Struggle for Love

Chapter 15 Going Home

I made my way back down the hall to Liam's room, leaving Chelsea passed out on the floor in the empty room. When I opened the door, Dr.Michaels was sitting silently on the hospital bed with her hands delicately folded in her lap.

"Has he came out?" I asked her.

"No. He hasn't made a peep." She whispered softly. I nodded, then walked to the door of the linen closet. I gently knocked on the door before hearing a stir coming from the other side.

"Liam? Come on out. We're going home now." The little boy's head popped out of the cupboard.

"You're taking me to my Dad, ain't you?" Tears swelled in the little boy's eyes, breaking my heart in the process.

"No, tiny wolf. We're going to my home. Come. We have to hurry." I held out a hospital gown to wrap him in. A small smiled played on his lips as he cautiously crawled out of the linen closet. I wrapped him in the gown and put some of the skid resistant hospital socks on his tiny feet. I reached for his hand before turning to Dr.Michaels.

"I need you to check him out. It needs to be like he was never here." I said. She nodded curtly.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of everything. Thank you, Dr.O'Brian. This child needs you." I nodded and together Liam and I left the hospital. I walked around to the passenger rear door and opened it, allowing Liam to crawl inside and I buckled him in. The hair on my neck stood on end and my stomach churned as I got in the driver's seat, locking the doors behind me. Quickly, I started my little silver Ford Escape and pulled out of the parking garage. My nerves began to quiet down as I made my way to my apartment. I had no idea where I would put the boy. I guess he would sleep with me for now. I had no idea how Natalia would feel about things but I had a feeling she would be more than welcoming to the child. As we parked in the apartment parking deck my phone rang. I looked down at the caller ID and Sadie's name popped up. I was a little shocked, but I answered the phone none the less.

"Hello?" I said wearily.

"River..." Sadie was crying.

"Momma? What's wrong?"

"It's Granny... she had a heart attack this mornin'... River, I'm so scared. Will you please come home? I know you're mad at us, but I really wish you were home." She cried steadily into the phone. I sat frozen for a minute.

"R-River?"

"I'm sorry Momma. I'm heading there now. Momma... is it OK if I bring a little friend with me?" I asked, glancing back at a sleeping Liam. Sadie was silent on the other end, before I heard her sigh deeply.

"Sure, baby. Just please come home." Her voice broke as she finished.

"Give me a minute, Momma. I'll be there as soon as I can. I love you, Momma."

"I love you too baby." I hung up.

My head was spinning from the news. Liam was asleep so I left him in the car and ran in my apartment to get some clothes. I pack my little pink over night bag with anything I could think of that I might need. I had nothing for Liam yet so once we hit Blue Ridge, I'd stop and get him the essentials. I was getting ready to walk out the door when Natalia came out of her room.

"Hey! Orospu! Where are you going so early in the morning, huh? Aren't you tired?"

"My Momma Beth had a heart attack. I'm driving home. I gotta go. I'll call you later." She opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it and just nodded. I raced back to the car to find Liam still dead asleep in the back seat. He looked so sweet as he let out the occasional little snore. I smiled to myself. I was a mother now.

I shook myself from my thoughts and pulled out of the apartment complex and set a course for home.