"Swept away" Rewritten by VeGirl 2014 © All Rights Reserved

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A couple of weeks passed by; Isa missed Wilma tremendously when she went back to Sweden, but Isa had her new work to focus on and there were a lot of stuff to deal with before the opening. Isa had a few days off a week and at least one of those she spend with Morgan and his friends on set.

Angela flew into town for the grand opening and everything went great. Morgan, Robert and several of their co-workers came for the premiere, which drew the press and some extra people. There were two artists exhibiting, and they were really outgoing; which isn't always the case. Most artists Isa had been in contact with earlier were quite introvert and wasn't comfortable in a crowd of people like this, they'd rather spend their days in the studio, making new creations. Here they had to smile and chit-chat with people, and if that hadn't been their cup of tea it had been harder for all of the people there.

Robert on the other hand made some new friends and potential business partners. Shona had a whole different light in her eyes when she met Morgan again and Isa introduced her to Robert as well. She blushed when Morgan kissed her cheek the way he had done before; the difference was that now she knew what he did for a living.

When Robert did the same; she almost stuttered.

"Isa, come here!" Robert called some time thereafter. "This is my sister," he introduced, and Isa noted how one of the guys eyeballed her in a less than charming way. Morgan was suddenly behind her, sliding his arms around her waist in a way that made her feel both safe and a little bit overly protected. Affectionately Isa laid her hands on Morgan's and introduced him. The guys said their hello's and the one that didn't ogle her furrowed his eyebrows.

"Isn't your sister named Ellen?"

Robert chuckled. "Yes, this is the other sister; I got her as a present when Dad met Krystal." He smiled both cheeky and sweet toward Isa.

"Wow, what a present," the guy said; Isa could almost hear Morgan growl and pinched his hand discretely.

"Thank you... I think?" she added a bit sarcastic. "Luckily I'm engaged to this guy."

Morgan wrapped his arms a little tighter, but that was the moment Angela interrupted their little gathering.

"Felicia, I need you for an interview with the artists."

"Sure," Isa said, kissed Morgan and walked after Angela to answer questions about her efforts to find the right artists and a little about her education, the same time they asked the artists what had inspired them to make these particular sculptures and paintings.

Morgan stood a couple of yards away, watching them with a grin on his face.

A couple of hours later Morgan and Isa was walking home together. "Nice of you to distract me during my interview; what was with the grin?"

He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders. "I was just so proud of you," he said with another chuckle. "We have changed places; you were being interviewed and I was the one waiting on the sideline."

~ ~ ~

Isa was in the studio with Morgan a couple of weeks later, they were in the middle of shooting, when the speaker-system suddenly binged, making everything just stop. The director didn't need to call cut, everybody stopped and looked up at the speakers; they were only used when it was an absolute crisis.

"Robert Epps and Felicia Sahlin to the reception; there is a phone-call for Robert Epps and Felicia Sahlin."

Everybody turned to look at Isa and her heart started to pound like crazy. Isa took a few steps and Robert met her, both with an alarmed expression on their faces. Morgan was by Isa's side immediately and the three of them walked briskly to the reception.

"What could have happened?"

"I have no idea."

Morgan walked silent beside Isa with her hand in his for comfort.

Robert and Isa looked at each other with huge eyes when they reached the reception and Robert took the phone hesitantly. "Yes, this is Robert," he said and Isa watched him intensely. "Yes, Isa is here next to me. What happened, dad?"

She saw how all color left his face. "What? How are they? Oh no!" he breathed and that felt even worse than if he had yelled.

A chill ran down her spine. "What happened?" Isa wasn't sure what she intended, but it came out as a shriek.

Robert held his hand over the speaker on the phone. "There's been an accident. Ellen and Bryan are seriously hurt."

"What?" she yelped as Robert resumed the phone call. Tears started to flow down her cheeks and Morgan wrapped his arms around her for comfort.

"Yeah, of course; you've made reservations? Can you make it three?" Robert said, looking at Morgan and Isa. "Okay, eight thirty?" He listened again and Isa was starting to panic. "Yeah, I'll see you." He hung up the phone.

"Tell me!"

"Ellen and Bryan were out driving and a guy hit them. It was a real impact and the both of them are in a coma."

Isa could hardly breathe, tears streamed down her cheeks. "Estelle?" she just whispered.

"She was with Dad and Krystal."

Isa stood there and tears flowed. "But they'll be alright, right. Please tell me they will be alright."

"They don't think so..." Tears were streaming down Roberts cheeks as well, and they hugged each other and both of them cried.

