The Circle of Life, Part 2

Back to School Special: The Circle of Life, Part 2

Written by Jake Collins and Rosey Collins

Kevin and Beth trudged into the front hallway looking very much the worse for wear. As they passed the open door of the living room, Kevin noticed that Michaela, Oscar and Libby were all sound asleep in a line on the couch, with Zak curled up at Michaela's feet.

'I feel like I could sleep for a week,' said Beth.

'Do, if you need to,' said Kevin, as they both mounted the stairs. 'I don't want you worrying about anything until you're fully rested, Mom.'

'I'll try not to,' said Beth. 'Though I'll probably end up resting and worrying.'

She led the way into the master bedroom and sank down onto the bed at once.

'Are you sure you're okay to sleep here?' Kevin asked. 'I could make up the bed in the spare room if you'd rather not get back into this one just yet.'

'The bed is quite neutral in all this, Kevin,' Beth said with a watery smile. 'Believe me, there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now. You know, when you said the word “stroke” last night, I immediately flashed back to everything that happened with my mother and I couldn't help thinking, “Please, not again!”.'

'Oh, Mom,' said Kevin.

'I can't help feeling like I was tempting fate, coming up with that idea about changing our wills.'

'Of course you weren't! We all do our best to make the right decisions in life, but sometimes something absolutely random and awful shows up to slap us in the face and we just have to accept that we have no control whatsoever over that kind of thing.'

'That's certainly true,' said Beth. 'Kevin, how did you know? That something was wrong with your father, I mean.'

'Michaela came up and told me she'd just been visited by a ghost who said I needed to go check on him,' said Kevin.

'That sounds more like a guardian angel than a ghost,' said Beth.

'You're right,' said Kevin. 'Maybe that's exactly what it was. I'm gonna leave you to rest now. I'll come see how you're doing in a few hours, okay?'

'Make sure you get some sleep too, darling,' said Beth.

'I will, Mom,' said Kevin.

Oscar was just waking up as Kevin entered the living room.

'I thought I heard you come in,' said Oscar. 'How's your dad doing?'

'He's doing pretty well,' said Kevin. 'As well as can be expected under the circumstances, I mean. He's sleeping now. James is with him.'

'You need to get some sleep,' said Oscar.

'I think we all need to go to bed for a while,' said Kevin. 'How long did you and the girls stay up?'

'I completely lost track of the time,' said Oscar. 'We talked a lot and we cried a little, and we drank a rather large volume of cocoa.'

Kevin smiled, then he reached down and lifted Michaela into his arms. Oscar hauled himself to his feet and picked up Libby. Zak cast them a sleepy glance, then decided he couldn't be bothered to move and closed his eyes again.

They went upstairs at a sedate pace. Oscar continued to the top storey, while Kevin put Michaela to bed and then looked in on Beth, who was already fast asleep. He eased her door shut, then followed after Oscar.

Kevin and Oscar climbed into bed together and snuggled into each other's arms.

'Michaela went through a lot last night,' said Kevin. 'Well, we all did, but she really stepped up to the plate. I'm gonna tell her how proud I am of her as soon as we're both feeling up to it.'

'She told me and Libby all about her ghost,' said Oscar. 'Apparently he was a big man with a big beard and a red shirt. Oh, and he had a sword.'

'A sword?' said Kevin, sounding rather alarmed.

'He didn't threaten her in any way,' Oscar hastened to explain. 'He just had a sword attached to his belt, like a pirate or a Musketeer.'

'He could've been a pirate ghost, then,' said Kevin. 'Or a ghost pirate, I guess.'

'Whoever he was,' said Oscar, 'he knew what he was doing, getting you down there as quickly as possible.'

'I didn't really do anything,' said Kevin.

'What're you talking about?' said Oscar. 'You think Carl would be doing as well as can be expected if you hadn't done everything you did last night? No way!'

'Whatever I did, I couldn't have done it without you. I was on the verge of panic when you offered to call the ambulance.'

