Chapter 27: Holly
“YOU HAVE TO SLOW down. You can’t keep pushing at this pace, Holly,” Jesse warned. Holly and Jesse had spent the entire summer traveling. She had actively talked to thousands of people, preaching her vision of peace and reformation. It took five visits and a little negotiating to get General Bobby Steinfeld to come around and give AMAN support. That only happened after Holly personally coordinated a ceasefire with the Gators in the south that were pressing into AMAN territory and causing a constant battlefront.
The ceasefire with the Gators officially ended September twenty-first. That was the last day of the peace conference Holly was hosting to bring together all the key players of the largest five factions in the East. If everything went smoothly, she was optimistic it would continue long-term, but she had so much riding on it that it was causing unnecessary stress to her and the baby.
“I’m fine, Jesse,” Holly tried convincing him.
“Look, that baby is coming any moment now. You have to take a break before the conference begins or you’re not going to be worth a damn to anyone.” He knew it was a losing cause, but he had to try.
Jesse Sullivan had become Holly’s closest friend, her protector, and her constant companion. He never left her side. The two had grown close and there were no longer any secrets between them. Jesse had even softened and laughed and smiled regularly, but only behind closed doors when the two of them were alone. In public, he remained as disconnected and cold as always.
With Holly being eight months pregnant and looking like she would delivery any second, rumors started flying around that the baby was indeed Jesse’s and not Holly’s late husband’s, but the two of them knew the truth and that was all that had mattered to them. Both had the uncanny ability to ignore rumors and not let it get to them, so neither felt the need to constantly defend them.
She was growing bigger and more uncomfortable by the second. Jesse insisted, as she hit thirty-six weeks, that they head back to Norfolk to be close to Michelle for the impending delivery. They had returned three weeks earlier and it was already early September, just over two weeks to go until the peace conference began. Holly whined that there was just too much to do to slow down.
“How’s our little mama doing today?” Michelle asked as she breezed into the room. They had been staying in the bridge with Gunny’s soldiers since their return so the midwife could oversee the last of the pregnancy.
“I’m fine,” Holly grumbled. “Or as fine as I can be. Word came in yesterday that Gideon was backing out of the peace conference. I needed him here. I was able to speak to him over the radio, and he assures me the Endorians are still interested in moving forward with peace, but they will hold back and wait to see how the initial peace conference goes before joining it. I’m so mad I could spit!”
Michelle gave Jesse a look. “I know,” he said. “I’ve been trying to keep her calm, but she doesn’t listen well on a good day, much less when she’s all worked up like this.”
Michelle was one of the few people outside of Holly that he occasionally dropped his façade around. Almost always, it was in exasperation to something Holly was doing or saying.
She took Holly’s hand and pulled her up to a standing position. She had been sitting on the floor, so that was no easy feat. At the last minute, Jesse helped by pushing from behind. Holly turned and scowled at him.
“I’m just trying to help. Jesus, Hols, you’ve been a grouch since you woke up this morning.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just worried about the conference, and I’m miserable. I can’t remember the last time I saw my toes, and it hurts to even walk right now. I’m just ready to hold my baby and not be pregnant anymore. How much longer is it going to be?”
“You know we estimated your due date for just after the peace conference. I tried to tell you not to schedule it at that time, remember?” Michelle reminded her. Both she and Jesse had tried to talk Holly into pushing forward into August, or back to mid-October, but she hadn’t been thinking about the baby when she got agreement from both Gunny and Bobby Steinfeld, and now it was too late to change it.
“You’re definitely riding lower today. Lie back for me,” Michelle directed. She placed her hands on the baby and felt around. With a stethoscope, she listened for a strong heartbeat. “Everything looks great,” she finally concluded.
They chatted for a few minutes, Holly was tired and laid down for a nap. When she got up, she and Jesse went over the conference events, preparing for every possible scenario, good and bad.
Each day looked pretty much the same as they fell into a monotonous pattern over the next few weeks. Despite all preparations, the day before the conference had Holly pacing the floor with nerves.
They had chosen a hotel next to the old Hampton Coliseum for the conference. Holly put together a neutral team to assist her and Jesse with cleaning out and preparing the facility. She trained them in what she needed as staff for the event. They had limited each faction to only twelve people; still, enough rooms had to be cleaned and put together to handle fifty people, plus additional room for her team.
