Operation Rock of Ages: Triumphant Illumination

ORA: TI Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Two days earlier:

Mariam was now in her eight month, by one full day. Jayson was expected back in one week. Dr. Rose came to see her. "Mariam, I need to go to the Israeli mainland to get more medicines and clear some things out of my office at the hospital. I would like you to come with me."

"Sure, is there a reason?" Mariam asked curiously.

"Sometimes, with twins, the woman could give birth early. I would rather be with you if that were to happen. Also, near a hospital," she said. "I do not say this to worry you. I am a doctor; I am to worry for you." Dr. Rose smiled reassuringly. "I plan to be gone only a few days, two weeks at the most." Mariam opened her mouth to answer but Dr. Rose said, "And, before you asked, Mr. Sterling already cleared it. He said he would prefer his god-children to be with their doctor." She smiled when Mariam closed her mouth again.

"It seems the decision was made for me," Mariam said and smiled. "I guess I will pack and take a little trip with you to Israel." Dr. Rose shook her head and chuckled at Mariam's tone. "When do we leave and where will we be staying?"

"We are going to stay at my home, Mariam. I am going to see a real estate agent about selling it. I want to move permanently to the island; Jacob is doing so well there."

"It sounds like fun! I would like to take a trip out to the base. I haven't been there. You could go with me, if you like."

"Actually, Mr. Sterling did ask me to take a trip over there just to look at those still recovering above ground. I could take you with me if you feel up to it."

"Absolutely," Mariam said. "So, when do we leave?"

"Today, Mariam. In roughly three hours, so you need to pack. You probably will not be coming back here." There was another knock on the door. Dr. Rose opened the door. "Good, she has agreed to go with us." Sasha gave her a look that Mariam couldn't read, but Dr. Rose shook her head.

"She can deal with it, Violet," Sasha said. Sasha came and sat with Mariam. "Honey, something happened and Jayson got hurt. He is ok, but he is going to be delayed. Greg is on his way back without him." Mariam sat stunned for a moment.

"What happened?"

"We don't know yet. We really don't know where Jayson is exactly, but we know he is being hidden and taken care of. You can ask more of Greg later, much later. We want to get you closer to the shelter in case we need to run. See, the President was, according to all the news outlets, kidnapped by an unknown man, they presumed it is Greg because of the chopper used but Jensen is denying it and having issues of his own because of it. Things are getting difficult and we want to get you somewhere safe."

Mariam nodded. It was a lot to take in, but she saw the wisdom of it. "Ok," Mariam said. "I got it, let's pack and get on the road. Anything to keep the babies safe." Sasha turned to face Dr. Rose and gave her a 'told ya so' look right before Mariam broke down and cried. Dr. Rose looked smugly back at Sasha before they both started soothing her. She cried herself out in just a few minutes, much to Sasha's and Dr. Rose's surprise. "Ok, all better. Let's do this." Both women looked at her in shock but complied.

They were fully packed in less than two hours. One pile to go to the underground caves and a smaller one going with them. Mariam stayed fully in control of herself all the way through dinner all the way onto the small boat that was taking them to Israel. She made it all the way to Dr. Rose's house and got tucked into bed before she realized she had forgotten the pillow and she cried herself to sleep. The next morning she was in better spirits.

She puttered around the house looking at pictures on Dr. Rose's walls. She had a beautiful garden in the back yard that she sat in for hours the first day. Sasha or Dr. Rose would come check on her once in a while and keep her company but primarily left her alone. The second day, Greg showed up. They spent a lot of time in the garden together. They laughed and they cried and they prayed together. They both felt better for it. Greg left at one point for a couple of hours.