Chapter Ten
Lance found Rachel in the hospital waiting room, her face pale from shock, her hands clutched together in prayer.
“Rachel. I’m so sorry. Is it Damon?”
Seeing him, she stood, her arms open for his comfort. And of course, he scooped her close, holding her with love pouring from his confused and sad heart.
Because she’d only texted him that she needed him to come to the hospital, she hadn’t realized what he would assume from those words. Of course, he’d think they’d found Damon.
Before she could organize her words, he asked again. “Is it Damon? Did they find his body?”
Pushing back to look into his face, Rachel tried to explain.
“No. I don’t know. I got a message that they’d heard some activity in the area of Lily’s apartment, and that they might be coming across a person still living.
But if Lily and Damon were together as they suspect, we don’t know which one it might be… or if both are alive.”
“But then why are you here? At the hospital. Are you okay?” Sudden fear shadowed his love-filled eyes, and it made her quickly correct him.
“No. I’m fine. It’s Hannah.”
“Hannah?”
“Lily’s mom. I was with her in the cafeteria around the corner from the site when the texts came in.
Hearing the news about a possible rescue must have done it.
She just grabbed her chest and collapsed.
I think the excitement became too much for her.
They’re working on her now, but the doctors don’t believe she’s very strong.
Poor woman. I-I liked her. And now she’s in tr-trouble and her only child, her daughter Lily is gone.
Oh, Lance. Will these nightmares ever end? ”
Lance gathered Rachel in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Tears that had begun to gather from seeing him broke through, and he let her cry knowing it to be the best medicine for shock.
“Honey, I’m so sorry. What a crazy experience. After all you’ve been through already.”
Rachel didn’t answer, she just nodded and continued to sob.
Glad she listened, he tried to reassure her as best he could.
“I know it’s been tough on you. Terribly tough.
But soon we’ll know the truth. You say they’re close to finding someone alive?
That’s good news. One we can pray over.” He led Rachel to the chairs and helped her sit while he took the seat next to her.
Holding her hands, he urged, “Talk to me. From the beginning, tell me how you met Lily’s mother? ”
***
Listening to Rachel’s voice become stronger as she shared the last few hours with him, Lance’s amazement knew no bounds. Neither did his love for this beauty who could open her heart to the mother of the woman who had taken her man.
A few moments later, the doctor approached, his expression grave. “I believe you came in the ambulance with Mrs. Rawlins?”
Rachel stood. “Yes. I only just met her today. But we were together when she had the attack.”
“I’m terribly sorry, we did everything we could, but she didn’t make it.”
“Oh, no. How sad. And we’d just gotten word that the rescuers might have found someone still alive. What if it was her daughter?”
Shaking his head, the older doctor admitted, “All I can tell you is she died peacefully. And her last words were ‘Lily, baby…’ which we believe might have been her daughter’s name.
They were spoken with such joy, we all got chills.
It was as if she saw her child, and her battle to live changed to a serene surrender.
A miracle I hope you can take solace in.
After the last few days, this is one death I can walk away from with a lighter heart. ”