None of them noted that Morgan left them momentarily to tell Mary, Jacob and the others about the tragedy. He drove the two siblings home to pack and then to the airport in time to catch the flight to New York.

They were anxious at the airport and the press and fans noted disappointed that the guys didn't get the same friendly treatment they usually got.

The flight was calm, and after that a cab took them directly to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital where Mom and David met us with a devastated hug.

"Bryan's parents just left."

"He's okay?"

"No, I'm sorry, he died and hour ago."

With a gasp, Isa's heart shattered into pieces and she cried right out. "Oh God no! Oh please God, no!" Morgan wrapped her in his arms as Isa cried and cried. "He can't be dead, please tell me it's not true," she rambled on and on without being able to stop crying.

Could life really be this cruel? Ellen and Bryan just had a child, how would Ellen manage on her own?

They sat down on the hard couches in the waiting area, Isa with Morgan's arms around her, and holding Robert's hand, no clutching it. David and Mom sat a few seats away with their arms around each other, doing their best to keep the spirits up.

Ellen was in surgery and they were waiting and waiting.

When her tears finally dried out, Isa just stared at the slightly greenish wall in front of them, wondering who the hell came up with the idea that green was supposed to be calming. Isa found the more she looked at it, the more nauseous she felt.

After a while she just closed her eyes and cuddled up in Morgan's arms and she didn't know how long she sat there until finally a doctor came to talk to them.

"The operation went well, but she is still sedated to lessen the brain-pressure. For now the situation is stabile."

"Oh, thank God!" Isa's mother called and hugged David while Isa did the same with Robert.

"I think you should head home, and we'll call if anything happens," the doctor recommended and they sighed relieved and stumbled forward to head home.

Well home, they couldn't do anything but to just fall down in their beds. Morgan, Robert and Isa had not got many minutes of sleep during the flight and now they were ticking into the wee hours. Despite everything Isa couldn't sleep and it took much longer than it had to, for her eyes to finally give up and simply fall into oblivion.

That night Isa dreamt restless and worrying dreams. It was almost like flashes from her past, mixed with various films and scenarios Isa didn't even recognize at all. Car crashes, her ex threatening her, people dying, Estelle, funerals. Finally she woke up by Morgan shaking her.

"Baby, you were screaming," he tried to comfort her as tears streamed down. "I wish I could say it was just a dream, but I guess what it was about." He wrapped his arms around her and they just lay there close together and after a long time sleep swept her away again.

"Please tell me it was just a bad dream anyway," she mumbled.

He kissed the top of her head and mumbled that everything would be alright and it soothed her restless soul.

~ ~ ~

Over the next few days Ellen woke up and got stronger and better, things were looking bright. Estelle was a real sweetheart, Isa was enjoying taking care of her and she had Morgan totally wrapped around her little fingers.

He held her on his arm when he got a phone-call and walked away with her still attached on his arm. Isa simply smiled at the cute-factor, until he came back shortly after.

"It was work; they need me to come back, especially if Robert is staying." Morgan had a really guilty look on his face. "Would you be okay, sweetie?"

Isa gave him a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'll be fine. Of course they need you, and Ellen is doing much better, I'll stay here and help to take care of Estelle, and I'll see you in a few days."

"You are an amazing woman." He watched her for a while, before he called work to let them know he'd be back.

~ ~ ~

It was a little boring when Morgan left, but Estelle kept Isa busy and did her best to cheer her up.

The whole family really pulled together and they did their best to support each other. Robert was the one Isa could lean upon and he helped her with Estelle as much as he could. David and Krystal took turns with Robert and her to visit Ellen at the hospital.

Robert walked up to his sister first and Isa observed them from the foot of the bed. She was so glad that Ellen finally was awake, and even if it was a little hard to hear what she was saying, she was still clear in the head.

"How is Estelle?" Ellen asked, even if it was a bit blurry.

"She's fine, sis! Isa and she are getting along just fine, and right now she is with Krystal," Robert explained patiently. "Since Isa is here with me."

"Isa?"

Isa went up to the head of the bed, within Ellen's eyesight. "Hi my sweet sister, you just focus on getting well now," Isa said even if it nearly broke her heart to see the girl like this, all bandaged up around the head.

"Bryan..." she just said, and then tears flowed from all three of us.

"Yes, I am so sorry," was all Isa could say. "You just focus on Estelle now; get better for your little girl."

She cried for a while and Robert and Isa did their best to comfort her, even if they wanted to cry as well.

"You just get better now." Robert said. "So you can come home and hug your little baby."

"But what if..." she started and Isa didn't really understand. "What if I don't get better?"

"Of course you will; don't say that!" Isa was quick with her reply. "And we will help you!" She looked over at Robert.

