Phoebe and Demetrius tried to be patient while Jack and Eva Wren bid their final tearful farewells to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff, many of whom had become like family to them during the course of the last decade. Phoebe had already said her goodbyes, and given that she had really only gotten to know a handful of her parents’ colleagues, this had taken only a matter of minutes.
“Come on Dem, let’s wait out by the car, it’s getting a bit claustrophobic in here,” said Phoebe, and she and Demetrius began to make their way outside. Just before she walked through the hospital’s automatic doors for the last time, Phoebe glanced behind her for a final look at the medical facility her parents had helped to build. From humble beginnings, the primitive establishment had blossomed and grown, and now stood as the area’s main source of health care. Phoebe felt a surge of pride for all that her parents had achieved, and her eyes misted as the proximity of their departure hit her anew. As her eyes ran across the still dusty reception area, she spotted Cosain, who was striding purposefully across the chequered floor towards her. The sight of the formidable Heavenly warrior always took Phoebe’s breath away, and she wondered if it was a sight she could ever grow accustomed to. Phoebe gestured to Cosain that she and Demetrius would be outside, and then the two friends rounded a corner outside the hospital, and awaited his arrival. Never one for predictability, Cosain made his entrance from above Phoebe’s and Demetrius’s heads, and swooped down to meet with them.
“You couldn’t have just used the front door?” Phoebe asked cheekily, then chided herself for being disrespectful. Cosain, however, was obviously not offended and even seemed to enjoy the repartee with his young ward.
“Where would have been the fun in that?” Cosain teased, and smiled at the plucky young girl in front of him. For all that she had been through these last few weeks, Phoebe possessed an impressive and unwavering faith that Cosain had rarely seen in even the most tenacious and established of mortals.
“Phoebe, Demetrius,” As quickly as it arrived, the levity had gone from Cosain’s voice, and the teenagers could see that he had serious matters on his mind. “Neam has rejoined us from his reconnaissance at the airport. The information he has relayed will be invaluable to us, and will certainly assist us in our quest. But the threat from Schnither and his cohorts is by no means void or without substance. They are as serious about their mission as we are about ours, and will stop at nothing to prevent Jack and Eva from returning to Ireland and setting up Celtic Justice Missions. Do you understand what I am saying, Phoebe?”
Phoebe looked at Demetrius, who was staring intently at Cosain. He turned to look at Phoebe.
“Yes, Cosain,” Phoebe heard her own voice answering the Heavenly Captain, although she barely recognised it. “I understand exactly what you are saying. You’re telling me that the Atoner has plans for us, but that the enemy will do whatever it takes to destroy those plans – and us.”
“Exactly,” replied Cosain. “But you have my word that my brothers and I will protect you with every fibre of our beings. We will guard you with our very lives.”
Phoebe reached out and took Cosain’s hand; she looked up into his celestial face and smiled. Despite the gravity of the conversation, Phoebe trusted the Captain of the Host and his fellow angels.
“I know it, Cosain, and I am very grateful,” she said.
“Phoebe? Phoebe!”
Eva Wren’s voice sounded above the hustle and bustle of hospital noises, as Phoebe started to attention and let go of Cosain’s hand.
“Go,” said Cosain, “You need to get home now. But be alert, Phoebe, be careful.”
“We’re coming, Mum!” shouted Phoebe, as she and Demetrius disappeared again back round the corner of the hospital.
“I wondered where you had vanished to,” chided Eva, “We’re ready to go, you guys need to come with us.”
Eva’s eyes were watery and red, she had obviously found the morning difficult. Her long red hair was scooped up inside a black and white spotted bandana, although a few rogue strands hung loose around her pretty face. Eva’s familiar blue scrubs had been replaced with faded jeans and a red checked shirt, and her trademark blue sneakers peaked out from beneath the hems of her jeans.
“Demetrius, Jack and I need to talk to you. It’s something we should have spoken with you about earlier, but with everything that has happened today, I’m afraid we just never got the chance. I’ll let Jack explain.”
Demetrius looked at Phoebe, his brown eyes twinkling. “Oh, okay Mrs. Bird,” he quipped, using the nickname he had given Phoebe as a term of endearment for the woman he had come to regard as his stand-in mother. He could scarcely contain his excitement, and he could see that Phoebe felt the same, but they both knew that they would have to employ their best poker faces. Cosain had let the cat out of the bag when he told them that Demetrius would be accompanying the family to Ireland, and now he and Phoebe were so excited that they could hardly stand still.
“You two are full of beans today,” Eva smiled, little realising that the teenagers already knew what it was that she and Jack needed to discuss with Demetrius. “I wish I had half your energy!”
She shook her head, causing a few more strands of fiery red hair to fall loose, then turned and walked towards their blue Jeep. For a brief moment, Eva paused, looking back wistfully at Medical Miracles Hospital.
“I’ll miss this place,” Eva said quietly, to no-one in particular, and she waved at Jack who had just walked out through the automatic doors and joined his wife by their Jeep. Jack put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. He too looked tearful, and smiled sadly.
“We’ve had some amazing times here, eh Eva?” he said to beloved wife, “And we’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime.”
Eva smiled up at Jack, then squeezed his hand. “That’s for sure,” she said, “But I know that this next chapter will be equally incredible for us. The best is yet to come, Jack, I believe it”
‘If only you knew, Mamma!’ Phoebe thought to herself, and blew the air silently out of her puffed out cheeks. ‘Incredible really doesn’t come close…’
“Come on kids,” called Jack, as Phoebe and Demetrius smiled a knowing smile at each other, then ran to the Jeep and hopped in.
“Seatbelts,” said Jack, as he turned the key in the ignition, shifted the stick to drive, and pulled away from Medical Miracles Hospital for the millionth time and the last time. “We’ve got a lot to do, and a long journey ahead of us. I hope you’re both ready for a busy few hours?”
“Yes, Dad,” replied Phoebe, “We’re good to go. All geared up.” And she raised an eyebrow out the Jeep window to Cosain, who was travelling unseen alongside the family as they set out on what would be the journey of their lifetime.