Her team included snipers, security, servers, cooks, housekeepers, and greeters. She and Jesse handpicked each of them personally. She had to be able to trust every single one of them and wasn’t taking any chances. There was a real fear that one faction would try to use the conference to take out the others. She needed her team prepared for absolutely anything. They spent weeks going over it all in meticulous detail and thinking through every possible scenario. When the day of arrival came, she knew they were ready.
* * * * *
Griffon and his eleven men came first, arriving just after sunrise. Holly greeted them, recognizing most he brought with him. Her welcoming crew did their job as planned and practiced. She was proud of them as they showed the group to the wing assigned for the AMAN.
The old hotel was in a square with an open atrium. The atrium would serve as their neutral territory for the conference. The rooms assigned were all on the second floor of the building, one side given to each faction, hallways and elevators were deemed neutral pass-throughs only. It was the best she could come up with given the circumstances.
Griffon held back with a tall man, thin in stature.
“Holly, thank you for having us,” he said as he leaned down to hug her, catching her off guard.
“Thank you for coming,” she responded in the same formal but friendly tone he had used.
“This is my brother-in-law, and leader of the militia, General Bobby Steinfeld.”
“General, thank you for coming,” Holly said, trying to keep the surprise from her voice. When Griffon agreed to the meeting, she assumed he would be representing the AMAN. He never once mentioned the general would be attending.
Jesse walked up behind her, glaring over her shoulder in warning at the man that had been his mentor and protector for as long as he could remember.
“Holly, it’s wonderful to finally meet you. I’m looking forward to watching you in action after all I’ve heard. All good things of course,” he added. “Jesse, we’ll talk once I’m settled.” His tone told them both there was no room for argument.
“Yes, sir,” Jesse said. “Now, if I could just borrow Holly for a moment, I’ll have David here show you to your quarters.” Jesse pulled a young man from the greeting committee over to escort Griffon and the General.
“I didn’t know he’d be attending,” Holly whispered in a quick, harsh voice.
“It’s just intimidation tactics, Hols. Brush it off. Remember that he’s just a person, no different than anyone else, despite what he or his brainwashed cronies believe.”
Jesse was right, she knew. General Steinfeld was of no greater importance than the Generals of the other three factions. So why did he intimidate her so much more?
The morning flew by, but before breakfast was served, Gunny and his men arrived. Holly greeted them in the same manner as the AMAN, but she wasn’t as nervous. After the formal welcome, she had someone show them to their rooms. Michael winked at her as they passed.
The main atrium would house all group functions, including meals. There were a few smaller rooms off it that would serve for breakouts and negotiations, as needed, but the majority of events were to take place in the main area.
Breakfast saw an immediate divide. Both groups were served at the same time, but the AMAN stayed to one side of the room and Gunny’s soldiers to the other. It was too soon to bother encouraging integration. Instead, Holly made her rounds, chatting with each and every person in attendance. She was well aware of the curious eyes on her, but she tried to ignore the looks and remain optimistic that the start of change was happening that week.
By lunchtime, the Gators had arrived. Beauregard Davis was General of the southern faction. He greeted Holly with a kiss on the cheek and a rub of her belly. He insisted on being called simply Beau. He thanked her for the invitation and told her how he looked forward to hearing her vision for the future. The man was so polite and charismatic that it immediately put Holly on edge.
Lunch saw a little interaction. Beau couldn’t help himself; he was so intrigued by the presence of Gunny and his men that he immediately introduced himself. Having only recently heard of the man that had haunted the AMAN, a common enemy, which, as far as Beau was concerned, made them immediate allies.
“Beauregard Davis. You must be the infamous Gunny Jackson I’ve heard so much about,” Beau said, introducing himself.
Gunny rose and shook the man’s hand. “Holly’s told me of you. I look forward to hearing more about what’s happening in the south. It still amazes me how many places that girl’s been recently. Used to be a time no one would think anything of such a trip, but now …” he shook his head, his fondness for Holly showing through.
“Imagine my surprise when she comes marching into my camp demanding a ceasefire against the AMAN and stand up for change. I’ll admit, I laughed in her face at first.”
Gunny laughed at the image he portrayed. “I’d being willing to bet it didn’t sway her one little bit.”
“No sir, it didn’t faze her one single bit. That’s what made me stop and listen a little closer, and look at us now. All together under one roof.”
Shortly after lunch, the final faction arrived. The AMAN had dubbed them Snowbirds, but they called themselves the New Americans. Their general, Albert Cartwright, was a balding short man quite unassuming in stature. Holly instinctively knew he was more than he appeared, and was right. He was not someone to stand out in the crowd, and that just made him even more dangerous. He was definitely not someone to underestimate. She quickly gained his respect simply by recognizing that.