"Of course we will," he assured.

She closed her eyes for a couple of minutes, as to calm herself down. Isa couldn't even think of what she was going through in her mind. Isa had been devastated during the last six months separation, but Morgan and she were both alive, there was no comparison.

Ellen opened her eyes and looked from Robert to Isa and back. "I want you to promise," she spoke slowly and with a great deal of effort. "When I go; you'll take care of my baby."

"Ellen; don't say that!" they both scolded her. "You have to focus on getting better!"

"Sshh!" she hushed them, and immediately had their undivided attention. "Promise me!"

Robert and Isa were sitting on each side of her bed, looking at each other and then her. "Of course, we promise, but now you have to focus all your strength on getting well," Robert assured her in the most caring voice.

The day they all had feared and dreaded came and in a wheelchair, they rolled in Ellen to bury her husband. Bryan's parents were of course devastated, and Ellen and they did their best to comfort each other.

It felt like nothing Isa had ever done to walk in there, knowing it was their sweet and charming Bryan in the boxed up coffin. Isa felt numb and poor Ellen that was just rid of the tubes, looked totally blank. How would this affect her healing ability?

Robert and Isa were there by her side, just as Krystal and David, and Isa was really glad to have Robert there. Estelle was home with a babysitter for the service, and afterwards, Robert and Isa picked her up and went to the gathering at Bryan's parents' house, where they met Krystal and David with Ellen.

It was a terrifying day.

Everybody that just had been crying their eyes out, for good and natural reasons, Isa might add, were now sitting there trying to remember all the good times and laugh. Laugh even though the poor guy was dead and his family ruined?

Of course Isa remembered some good times, but she just couldn't smile.

She couldn't laugh.

All Isa could do was try to comfort Ellen and Estelle, especially the latter Isa was really good at. Robert was better at the former; comforting Ellen.

Isa had of course called Angela and Shona the minute she found out the horrible news, and with concern Angela granted her a leave of absence from work.

She was so glad when Ellen gained her strength and Isa could bring Estelle to the hospital to meet her. Her entire face lit up at the sight of her little girl, and even if she was there almost every day, Isa could see the progression she made. She couldn't wait for Ellen to get home.

As Ellen got better, Robert could get back to his work. Estelle and Isa got into some kind of every day routine, where they woke up and Isa made her formula, which she gave her in bed, and then they snuggled for a little while before it was time to get up and get some breakfast for Isa. Estelle was sitting on her blanket, playing with her toys as Isa ate, and then it was time for a nap for her, while Isa took a shower. During the afternoon, she and Isa took a walk, with her in the stroller to visit Ellen at the hospital and in the evenings Krystal took care of Estelle, while Isa got down to the gallery to help Angela out as much as she could.

After four weeks at the hospital Ellen was allowed to come home on supervised visits from the hospital; at least that was what they joke-fully called it. They took her to Krystal and David's apartment, because just the thought of taking Ellen to her own place was just too depressing to even contemplate.

The weather was getting better and there was a promise of spring in the air.

With Estelle back in Ellen's arms the tree of them went for strolls in the park, with Isa as the designated driver, pushing the wheelchair with the two of them in.

Often they stopped for coffee somewhere, just sitting down in the sun, enjoying life. When the weekend came, Robert and Morgan joined them in town and they all had this 'one big happy family' life going on, even if it was slightly forced and hysterical.

At the weekend Isa had to do time at work, when there were somebody else that could take care of Estelle and however much Isa loved her work it really felt like 'doing time'. Angela and Gary were really considerate and work became a good distraction of the things that rolled around in her head every minute of the day, Ellen's recovery and her and Estelle's future.

During the weekdays Isa missed Morgan; she missed his way of always comforting her, making her see things in another point of view and she missed his strong arms, wrapped around her during the nights. Isa started to think about the day when she could move back home to Greenville and resume her life again, even if she would miss little Estelle bad.

~ ~ ~

Isa was barely aware of a phone call in the middle of the night, but moments after, there was a knock on her door, and it opened.

"Felicia, are you awake?" Krystal whispered.

Isa bolted upright in an instant. "Yes, what has happened?"

"There was a phone-call from the hospital, Ellen is worse."

"No!" Isa put a hand over her mouth and was afraid she would wake Estelle up.

"Yes, she had a hemorrhage and she's in surgery now. David and I are going over there, but you better stay here with the baby," her mother informed Isa.

"Please call when you hear anything, I'll have my cell on vibe by my bed, so you won't wake Estelle up."

They whispered their goodbye's and hopes of a quick recovery, and Isa didn't sleep a blink that night. She who wasn't a very religious person, prayed to God that night, to help and spare this poor girl's mother, since her father was already in the afterlife.