'Of course you were. You're not superhuman, though I've always believed you're as close to it as anyone can actually get.'

They exchanged loving smiles.

'You know,' said Kevin, 'there's one thing I can't help wondering. If this ghost had something to say to me, why did he do it through Michaela? I mean, why not appear in this room and tell me to go check on my dad?'

'Maybe he couldn't,' said Oscar. 'Maybe he needed the innocence of a child to make contact with our world.'

Kevin thought for a moment, then he said, 'If that's the case, I wonder why he didn't go to Libby. Her room's much closer to ours.'

'Maybe he didn't want to scare her,' said Oscar. 'Michaela's that significant bit older; maybe the ghost thought she'd be able to cope better with the situation. Or maybe he was, like, homing in on Carl's DNA – a child with Carl's DNA, I mean. Not that it matters at all in any other context, but Michaela shares Carl's DNA and Libby doesn't. Yeah, I think that's a possibility.'

'You could be right,' said Kevin. 'I'm sorry, babe – I don't know why I'm lying here asking you to second-guess the actions of a random ghost. Whoever he was and whatever his reasons were for going to Michaela, we should just thank our lucky stars that he showed up. My mom's right – he's more of a guardian angel than a ghost.'

'You know,' said Oscar, 'Michaela wasn't the only one who stepped up to the plate last night. You were amazing. No matter how many times I see you saving someone's life, I can't help feeling incalculably impressed. And this time it was your own dad!'

'Like I said, I couldn't have done it without you,' said Kevin, his gaze intensifying suddenly. 'I love you.'

Oscar stared back at him through wide, gleaming eyes and said, 'I love you too.'

Their lips met for a few moments in the tenderest of kisses.

'I need to let Eduardo know what's going on,' said Kevin. 'I'd better email him, I think.'

'After you've gotten some sleep,' Oscar said firmly.

'I'll tell him not to drop everything and rush back,' said Kevin. 'Not yet, anyway.'

'Not at all, I'm sure,' said Oscar.

Two days later, Rose was sitting cross-legged on the sofa-bed in the apartment, talking on the phone. She had to hold the receiver in place with her shoulder, as both her hands were occupied in petting a black-spattered white cat that lay purring on her lap.

'He's still in the hospital,' Rose was saying, 'but everyone seems to think he's doing fine, and they're saying he'll be home in a few days.'

Laura emerged, nearly dressed, from the bathroom and exchanged a smile with Rose before starting to put on the rest of her clothes.

'That's such a relief,' said Conchita's voice on the phone. 'I'll come see him with Daisy some time when he's home, if he wants me to.'

'Of course he'll want you to,' said Rose. 'And you're bringing her to see Libby and Zak anyway, aren't you?'

'Oh yes, of course – we're both really excited to meet Zak. And to see you and all the family, of course. I wish Mom and Dad were home too,' she added wistfully.

'Just over a week to go,' said Rose. 'It'll be here before you know it. Unless, of course, you want them because you're really worrying about something. Are you, Chita? I mean, you sound kind of... you know.'

'I'm not worrying about anything,' Conchita said unconvincingly. 'At least... they told me not to at the hospital.'

'Oh my God, what is it?' said Rose. Laura, who was now eating cereal at the table, shot her an anxious look.

'I was just worried because I haven't felt the baby moving around much,' said Conchita. 'Daisy was kicking practically all day long at this stage, but this one... I hardly hear a peep out of it.'

'But you said you went to the hospital?' said Rose. 'When was that?'

'Yesterday. They found the baby's heartbeat and said it was perfectly healthy, and they said the same thing when I went a couple of weeks ago. They did a scan then too, and everything looked fine, they said.'

'You can't always trust doctors, Chita. You should get a second opinion.'

'Who from?'

'Maybe Kevin can give it a listen. After all, children are his area of expertise.'

