The Dance

Chapter 87 Matthew Rose

"Mr. Brown, you can see your wife now. She's stable but weak. I don't want more than one person in the room with her until I think she's strong enough to handle more. The doctor was fairly stern in his comments. "Understood?"

"Yes sir." Bam followed the doctor into Lila's room. He was relieved to finally put eyes on her. She seemed small and frail lying in the sterile hospital bed.

"Remember, don't task her too much. She lost a lot of blood and needs as much rest as she can get." The doctor left Bam alone with his wife. He was hesitant to touch her and for the longest time stood at the foot of her bed just watching her sleep. The blush was gone from her cheeks and her hair was a tangled mess. An intravenous drip was attached to her arm. He hated seeing her in such a state.

He moved to the side of her bed and  gently brushed his hand over her cheek trying not to wake her. After several minutes, he quietly pulled up a chair next to her. He touched her  lightly and slowly wrapped his fingers around her hand. He drew strength in that touch, holding it ever so softly and trying not to disturb her.

He closed his eyes, still holding her hand and soon fell asleep. He had such a long night and sleep was a welcome friend now that he could see her, touch her and feel her. He was never going to let her go.

Lila began to stir from her sleep and when her eyes opened, she saw Bam's head resting on the rail. She reached slowly over to him and ran her fingers through his hair.

In a weak voice, barely audible, she whispered his given name. "Joshua."
In his half sleep state, her voice seemed so distant. He heard his name again as if the dream he was having was calling his name. He felt the grip on his hand tighten and realized it was her.

He raised his head and his tired eyes met hers for the first time since the birth of the twins. They were her lovely dark eyes like the ones he remembered from the first night he met her. They were home for him and for a moment all he could do was lose himself in them, recalling how magical they were in the moonlight when he kissed her so long ago.

"Joshua..."

"Don't speak princess. I'm here and I'm not leaving." He pressed her hand to his lips. "Matt's here. He's watching the babies in the nursery."

Lila exhaled deeply. "Are they okay?"

"They are perfect. I met them yesterday. They are just as beautiful as you, love."

Tears welled up in Lila's eyes. "Don't cry, lovely. They have an angel on their side."

"I know. She was here last night."

"Who was here last night?" Bam asked with a sense of curiosity. He knew she couldn't have any visitors.

"My mother. She came to me in a dream last night. I was walking into the sun and she kept me away from it." A small tear ran down Lila's cheek. "She said I couldn't stay with her. She sent me back to you."

"Lila, what did your mom look like?" The mere question gave Bam a chill.

"She looked like me."

Bam knew he recognized those eyes from the woman in the chapel. He was almost afraid to ask her the next question. "Lila, what was your mom's name?"

"Her name was Rose Elizabeth." Bam looked at the table where he had laid the rose from the woman and realized he had met Lila's deceased mother. She told him Lila would be alright. It was both an eerie and spiritual feeling that rushed over him. Whatever forces had taken place that evening, he would be never be able to explain. He only knew that his prayers had been answered in the most inexplicable way.

"Can I see Matt?" Lila needed him to know she owed her life to him and that of her children. Bam slipped out of the room to bring back Lila's saviour. He didn't mind this time sharing his precious time with his brother. Bam knew he owed him a great deal of gratitude.

In usual fashion, he found Matt at the nurses station chatting up a pretty redheaded woman. Bam interrupted his conversation and pulled him away. "Lila wants to see you."

Bam and Matt exchanged places giving Bam time to visit with the twins and Matt found his way to Lila's room. He walked stealthily in to find her with her eyes closed. He touched her arm and she turned to smile at him. "Matthew."

He, like Bam, loved when she used his proper name. It meant she was serious in what she was about to say. She reached for his hand and held it. "Thank you isn't sufficient."

Matt looked down at the floor and then the wall trying not to make eye contact with her. He knew if he did he would lose it right there. He always had a special place in his heart for her but one that would be unrequited. "You don't have to thank me." His words didn't come out easily. "I would do it all over again for you, for Bam."

For all his extreme ideas and free spirited nature, she knew one thing. He would have moved heaven and earth for her. "I can never repay you, Matthew."

"You're children are payment enough. I'm going to be the best uncle they have." Lila knew he was right and there was one way she could repay him.

Can you get Bam for me?" Matt kissed her cheek and disappeared back to the nursery where he found the proud father of two making faces through the glass at Jace and Lily. He sent Bam back to Lila's room and took his spot as the guardians of the latest Brownies.

Bam took a seat next to Lila on the bed. "I need for you to say yes to what I'm going to ask you. Can you do that?"

"Your wish is my command." Bam leaned in to kiss Lila's cheek.

"I want to name Jace...Jace Matthew Brown." Lila paused waiting for Bam's response.

"Yes."

"Yes, what? Lila asked.

"I think Jace Matthew Brown is a perfect name." Bam smiled at the thought of Matt's face when they would share the news. "And I have a request of you Lila J."

Lila smiled. "Not Denali?"

"Not Denali. I want to name Lily....Lily Rose Brown."

"After my mom?"

"Yes, lovely, after your angel."