted firmly on my face.

CHAPTER FIVE

ALEXANDER

Doc and I managed to get three hours sleep, before Charlie Chief woke us up with an update, Alpha team were delayed for medical reasons with the captors and have just departed Rutland and to expect them inside an hour and that Delta team had arrived with Janelle.

I slept much longer than intended, but it was also much needed, and I slept like the dead, that tends to happen when you’ve been awake as long as we had been. Doc and I just checked on Lily and my angel is doing really well. Her vitals are strong and so are those of our babies which is the best sign a man could ask for, and all being well she will pull through this, I know she will, my girl is a fighter.

We’re stepping onto the psychiatric ward where Janelle has been set up in one of their private suites. Doc wants her comfortable and I had to agree because Janelle is more than likely a victim herself and will remain here for a long period of time while Doc assesses her and works out a treatment plan.

We step into her room and see her sitting by the window, intently searching, like she’s searching and waiting for someone.

“Ms. Saunders, do you remember who I am?” I say.

I take the seat opposite her and Janelle turns away from the window and looks at me and then to Doc standing beside her.

“Yes, I remember. Did you find my Caroline?” She asks hopeful.

“We did, Ma’am. She’s on her way here now and should arrive shortly. You were right, Caroline had been visiting you and she is hurt, so we’re going to get her looked at and treated, but it’s going to take some time, Doc here is the best and will look after you both.” I say.

“Ohh, thank you young man, can I see Caroline when she arrives?”

Doc squats down next to Janelle and takes her hand in his and she shifts her gaze to him.

“Do you remember when Caroline visited that she was bruised and looked hurt?”

“Yes, Caroline looked unwell and had all these bruises from the car accident, will she be, okay?”

“Yes, we’re going to get Caroline better, she’s quite sick at the moment, when she is able to have visitors, I’ll let you know, but I will do everything I can to help her, you just have to trust that I will be doing everything to make her well and I need to help you also.”

The look of relief that comes across Janelle’s face is evident, I’m furious and sad she is only thinking of Caroline, but like Doc said, her mind is back in 2016.

Each time I see Janelle, the more I see she is a loving person, which fucking angers me more because Lily and her own life have been hell for the past eight years. I can’t wait to interrogate Trickle; we need some fucking answers.

“How do you like your new room Ms. Saunders?” I ask.

“Ohhh, it’s beautiful, so much nicer than the last place. I just hope I can go outside and walk in the garden and feel the sun on my face, one day soon. I have a feeling that I’m not myself, I can’t explain it. But I want to get better.”

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