Chapter 142 : She is beautiful

                              

That night after we were told by the nurse that Summer had to go back to her bed I watched her for a long time until she fell soundly asleep before I allowed Andrea (who had taken over from Jean at nine to do the night shift) to pull the curtains around me.  I felt a new protective attitude towards her and wished beyond all else that for a moment I could only read her mind. I wanted to know the thoughts that swam around behind her eyes, to know what made her sad. I would give anything to know all the secrets she was hiding, to know what had hurt her before, until finally at about one that morning I fell into sleep as well.

 That morning despite going to sleep late I woke up to find Andrea was still next to my bed from the night shift her nose in a book and her legs curled up in the lounging chair next to me.

 “Morning,” I whispered.

 “Ahhh, morning Mi,” Andrea said in her strong Scottish ascent folding the corner on the page of her book before flopping it on to the floor with a little thud.

 “You can carry on reading if you want.” I said feeling guilty for disturbing her.

 “I know that, “Andrea said stretching out her body in a cat like fashion and giving out a yawn, “But I will be going home soon anyway,” she said glancing at her watch. “ There you are look at that for timing there’s my replacement now.” She said, smiling towards the door.

 I turned to see Emmet come into the ward first and then Esmee who was pushing a pink buggy that contained a little girl with bright ginger hair that cascaded down to just above her shoulders in loose waves like Esmee’s. I couldn’t’t see her face as she was looking down at the toy steering wheel that was clipped to the front of the buggy but I could imagine how pretty she was. This must have been baby Mia, Emmet’s and Esmee’s daughter.

 “Morning,” Andrea said before I could. “Gave Emmet a lift in did you Esmee? She asked shoving the book she was reading into her hand bag before getting to her feet and stretching herself out again in a tired fashion. It was obvious that Andrea was looking forward to going home and going right to bed.

 “Yep, I will be going soon.” Esmee said smiling.

 “Anything particularly important happen?” Emmet asked.

“Nope, a good night I believe. Do you want a brief hand over though?”

 “Yes please. Esmee won’t mind staying with Mi for a bit.”

 “That’s fine.” Esmee said smiling sweetly taking the seat Andrea sat on before as Emmet and Andrea walked out of the ward for a handover in the office behind the nurses’ station.

 “I take it this is Mia?” The little girl in the buggy looked up at the sound of her name and studied my face. As expected she was adorable, a perfect match to Esmee apart from her eyes, she had Emmet’s eyes just more striking against her ginger waves. That shone out in exactly the same way as Arabella’s had before she hit puberty.  

 “It is indeed.” Esmee said smiling as she leant forward and smoothed down her daughters hair while she made a face causing Mia to laugh loudly before she jumped up and down in the buggy unable to contain her excitement.

“Mia baby, this is Mi. She’s one of mummy’s friends.” Esmee said pointing in my direction to draw Mia’s attention to me.

 “Doggy!” Mia squealed once again letting out the full devastating power of her laugh showing her two front teeth as she tried to wave a little uncoordinated with one of her hands.

 The tears made my throat clogged before I could center myself to push them away.  She was too good and new and pure to be anywhere near me yet I wanted her to be there, she made things seem different.

 “Gosh she is beautiful.” Was the only thing I could whisper as the tears spilled out of my eyes and down over my cheeks.