Shadows of the Past, page 10
part #1 of Echoes of Camano Island Series
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” She pointed with her chin.
“It’s not important,” Aaron dismissed, taking a bite of the pancake while appearing unbothered by the incessant vibration.
“Whoever is calling you doesn’t seem to think that,” Sarah said with a raised eyebrow.
Instead of answering, Aaron pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. He reached for the glass of orange juice and drank it in a quick gulp.
“It’s not important,” he said as soon as the glass moved from his lips. He walked around the table, bent down, and kissed her temple. “I love you,” he spoke with conviction.
Sarah’s lips tilted in a half-smile, and she gave him a quick nod. After a few seconds, Aaron straightened up and headed for the door. Sarah watched him go and released a defeated breath at the sound of the door closing. What was he keeping from her?
As the day dragged on, Sarah couldn’t help but feel fatigued, which plagued her as a result of boredom. Sarah decided to step out of the house for a change of scenery. She made her way to Lot 28.
As she entered the restaurant, a wave of nostalgia hit her. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the chatter of diners, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Sarah spotted Nelly sitting at a corner table. Nelly had known Sarah since she was a child and always had a knack for offering sage advice.
“Hi, Nelly,” she greeted the old woman.
Nelly looked up and smiled warmly at the sight of Sarah at her table. “Well, if it isn’t my little gingersnap. How are you?” Nelly asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
“I still dislike that name.” Sarah grimaced as she settled into the chair opposite Nelly.
Nelly chuckled. “You’ve always been a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point young woman but very caring. Reminds me so much of a gingersnap,” Nelly reminded her.
“I know. That doesn’t mean I like it though.” Sarah sighed softly.
Nelly stared at her for some time from wise old eyes. “What brought you here today?”
“I needed a change of scenery. Things have been a bit... tense at home lately,” Sarah admitted, her voice laced with concern.
Nelly nodded knowingly, her gaze softening. “Ah, matters of the heart can be tricky, my dear. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, especially when a baby is on the way. It’s like tending to a delicate flower—it requires nurturing and care to flourish.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed as she absorbed Nelly’s words. “I just can’t shake this feeling that Aaron is keeping something from me. Despite his efforts to be present, there’s a distance between us I can’t ignore,” she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Nelly reached out and placed a comforting hand on Sarah’s. “Communication is key, my dear. Don’t let doubt fester in your heart. Talk to Aaron, and share your feelings openly. Only then can you both work together to strengthen your bond and weather any storm that may come your way.”
Tears welled up in Sarah’s eyes as she realized the truth in Nelly’s words. “Thank you, Nelly. I always feel so much better after talking with you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
“Anytime, dear.” Nelly smiled warmly as she patted her hand.
“I’m gonna see what’s happening back there.” Sarah pointed to the kitchen. “Want me to take back anything for you?”
“That’s all right, gingersnap. I’m actually about to leave,” Nelly expressed, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
As Sarah wandered into the bustling kitchen, she was greeted by the comforting aroma of simmering spices and sizzling pans. She noticed a new face among the kitchen staff. Her brows rose with curiosity.
“Sarah!”
She turned to see the look of surprise on her father’s best friend and business partner’s face.
He walked over to her. “What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on bed rest?” he asked, his voice ringing with concern.
“Hello to you too, Uncle Ken.” She smiled warmly to assuage his worry. “I’m not on bed rest. I’ve just been ordered to take it easy,” she explained.
Ken gave her a skeptical look. “I’ll let it slide, but only this time,” he said, holding up a finger.
“You’re all such party poopers. Can’t a pregnant girl get a chance to live?” she pouted.
“That won’t work on me,” Ken spoke seriously. “We’re all trying to keep you safe.”
Sarah nodded in understanding. “Who’s the new person?” She changed the conversation as her eyes turned to the woman with a short blond bob under a hairnet cutting vegetables. She looked to be around Nikki or Trish’s age.
Ken looked in the same direction, his demeanor changing. He stared for a bit longer before turning back to Sarah. “I’ll introduce you,” he said, taking her elbow and leading her toward the woman. “Blake, I want you to meet someone,” he spoke softly but loud enough for the woman to hear.
Blake turned curious blue eyes toward them.
“This is Sarah, my partner Paul’s daughter… this is Blake, our new line cook,” Ken introduced.
“Hello, Sarah. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Blake smiled warmly at her.
“Hi, nice to meet you as well.” Sarah smiled.
“How far along are you?” Blake’s eyes focused on her rounded belly before coming up to meet her gaze.
“Thirty-two weeks,” Sarah replied.
“Motherhood is a beautiful thing. I hope everything will be okay for both of you.” Blake smiled at her.
“Thank you,” Sarah replied. She looked at her uncle to see his gaze on Blake. She subtly nudged him out of whatever trance had overtaken him.
“Um, well, we’ll leave you to get back to work,” Ken stuttered.
“Nice to meet you again, Sarah,” Blake spoke with sincerity.
“You too, Blake,” Sarah replied.
The trio separated, Ken walking Sarah toward the kitchen door. “Get a table. I’ll prepare something for you,” he instructed. Sarah nodded.
