Fall and Rise

Epilogue

David ran through the seemingly endless corridors of the factory. His breath was labored, but the adrenaline rush in his system made him run as fast as he could after the special forces agent in front of him. His pounding headache was forgotten for the moment.

Finally, they reached outside where many flashing lights from police cars and ambulances momentarily blinded him. The fright he felt inside made him want to throw up right there.

"This way, Mr. Miller." 

He followed the man who was gesturing for him and soon an ambulance came into his view. His steps faltered, a choked sob left his mouth and tears fell from his eyes as he took in the sight in front of him, unable to breathe for a second.

There, sitting on the edge of the ambulance with an orange blanket around her was Sarah with Daisy in her arms. She looked like a beautiful mess. Her hair was wild and her face was dirty and tear-stricken. Her eyes were closed and she was gently rubbing Daisy's back, mumbling sweet nothings in her ear.

As if feeling eyes on her, she looked up and immediately locked eyes with David who was still rooted in his place. He watched as her shoulders sagged in relief, her bottom lip quivered, her eyes welled up and tears ran down freely on her beautiful face.

David pressed his trembling clenched fist to his mouth and forced himself to take a deep shaky breath, filling his lungs with much-needed oxygen. A few choked sobs left his mouth before he finally walked toward his family and with a few long strides, he engulfed Sarah who had stood up in a bone-crushing embrace.

Muffled Sobs shook both of their bodies. Sarah's free arm went around David and clutched his shirt in her hand.

"Dave." she choked, unable to form more words.

"I'm sorry." mumbled David, nuzzling his head in her neck and taking shaky breaths. "God, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

He then pulled away and looked down at his daughter's tired face who was passed out. Even the small baby looked disheveled.

More sobs left David's mouth as he bent down and breathed in his daughter's baby scent and kissed her head multiple times. Taking her in his arms he cradled her close to his heart and ran his hand on her cheeks with tenderness, afraid of waking her up.

"I'm so sorry, princess." he whispered as more tears fell and his heart clenched hard. "Forgive your daddy for failing to protect you. I'm so so sorry."

"I had wrapped her blanket tightly around her head before I put her down behind a box." sobbed Sarah, caressing Daisy's head. "But the sound of the guns was so loud in that small room. She was so scared. The paramedic said her ears are fine but she was scared out of her wits."

David looked up into her worried and tired eyes. Kissing her forehead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her to sit back down and sat beside her himself.

"How are you?" he asked gently, taking her hand in his and searching her face for any sign of pain. 

Beforehand the special force agent with him had assured him that both Sarah and Daisy were alive and were being checked by medics.

"I'm fine." she answered, her eyes fixed on the gash and blood on his face. Her fingers gently touched his face. Her body shook with one other sob."You are bleeding."

Putting his hand behind her head, he guided her head forward and pressed their foreheads together. "I'm okay." he answered. "It's just a gash. My worry for you and Daisy was what killing me."