Idina drove to a hospital, just to make sure. Then, she did the responsible thing and called the authorities.

It was early in the morning, the sun had yet to rise. Erika was given her own bed in a private room. She was fine, except for the fact that whoever had abducted her had drugged her. They had not used a large amount, but that would explain why she'd been a bit off and a bit loose-tongued earlier. 

The police had questioned her, then scolded her. but they had to admit that nothing had gone wrong, yet. 

They were currently questioning Erika. Idina was standing outside listening in. Erika was alright, she reassured herself over and over again. no one had hurt her. She was alright. Angry, but alright.

She had a ten-year-old. She could deal with an angry child.

But what about an angry teenager? A teenager who's never been loved by a mother?

It was all over. For now. 

A nurse told her they would keep Erika overnight for observation and a social worker brought her paperwork to sign. Eventually, she was led to a waiting room, where she balled her coat into a pillow and slept.

~~~~~

Idina awoke with a start.

"Idina?"

"Aaron!" Idina shot up, knowing the voice. Arms around her pulled her close.

"Shhh," Aaron said, stroking her hair. 

She looked around, getting her brings. She was in Aaron's arms. But the walls were baby blue. And there were chairs everywhere. She was in the same hospital wait room she had fallen asleep in.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," he said as she calmed down.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "How, when? How long have I been asleep."

He kissed her temple. "All day," he said witch a chuckle.

"Where's Walker. Is he with Taye, what's going on?"

"Okay, calm down. Everything is fine."

"Nothing good follows 'everything is fine,'" Idina said.

"Erika is ready to be released, Walker's been reading to her, and I'm here. I think that's as good as 'everything is fine' can get."

Idina sighed, sinking into her husband's eyes. She rubbed her eyes. "I need coffee," she muttered. 

"Already on that." Aaron handed her a styrofoam cup.

"Thank you," she said.

"We got a call early in the morning and got a plane. Five hours on a flight," he continued, answering all her questions. "We've barely been here an hour. When it comes to the foster forms, I think you have to give me some guardian power or whatever since you've been to all the classes. That is if you want me to sign them."

"I-uh," Idina wasn't sure. "Are you alright with this?"

"Do I have a choice.?"

Idina chuckled nervously. "No." She adjusted her self so that she was looking into his eyes. "I love you."

He kissed her in reply. Idina closed her eyes and pulled him closer. She flicked her tongue across his teeth, coaxing his mouth open. His hand tightened around her, one of them finding the asking on her back, sending shivers down her spine as they kissed.

She pulled away. They were both blushing and smiling.

"Thank you," she said. "For putting up with this and just... for everything."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't thank me yet."

They got up and walked over to Erika's room. She was sitting up on top of the sheets,  legs akimbo, in hospital scrubs. Walker was sitting on the edge of the bed, a copy of The Illustrated Philosopher's Stone in his small hands. 

Erika had an IV in her arm, but other than her unkempt hair she looked well. She had one arm around Walker and was looking over his shoulder as he asked for help on a long word. They were talking quietly as not disturb anyone else.

Idina smiled.

Aaron put an arm around her waist and she leaned on his shoulder.

"It's a nice site," Aaron said.

"Yeah," agreed Idina. She knew deep down it wasn't going to stay, but she was determined to commit it to memory before it shattered.

Walker noticed her first. "Mommy!" he exclaimed, quickly ditching the book and running up to her, jumping into her arms with the biggest bear hug his ten yea old frame could give.

Idina hugged him back, kissing his brow and telling him how much she loved him. Then her eyes wandered back to Erika, who was promptly pending like her fingernail was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Hey Walker," Aaron said, "do you want to go get some food?"

Walker nodded and Idina handed him to her husband. They went off in the direction of the cafeteria.

Idina knocked on the door frame. Erika looked up, dismissing her with a pacing glance, then going back to her nail.

Idina walked into the room and sat on the foot of the bed. She inched closer until she was sitting near where Walker had been only minutes ago.

"He's only alive because of you," she said trying to break the silence.

"He's cute," she replied apathetically, not meeting Idina's eyes.

"I'm sorry for what I said last night."

Erika shrugged.

Idina inched closer, picking up the massive book. "Harry Potter?"

No response.

"I remember when these books came out," she said with a chuckle. "I was too old for them. Little did I know they'd come back to bite me." She talked on, aimlessly. Erika made no attempts to stop her. "...Do you have a favourite book?"

Erika shook her head.

Idina bit her lip to stop from bursting out in victory. She got an acknowledgement! She just managed to do an awkward smirk instead. 

"What about movie?" No. "TV show?" No. "Fairy tale?"

"Stories are stupid."

"Ha," Idina said, almost too loudly. "You spoke. I win."

Erika rolled her eyes, going back to her nail.

"Let me see," Idina said, taking her hand. "Yes," she said exaggeratedly, "it's a very nice nail. You shouldn't tear it as you do." She had no idea what she was doing, but it was better than doing nothing.

Erika did not jerk her hand away. Idina took it as another small victory.

"You know, you can leave now as long as I sign you out," Idina began. "Should I sign you out, or are you still a flight risk?"

Erika just shrugged again. "Do whatever you want," she said. 

"Great, then I am getting a nurse and you are coming home with me." Idina desired the urge to fist pump as she turned to leave. She was winning. This was going to work.