'Only after they've been born,' said Conchita. 'Anyway, I can't drag Daisy to a Manhattan hospital, and Josh has to work so much, and his parents are on vacation too, and there's just so much that has to get done. Y'know, Daisy's new school gave me a list of stuff she needs as long as both my arms!'

'Both your arms?' said Rose. 'But you have such long ones!'

Conchita laughed. 'Okay, maybe only as long as both your arms. And you wouldn't believe the calendar they gave me. In November, they're having a pre-K fall ball!'

'Oh God!' said Rose, laughing, as the doorbell rang. 'What are they supposed to do? They can't exactly dress up in formal-wear, kids that young, and you can just bet they won't want to dance with each other.'

Laura, meanwhile, was opening the door to Michaela and Zak.

'Hey, Laura,' said Michaela, smiling as she stood on the threshold with a firm hand on Zak's collar. 'Are they ready yet?'

'Not quite,' said Laura. 'Rose is on the phone with Conchita.'

'Hey, listen,' said Rose, 'I'm gonna have to go – Mikey's here with Zak. We're going to introduce him to Penny.'

Outside the door, Zak was panting with excitement and scrabbling his feet on the metal staircase. The cat on Rose's lap looked up in alarm.

'Penny doesn't look too keen,' Rose added.

'Cats never do, huh?' said Conchita. 'Good luck with it.'

'Thanks,' said Rose. 'And Chita, about the baby...'

'Well,' said Conchita, 'they said it was okay. Oh, there – I just felt a little kick.'

'How little?'

'Rose, don't scare me!'

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll see you soon, okay? Bye.'

'Bye, Rosy.'

Rose reached up and twisted round in order to put the receiver back on its cradle without disturbing Penny, who was now fully alert and staring wide-eyed at Zak. She got a first-class view of him as Laura moved away from the doorway, and her hackles began to rise.

'Everything okay, babe?' Laura asked Rose.

'That's what the doctors say,' said Rose.

'Anything I can ask T'Keyah about?'

'I don't think so. She won't know that much about OB-GYN, especially with the patient being across the country. But thanks, sweetie. Look, you'd better get to work or you'll be late – we can talk about stuff later.'

'Okay,' said Laura, stooping to kiss Rose on the lips and stroke Penny at the same time. 'I'll see you tonight. Bye, Michaela.'

'Bye, Laura,' said Michaela, leading Zak into the apartment as Laura passed them, then shutting the door behind her. 'So, Rosy, how do we do this?'

Zak had smelled and seen Penny, and was keen to rush over and make her acquaintance, but Michaela pulled him back gently yet firmly every time he tried to make a lunge. Zak didn't seem to mind this one bit, as his tail was wagging furiously.

'You're doing great already, Mikey,' said Rose. 'Just lead him over here, I guess, and we'll see what happens. It's okay, Penny,' she crooned, stroking the cat soothingly as Michaela approached with Zak.

Penny slowly stretched out her neck and sniffed cautiously at Zak, who immediately began licking her all over with his enormous, wet tongue.

'Zak, no!' said Michaela, dragging him away just too late, as Penny unsheathed her claws and swiped at his muzzle. Zak looked stunned for a moment, then opened his mouth and showed Penny his tongue again, panting happily and wagging his tail. Penny's tail was also moving, and by this time her hackles were well risen.

'It's okay, sweetie,' Rose crooned to her, still gently stroking the agitated feline. Then she smiled encouragingly at Michaela and said, 'Don't worry, we'll get there.'

Three days after his first encounter with Penny, Zak was having the time of his life playing in the back garden with five children. Naturally Michaela and Libby were there, along with two boys about Michaela's age and another boy a little younger than them but a little older than Libby. A wading pool and a hosepipe had been provided to add to the fun, so the kids were all dressed in swimwear. Oscar and Hayden were watching them from the kitchen doorway.

'I really must remember to cut that grass later,' Oscar remarked.

'I've been putting off doing ours for weeks,' said Hayden. 'It's got into a right old state!'

Kevin chose this moment to enter the kitchen from the main hallway with his mobile phone pressed to his ear.

