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Title: The Shadows Grow Long 16/18
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Tuesday, 10:45am, GW Hospital, Wash, D.C.
Abbey sat at her husband�s side as Jed told her about his visit with Josh. Together they talked and worried about Charlie and Zoey. Then Abbey explained Stephanie�s amazing role in last night�s events to Jed... and of course he wanted to get up and go visit her, too. To keep him in bed, Abbey had to promise that she would introduce him to Stephanie and her parents personally, as soon as she heard that Stephanie was awake.
Donna sat beside Josh�s bed, listening to the machines beep and whirr, until her breath and heart began to sync with the rhythm of Josh�s life. He had woken up earlier and said a few words to the President, but he was sleeping again. She wanted to be here when he woke up again. Donna was determined; there was no way that she would let hate take him away from her. In her soul Donna knew that the only way to counter this sort of hate was with love, and Donna knew that she loved Josh enough to pull him through anything.
Charlie didn�t know what to say; didn�t know what to think. All he wanted to do was hold Zoey, but he felt it was the last thing he should be doing now.
Zoey knew Charlie was hurting, but she didn�t know how to help him; she just knew she loved him. So she stayed with him, and offered what support she could.
Sharon and Grant sat beside their baby; holding her hands, touching her hair. Sharon was humming a tune Grant remembered her singing to Stephie when she was a baby.
When Stephie finally began to stir, both Sharon and Grant moved closer.
�Baby? Stephanie? Wake up for us. We�re here waiting for you,� Grant said.
�Honey, it�s mama. Please wake up. Show us you�re okay.�
As Stephanie�s eyes fluttered opened she saw her parents, who loved her so much. She saw her own eyes reflected in her mother�s blue eyes, with tears running down her mother�s pink cheeks. She looked at her father and saw his brown eyes filled with worry and his warm cocoa colored skin. Both of them were smiling down at her; when they saw that she was awake they kissed each other, then they kissed her� very carefully.
Charlie and Zoey walked the hospital hallways, with Zoey holding onto Charlie�s arm. Wandering past Stephie�s room they were going to stop in to ask her mom how she was doing, but the view through the window to her room told them everything they needed to know. Apparently Mr. Abbott had arrived in from Denver. Stephanie�s parents were laughing and kissing each other while they leaned over Stephanie, touching her hands and hair, while Stephanie gave them the biggest smile her battered face would allow.
Charlie looked at Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, comparing Mr. Abbott�s black skin and Mrs. Abbott�s white skin with the image he saw of himself and Zoey reflected in the window. Then he looked at Stephanie, the daughter created from the love these two people shared. Inspired, he leaned down and kissed Zoey, softly. �You know I love you, don�t you? That I would do anything for you? Do anything to keep you from getting hurt?� he asked.
�As a matter of fact, I do. And I love you, too, Charlie Young. I would do anything to keep you from getting hurt, too. But I won�t give you up, Charlie, no matter what anyone � including you - says or does,� she smiled and she kissed him back.
email Teresa
mercier_beaucoup at yahoo.com
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