Settling down at a table in the cozy corner of the restaurant, Sarah savored the meal Ken had prepared for her. The flavors danced on her palate, momentarily distracting her from the worries that had weighed heavily on her heart.
Just as she was about to take another bite, her phone rang. She fished it out of her purse and looked at the caller ID. With a sense of foreboding, Sarah answered the call to hear Sienna's panicked voice.
“Sarah, please, you have to come to the hospital. I need you,” Sienna pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.
“I’m on my way.” Fear gripped Sarah’s heart as she hastily excused herself from the table, leaving behind her half-eaten meal. Without a second thought, she rushed out of the restaurant and drove to the hospital.
Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and dread as she made her way to the little girl’s room. The elevator numbers could not light up fast enough, and it left her in a state of panic. She quickly rushed through the open doors and headed for Sienna’s room. She pushed the door open.
The sight of the young girl looking frail and weak hit her like a ton of bricks, triggering a wave of sadness that threatened to overwhelm her.
Sienna’s eyes met Sarah’s with a mixture of resignation and gratitude, her small hand reaching out for comfort. Sarah quickly made her way over to her and took her hand in hers. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
“Sienna, what’s wrong?” she asked soothingly.
“I want to go home,” she breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sarah opened her mouth to respond.
Suddenly, a piercing alarm shattered the tense silence of the room as Sienna’s monitors went haywire. Panic gripped Sarah.
“Sienna!” came a guttural scream from behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see the little girl’s mother at the door, eyes wild and a look of utter panic.
Just then, the medical team rushed into the room and took action. Their movements were swift and determined as they worked to stabilize Sienna. Sarah moved out of their way and went to stand beside Sienna’s mother.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she stood there frozen in place, her eyes fixed on the harrowing scene unfolding before her. The sound of Sienna’s flatlining heart echoed in her ears, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the cruel hand fate sometimes dealt.
“Take them out of the room,” the lead doctor instructed one of the nurses, pointing to Sarah and Sienna’s mother. They both left with the nurse, unable to form a protest.
They stood in the lobby waiting. As the minutes ticked by, an excruciating pain lanced through Sarah’s abdomen, causing her to double over in agony.
“Ow!” she cried out.
“What’s wrong?” a nurse rushed to her side.
“I do…don’t know… ow!”
“We need a wheelchair here, stat,” the nurse called out to her colleagues.
The voices became a blur as they guided her into a wheelchair, concern etched on their faces. She looked up to see her OB/GYN hurriedly approaching them, but before he got to her, pain ripped through her abdomen.
“Ow!” she groaned.
“Get her to the maternity ward, now!” the doctor ordered, his voice cutting through the chaos like a beacon of authority.
Sarah was whisked away, the world spinning around her in a dizzying blur as she was ferried through the corridors of the hospital. The dull throb of pain in her abdomen intensified with each passing moment, a stark contrast to the frantic activity that surrounded her.
As she was wheeled into the maternity ward, Sarah’s mind raced with worry for both Sienna and the life growing inside her.
Chapter Fourteen
Sarah lay on the hospital bed, her face contorted in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks; she pleaded with the doctor and nurses surrounding her.
“I…I can't do this... It’s too soon, please. Where’s Aaron? I need Aaron,” Sarah gasped between contractions, her voice strained with fear.
Her doctor, Dr. Robinson, with a look of urgency in his eyes, spoke firmly, “I understand you’re scared, Sarah, and we’re trying our best to get to Aaron, but we have to act quickly for the safety of both you and the baby. We’re running out of time.”
“Okay,” Sarah panted. She knew the risks as well, and as much as she needed Aaron to be there, common sense told her she had to allow the doctor to do what needed to be done.
“Okay.” Dr. Robinson turned and nodded to the anesthesiologist, who took up the syringe and injected its contents into the IV tube. Sarah felt a wave of panic wash over her as the room started to blur around the edges.
Just as she was about to slip into unconsciousness, the door burst open, and Aaron rushed into the room, his eyes wide with alarm.
“What’s going on? Why is she being prepped for surgery?” Aaron’s voice was filled with concern as he made his way to Sarah’s side, grasping her hand tightly.
“The baby is compromised. Enough oxygen is not getting to her. We need to do an emergency C-section. It’s critical,” Dr. Robinson explained.
“B-b-but…” Aaron stuttered.
“There is no other way,” the doctor spoke firmly.
Aaron turned his attention back to Sarah. “It’s okay, Sarah. Everything’s going to be all right,” he spoke reassuringly.
“I’m sca—” was all she managed to say before everything went dark.
Sarah felt like she was free-falling into a deep void of nothingness until Sienna’s voice echoed through the darkness, calling out to her with a sense of urgency.
“Sarah! Help me, please!” Sienna’s voice, tiny and distant, reverberated through the nothingness. Despite the darkness, Sarah could make out the faint outline of the little girl, her features ghostly and washed out.
“Sienna, I’m coming!” Sarah’s words felt hollow as she stumbled forward, her arms outstretched. But the girl was just beyond her reach, her image flickering like a faulty projection.
