Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5)(92)

"You have to save my baby," Ari whispered. "He shot me in the stomach. I'm so afraid my baby is lost."

"Never give up hope," Jenna said. "I need you to lie still and try to believe. Have faith and don't give up, Ari. You can't give up. I need you to help me by doing that."

Without further delay, Jenna placed both hands directly over the abdominal wound, blood covering her fingers and palms, and she closed her eyes, calling on the gift that at times had seemed more like a curse. But right now she embraced it for what it was. A miracle. God's sweet mercy and grace. She sent light radiating into Ari's shattered womb and gently cradled the tiny life in her palm, encasing her in the most radiant, warm, glowing light Jenna had ever called forth.

Isaac and the others watched, stunned as light illuminated Jenna until she appeared every bit the angel he'd dubbed her the very first time she'd used her shining goodness and light to heal him. Even Jesus looked upon the healing in astonishment, as if he truly hadn't been certain that Jenna was all she'd been purported to be.

Ari's entire body was bathed in the golden light and was lifted from the ground, where she hovered in midair six inches from where she'd lay a few moments ago.

Jenna began to sing a soft lullaby and it was obvious she was holding the infant's life-form to her, refusing to let her go. The notes of the song lifted hauntingly in the air and flowed through the distance until not a single person present was unaffected by the amazing event occurring right in front of them.

"Be strong, sweet baby," Jenna crooned. "God is with you. You are his child and he will forever grant you mercy and grace. You must fight as your mother fights and cling to the light in her womb. Never move away from that light until the time comes when you are called away. You are his chosen," she whispered, after which she continued to hum the sweet lullaby.

Then she closed her eyes and leaned over Ari, who'd slowly been lowered back to lie on the ground, and finally it was evident that she was finished but so exhausted by the session that she continued to lie over Ari's body as if protecting her, still too drained to move. 

Beau ran forward just as Ari opened her eyes. "Ari?" he asked tentatively.

Ari's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know how she did it, but she saved us both and I felt the presence of our child. It was so powerful. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever felt in my life. In that moment I knew everything would be all right. Please, Beau, you must see to her now. You can't let that monster take her. I couldn't bear it if she traded her life for me and my child."

Jenna roused long enough to lift her head, though it was obvious she barely had the strength to do so.

"You must get her to the hospital to be monitored at once," Jenna said weakly. "I did what I could to satisfy Jesus's demand, but your child is fine and so too will Ari be. I swear it on my life."

"Thank you," Beau choked out.

Jenna looked up at the others, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Then her gaze found Isaac's and he nearly fell to his knees, because her expression was one of goodbye. "I'll always love you," she said in a low voice. "Be the reason I can endure anything. Stay alive."

Then Jesus appeared above her and Isaac wanted to bring down hell on him and every last minion in his devil's army, but they were in a losing proposition and they knew it. The only ace in the hole they had was Ramie and if they did anything to fuck that up now, Jenna would die, they'd all die, and it would have been for nothing.

"Touching. I think I may have felt a tear," Jesus sneered. "Now get the fuck away," he said, waving his gun as his men gathered to reinforce the threat.

Isaac and the others had no choice but to back down as Beau cradled Ari in his arms and ran for the waiting ambulance.

"I believe I kept my end of the bargain," Jesus sneered at Jenna.

She nodded tiredly. "Yes, and now I will honor mine."

As he turned, his men still facing down Isaac and the rest of DSS, he threw Jenna over his shoulder and strode rapidly into the distance, where a helicopter waited to fly him-and Jenna-away.

Isaac turned as Jesus's men began melting away and making their escape, looking desperately for Ramie.

"Ramie!" he screamed. "God-please, Ramie, you have to help me. Can you touch something of hers so we know where to look for her? I have the light sweater she brought with her to the restaurant but left on the chair when she went to the bathroom."

Caleb didn't even argue. He knew that they all owed Jenna a price they could never repay. He looked anxiously to his wife for answers, but her expression was devastated as tears sliced down her cheeks.