'Okay, so if you get to the reception desk as near to six o'clock as you can,' he was saying, 'I'll meet you there and we can go right on up and get him. Yeah, sure thing, bro. Ciao for now.'

As Kevin slipped the phone into his pocket, Oscar and Hayden turned to look at him.

'Everything arranged for tomorrow?' Oscar asked.

'Yup,' said Kevin. 'And I think Mike's nearly finished now, so –'

As if on cue, Michael wandered in from the hallway.

'Okay, that's all done for you, Kev,' he said. 'The batteries should be good for about six months, or two if you let your kids have free rein with it.'

'Thanks, Mike,' said Kevin, smiling and clapping him on the shoulder.

'No problem,' said Michael, smiling back.

'Ah, here comes the dog,' said Oscar, having returned his attention to the garden.

'Leading a rather purposeful entourage, unless I'm much mistaken,' said Hayden.

Zak was running up the garden with all five kids hot on his heels. They skidded to a halt at the kitchen door.

'Can we take Zak for a walk?' asked the slightly shorter of the two older boys.

'Just around the block,' said the smallest boy.

'With one or more of you to supervise us, obviously,' said Michaela.

'I know we have to go buy new school supplies,' said the first boy, 'but we'll still have plenty of time for that, won't we, Dad?'

'We certainly will, Tom,' said Hayden. 'I don't see any reason to say no, as long as it's all right with our hosts.'

'I think it's an excellent idea,' said Oscar. 'I'll come along to supervise.'

'Yes, I will too,' said Hayden. 'Okay, Tom and Robbie, go and change out of your swimming things.'

The two boys who had spoken exchanged grins and ran inside the house.

'Thanks, Dad,' Tom called over his shoulder.

'You're the best!' Robbie added.

'Can I go on the walk too, Dad?' the tallest boy asked.

'I don't know, Dan,' said Michael, glancing at his watch. 'I don't want to spoil your fun but we really should be getting back.'

'You're not going anywhere until I've made you some coffee, Mike,' said Kevin, clapping him on the shoulder again. 'It's only instant but I'll bet you could do with a cup or two.'

'Yeah, I could,' Michael said gratefully. 'Thanks, Kev.'

'I guess you're coming on the walk, then, Danny,' Michaela grinned.

'Yes, Mickey,' Daniel grinned back, 'I guess I am.'

They ran into the house together, followed closely by Libby and Zak.

The following evening, Oscar heard a car door slam shut, took a look out of the living room window, then went to open the front door. James was walking backwards up the steps with the handles of a wheelchair in his grip, while Kevin was in the process of lifting the conveyance from the front to ease its passage.

'Sorry about the bumpy ride, Dad,' James said to the wheelchair's occupant.

'Don't be, son,' Carl replied. 'It's really not too bad; Kevin's taking quite a lot of my weight.'

James wheeled his passenger into the hallway and turned him to face forwards. The first thing Carl noticed was that a stairlift had been installed, and Michaela was currently in the process of riding it down from the middle storey with Libby on her lap.

'Wow,' Carl remarked, 'you sure got that thing organised quickly.'

'Mike sorted everything out for us,' said Kevin. 'He installed it himself yesterday, so you can be sure of the best quality workmanship, Dad. He also installed some mobility bars around the place, in case we need them later on.'

'That stairlift is an absolute godsend,' said Beth, appearing in the hallway behind Oscar. 'I don't know why we didn't get one years ago. Welcome home, sweetheart.'

'Thanks, honey,' said Carl.

'Hi, Grandpa Carl,' said Libby, leaping off Michaela's lap as their journey reached its conclusion. 'I'm glad you're not dead.'

'So am I, Libby,' said Carl. 'You like the stairlift, huh?'

'It's so much fun!' Libby enthused. 'Your voice sounds a little weird.'

'Yes, it does,' Carl agreed. 'It's likely to stay that way for a while, I'm afraid.'

'Oh,' said Libby. 'Well, never mind.'