With all the players in place, they would have their official meet and greet after dinner, giving each of them time to settle in and rest up. The evening activities were meant to be ice breakers and nothing more. The actual conference wouldn’t begin until the next day.
At the meet-and-greet, each General was announced and encouraged to introduce their men. Holly had them do a few activities that got them up, moving around, and mixing up into groups. They paired off and had to learn some basic facts about the person next to them before switching and doing the same again. This helped individuals get to know each other. Many played along cordially, since it was early on in the conference yet the men were cautious of each other.
* * * * *
Holly was up late that night pacing the atrium. Everything had gone too smoothly. It worried her. She was so wound up she couldn’t sleep. Jesse came to check on her and insisted she sit down.
“You’ve been on your feet non-stop all day, Hols. You have to sit down and take a break. Do you really want me to wake Michelle and get her up here?” Jesse threatened.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Oh really?” He moved to get up.
“Fine. You win. I’m sitting,” she said, only slightly exaggerating her moves. It was getting difficult to get up and down.
Jesse shook his head. “You’re enormous.”
Holly punched him. “You aren’t supposed to say stuff like that. I’m pregnant.”
Jesse laughed openly. “I can’t help it, it’s true. You look like you’ve eaten an entire cow.”
“Did you really just call me a cow?”
He laughed harder. “I didn’t call you a cow, I said you look like you ate a cow. Very different. Sit back and just relax.” Jesse sat down across from her, pulled her foot into his lap, and began rubbing it. She moaned in bliss at the relief of her aching foot. He laughed again. “I’m forgiven that quickly, huh?”
“You know,” a voice startled them from behind. “That’s a sound I never thought I’d hear, Jesse Sullivan, laughing. It’s good to hear, my old friend.”
Holly watched as Jesse stiffened at the sound of General Steinfeld’s voice. The transition to a cold hard killer made her shudder.
“Bobby,” Jesse acknowledged, gripping Holly’s foot harder and only easing up when he saw her cringe and try to pull away. “Sorry,” he mouthed to her.
“How are you, my old friend?” Bobby asked.
“I’m good. You? How’s Lena and the baby?” Jesse asked. He got up and took the chair next to Holly, offering Bobby his across from them. The motion did not go unnoticed, nor was it mistaken for anything but the threat it was meant to be. Jesse was letting Bobby know that Holly was under his protection. The man raised a curious eyebrow at him before he spoke again.
Holly was surprised to see the ruthless General soften and genuinely smile as he filled them in on the latest about his wife and daughter. The two men chatted, and their words were friendly, but the unspoken communication between them was enough to make Holly shiver in fright. She wasn’t used to being intimidated by much, but Bobby Steinfeld did just that.
“Don’t worry about him,” Jesse told her when he was certain Bobby was out of earshot.
“Everything’s gone a little too smoothly today. Don’t you agree?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I’d think that would be expected. They’re all playing nice, sizing each other up still. Reports came in all four have larger groups roughly half a mile out and waiting.”
Holly nodded. “We’re ready?”
He smiled reassuringly, “If it comes down to that. I happen to have full faith in a certain fiery redhead when she says that it won’t.”
She took a deep breath, accepting the stress of the position she’d found herself in. All she could do was pray they’d listen.
The first two days of the conference went smoothly. Everyone was respectful and listened. It wasn’t until the third day that things started to fall apart.
Holly wasn’t sure when or how she lost control of the room, but everyone was talking over each other, standing up and yelling threats across the room. She yelled, she banged things on the podium, but no one was listening. The entire day had been a nightmare, steadily falling to pieces around her. To make matters worse, her feet were swollen and her stomach had been cramping all afternoon.
Jesse stood up and placed his fingers in his mouth sounding off the loudest whistle Holly had ever heard. The room silenced immediately as all heads turned to stare at him.
“You could have done that ten minutes ago,” Holly scolded under her breath.
Jesse gave her a half grin and nodded back to the room. “All yours,” he whispered.
“Gentleman,” Holly started, her voice thick with authority. “I was not aware I was entertaining a pack of wild animals here. Please take your seats, now. This is getting us nowhere. Each faction will exit one at a time and return to your gathering rooms. You will have one hour to discuss your terms amongst yourselves, then all factions will return and sit in their respective areas. And trust me, they will be marked clearly when you return. Only the Generals from each faction will be allowed to speak in this evening’s forum and will do so from the podium, relaying their terms for this peace treaty.”
