Deirdre's phone rang while the two doctors attended to Brendan. It was Sterling calling.

Deirdre hesitated before answering and heard Sterling's concerned voice on the other end. "Dee, what's going on? Did something happen to you on the way? Why haven't you returned for so long?"

Accompanying his words was the sound of a little girl crying, which tugged at Deirdre's heart.

"I'm sorry, Sterry..." She glanced back at the bathroom. "Something unexpected came up. I... was in a car accident."

"A