Sarah’s heart clenched with fear as she desperately tried to reach the little girl, but to no avail.
Suddenly, the world shifted, the void giving way to the familiar but disorienting surroundings of a beach. The sound of waves crashing against the shore replaced the silence, and a new cry filled the air—a baby’s desperate wail.
Sarah spun around, her heart-wrenching at the sound. “Where are you?” she called out, frantic. Her gaze landed on the bassinet by the shoreline, her baby’s cries emanating from it.
Sarah sprinted toward it, the sand dragging at her feet. “Hang on, baby, Mommy’s coming,” she promised, her voice breaking.
But the bassinet seemed to recede with each step she took, as if it were being pulled away by an unseen tide. “No, no, no! This isn’t happening!” She pushed herself harder, the cries growing louder, more urgent.
“Sarah, why can’t you reach me?” Sienna’s voice interjected, now intertwined with the baby’s cries, creating a dissonant chorus that clawed at her mind.
“I’m trying, Sienna! I’m trying to get to both of you!” Sarah’s reply was a sob, her legs burning with effort.
“Why won’t you save us, Sarah?” The accusatory tone was Sienna’s, but the eyes that now peered out from the bassinet were the little girl’s—somehow wide, scared, and pleading.
Sarah fell to her knees, the beach out of focus now, a mirage that danced out of frame. “I don’t know how!”
Sarah’s eyes fluttered open to the sterile white of the hospital room, her mind foggy, the dream still clinging to her consciousness. Aaron was by her side, his face etched with worry and relief.
“You’re awake,” he exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing. “You’ve been under for almost twelve hours.”
“Twelve hours?” Her voice was a raspy whisper, the weight of her dream pressing down on her. She tried to sit up, but Aaron gently pushed her back onto the pillow.
“The nurse... she let me hold her, right?” Sarah’s memory was a jigsaw of images, the sensation of warm skin against hers vivid but fleeting.
Aaron nodded, his eyes not quite meeting hers. “Just for a few minutes, Sarah. She’s... she’s very weak. They had to take her to the NICU.”
“No…” Sarah’s world tilted, and the darkness from her dream surged forward, threatening to pull her under once more. She could faintly hear Aaron calling her name before she succumbed to the void.
When she came to, Aaron was still there, holding her hand. His voice was a lifeline as he spoke softly, “The baby is in the NICU. They’re taking good care of her.” Aaron released a slow breath as he studied her. “What happened?”
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears, the guilt from her dream bleeding into reality. “I couldn’t reach her, Aaron,” she choked out.
“What are you talking about?” Aaron asked, his brows scrunched up in confusion.
“In my dream... I tried, but she was so scared, and I couldn't…”
“Sarah, I don’t understand,” Aaron replied.
Sarah took a shaky breath, the hospital room’s antiseptic smell mingling with the scent of Aaron’s cologne, a familiar comfort but one that filled her with trepidation this time around. She met his gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Aaron, I came to the hospital because Sienna called me.” At his sharp intake of breath, she paused a bit but pushed herself to continue, “She sounded so weak and desperate, and I was afraid that…” She gulped down the lump forming in her throat. “I just wanted to see her… to make sure she would be okay. I just needed to be sure…” she confessed, her voice quivering with the weight of her self-blame. “This is all my fault.”
There was a momentary silence as Sarah searched Aaron’s face for a response, her own heart pounding in her chest. She saw it then—a flicker of pain crossed his features, the shadow of disappointment in his eyes. He remained silent, and in that silence, Sarah felt a chasm opening up between them.
Chapter Fifteen
Blake flipped the patties with expert precision, the sound of the meat sizzling against the grill as the juices dripped from them. She felt a presence over her shoulders.
“Blake, can we talk for a minute?” Ken’s voice was gentle yet firm, his eyes searching hers for any sign of what was going on.
Blake paused, her expression guarded, but she nodded in acknowledgment. “Sure, just let me finish up.”
“Okay.” Ken nodded, waiting for her to plate the burgers and hand them over to Will.
“We’re taking a thirty-minute break. I need to speak with Blake,” Ken informed his sous chef.
“No problem,” Will responded, continuing with what he was doing.
After hanging up her apron, Blake went to Ken, who motioned for them to step outside, away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. Blake followed close behind as they made their way to a nearby coffee shop.
“I’m ordering a coffee. Would you like anything?” Ken asked her.
“A coffee for me too, please,” Blake replied. Ken nodded and made his way over to the barista to place their order. Blake found them a table closer to the back of the shop.
“Here you go.” Ken placed the steaming cup of coffee in front of her, a few minutes later, before taking his seat with his own coffee.
He reached into a small paper bag, the top neatly folded, and presented it to her with a half-smile. “I took the liberty of ordering you a cheese Danish as well. I hope you don’t mind,” he offered.
Blake’s fingers brushed against his as she took the bag, her smile polite but restrained. "Thank you. I appreciate it," she replied, her voice steady, despite the flutter of unease that danced in her stomach.
They sat for a while, sipping the warm beverage in awkward silence for some time before Ken finally cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the quiet like a ship parting the waves.
