Chapter 7 - The Rescue Operation
The ride to the Oakridge estate felt like a blur of flashing red and blue lights. I sat in the back of the police cruiser, holding Max's hand tightly on one side and Mark's on the other. In a second police vehicle behind us, an ambulance carried the unidentified baby girl, ensuring she was delivered to safe, proper medical care and social services to find her real family.
When we pulled up to the grand wrought-iron gates of the estate, the property was swarming with emergency vehicles. Floodlights illuminated the sprawling brick mansion.
We scrambled out of the car and were guided by Detective Miller into a quiet, warm side parlor of the house. Medical staff were tending to two other bassinets, while a female officer gently rocked a third bundle wrapped in a soft blanket.
"Mrs. Mercer?" the officer called out softly.
I ran forward, my heart beating in my throat. The officer carefully transferred the baby into my arms.
I pulled back the edge of the blanket. Looking up at me were those familiar blue eyes, a tiny tuft of dark hair, and when I unspotted her right foot—there it was. The dark, unmistakable heart-shaped birthmark on her right ankle.
"Lily," I sobbed, pulling her close against my chest, breathing in her sweet, powdery baby scent. "Oh my god, Lily."
Mark wrapped his large arms around both of us, resting his forehead against mine, his tears dropping onto the blanket. "We got you back, baby girl. We got you back."
Max tugged gently on my shirt. I crouched down so he could see.
Max leaned in close, staring intently at the infant’s face. He looked at her eyes, her tiny nose, and finally at her right ankle. A massive, radiant smile spread across his five-year-old face.
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"That's her," Max announced proudly, turning to the detective and the officers standing around us. "That's my real sister!"
The room erupted into soft laughter and sighs of relief. Detective Miller patted Max on the head. "You're a hero, kiddo. You saved your sister's life."
