Angels on Earth
by Kaitlin Stokes

chapter six

Joan walked into the hospital on Saturday and headed straight for Emma’s room.

“You look nice Joan.” Callie commented.

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t know you were coming in today.”

“Yeah, well, I’m going with Emma to the funeral.” Both Adam and Joan’s parents had all offered to go with her, but she knew it was the last thing Adam needed after the death of his mother and that it would hit just a little too close to home for her Mom and dad after Kevin’s accident.

“Well anyway, I’m glad you’re here. Can you help Emma get ready? Her parents should be here soon.”

Joan nodded and walked to Emma who was sitting patiently on the hospital bed coloring.

“Hi!” She said.

“Hey Miss Emma, now let’s get those PJ’s off okay?”

Emma nodded and put her arms up, allowing Joan to gently tug her shirt off. Joan couldn’t help but look at her thin, scarred body, the effects of her own private war more evident than ever. She had a device called a Hickman implanted in a vein just above her heart for receiving medications, and from this Hickman hung what Emma called her “tubies”. She had scars from previous Hickman’s and surgery’s. She also had some large bruises. “Time for a Blood Transfusion Emma?” She asked, knowing that the child’s numerous bruises were a sign of low blood counts.

“I got one earlier.” Emma said as Joan pulled a little black dress over her head.

“Good.”

“Hey we match.” Emma said innocently.

“Yeah, we kind of do don’t we?”

Emma nodded, “So do you want to wear a hat?”

“Nah, Lexi’s mommy says bald is beautiful.”

“She’s right.”

Emma giggled, “Lexi’s sister came to visit me yesterday, she’s real cute and I got to hold her, but she gots more hair than I do and she’s only a couple of days old.” “Yeah, Faith is pretty cute isn’t she?”

Emma nodded, “She’s gonna be at the funeral, it’s too bad she didn’t really get to know Lexi.”

Joan hugged the child, “I know it is.”

“Hi Joan.” Joan turned when she heard the voice of Emma’s mother, Rachel. The woman embraced her in a hug and kisses Emma.

“Hey, there’s my favorite girl.” Greg said, entering the room and picking up Emma.

“Daddy!” She squealed.

Rachel took Joan’s hand, “You ready honey?” Her eyes were gentle.

Joan let out a slight laugh, “Yeah right.”

Rachel patted her back, “We’ll get through this together.” Joan greatly appreciated Rachel and Greg’s kindness to her, especially when they had their own sick daughter to worry about.

“Hey Em,” Rachel said stroking the child’s head, “Lexi’s parents have invited us to ride in the limo with them, what do you think about that?”

“So I’ll get to rid with Faith?”

“Yeah honey.”

“And Joan too?” Rachel nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s a very good idea, cause I love Lexi’s parents and Faith is kinda like a little piece of Lexi ya know?” Emma was extremely smart for her age.

Rachel nodded and kissed Emma’s head, “I know sweetie.”

“Should we head down now?” Greg asked.

“Yeah, I guess we should, let me just let a nurse know we’re taking Emma for a while.” Rachel rolled her eyes, “How ridiculous, I have to let someone know I’m taking my daughter for a few hours.”

Greg placed his hand on her back “I know.” Emma reached out to Joan from her daddy’s arms and Joan held her.

“Let’s go girls.” Greg said as he gently ushered the two out of the room.

Joan sat in silence in the limo between Faith and Emma. Faith was adorable, and Joan could actually see the resemblance between Lexi and Faith. She looked at Lexi’s parents, unsure of what to say. Lexi’s mother Becca smiled gently.

“It’s okay honey, you don’t have to say anything, I’m just glad Lexi happened.” Joan looked a little puzzled. “I feel so incredibly blessed to have had 7 wonderful years with our beautiful child. She was a force of nature, that’s really the only way that I can describe her. I just feel very fortunate to have been blessed to be her mother.”

Joan smiled “She was really special.”

Emma spoke up, “So, you’re kinda sayin’ don’t cry cause she’s gone, smile cause she happened?”

Lexi’s father smiled, “Out of the mouths of babes.”

“Don’t get us wrong, we are absolutely shattered by the loss of our beautiful daughter, but I would not trade in my 7 years with her to mend the giant whole she left in my heart when she left.”

Joan nodded and remembered Mallory’s words, it takes courage to experience life completely in the middle of indescribable pain. She realized that that’s exactly what Lexi’s parents were managing to do. Celebrate her beautiful but short life in the midst of her death.

When they arrived at the funeral, Joan carried Emma in after Lexi and Emma’s parents, but not before stopping to take a breath, “I’ve never done this before.” She whispered, scared.

“Don’t worry,” Emma said with the innocence only a child could possess, “I have.”

tbc