Buckingham Nicks-Part II of Fritz Series

Normal

People have been in and out of Stevie's room all day, Doctors, nurses, family, friends. Robin went to the house to take care of Ginny, the reporters and the cops are all gone. Star is back with Forest and they're being held at the California department of family services, their parents are being questioned by the police along with the other members of the group. Raven, the gray haired old man in the tent, has been arrested along with Hunter and Luna for unlawful restraint, kidnapping and interference with child custody.

No mention of the rape.

Barbra insisted on taking Sara home to wash and change her but Sara refused to leave, she screamed and cried something awful and wouldn't let go of my neck no matter who tried to take her. It was finally decided that Jeff and Jess would stay outside of Stevie's room with Chris. Barbra and I drove to the house and got her cleaned up, the state of the house a sight better than it was when I left. Barbra explained the my mother got restless while waiting and the two of them tidied up.

I have the decency to look ashamed when I think of all the empty alcohol containers and garbage laying around. Barbra doesn't mention it, and I'm thankful of that. I was never much of a housekeeper before Stevie was taken, she did all the cooking, and washing and cleaned house for me and Sara. She insisted on it, the lone exception being me leaving clothes on the floor. Our first serious fight as a couple on our own was because I kept leaving clothes on the floor for her to pick up. I haven't done it since.

"I can stay here with Sara if you'd like" my little girl has apparently grown about an inch since she's been gone, but she's lost about seven pounds. Her clothes still fit but they're baggy on her. It makes me angry all over again, I know Sara. She's picky about when she eats, but she will eat for me. I hate to think of all the meals she gave up on screaming for me and Stevie...now however she doesn't seem to have a problem eating anything that's given to her. And I think it's because her body has been starving or close to it for weeks.

"I don't think she'll let me go long enough for that. Besides I know she'll want to see Stevie when she wakes up." Barbra squeezes my arm sadly but doesn't argue. My heart breaks for her, she's a grandmother and she spoiled Sara rotten but now she's afraid of anyone who isn't me. Ginny is beyond ecstatic to see her, and Sara is likewise. She screams when we can't take Ginny back to the hospital, but I have to explain to her that dogs aren't allowed. She doesn't understand she just wants her buddy. I kiss her cheek, and do my best to console her.

"When we bring mommy home Ginny will still be here baby girl, Aunt Robin is taking good care of her" she sniffles "Yeah?" I nod smoothing curls from her forehead "Yeah, I promise." This quiets her, and she settles her head against my chest falling to sleep as we head back to the hospital.

Stevie's been coming in and out of consciousness intermetantly. Never for more than a few minutes but she manages to greet whoever's in the room and always asks for me and Sara. By the time we get back she's out again and I take up residence in the highbacked chair in the corner. Sara is more comfortable interacting with people by the second day but she still refuses to leave me for longer than ten minutes. She naps against my chest holding Mauricio the first time Stevie opens her eyes while I'm in the room.

I'm nodding off myself holding Sara with one arm, and Stevie's hand in the other. I feel pressure against my fingers and I turn toward Stevie's bed. Tears roll down her face when she sees me and she squeezes tighter on my fingers "Hey blue eyes". My chest tightens as I move closer to her "Steph, sweetheart" she lets out a shuddering breath and I kiss the back of her hand "You grew your beard back". I chuckle holding back tears "I guess I did".

Her hand combs through the hair on my face the way it used to and her face breaks into a sad smile, she notices Sara who is wide awake staring quietly at her mother "Mommy's sweet pea". Sara looks at her wriggling in my arms "Mommy!" she moves off my lap climbing into bed with Stevie and transferring her koala grip to her mother's neck. Moving to the side of the bed I run my hands through Sara's hair, kissing Stevie's forehead as mother and daughter re-establish their bond. I don't know how long she's been without her mother's touch the sick dynamics of that cult making it impossible for her to hold her own mother or cry for her when she was afraid.