She stared out across angry faces, but no one spoke up to challenge her. She dismissed each faction one at a time, waiting until all members were in their room with door closed before calling the next. Once all four groups were safely, and quietly away, Holly collapsed down into the nearest chair.
Michelle was by her side in seconds with a cup of clean water and one of the AMAN’s disgusting food bars. The woman had insisted it was the best protein and balanced meal Holly could possibly have, and she needed the strength it would provide to get through the remainder of the conference.
“Why are we doing this again?” she asked Jesse as he sat down and removed a shoe to begin massaging her feet. He felt so bad for her and helpless to do much of anything to help her through the final days of her pregnancy, so that something as simple as rubbing her feet had become his go-to thing. It was the one thing he could do that he knew she appreciated. “Do you think I’ll actually be able to see those suckers again soon?” she asked with a smile? She leaned back and moaned in relief as the stress melted away.
“Someday,” Jesse said. “Or maybe you’ll just stay fat like this forever.” She leaned forward and tried to smack him but her belly got in the way, stalling her efforts.
“I’m not fat,” she warned.
“Yes, you are,” he insisted. “Like a blimp.”
“You don’t even know what a blimp is,” Holly laughed, knowing he only used the term because she had mentioned it about herself one day.
He shrugged and smiled affectionately. “Seriously, Hols, you’re doing great. Just remember. One way or another, it all ends tomorrow. Just keep that in mind.”
As the others returned, they took their seats in their given sections without complaint. The four generals sat at the front of the room side by side and were called up one at a time to give their five highest priorities in the treaties. In the end, they ranged from things like food and shelter for their people to transportation and fuel to things as outrageous as missiles, and additional territory. Bobby even had the audacity to demand that he be President of the new nation.
Jesse had to whistle again to gain their attention.
“That’s enough. General Steinfeld, thank you for your remarks. I would like to remind you all that while these four factions are amongst the largest and most prominent in the land, this is only step one towards a much larger goal of reformation. If we can find common ground and establish peace amongst the four of you, it is my hope that our Spring meeting will find many more parties with many more voices to add to these conversations,” Holly said. There were some rumblings from the crowd in outrage and disagreement. She knew each of the generals were well aware of the plan, and it was clear to her which two had kept their men in the dark about it.
From the front row, Bobby gave her an evil grin and winked at her. She knew then he was largely stirring trouble. They adjourned a short while later for dinner, and as she continued to hear arguments throughout the room, she canceled all scheduled activities, disgusted by their behavior, and stomped off to her room after letting them know that.
What she didn’t know as a hot bath was drawn for her, and her aching muscles found some relief for the first time in days, was that her actions had struck a nerve with most of the men present. They still weren’t seeing eye-to-eye, but their respect for each other began to grow. Jesse was there to watch it happen and couldn’t believe his eyes. He heard several saying they really didn’t want to disappoint Holly.
Holly knew she should have gone back out there. She knew her behavior had been childish but she was so fed up with their negativity. It wasn’t good for her or the baby. So she stayed in. She went to bed and was already fast asleep before Jesse came in later that night to check on her.
* * * * *
The next morning Holly awoke with the sun. She stretched and sighed happily, realizing for the first time in ages that she was comfortable. She wasn’t sure she wanted to move again, ever, but the day was calling to her. It was September twenty-first, the peace treaty signing day. That, or the start of a greater war. She wasn’t quite sure just yet which way it would sway.
Feeling optimistic and refusing to let her fears beat her down, she jumped up and happily set out to get things started. She wasn’t sure if it was the ending in sight after a really hard week, or just a good night’s sleep, but she wasn’t achy, and her feet didn’t hurt. She had a bounce in her step as she headed off towards the kitchen.
“Good morning, Marsha,” she said to her head cook.
“Good morning, Miss Holly. You sure look chipper. I was not expecting that after the way those grown-ass men were behaving last night. You were right to walk out on them the way you did.”
Holly frowned, then shrugged it off. “Whatever happens today, happens. We’ll deal with it. Have you seen Nick this morning?”
Nick was Holly’s best sniper, and he was also keeping a close eye on the additional men surrounding the place that each of the factions had brought.
“No ma’am,” she said as Michael and Michelle wondered through the kitchen.
