Part 19 (2/2)

Then they heard Stew's weak voice. ”We're heading to the main house,” he said over the speaker. ”I'll park out front. Dress warm and wear gloves and masks. We'll be in the car. You can't touch us. You can get near the car.” Pause. ”It's time to say goodbye.”

The car backed up and pulled away.

They rushed. They moved as fast as they could to pull on coats and hats, and scarves to cover their mouths. Emma understood she couldn't hold her daughter or even touch her, kiss her, but she could see her. She could see her daughter and father. It was a gift. A sad one, but still a gift.

They took Andy's truck up the road to Stew's house. The police car parked sideways out front with the lights blinking.

Cody was half-asleep in Emma's arms; she opened the door and stepped out with Andy. She could see the two figures in the car as she walked closer. She lost every bit of her breath and clutched Cody tighter when she saw her father and Heather. Her dad looked bad, really bad, but Heather ... It crushed Emma to see her, and she felt her heart squeeze in pain as she ached out a cry that echoed in the night, a cry of pain that only a mother could make.

Her daughter. Her poor, sweet little girl, a child that Emma tried to protect yet at that moment was unable to help her at all.

”Hey,” Stew spoke through the speaker. ”We don't have much time. Heather ... she doesn't have much time. I'm glad we made it. We had to see you. I ...I had to see you, Em.”

Another whimper slipped from Emma as she walked closer to the car. Heather leaned against the window, her eyes closed. Then Heather opened her eyes. When she did, it was as if the girl had renewed strength. Her hand lifted to the window and Heather burst into tears as her fingers sc.r.a.ped the gla.s.s as if to feel Cody.

”My baby.” Heather's m.u.f.fled words carried from the car. ”Cody, Mommy loves you. I love you. Mom, I'm sorry.”

”No. No.” Emma shook her head. ”Why are you sorry?”

”For putting you through this.” Heather's shoulders bounced as she cried, then her head went back as she breathed heavily.

Stew extended the microphone to Heather.

Squeal.

”Mommy, protect my baby. Please. Protect my baby. I love you.”

Emma handed the baby to Andy and raced to the car; she dropped to her knees and put her hand on the window. ”Heather. Honey, I love you, baby. I wish I could touch you. Hold you. Take it away.”

”It's okay.” Heather turned her body and put her hand back on the window. She held it there.

Emma raised her hand to meet Heather's against that window.

”Emma,” Stew said, his words breathy and weak. ”I am so proud of you. Please know that. I have always been .... Always been proud of you. I ... I love you.” He dropped the microphone and after a squeal, Stew turned in toward Heather placing his hand on the gla.s.s as well, next to hers.

Emma positioned her hand between theirs, wis.h.i.+ng with all her might she could touch them, hold them. It was without a doubt her goodbye to her father and her child.

Then Heather's hand slid down the window, and her head dropped to the side.

”No.” Emma pounded on the window. ”Heather. Heather.” She smacked the gla.s.s. ”No!” She sobbed loudly as she watched her father grab and hold Heather, his strong body bouncing in his own anguish.

With his free hand, Stew grabbed the microphone. ”Go home, Emma. Be safe. Now. Andy, take them. I need to get in the house.”

Emma cried out repeatedly as Andy grabbed hold of her.

”Cody ... d ... doesn't need this.” Andy told her. ”Come. I'm s... so ... sorry.”

Emma, despite her efforts to stay, was pulled back. She finally gave in and got into Andy's truck.

”Gam? Mommy?” Cody asked groggily. ”Mommy?”

”Mommy's with Pap.” Emma kissed Cody. Her tears fell, saturating her face. Her soul was weak; she could barely breathe, her emotions were so thick.

Andy got into the truck as well.

He put the truck in gear and started to back up.

”Wait.” Emma grabbed his arm. ”Let me watch them go in the house. Please?”

Andy stopped the truck and nodded.

Emma watched as Stew stepped from the car. She gave seeped a cry at the way he walked and moved. Stew opened the pa.s.senger door, reached in, and awkwardly lifted Heather with an apparent struggle. Emma realized her error in asking to stay, when Stew toppled to the ground and Andy whipped open the door.

”Andy?” Emma called his name.

Andy shut the door, paused, leaned forward, kissed Cody, and then placed his hand on Emma's cheek. ”I love you.” He placed his lips softly to hers. ”Be strong.”

Before Emma could comprehend why he was saying it, the truck door opened, Andy stepped out, and closed the door.

He took two steps, faced Emma, lifted his hand in a wave, then turned around and rushed to Stew.

It was at that very second, watching Andy help her father that Emma knew that she didn't just say goodbye to her father and child, she had just said goodbye to Andy, as well.

FINAL FLASH FORWARD.

Ground Zero 10

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