There were so many thoughts spinning round and round in her head that Isa thought she would never fall asleep again. Eventually she did.

"Felicia." Isa woke up of someone shaking slightly, and she bolted upright.

"How is she, is she okay?"

Her mother sat down on the bed. "No, I'm sorry; the doctors did all they could, but she didn't make it."

A shill ran down her spine, or perhaps it was a fever exploding for a fraction of a second. "What are you saying?"

"Ellen died."

Isa started to weep uncontrolled and her mother did her best to comfort Isa. "We've called Robert and he'll be home shortly." They sat there like forever with Krystal's arms around her and they both cried until there were no more tears left, and until Estelle started to wake up.

Isa walked over to pick her up, and then her tears started to flow again. "Mom, she has no parents..."

"Oh baby I know, but she's lucky to have us."

Isa hugged the little girl and just cried and cried. She looked a bit surprised at Isa, but held her little arms around Isa's neck who was thinking of how unfair and cruel life could be.

~ ~ ~

Morgan did his best to be supportive of Robert, but wished that he could have helped a little better. All he could do was walk beside him and give him space. Press and fans were throwing themselves at the guys and Morgan did his best to keep them off Robert's back while they got through the eye of the storm. This was the best time of all to have first class tickets and Morgan weirdly enough felt big-brotherly around this guy.

"How are you holding up man?" Morgan had to ask, even if the guy looked like a wreck.

Robert turned and looked at him. "Do you have a sister? Yes, you do; don't you?"

"Yes Madilyn," he said short and felt his stomach clench.

"Ellen is my... was... my big sister." He paused. "She's been there all of my life, through thick and thin..." He looked down and Morgan wanted to hug the man.

Instead he leaned back in his seat with an exhale and thought about how he would feel if anything would happen to his little sister. It was a horrid feeling.

When they landed in New York it was pretty much the same circus where Morgan did his best to protect his friend. The fans were cheering, but the press kept pushing. "Are you in town for interviews?"

"No, family affairs."

"Together?" They were trying for sarcastic.

"Yes, we're family, now if you'll excuse us." It was hard not to be snarky as they pushed their way through the crowd toward the exit, where there a car was waiting in Robert's name; which took them home.

As soon as they got through the front door, Robert's father pulled him in for a hug, and -Morgan did the same for Isa. There was so much pain in this room, the family had gone through too much for anyone to handle. Wasn't it enough that they've already lost Robert and Ellen's mother years ago? Everybody hugged each other and they all sat down on the couch to talk about this devastating turn of events. They were crying and talking even if the hour was late until they finally called it a night.

When they entered Isa's room Morgan just stopped; by her bed stood a crib with this little blond curly-haired girl sleeping in it.

My god, he almost forgot about her.

"You've been taking care of her?" he whispered.

Isa nodded. "She has no parent's anymore," she whispered and tears fell down her cheeks. All he could do was wrap her in his arms.

That night Morgan didn't sleep very well, thoughts about the little girl kept whirling around in his mind. What would her life be like now? Would she end up in foster care, or would Krystal and David take care of her? Either way it was tragic; children were supposed to stay with their parents, have a happy childhood and grow up to make their parents proud.

Alternatively; they'd disappoint their parents by becoming actors.

After some time's pondering about how this little girl's life would be, he found himself thinking about his own life. He sure hoped he would have children some day; he who never even considering it due to his line of work.

In his pondering about life choices since Isa and he got back together Morgan had thought a lot about changing career, but this night he started to think about all the couples that in fact made it work; people who had children and lived happy, despite the fact that they were actors.

The baby moved in her sleep, moaning, and Isa moved as well; both of them still fast asleep. The action snapped Morgan out of his pondering, and he moved closer and lay an arm around Isa, who took a deep breath and moved a bit in her sleep. He couldn't help but think about how lucky he was to have her back.

That following day they all prepared for the funeral in their own personal way. Robert was in his own head, Krystal and David kept to themselves and Isa sat mostly with Estelle on her lap and tears in her eyes. The only thing for Morgan to do was to be strong for her, so there they sat until lunch; she with Estelle, and him with an arm around Isa's back.

With all of them dressed in black, they took a cab to the same tragic place they'd been to before.

Funerals; what a bizarre way of saying how sorry you are that a beloved person has left you, and yet at the same time you want to keep the memory of that person light. That seems to be an impossible task!

