Once Found: The Pocket Watch Chronicles by Ceci Giltenan Page A

roller coasters, either.
    When she was settled in the new room, the oxycodone made her even drowsier. “This bed is nice.”
    “Really? Most people don’t find them overly comfortable.”
    “I’m having trouble staying awake.”
    “Then don’t. You need plenty of rest anyway.”
    “You won’t leave?”
    “No, I won’t.” Gabe moved the recliner closer to the bed and took her hand.
    She held on tightly. “I’m sorry I’m not braver. I will try harder, but everything here is so peculiar and I don’t like to be alone. It scares me.”
    “I won’t leave you alone, and you’ve nothing to be sorry for. I know how disorienting it is to be in a strange place, and I understand that you’re afraid. Everything will be okay, sweetheart.”
    She sighed. “I think it will be. I want to remember it all when I go back.”
    Gabe had no idea what she meant by that, but assumed the narcotic had muddled her thoughts.
    As she drifted off to sleep, although she continued to cling firmly to his hand, she looked relaxed and peaceful, a small smile resting on her lips.
    He smiled, made himself as comfortable as possible in the recliner, and gave in to sleep.
    ~ * ~
    Everything will be okay . Elsie wasn’t sure why she so firmly believed that. The events of the day were almost too much to comprehend. At first, it seemed to be a dreadful nightmare, but now she was opening herself to the adventure. What had changed?
    She smiled as she realized two things that helped her embrace this opportunity. First was Gabe. Not only did she feel safe when he was with her, she felt a sense of completeness she had only just begun to experience with Geordie. Elizabeth was a lucky woman, but Elsie believed the same depth of emotion would be hers as well when she returned to the man she was beginning to love in her own time.
    The second thing was the chance to experience the love of a family again. Perhaps it was silly; after all, she’d lost her mother and father so long ago and she was a grown woman now, but the chance to feel the loving embrace of parents once more was beyond enticing.
    Until recently, Elsie had existed in a world filled with duty and perhaps kindness, but not love. Today had been more frightening and overwhelming than anything she had ever experienced, but even in all its strangeness, a part of her was excited by the possibilities the next few days or weeks held. As she drifted off to sleep holding Gabe’s hand, she knew she had been given an extraordinary gift. She would partake freely.
    ~ * ~
    Several hours later, Gabe woke as people came into the room. He opened his eyes to see Elizabeth’s parents.
    “Who are you?” her father asked.
    Gabe stood, but didn’t let go of Elizabeth’s hand. “Good evening, sir. I’m Dr. Gabriel Soldani.”
    “I remember you. You went to medical school with Elizabeth. You were the only friend she introduced us to the day she graduated,” said Elizabeth’s mother.
    “Yes, we’re friends. It’s nice to see you again. We weren’t sure you’d be able to get here before morning.”
    “As soon as the storm stopped, we flew by helicopter,” explained Mrs. Quinn.
    Dr. Quinn frowned. “Don’t you think it is a bit unseemly for a doctor in this hospital to be sitting holding my daughter’s hand while she sleeps?”
    The conversation was evidently penetrating Elizabeth’s slumber. She blinked and looked around as if trying to get her bearings.
    “I’m a pediatrician, Dr. Quinn. I am only here as a friend.”
    “Well, we’re here now. You can leave,” said Dr. Quinn.
    Wide awake now, Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “No!” she said vehemently, reestablishing her death grip on his hand. “I don’t want him to leave. Who are you anyway?”
    “I’m your father, Elizabeth. We are going to have you transferred to Hopkins. We’ll go by helicopter tonight.”
    Elizabeth couldn’t have looked more shocked. “You’re my father? I…I…I want to stay here.” She looked