“Something sure smells wonderful today, Marsha,” Michelle complimented. Holly had negotiated for the best food reserves possible to cater the conference with and she done it by demanding each faction provide it. She had only supplied the help to fix and serve it. While the soldiers were used to eating well, they were now eating gourmet in comparison.
“Nick’s out on patrol,” Michael informed her. More of Holly’s men had come from Gunny’s soldiers than anywhere else. Not exclusively, but several of them. She had tried to pick her team from amongst those she had met and felt she could trust throughout all the factions, but also had some that lived in the territory and didn’t represent any specific faction. She was surprised to find that no one had commented on her help or their loyalties.
“Thanks. I do hope everyone’s behaving better out there than they were in here yesterday,” Holly said rolling her eyes dramatically.
Michael smiled at her. “Things were still pretty tense last night, but they all settled after your little tantrum.”
Holly shoved him and snorted. “It wasn’t a tantrum. I’d just had enough of it for one day.” She knew she really didn’t have any justification for her behavior.
“How are you feeling today, Holly?” Michelle asked eyeing her suspiciously.
She gave the woman a genuine smile. “I feel great, honestly.”
Michelle gave a worried look to her husband.
“I’m sure she’s fine, Doc. Stop worrying,” he said affectionately.
“I really am fine. I mean, I’m still as big as a house and surprised when I fit through a doorway, but I feel great today. Fingers crossed that it’s simply because it’s going to be a great day.”
She snatched a plate of food and left before Michelle could fuss at her. Holly knew she would much rather see her eating the nasty food bars instead.
As the generals arrived with their men, Holly said a cheerful good morning to each of them, refusing to even acknowledge the ill behavior she’d seen the day before.
After breakfast, they sat down and continued where she’d left the night before. New demands from each faction were brought to the table, many a little less ostentatious as their previous ones. Holly hid her smile watching it all seemingly fall into place, and then suddenly a fight broke out in the back room between one of the AMAN and a New American. It took the majority of her men to break it up and keep the others from joining in.
She stood before them and sadly shook her head.
Gunny had been at the podium when the fight broke out. “If any of my soldiers join in on that nonsense, they will personally answer to me. Are we clear?”
“Yes sir,” his men responded in unison.
“I understand tempers are hot and people are frustrated,” he continued, “but have we really forgotten what it means to be civil to each other? You know, we’ve done a lot of talking this week. Some of it good, some of it not, but do any of us here really understand why we’re doing this? I am certain my fellow generals have all heard her story, but the rest of you back there, causing all this trouble and fighting, have you heard Holly speak on the reasons this is important to her and to all of us?”
Several heads shook, as he had suspected.
“Each faction has the right to respond today as they feel led. We were only given eleven seats, and I know the men beside you are my strongest and most strategic soldiers. I have no doubt that you, Bobby, Beau, and Al brought similar quality men. Men who you can trust and respect their opinions.” He looked down and saw the heads of all three nodding. “If you will all humor an old man before we head in to our final breakouts and come to the table for negotiations, I want you to just sit and listen. Open your ears and open your hearts and listen to this little Wildflower for a minute. Holly, come on up here. I want you to share with all these fine men why you’ve traveled up and down the coast, through radiation zones, and impoverished communities to reach each of us and bring us together today. Come on now, get up here and tell them the real reasons we’re doing this.”
Holly walked hesitantly to the podium. She had spoken to these men numerous times throughout the week, but always formally, never personally. This felt different and gave her an edge of discomfort.
“Hi. I’m not really sure how many of you know my story at all, come to think of it, and given the state of the world we now live in, I’ll bet more than a few of you are wondering just why the hell anyone’s listening to some random woman.”
There were snickers throughout the room, and she knew it was true.
“I apparently am known by many names throughout your regions. The Wildflower, spreading uncontainable hope. The Wildfire, destructor of AMAN towns.”
Bobby laughed. “Hell, yeah, you are! A huge pain in my ass.” She watched Jesse take a step closer and stiffen in her peripheral vision, but Bobby Steinfeld smiled with admiration and not a threat, so Holly smiled back in acknowledgment.
“Perhaps my personal favorite from Beau, the Ballcrusher.” There was a collective groan throughout the room. “Whatever you wish to call me is fine. In truth, I’m Holly Hastings, just a girl from a small mountain town. I was raised in a shelter, hidden away from all of the craziness of the world. I was taught respect, equality, religion, and kindness. I probably know more about our history than most of you in the room because in all the years the world had cease to exist as it once had, I was still stuck in school six days a week.”
