Kizzy quickly but carefully gave the infant to the nurse, who had a blanket waiting. She grabbed the clamp and did as he asked.
Ruth seemed to be bleeding more than expected. The doctor said, “Here, put more pressure here.” He looked up at Ruth and realized he was losing her. “Do you know how to close up?”
Kizzy was surprised he’d ask but didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I can do it.”
Dr. Ortega put his hand on Ruth’s abdomen above the wound. Suddenly, the opening grew smaller. The blood stopped flowing. The placenta was delivered, and she was ready to be closed up, but she still didn’t look good. Her skin was ashen.
He said, “I want to save your sister, but you cannot tell anyone what you see.”
For some reason, Kizzy knew she could trust him, so she just nodded. Besides, what choice did she have?
The doctor placed his hands on Ruth’s abdomen, and the small bit of pressure he applied knitted her vessels back together. He removed the clamps, and the color returned to Ruth’s face.
Kizzy checked her pulse and was relieved to find it much stronger. She turned to the doctor, and after making sure the nurse wasn’t listening, she whispered, “What are you?”
Answering her also in a whisper, he said, “The name on my island is Santeria. But I prefer not to use a label. I’m simply a doctor doing the best I can each day with whatever is available and within my power. I get to save one soul per day who wouldn’t have made it. Today was your sister’s turn.”
Kizzy grinned. “I think we found a fellow witch. My sister is a nurse. Saving one patient who wouldn’t make it otherwise is one of our powers. She made me promise to save the baby. I was so afraid I was going to lose her.” She threw her arms around his shoulders. “Thank you. Thank you for my sister.”
Then she walked over to the nurse, who had just finished cleaning up and wrapping the baby in a new warm, clean blanket. She settled the little bundle into Kizzy’s arms.
Looking down, Kizzy sighed. “Hello, little niece. We were so lucky today. Thanks to this wonderful doctor, you and your mommy are going to be fine.”
The baby opened her eyes a bit, and Kizzy could have sworn she saw a tiny smile.
* * *
Misty had been watching from the ether. Now that Ruth and the baby were doing well, she’d be off to locate Aaron.
She concentrated on his energy and found him up in the mountains in the rain forest. Odd place, she thought. Regardless, she zeroed in on his location and appeared nearby. She walked through the trees and smiled when she saw him.
“Misty! What are you doing here?”
“I just came to congratulate you, Grandpa.”
Aaron stood still, shocked. “Ruth had her baby?”
“She sure did. It was touch and go for a while. I was watching from the ether in case I was needed. But between Kizzy and the doctor at the clinic, everything went better than expected. Mother and baby are doing fine.”
“Oh, thank the Goddess.”
Surprisingly, the Goddess herself appeared. “Misty, can you give us a few moments?”
“Of course, Gaia. I’ll be at the Fierros’ home. That’s where they said they would take her when she was ready to be moved. Takethem, I mean.”
“Wait!” Aaron said. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
Misty smiled. “It’s a beautiful girl.”
Aaron groaned. “Wonderful. Another female more powerful than I am.”
The Goddess took a step back. “Seriously? You’re upset with your daughters having more power than you?”
Aaron laughed. “Absolutely not. I was being facetious. I love the fact that my daughters are so capable and can take care of themselves. I worry less, but I still worry. They’re my…well, they’re my world.”
Gaia nodded. She glanced at Misty, and Misty seemed to understand. “I’ll see you guys later.”
As soon as Misty disappeared, Gaia took a step toward Aaron and held out her hand. He took her hand in his.
