Ella

I stumble through the doors of the clinic with immense difficulty, Cora leaning heavily and moaning on my one side, Rafe’s carrier bouncing against my other.

People’s eyes go wide when they see us, but they quickly scatter out of our way to make room, shouting for nurses and doctors to come and help. I hold my breath, my eyes fastened on the clinic’s familiar front counter as I pray to heaven and back that Hank is here, that he’s on duty tonight.

I exhale a that huge breath in a sob of relief when I see him come, wide-eyed, around the corner, trying to figure out what the big fuss is about. Hank gasps when he sees us, dropping his clipboard and dashing into the waiting room to get to our side.

To my immense relief, Hank recovers quickly from his surprise and is, quite suddenly, the calm and efficient surgeon I’ve come to know and trust.

“What’s wrong,” he snaps as he gets his shoulder under Cora’s other arm. Where is she hurt?”

“Her lower back,” I say, my words coming slowly as I try to get my frantic mind in order. “She was stabbed – we were attacked, Hank – I’m so sorry – ”

“Enough,” he says harshly, dismissing my apology with a glare as he helps me basically carry Cora into the back, to where we can help her. “A stab wound?! Why the fuck didn’t you get her to a hospital, Ella!”

“It’s not bad,” Cora mumbles, and Hank’s head snaps up, as if he didn’t really realize that she’s conscious enough to talk.

the first room. Then, as Cora talks to him in some kind of medical jargon I don’t understand, Hank and I help her up onto

so, so grateful to see that he’s essentially unharmed. My whole heart breaks as I watch him cry – but I resist, knowing that – that Hank might

to Cora then, watching as Hank pulls on latex gloves and then begins to peel back her clothing so that he can see the wound. I see him take a deep breath at first and then slowly breathe

to Cora as nurses come into the room, ready to spring into action. Hank gives them quick demands

informs me. “It’s not it’s not fatal, Ella,” he says, turning back to his work. “I mean, it’s critical –

worry as I glance between my sister – her eyes closed as she lays on the table, faintly breathing – and the doctor I know can save her life. The doctor whose heart she broke so little time ago. “Hank,” I continue, shaking my head, “she’s –

thoughts passing through his head Cora, pregnant Roger she

dart back to her as I see him come to the logical conclusion, the

again, drawing his

frowns at me, confused – “That’s impossible, Ella

I shake my head, willing him to believe me. “We have no explanation,” I say, holding his gaze. “But Roger sensed it the baby, it’s his

Then he turns away from me, barking something out to the nurses about getting an ultrasound machine in here

stern, and I

long? Maybe – maybe a week after her missed period?” I shrug, confused, “I don’t

pregnancy…” but then he turns to me again, confused, “wait, is it

my head – honestly, we don’t know. Hank sighs and stares at her, at my sister who

the baby is…human? I don’t know, Ella.” Then he turns to me. “Either way,” he says, “the knife wouldn’t have itself harmed the child. But her blood

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