Brothers in Arms 11

Stella had stayed the whole time with Mac, holding his hand to support him. She saw how proud Mac was to have helped his friend and was thankful that he had been given another chance to save him.

The Doctor spoke then, telling them that they would soon be finished with the blood transfusion. "We are thankful for your blood, Mr. Taylor," he told Mac.

Stella smiled at Mac and squeezed his hand.

Outside, Karen sat and prayed to God to save and bring back her love. She knew that both she and their little one needed Kermit to survive. Thinking about the future she had dreamed about made her wonder why this had happened, why he was fighting for his life. All she wanted was for him to be OK so they could be married with a family in the future.

Karen was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not notice when Kermit's sister came to sit with her. Now Marilyn was face to face with her. She saw how his sister was crying and rose up to hug her.

"Peter called me and told me what happened to Kermit," Marilyn said. "Have you any news about my brother?"

Karen shook her head. "He is still in surgery. Thank God we found someone who has the same blood group as Kermit; it's very rare."

"Who is it? I want to thank him," Marilyn said.

"It's someone called Mac Taylor. What a coincidence! He is Kermit's friend and war brother. Mac saved him during the time they fought together, and your brother saved him today." Pausing for a moment, Karen decided that she would tell Marilyn the good news that she had. "Marilyn, there is something else I want to tell you," she began. "I know it's maybe not a good time to tell you, but… your brother and I are going to be parents."

Kermit's sister looked shocked. "Oh my God! I can't believe it. My big brother, going to be a father. I'm so happy for you and him. Congratulations!" She hugged her. "He is a fighter, Karen. I know him. He won't give up, especially not now when he has you and your unborn child waiting for him and a happy future ahead of him."

She hugged her again.

"Thank you Marilyn. I cannot lose him now. I love Kermit for who he is."

Peter and Mr Caine walked over to Marilyn and Karen. Peter hugged Karen and asked if there was any more news, to which Karen gave the same answer she had given Marilyn; there was still no news.

Mac and Stella returned at last from blood giving. Seeing how tired Mac looked, Stella supported him, glad it was not a long way to the waiting room where he could rest.

When Mr. Caine saw Mac and Stella coming back, he saw how tired Mac was and offered him a herbal drink.

"Mr. Taylor, it will do you good in your situation. Please, take it." Mac looked at Mr. Caine and then at Stella.

"I trust him," she said and trusting Stella's judgement, Mac took it and drank it, and indeed he felt much better and thanked Caine.

Later, Kermit's sister thanked Mac for his help, but she was also concerned about Karen and asked her if she had eaten recently.

"Some time ago," Karen replied and Marilyn decided she needed to do something about that.

"Then let's go and see if we can find something to eat," she said, smiling and she and Karen left the room, followed by Peter and Mr Caine.

That left Mac and Stella alone. Mac looked thoughtful and Stella was curious about what was on his mind.

"How are you feeling, Mac? Are you OK?" she asked.

He looked at her with a slight frown. "I feel better. I was thinking about how strange it is that Kermit and I have the same blood group, considering how rare it is."

An idea had begun to form in Stella's mind, but she said nothing about this to Mac yet. Instead, she smiled gave his cheek a kiss and hugged him.

Everything is connected….