Morgan was there of course because he wanted to honor the memory of this perky, alert and charming person, but mainly to support Isa, Robert and their parents. Albeit only having met Ellen a handful of times, he already missed her; she had this ability to brighten up a room and to make you feel relaxed. Morgan's feelings for Robert deepened; he must going through hell, having to put his sister in the ground.

He thought about the way Robert had gained one sister so close to losing the other one. How cruel could life be?

Isa was too affected to be able to take care of Estelle, and frankly Morgan was glad to take her off her hands; she was such a delight. She had definitely inherited her mother's way to brighten up a room and even though he never would have picturing himself with a baby on his arm, Morgan was totally smitten.

Both Robert and Morgan got a week off from work and they spent it together in what started to feel like a cocoon of protection and suffocating darkness. They all walked a bit like zombies around the apartment and Estelle was the only reason for a smile.

Everybody did their best to keep light, and once in a while it felt almost hysterical how hard they all worked for everything to feel bright and ordinary again. For someone who didn't know them, they almost looked happy. They forced themselves to laugh, watching comedies on TV, now and then Morgan and Isa got out for a walk with Estelle in the stroller, but that reminded Isa of the walks with Ellen and Estelle and tears flooded her eyes again.

~ ~ ~

A week after the funeral, they were called to a meeting with David's lawyer's office and Morgan volunteered to stay put with Estelle, when the rest of the family took a cab to the office. It was an inventory of their estate and a reading of her will.

Isa was barely there in her mind as the lawyer went through their assets, what should happen to them and what actions was needed to take care of, to make sure Estelle was economical ensured. Her father was the financial wizard in the family and he had been well capable in deciding her finances.

When the lawyer started to read a letter from Ellen Isa's focus warped back in reality though.

"My beloved brother Robert, who stole my bike and ran it into a tree when he was five, and my new sister who has become so close to me, is to raise Estelle in a way that she will be safe and taken care of."

Robert and Isa looked at each other with huge eyes; they both knew what they had promised Ellen, but now it was somehow painfully real.

The lawyer kept reading the document. "I love you all very much; Dad and Krystal, Robert and Felicia, and I need you to take care of one another. I am so glad that Dad met you Krystal, you've filled the void after our beloved mother, and I hope you can be strong together. I know you will all do your best to take care of my little princess, and remember that I'll be right by your side to make sure you keep her safe. Think of me as you guardian angel. I'll see you soon, love from Ellen."

By the time the letter was finished, they were all in tears, even the lawyer.

Everybody was quiet in the car home; everybody in their own little world, thinking of this amazing girl they have had and then lost. Robert took Isa's hand and they did their best to stay strong together.

A tense Morgan met them when they got home. "How did it go, are you all okay?"

Oh my God, what will Morgan say? Isa just stood there, staring at him.

"Are you okay?" He repeated in a worried tone.

"Yes." Isa smiled through watery eyes. "Yes, I'm okay, but we need to talk."

He looked confused at her, but nodded and motioned for her to go with him and they walked in to their room. Estelle slept in the crib and Isa's tears started to flow when she saw her.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" He wrapped his arms around her and swept her in a cage of security where Isa wept, both for the loss of her sister, the life of her daughter and the possible loss of Morgan as soon as he would find out about Isa's newfound responsibility.

Her crying finally subsided and she felt wrenched like a dishrag.

Isa exhaled a heavy breath. "I have news that will make you run for the hills." She sighed, not really knowing where to start. Morgan had deep frown lines on his forehead and Isa just dove into the hard stuff. "Robert and I will be legal guardians for Estelle. I'm a mom." After that bomb she just held her breath.

Morgan held his gaze at her, frown lines intact for a while and then he just smiled. "That's amazing; you'll do a great job."

Isa looked at him, astounded. "Didn't you hear? This is your time to flee..."

He just smiled and stroked her hair. "Did you think I would abandon you over that adorable little baby over there?" His voice was soft and quiet and he nodded towards the little sleeping beauty.

"Well...I can't really expect you to accept all of my...stuff." Isa slumped her shoulders in a heavy exhale and averted her eyes towards the floor.

"Eysa, don't you realize you have given me the most amazing thing ever; you have given me a family." His tone was still soft and as Isa looked up at him she saw the smile that was still on his face, glistening in his eyes.

She couldn't believe what he was saying. "Are you for real, or have I just made you up?" came flying out of her mouth.

He laughed a soft chuckle that made Isa's whole body tingle. "If you only knew how many times I have asked myself that question, is she real; have I finally met someone that can put up with all the crazy stuff in my life? And now you're giving me a chance to raise a child, you are giving me a family."

They looked at each other astounded, like they couldn't believe what they heard and saw standing in front of them.

"Eysa, I love you."

"Oh Morgan, I love you."

.