'How about we all go into the living room?' Kevin suggested.

'Good idea,' said Beth.

James pushed the wheelchair over to the couch, then he and Kevin helped Carl to shift across and arrange himself comfortably. Zak was lying on the floor nearby, from where he watched the operation with great interest.

'Can't you walk at all, Grandpa Carl?' asked Libby.

'Not really, honey,' said Carl. 'That is, not yet. But I'll be back on my feet in less than a year, you can be sure of that!'

'You sound like you have a reason for that target, Grandpa,' said Michaela. 'A special reason, I mean.'

'Exactly right, Ela,' said Carl. 'Your papi tells me there's a plan afoot to get the whole family down to Cozumel next summer, and I'm determined to step off the plane at San Miguel with the rest of you! I'm gonna work really hard on my physical therapy and keep a positive attitude and... well, things will go on from there, really.'

'You could come on vacation in a wheelchair,' said Libby.

'I could,' Carl conceded. 'But I'm not going to.'

'It's so good to hear you talking this way, sweetheart,' said Beth. 'It's true what they say, you know – if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.'

'That's what I'm counting on,' said Carl. 'Now, would you all mind if I spoke to Kevin in private for a moment? I'd step out of the room myself but... well, it'd be a lot easier if the rest of you did instead.'

'Of course we don't mind, Grandpa Carl,' said Libby. 'Come on, everyone.'

Libby led the way back into the hall, followed by Michaela, Beth, Oscar and James, who pulled the door shut on his way out. Kevin perched on the couch beside his father and met his gaze.

'I want to thank you for saving my life, son,' said Carl.

'You don't need to do that, Dad,' said Kevin.

'I don't, huh?' said Carl. 'What're you going to tell me, that you were just doing your job?'

'No,' said Kevin. 'You don't need to thank me for saving your life because... well, because you're my dad. And whatever issues we've had in the past, I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like that didn't mean something to me.'

'I never felt that way, Kevin,' said Carl, sounding very distressed at the idea. 'And I don't ever want to hear you apologising to me again, okay? That's... that's not the way things should be between us. Lying in a hospital bed for a week gives a person plenty of time to think, and I've thought of a whole bunch of stuff I still need to apologise to you for.'

'Please don't, Dad.'

'There was one moment from the day I had my stroke that I couldn't help replaying over and over in my mind. It was when I went absolutely gaga over Jamie's stripes. I don't think I've ever reacted with so much enthusiasm to any of your achievements, Kevin. Not outwardly, anyway.'

'It's okay, Dad,' said Kevin. 'I know you're proud of me.'

'I'm more than proud,' said Carl. 'I'm privileged to be a part of your life, son, and I've always felt luckier than I can put into words to live with you and your wonderful daughters.'

'Were you including Oscar in that “you”?' Kevin asked quietly.

'Of course I was,' said Carl. 'Thanks to him, I haven't had to mow the lawn in twenty-five years!'

Kevin burst out laughing; Carl smiled lopsidedly. They maintained a companionable gaze as they patted each other on the knee.

'You know,' said Carl, 'I had complete faith in you to give me the best possible chance that night.'

'Yeah, I do know that,' said Kevin. 'You were calmer than anyone.'

'Could you ask your brother to come talk to me next?'

'Are you aiming to get through everyone before dinner?'

'I don't think so,' said Carl. 'But if anyone else wants to take a turn after James, there's not much I can do to stop them, is there?'

Kevin smiled, then he went to open the door.

'Jimmy!' he called. 'Dad wants to talk to you.'

James appeared from the kitchen and scuttled towards the living room, giving Kevin a quick squeeze of the shoulder on his way past. As soon as his gaze met Carl's, James burst into silent tears.

'It's okay, son,' said Carl. 'Why don't you come over here and sit with me?'

James went over to the couch and inserted himself into the proffered embrace of his father's right arm.

'Oh, Dad,' he said shakily. 'There've been times in my life when I've felt like the bottom's fallen out of my world – you know that – but they all faded away to nothing when I took that call from Oscar!'

