She felt Jax at her back and swallowed hard. It was do or die time. Her eyes flickered to Pam then to Duncan. Now more than ever, death was close. No one needed her gift to feel that.
“If Pam has a fighting chance to come through this, she needs something to fight for.” Caroline made damn sure her voice was strong with conviction, because Duncan looked like he wanted to kill her. “If Daniel were my son, I would do everything in my power to get back to him. Any mother would and if you would look past your own pain, you would see this is what needs to be done.”
The room was deathly silent. Caroline went to Nicole reaching out toward Daniel who looked away from Pam and reached for her. Smiling at the young boy, she stopped directly in front of Duncan who continued to stare at her.
“Daddy,” Daniel said, his tone more reserved as he looked at Duncan. As if knowing something wasn’t right, his little arms wrapped around her neck tighter.
Seeing something flicker in Duncan’s eyes, she held Daniel out to him. “Make her fight.”
Duncan finally looked away from her to Daniel, then took him in his arms. Father and son stared at each other before Daniel reached up, lightly patting Duncan on the cheek and that was when Duncan broke. He turned away from everyone holding Daniel close to his chest.
Caroline watched Daniel’s little arms reach up to wrap around Duncan’s neck and she lost it. Putting her hand over her mouth, she turned, running right into Jax, who once again, wrapped her in his arms.
Daniel’s little face peeked around Duncan’s shoulder to look at Pam. Then he reached for her. Duncan turned, then sat, scooting the chair closer to Pam and sitting Daniel on the bed.
Taking one finger, Daniel poked Pam in the arm, and then pulled his hand away holding it close to his body before looking up at Duncan, then back to Pam. Surprisingly careful for a three-year-old, Daniel inched his way up the bed and lightly patted Pam’s cheek. He frowned when Pam didn’t respond. “Sleepy?” His little voice broke every heart in the room.
Duncan cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, Mommy’s sleeping.”
Daniel looked away from Duncan before resting his head on her chest. With his little hand, he patted her softly.
Enemies far and wide looked for a way to bring the VC Warriors to their knees, that much Caroline knew. Wouldn’t they be shocked that all it took was a little freckle-faced boy’s love for his mother?
******
Jill lay on her back in the middle of the floor in Pam and Duncan’s apartment playing airplane rides with Daniel. It had been five days since Duncan had tried to change Pam, two of those days with Daniel being brought in to be with Pam and Duncan. Everyone took turns keeping the active toddler entertained.
Slade walked in and stood over them. He chuckled when Daniel tried to make airplane noises. “How you feeling?” He leaned down, feeling her forehead.
“I’m fine.” Jill grinned at Daniel who was slobbering all over the place while making airplane sounds. “But I may drown in drool.”
Daniel laughed when Jill started to make the noises along with him.
“Don’t wear yourself out,” Slade ordered, his eyes intense as he stared down at her.
“Any improvement?” Jill brushed past Slade’s order.
Slade glanced toward Pam with a confident stare. “Yes, she’s starting to heal herself. The bruising from the needles is gone as are the wounds from being changed.” Slade didn’t say much with Daniel there. “It’s a great sign.”
Relief filled Jill. The past five days have been hell and everything had stopped, except for their vigil over Pam. “I knew you could pull her through.”
“It had nothing to do with me,” Slade replied before Daniel turned toward him blowing drool all over his jeans making his airplane noises. “Hey, mister!”
Daniel and Jill laughed loudly. Slade pulled him off Jill’s feet and tossed him in the air, making Daniel squeal.
“This little airplane is the miracle worker.” He tossed him again and Daniel squealed louder in delight.
Jill sat up and laughed. She then looked over at Duncan who still sat in the same spot he had been sitting in for the past five days, next to Pam, but this time, he was watching his son with a small smile on his face. Her eyes moved to Pam.
“Oh, my God.” Jill jumped up, running toward the bed. “Pam!”
Pam looked up at Jill, her golden eyes bright. “I want to see my son,” she whispered in a weak voice.
Slade hurried over, handing Daniel to Duncan. Taking their son in his arms, Duncan first leaned over, whispered something to Pam and kissed her lips softly. He then sat Daniel next to Pam, his own tears running freely down his handsome face, not caring who saw him.
Daniel reached out, touching the corner of her golden eyes. “Purty.”
Jill heard sniffs, clearing of the throats and sighs, but her eyes were glued to the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. Slade took her hand leading her away and they followed everyone else out of the room to give Pam and her family their privacy.