Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring (Emma and Alexander) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 

She sat by Emily’s 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 Emily’s hair. “You’re at the hospital, sweetheart. How do you feel?” 

“Mais. I was at school,” Emily murmured, her face scrunched up in confusion. Emma’s 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–that’s something we 

have in common.” 

“Where’s Ethan?” Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper 

“He’s at home, safe and sound,” Emma replied, squeezing her daughter’s hand to give her comfort. 

Emily’s big–solemn eyes searched her mother’s face. “Mom. am sick again? Am I going to die?” 

Emma’s heart broke, but she forced a smile, trying to be soothingly soft and firm at once. “No, baby, no one is dying. We’re 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 don’t wanna die, Mommy, she whispered in that high- pitched voice as the crack shook her firm hold of her mother’s hand. “I don’t wanna die.” 

Emma’s 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 Emily’s 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 daughter’s 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 daughter’s health and happiness far outweighed any perceived betrayal of the past. The determination solidified in Emma’s 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. 

Emma’s mind was made up. The next morning, she would go back to her homeland; the only thing that mattered now was her daughter’s 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 wouldn’t 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 Emily’s 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 mother’s worry yet strengthened by her support. “Thank you. for everything.”