Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 36 She sat by Emilys bedside , sinking in a storm of thoughts about the hospital , then felt a little squeeze on her hand .

She looked down ; a small , fragile smile appeared as sleepy eyes opened .

Mom , where am I ? The voice was soft , confused , from Emily.

Emma gave a reassuring smile and brushed a hand over Emilys hair .

Youre at the hospital , sweetheart .

How do you feel ? Mais .

I was at school , Emily murmured , her face scrunched up in confusion .

Emmas heart ached with her innocence .

She swallowed hard , fighting back the tears threatening to spill .

Yes , you were , baby : But you needed just a little check up , so I brought you here while you were sleeping Emily pouted , looking around the sterile hospital room .

But I hate hospitals .

Emma let out a soft laugh ; she wanted to lighten the mood .

I know , I hate hospitals too .

We both do thats something we have in common .

Wheres Ethan ? Emily asked , her voice barely above a whisper Hes at home , safe and sound , Emma replied , squeezing her daughters hand to give her comfort .

Emilys big solemn eyes searched her mothers face .

Mom .

am sick again ? Am I going to die ? Emmas heart broke , but she forced a smile , trying to be soothingly soft and firm at once .

No , baby , no one is dying .

Were just here for a check up .

Nothing more .

But .

I was in class .

I remember Mrs.

Parker was teaching us , Emily murmured , confused as if piecing things together .

I know , sweetheart .

Everything is going to be fine , Emma whispered back , her voice full of emotion .

But Emily contorted her face , and her eyes welled up with tears .

I dont wanna die , Mommy , she whispered in that high- pitched voice as the crack shook her firm hold of her mothers hand .

I dont wanna die .

Emmas heart seized , and a surge of fierce determination coursed through her .

She reached out with a hand and bracingly , let that happen .

No one is yet gently , held Emilys gaze fast with hers her eyes welling up with tears .

You will not die , Emily, she said , the full force of her emotion now making her tone firm , her words almost a vow You are not dying I wo dying Emily said nothing more , her mother steady reassurance soothing her small sobs .

Emma rose to her feet , her heart racing with the whirlwind of her mind .

The words from her daughter finally broke down the fragments of hesitation that she struggled to hold on to .

She had sworn never to return to Blackthorn , but her daughters life was much more priceless than some grudge , more than any kind of fear or bitterness she sought to hang onto in relation to Alexander .

Her daughters health and happiness far outweighed any perceived betrayal of the past .

The determination solidified in Emmas mind .

She needed to act now , no matter what that required .

Her daughter came first , and she would do whatever was called for in order to save her .

Emmas mind was made up .

The next morning , she would go back to her homeland ; the only thing that mattered now was her daughters life .

The very thought of touching her foot again in Blackthorn soil sent a shiver down her spine , but nothing else counted except the health of Emily .

But she needed new identities to fly below the radar one that wouldnt trace back to her old life .

Going by either Black or Moore would be like handing herself over on a silver platter .

After some thinking , she settled on Smith as the last name and Carol for the first name .

Common , ordinary , unmemorable it was perfect .

The name would let her be mobile without turning heads , even close to Alexander , without raising suspicion Through the night , accomplished forgers worked on all the documents : passports , medical files everything to make her new identity absolutely watertight .

She signed the referral document for Emilys treatment at Blackthorn Hospital and so set the wheels in motion .

By morning , her luggage was ready , the identes complete , her resolve strong 12:53 Tue , Dec 17 toti .

Chapter 36 Her mother watched the preparation in silence , her sorrow unspoken .

She would miss Emma and her grandchildren so much , yet Mrs.

Walker knew what lay in the balance .

She hugged her daughter tightly , her eyes clouded with apprehension and love .

Take care of yourself , Emma .

Take care of them ? I will , Mom , Emma promised , feeling the heaviness of her mothers worry yet strengthened by her support .

Thank you .

for everything .

As Emma steered Ethan in the direction of the car , he turned around as his little face tried to hold in emotion .

Ill miss you .

Grandma ! Mrs.

Walkers voice shook as she flapped her hand , managing a smile through her sorrow .

Ill miss you too , sweetheart .

With a last look , Emma slammed the car door shut , and off they went driving her heart as heavy as it was resolute .

It would be a journey back into a world she has lived apart from , but for Emily , whatever would come her way , shed face it .

As the plane cut through clouds , Emma slept hard for the first time , while Ethans curiosity got the better of him .

His mother warned him to stay put , but he could not help his excitement at being free to roam around the plane .

Wide eyed , he wandered through the first class compartment , fascinated by everything the plush seats , the smiling passengers , the tiny packaged snacks .

Other passengers laughed and waved at him , and Ethan laughed and waved back , happy to be on some kind of adventure .

In an instant , his little ball slipped from his fingers and bounded down the aisle , rolling toward a passenger at the very last seat ..

He did get to chase after it , but it was too late ; the ball lightly tapped the womans heel .

The passenger , a female decked out in designer clothes and dark glasses , whirled around .

Her eyes hardened as she spotted Ethan .

Her face screwed up in annoyance , and she kicked the ball aside , biting her teeth .

I wont be so nice next time you throw something at me , she snapped out in a voice as cold as slate and unforgiving .

Ethans smile faltered .

Im sorry , he muttered , his head hung low as he stepped away , unsure as to what he had done wrong .

The woman let out an exasperated sigh , her eyes hard as she watched him back away .

Five years trying to get pregnant , five years being met with heartbreak and failure .

The normal sight of children especially happy ones usually irritated her , that womans name was Annie .