Page 19 of Lucie
Chapter Ten
Decision
Attyfound her husband standing by the window in their room when she entered. She could tell he was deep in thought as he stared out into the night. Yet at the same time she could tell he was aware of her presence. Closing the door behind her, she paused to see if he would say anything before she got the chance. She knew him too well.
“I know what you’re going to say,”Yulenmuttered.
“And that would be?”
“You think he should still come with us.”
“We owe him that much.Iowe him that much.”
He turned around to stare at her. “And if he gets sick?”
“If he gets sick, then I want to be there to take care of him. Ihaveto be there.”
“He’ll be aliability.”
“He’s ourson.He’s already our miracle child. He should never have been born in the first place. He should never have survived, and grew strong, and gotten to be the kind of man he’s become,but he has.”
A tiny smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “You’re going to fight me on this, aren’t you?”
“Damn right, I am. As long and as far as I haveto.Yulen…” She walked up to him and drew her arms around his waist. He didn’t hesitate to wrap his own arms about her as she pressed her cheek to his chest. “If we have to lose him, I have to be there. I have to be there at the end. Please understand.”
“I do understand, beloved. But try to see my reasoning, too. Iain is still unskilled and just as untested in his field as Luc is.If Luc falls victim to this disease, Liam is his best and only hope for recovery.”
She could see his point. And yet…
“What if Liam can’t save him?” she softly asked. Lifting her face, she gazed up at him. “I can’t send him away, thinking I’ll never see him alive again. Please don’t ask me to. You were there with me when he came into this world. If he’s going todie, please,Yulen, let us both be there for him when he leaves it.”
He kissed her forehead as he gave a heavy sigh. At that moment she knew what his decision would be.
“I’ve never witnessed aMutahunder the influence of the water disease. What signs should we be watching for?”
“There won’t be any foaming at the mouth, or the deep thirst. At first it’llappear that he’s becoming forgetful. He’ll miss major details. He won’t remember conversations. Then he’ll forget ordinary, everyday routines. Following that, he’ll start to envision full-blown hallucinations. That’s when he’ll become angry and combative, because he’ll believe he’s under attack. It won’t matter ifit’sfriends or family, he’ll fight off everyone.”
She felt her husbandtense beneath her embrace. “How long does it last?” he whispered.
“It could be two to three days before the first signs appear. After that, the rest will quickly show. Once he becomes dangerous to himself and others, it’ll only be a matter of hours before his body collapses from the stress and strain. He’ll slip into unconsciousness, and death occurs shortly thereafter.”
“So...what you’re telling me that our son could be dead within the week?” His voice hitched at the end of the question.
Attymanaged to nod. “If the disease takes effect, yes. But, my love, we have to have faith. We have to remain strong for him. He may not come down with it.”
“Or he could show the sickness the wayNormalsdo,”Yulencountered.
“Or he could show the sickness in a way neitherNormalsnorMutahdo,” she pointed out. “We must remain vigilant, and keep a close eye on him at all times.”
He pulled away from her, albeit reluctantly. “I’m going back over to the clinic to check on him. I take it Iain’s staying with him tonight?”
“I think he said he and Dr. Maynard are taking turns watching for any signsof reaction.”
“Good. I’ll order Iain to remain with him at all hours.”
“What about sleep?”
Yulenglance askance at her. “If necessary, we’ll have Luc tied up, to prevent him from hurting himself or anyone else in case…” His voice trailed off, but she understood what he meant.In case their son turned.
