Flight into the North
Before Blake could respond, the thrum of heavy rotor blades vibrated through the reinforced glass of the hospital roof.
The flight paramedic team entered the room with a specialized transport incubator. Within four minutes, Oliver was transferred into the climate-controlled capsule, his tiny body surrounded by monitors and medication pumps.
"Mother can ride in the jump seat," the flight nurse announced.
Blake reached for Clara’s arm. "Clara, wait. We need to handle this through the family attorneys. We can fly private to Boston—"
Clara pulled her arm back with sharp, effortless revulsion. "Do not touch me."
She turned to Dr. Sterling. "Thank you, Doctor."
"Go, Clara," Dr. Sterling said with a warm, respectful nod. "Give him his chance."
Clara climbed into the belly of the medical helicopter, strapping herself into the metal jump seat beside Oliver’s incubator. The heavy side door slid shut with a loud, mechanical thud, sealing out the hospital bay, sealing out Blake’s shouting, and sealing out the toxic world of the Vance dynasty.
The helicopter lifted off, banking sharply over the pine-covered hills of Oakhaven. Looking through the small oval window, Clara watched the expansive Vance estate shrink into a tiny, insignificant speck on the landscape before vanishing into the clouds.
May you like
She placed her hand through the incubator’s access port, letting Oliver’s tiny fingers curl around her index finger.
"We're almost there, Ollie," she whispered over the roar of the engine. "Mommy is with you."