'I know, Jamie,' said Carl. 'Try not to think about it right now, huh? I want to hear all about your first two days at Central Park.'

James smiled and said, 'Okay, sure.'

Suddenly feeling that he was eavesdropping, Kevin quietly closed the living room door.

The following Sunday, Daisy was sitting on the sofa in her family home, chatting to Josh as he buttoned up his chef's whites. Adrien was curled up on her lap, purring and dribbling contentedly as she stroked him.

'But why do I have to go to school?' Daisy asked.

'It's the law,' said Josh. 'If Mommy and I didn't send you to school, we'd be put in jail.'

'By James?' Daisy asked hopefully.

Josh laughed. 'Maybe. But you're going to go without any fuss, aren't you, princess? Think of Mommy being in jail when the baby comes!'

'Wow,' said Daisy, her eyes widening as she thought of it. 'Then what would happen?'

'I don't know,' said Josh. 'But let's not put it to the test, huh? Take my advice, princess, and just don't think about it. Enjoy your last day of freedom.'

Just as he finished saying this, a knock sounded at the door. Daisy's face brightened at once.

'Lib-by's here!' she chanted, turning Adrien off her lap and running to open the front door. Sure enough, Libby was standing there with Kevin behind her. Conchita came in from another room and went to talk to Kevin on the threshold, while Daisy grabbed Libby's hand and they ran giggling into her bedroom.

'Hi, Kev,' said Conchita. 'Do you want to come in for some coffee?'

'Love to, but I can't,' said Kevin. 'I have to work a shift – I'm just dropping Libby off on the way. Taking the scenic route,' he added jovially, but Conchita's answering smile was so weak that his own smile flickered and died.

For a few moments, they stood in awkward silence. Then suddenly Josh said, 'Oh, Kevin, I wanted to thank you for inviting Daisy to meet Zak. It made her so happy – she couldn't stop talking about him for two whole days after. I'm starting to think all this dog person/cat person stuff is just a myth and I should meet him myself.'

'You'd be more than welcome to,' said Kevin. 'The girls just love showing him off. Libby made him FaceTime Dominic with her yesterday, and then I had Catherine on the phone complaining that she and Stephanie'll have to get a pet too now, or Libby won't want to go back to them.'

'What's she complaining for?' said Conchita. 'Pets are wonderful things to have. They could get Libby a little hamster or something – I don't think it'd be a good idea to get, like, a rival dog for her.'

'I guess you're right,' said Kevin. 'I'll pass that on. Anyway, I really have to get going. Bye, Libby!' he called.

'Bye, Papi!' came back to him from Daisy's bedroom.

'Bye, you guys,' said Kevin, as Conchita leaned out of the door to wave him off down the exterior staircase. When she turned back to the apartment, Josh was looking at her with concern.

'You're still worried,' he said.

'No,' Conchita said unconvincingly. 'A midwife and a doctor told me yesterday that everything's fine, and it's not as if the baby hasn't moved at all since then.'

'I don't think they're taking your instinct seriously,' said Josh, 'and I agree with Rose about getting a second opinion. Who's that woman your parents are always raving about – the one who used to deliver all the new Rivera babies?'

'You mean Judy?' said Conchita. 'Oh, I can't get her – she's much too important now. She's chief supervising midwife for the whole of New York City or something.'

'That sounds like exactly what we need,' said Josh. 'Is there any chance your parents know how to pin her down? They're flying home today, right?'

'Yeah, they are,' said Conchita. 'I'll try calling them tomorrow when Daisy's at school, but I don't guess they'll really be able to refer me to Judy. Oh, there! It kicked.'

Looking hopeful, Josh put both his hands on Conchita's swollen abdomen, then frowned when he felt no movement.

'It normally only does one kick at a time,' said Conchita, and for a moment they stood in strained silence. Then she kissed him and said, 'Have a good day at work, sweetie. I love you.'

