Page 4 of Tinsel & Chrome
Indi
The following morning, Indi made two stops before she headed to the hospital. The first was to a bookstore where she picked up several children’s books. The second was to a children’s store where she took a chance and got a stuffed animal for both children. For Darby she chose a cute little koala bear and for Lorcan she went with a white Bengal tiger. She also got several games-Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, and an alphabet matching card game.
“Good morning,”
she said to the nurses as she stepped up to the nurse’s station.
“Good morning, how can we help you?”
one of them asked.
“I’m here to visit with Darby and Lorcan,”
she replied.
“I should be on the list. Lilian had my husband and I added last night. Indiana Baxter,”
she added.
The nurse typed on the computer before she nodded.
“There you are. Enjoy your visit,”
she told Indi.
“Thank you.”
Indi made her way to the room and knocked before she entered.
“Good morning sweet ones,”
she said to them.
“Indi! You came back!”
Lorcan said and they both lit up with smiles.
“I told you I would, and I always keep my promises,”
she replied.
“I have something for each of you,”
she said as she reached the bed.
She perched on the edge before she pulled the stuffed animals from a bag.
“A koala for the little princess, because it’s cute as a button, just like you,”
she said, handing it to Darby, who squealed and hugged it close.
“And for the little prince, a fierce tiger, strong and brave just like you,”
she said to Lorcan.
“Thank you,”
the little boy said and hugged it.
“You are quite welcome,”
she replied.
It was Darby who noticed the other bag.
“What’s that?”
she asked curiously.
“This?”
Indi asked, holding up the bag.
“This is my bag of fun. Wanna see what’s in it?”
“Uh huh!”
they both said.
Indi laughed softly before she started pulling out books and games and spread them out on the bed. Then she explained what each one was.
That was how she found herself deep in a game of Candyland when Chaos arrived a few hours later.
“Hello you three. Having fun without me?”
he teased.
“Sorry!”
Lorcan responded.
“It’s okay. I’m just teasing you,”
he assured the little boy.
“I brought lunch,” he added.
That ended the game quickly. It was put away and Chaos set their lunches on the movable hospital tables.
“Today we have chicken nuggets and fries for everyone,”
he said with a wink that made Indi laugh. He knew how much she loved chicken nuggets.
Once the food was gone, Indi sat at the head of the bed with a child on each side while she read to them. Darby curled up against her with her thumb in her mouth and Indi smiled. She was glad she could make them feel safe.
When it was time to leave, she gently kissed the tops of both their heads and stood.
“We’ll be back tomorrow, and then the day after you get to come home with us,”
she told them.
“I’m gonna leave these here for you two,”
she added, patting the small stack of games.
It was still hard as hell to leave but this time she didn’t feel like she was ready to burst into tears. Two more days. She just had to wait two more days.