Page 6 of Tinsel & Chrome

“We can go today. You can follow me to the hospital,” Lilian replied.

“Then let’s go,” Chaos said and they followed her out.

The drive to the hospital took a bit because of traffic, but soon enough they were stepping into the pediatric ward.

After checking in at the nurse’s station, Lilian led them to a room at the end of the hall. “The children share a room,” she explained before she opened the door and stepped inside.

Inside the room there were two ginger-haired children huddled together on one bed.

“Hello sweet ones,” Lilian said as she approached. “I’ve brought someone to meet you. Darby, Lorcan, this is Reese and Indi,” she added gently.

Indi approached slowly. “Hi. Darby is a very pretty name,” she said softly. “And Lorcan sounds very strong.” That got her smiles. “Is it okay if I sit right here?” she asked and patted the end of the bed. She watched as they looked at each other before nodding.

Chaos pulled the chair over and sat on it while Indi perched on the foot of the bed.

“I want mommy,” Darby said and Indi’s heart hurt at the sorrow in her voice.

“I know you do, sweetpea. And your mommy would be here if she could. Do you know what an angel is?” Indi asked.

“Uh uh,” the little girl replied.

“Angels are special people who look out for us. But in order to be an angel, they have to go to heaven. That’s where your mommy is now. She’s an angel in heaven, watching over both of you. I know you both miss her so, so much, and she misses you too, but she sent Reese and I to look after you and love you just like she did.”

Both children sniffled and Indi just wanted to hold them and make it better. She wanted these children. She wanted to give them the love and healing they needed.

“She did?” Lorcan asked.

“She did, little man,” Chaos said.

When Darby crawled into her lap and clung to her, Indi wrapped her arms around her and rocked her. “Shh. It’s okay sweetpea. I know you’re scared, but we’re right here.” Soon she had both of them clinging to her, and tears streaked her own cheeks as they quietly cried against her.

“I knew you two were the right ones. I’ll head back to the office and get the paperwork started. I know three days doesn’t give you a lot of time to get everything you’ll need for them, so I am willing to grant an extension as long as they each have their own room.”

“Thanks, Lilian. We’ll be ready,” Chaos told her.

“All right. Here’s the list of what you’ll need, including clothing and shoe sizes. Come to the office Thursday to sign everything and then I will meet you both here Friday morning,” Lilian replied.

“Will do,” Chaos told her and she left.

Once the children stopped crying, Chaos soon got them laughing by making funny faces and tickling them.

When their dinner arrived, Chaos wrinkled his nose. “That doesn’t look tasty. How about I go get us some hamburgers and french fries?” he suggested.

“Yes!” they said in unison, and he chuckled. “I’ll be right back then,” he replied and left.

“How about a story while we wait?” Indi asked and then she spun a tale about a prince and princess who were saved from a fire-breathing dragon.

By the time Chaos returned, the story was over with the prince and princess getting a new mommy and daddy.

“Here we go,” he said, handing out food and drinks and they all chowed down.

No sooner had they finished eating and a nurse stuck her head in the door. “Visiting hours are over in five minutes.”

“Okay. Thank you,” Indi replied before she turned to the children. “We have to go, sweet ones.”

“Pwease don’t weave,” Darby cried and it just about broke her heart.

“We have to, sweetpea, but I promise I’ll be back tomorrow.” Then she leaned in and mock-whispered, “Wanna hear a secret?”