CHAPTER 8

The trip back to the lodge was slow but steady. Monica's ankle had been stabilized and she was buckled into a rescue sled, which Andrew pulled, while Paul carried Sarah on his shoulders. Bailey and Pepper led the way and soon they had arrived at the lodge.

"Sarah!" Janet Connor's voice cried out as she looked up and saw her little girl alive and being carried into the warmth.

"Mommy!" As Paul put the little girl down, she scampered into her mother's waiting arms.

"Thank goodness you're all right!" The woman's tears were falling unashamedly as she held her daughter close. Only then did she see Andrew carrying Monica inside in his arms, "Andrew…"

"She's alive," Paul informed her quickly, "We have a doctor on staff here as the roads are not yet passable. Once he sees Monica, I'll make sure he stops by to check Sarah over, but other than being hungry and cold, I think she is just fine, Mrs. Connor."

"Where's daddy?" Sarah asked worriedly.

"In our room, baby. He's going to be so excited to know you are all right." Janet hugged her daughter close once more.

"I am okay, mommy. Monica prayed to God and he made sure we were okay…but I think Bailey and Pepper are hungry."

Though puzzled by what her daughter had said about God, Janet nodded her head, "Then let's go to our room so we can feed them and so you can see daddy, then you can let us know all about Pepper."

"And God, mom…I need to tell you about him too."

x

Andrew held tightly to the little angel's cold hand as he waited for Paul and Dr. Flannigan to arrive. Monica's pale face terrified him as he knelt beside the bed, rubbing her arm and kissing her palm, willing her beautiful brown eyes to open.

"How's she doing, buddy?"

Paul's voice caused the angel's head to jerk up and relief flooded him when he saw his friend and the doctor entering the room, "No change. She won't wake up!"

"Be calm, Andrew," The older doctor replied gently, "This young lady is cold, hungry and by the looks of her, exhausted." He pushed a cart into the room that was laden with supplies, including several heated blankets, "Let's get her warmed up."

With the help of both Andrew and Paul, they soon had Monica's body swaddled in the warm blankets. Though she still didn't open her eyes, even knowing she was warm helped to calm Andrew somewhat. His guarded eyes watched as Dr. Flannigan checked her pulse and listened to her heart.

"I'm not seeing signs of hypothermia," The doctor looked surprised.

"There was evidence of a fire, but it seems they may have run out of wood." Paul offered and by the confused look on Andrew's face, he knew his friend had never even noticed the pile of ashes inside the cave.

"I'd venture to say that they recently ran out of that wood," He replied, as he moved down to remove the angel's boots. He could sense Andrew's nervousness as he felt Monica's ankle and gently moved it, "I don't think it's broken, Andrew but she should still have an x-ray to make certain, once we can get her to a hospital. But I'll wrap it and if she soon starts feeling better, I have crutches to keep her off of it until we make sure there is no fracture."

As the doctor wrapped Monica's ankle, Andrew sat down next to her on the bed, his hand moving to tenderly stroke her cheek, "Please wake up, baby."

"Andrew, clean off that gash on her head," Dr. Flannigan requested as he handed the angel a medicated wipe, "I need to see how deep it is."

"Gash?" Andrew gently brushed her bangs aside and for the first time saw the cut on her head. Having not known it was there before now served to only make him feel worse than he already did. Steeling himself, he delicately wiped at the dried blood on her forehead.

In response to his actions, Monica left out a soft moan that caused the blonde angel's heart to leap to his throat.

"Angel? Wake up, sweetie. C'mon, baby, you can do it. Open those eyes for me," He was desperate to see them, desperate to see the level of her pain instead of just guessing.

The moments seemed like hours before her eyelashes fluttered and her eyes opened briefly, allowing Andrew to plainly see her confusion and exhaustion. Her eyes were the kind of red and glassy that could only be caused by sleep deprivation, but it didn't matter in the moment. His Monica was awake.

"Baby?" His hand was back to resting against her cheek, "Are you warm enough, Angel? Does anything hurt?" He was desperate to say how sorry he was, but it would have to wait; caring for her body was his first priority, then he could tend to her gentle heart.

"Tired…" Monica whispered hoarsely as her eyes began to slide shut once again.

"I know, Monica, but I need to know if you're hurt anywhere else other than your ankle and your head."

Dr. Flannigan finished dressing her ankle and then bandaged her head, surmising that it didn't need sutures, "I sent Paul down to order her some warm liquids, Andrew. She needs fluids in her before she sleeps and dry clothes wouldn't be a bad idea either. I'm going to check on my other patient and will be back later. Call if you need me." He turned his attention back to Monica, "Are you having any other pain, Monica?"

She gave her head a tiny shake and then winced at the pain it caused her head. As she watched the doctor exchange another few words with Andrew and then leave, panic filled her, "Sarah? Sarah, please!"

Andrew was at her side again a moment later, gently calming her, "She's fine, baby and with her parents. She was awake and chattering away as soon as she saw them. You kept her so safe, Angel…just so safe."

At his words, foggy memories came back to her of hurtful words and she tried to make sense of them, but in her current state it was nearly impossible, "I'm so tired, Andrew…please…"

The tears that slid down her cheeks went straight to his heart. She looked exhausted, the dark circles beneath her eyes the only color on her otherwise pale face, "I know, sweetheart. But you need to eat something first and we need to get you out of these wet clothes. I'll help you, baby."

Monica looked absolutely helpless as Andrew wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders and being careful of her ankle, got her to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. As the blankets fell away, she immediately began to shiver, then due to feeling so weak and so tired, she leaned up against him and began to cry.

Andrew's heart was pounding loudly as he tenderly gathered her into his arms, warming her with his body as he kissed the top of her head repeatedly. He could sense her weariness and her confusion and he hoped the soup arrived soon so he could allow her to sleep.

"I love you so much, Angel and I'm so glad you're safe. If anything had happened to you, I don't know what I'd of done." He continued to whisper soothing words to comfort and calm her until her tears began to cease, "That's my girl," He whispered, kissing her forehead, "We need to get you out of these wet things, baby."

Her hands trembled as she struggled to unzip her coat, but she was too weak to carry out the simplest of tasks. Her expression nearly undid him.

Andrew had no one to help him and he was loath to make her uncomfortable in any way. Touching her cheek once more, he looked into her bleary eyes, "Baby, do you trust me?"

Another tiny sob escaped her as Monica nodded her head. As quickly as he could and allowing her every bit of her modesty, Andrew helped her out of her wet clothing and into a warm flannel nightgown, before he wrapped a blanket around her once more and held her close.