'I love you too, honey,' he said, then he looked over his shoulder and called, 'Bye, Daisy!'

'Bye, Daddy!' Daisy called back, somewhat distractedly, as she and Libby were busy playing with Barbie dolls. They had opened up a pink plastic aeroplane and were sitting with it between them on the floor, each child with a doll in her hand.

'I have to do some very, very, very important surgery on a hundred poor orphans,' Doctor Barbie was saying through Libby. 'Can you fly me to Mexico tomorrow?'

'Yes, of course,' Pilot Barbie said through Daisy. 'I won't even make you pay me because I like helping poor orphans. Ooh,' Daisy added, breaking character, 'here's Adrien!'

She smiled over at the cat as he stalked in through her bedroom doorway, but the corners of her mouth dropped when she saw that his eyes were wide, his hackles were up and his tail was swishing back and forth. He walked over to Daisy, his belly low to the ground, and pressed himself against her hip.

'Adrien, why is your heart going so fast?' Daisy asked anxiously.

'That's why!' said Libby, pointing at a shimmering figure that had begun to materialise in the doorway. She stared as its features came more starkly into view, saying, 'It's... it's a big man... with a big beard... and a red shirt! And a sword!'

Daisy squeaked in terror and flung her arms around Adrien, who hissed and yowled at the large man now standing before him.

'Don't be afraid,' said Libby, putting a soothing hand on Daisy's arm.

The figure frowned in puzzlement at Libby. 'You can see me?'

'Yes,' she replied.

'You can hear me?'

'Well, yeah. What's going on? Is someone else in trouble?'

'Yes,' said the ghost. Then he looked at Daisy. 'Now you, little girl, listen very carefully. She is right: you mustn't be afraid. You must go to your mother and tell her that her unborn baby is in danger, and she must get help for it as fast as she can.'

'What?' said Daisy. 'But... but Mommy's been trying to get help for the baby, and everyone keeps saying it's fine!'

'Everyone is a fool!' spat the ghost, and the two little girls flinched in alarm. He calmed himself before going on, 'You must make her listen to you, little one. It has to be today.'

'But,' faltered Daisy, 'what am I supposed to say?'

'When Grandpa Carl was having his stroke,' Libby said to her, 'Ela told Papi there was a ghost. If you told your mommy –'

'Tell her?' cried the ghost, his aggressive tone returning suddenly. 'And frighten her into birthing a dead child?'

At this, Daisy burst into sudden and noisy tears. The ghost looked guiltily at her, then at Libby, who was frowning at him. Moments later, his image dissipated as Conchita ran through it and into the room.

'Oh, sweetheart, what is it?' she said, lowering herself awkwardly into a kneeling position and putting an arm around her small daughter.

'Mommy,' said Daisy, hiccuping through her tears, 'I really, really feel like there's something wrong with the baby!'

'With the baby?' said Conchita, her brow furrowing. 'Oh, but...'

'Something's wrong!' cried Daisy. 'You have to go to the hospital now!'

'All right, I will,' Conchita said decidedly. 'I'll have to find somebody who can take care of you two...'

'We'll go to the hospital with you,' said Libby. 'I think you should get there as fast as you can.'

'O-oh...' said Conchita, chewing worriedly on her lip and rubbing Daisy's back while the child sniffed and hiccuped.

'We'll be good,' Libby added.

'Oh, I know you will, sweetheart,' said Conchita. 'All right, let's go. It's okay, Daisy – they'll take good care of us at the hospital.'

'How will we get there?' asked Libby, jumping to her feet and hauling Daisy to hers.

'We'll walk,' said Conchita, rising slowly to her own feet. 'It's only just down the street. Oh, Adrien, what's bothering you?' she added, as she caught sight of the agitated feline looking guardedly at the doorway.

'Maybe he knows something's wrong with the baby,' said Libby. 'Let's go!'

She ran out of the room and Conchita followed, leading Daisy by the hand and looking sick with worry.

To be continued...