This caused another chuckle throughout the room.
“When the doors of my home were finally opened, I was excited and ready to leave. I hated being bottled up inside that tin can, sheltered from the world, but maybe my dad had it right, because what we found was no way to live. People were starving; they had no respect for one another; it was truly a dog-eat-dog world. But it doesn’t have to stay that way!”
She paused to let that sink in. “I’ve traveled probably even more this last year than the nomads that roam your lands. I have met so many people. I’ve seen the worst and the best current society has to offer. I’ve spent time with each of your people, too. Some places are better than others, I’ll admit, but I want to see goodness reign throughout all your lands. I want to see your people prosper. I want transportation and commerce back. And I personally want to see equality. Some of you out here, you’ve forgotten how to treat a woman or someone in need. You’ve forgotten how to respect yourselves, let alone anyone else. And that shit, it stops now. It stops here.”
Several of the men clapped and cheered as she paused, others looked quite uncomfortable.
“I know some of you remember what life was like before the war and so you know what it can be again. Others of you look around and wonder who spiked the water and why anyone is listening to a rambling woman. And why shouldn’t you wonder that? I’m no one special, but I do have a vision for our future, and I’m passionate about seeing it through. Remember, I wasn’t raised in this world. I was never told to sit down and shut up. I was always told there was nothing in this world I couldn’t accomplish if I set my heart and mind to it. And worse, I believe it as absolute truth. So, what is it I want to see?”
Holly paused again. She could feel the passion behind her words welling up inside of her and only hoped she’d get through this speech without breaking down and crying.
“I want to see a world where no little girl is ever told to sit down and shut up, that she doesn’t matter. I want to see a world where kids don’t go to bed with empty stomachs. One where people walk down the street with their head held high because they have something in their life to be proud of.”
Holly stepped out from behind the podium and turned to the side for the full impact of her protruding belly. She rubbed it, looked down, and smiled.
“I don’t want to bring my child into the chaos and devastation of the world we have today. He or she deserves better. I will advocate for that change every day of my life, so you think long and hard, gentleman. What is the legacy you wish to leave behind? Because we are at a precipice, and you have the ability to evoke change right here, right now. It starts with you. What are you going to do about it?”
At the climax of her speech, Holly felt like they should have been on their feet cheering, but all she saw were stunned faces, guilt, and complete silence. It was so quiet, in fact, that everyone heard the soft pop as warm liquid flowed down Holly’s legs and puddled at her feet. Before she had time to even register embarrassment, a strong pain sliced through her stomach.
Jesse jumped into action, lifting her gently and carefully carrying her back to her room. Michelle had been listening in from the kitchen as Holly spoke and jumped into action, quickly following them.
He laid her on the bed and turned to leave as Michelle began removing clothes and checking her cervix.
Holly grabbed his hand. “Please, Jesse, stay.” As a new contraction ripped through her, she squeezed his hand with all her might. Tears streaked her cheeks, and he knew there was no way he could leave her side.
Only fifteen minutes and one big push later, Jared Hastings, Jr., came into the world. His birth had come so quickly that Michelle had to leave Holly bleeding uncontrollably on the bed to tend to the baby. He wasn’t breathing.
She stroked him and pushed against his tiny chest, opening his mouth and trying to clear his airways. His heart was still beating, but the trauma of such a quick entrance and with no time to clear his lungs naturally, the baby struggled.
Holly was weakening, and Jesse just stood by and watched as the nightmare unfolded before him. Marsha finally came in, expecting to find a laboring mother and wanting to offer help in any way she could, only to see grief and pain in a time that should be joyful.
She left the room quickly with tears in her eyes as she ran to the kitchen in search of her personal items. She grabbed her bag and ran back to the room.
Griffon grabbed her by the arm as she passed. “What’s the matter? Are Holly and the baby okay?”
Michael stood beside him, encouraging her to answer.
She shook her head sadly. “The baby isn’t breathing. He came too fast, and Miss Holly is bleeding too much blood. I’m not sure either of them will make it.”
She excused herself and ran to help, the shock of her words spreading like wildfire throughout the room.
When Marsha returned, the baby let out a wail. His blueish tinted skin immediately began to pink. Michelle held him close to her chest, rocking back and forth and crying.
“JJ,” Holly said smiling. She grabbed Jesse’s hand with her last bit of strength. “Promise me, you’ll always look out for him. Promise me, Jesse!” He nodded his head as she drifted into darkness.
* * * * *