By Sun and Candlelight / CAMREN

Chapter 42 - Camila gets treatment

Park police arrived almost immediately and consulted with Dinah. A cart similar to those used in professional sports would be arriving with EMTs to bring Camila to a waiting ambulance in the nearest parking area. The dog owner was being questioned and the dog was being held by the police. Dinah walked back and leaned over Lauren's shoulder, looking down at Camila.

"The EMTs will be here any second, Mila," Dinah said, reaching down and rubbing Camila's shoulder softly, "Hang in there."

"It hurts," Camila whimpered out.

Lauren choked back a sob and held Camila's hand, trying to comfort her.

"Lauren, I'm going to tell Normani to take your car and get the girls home, okay?" Dinah asked.

"The keys are in my backpack with Lori's stuff," Lauren answered, nodding.

Dinah walked over to Normani, who had taken the girls back to the table to try to shield them from being too close to the activity.

"Mani, why don't you take the girls and Morgan home," Dinah said, "Use Lauren's car. I'll go with Lauren to the hospital and we'll call you as soon as we can."

"Okay," Normani said, giving Dinah a sympathetic gaze.

"Hospital?" Ruby asked, "Is Camila going to be okay?"

"She'll be fine," Dinah answered, "But she hurt her leg again and the doctors are going to have to check it out."

"I wanna stay with Mommy," Lori said, tears building in her eyes.

"Lori, sweetie," Normani said, turning the child on her lap, "Me and Ruby need you to come help us take care of Morgan. Mommy will be home soon enough. Do you think you could do that?"

Lori looked at Normani questioningly for a moment before nodding her head, "I guess so."

"Okay, good," Normani said, giving Dinah a relieved look, "We'll get going."

Dinah helped make sure they had everything together. She saw the EMT cart arriving and hurried back to Camila's side. Dinah was relieved to recognize one of the medics.

"Gayle, it's my sister," Dinah said.

"Camila?" Gayle asked. Gayle didn't know Camila well, but they had met at the pub a couple of times. Gayle knew the story of Camila's previous injury, although she didn't know details.

"Yeah, same leg," Dinah answered.

Gayle leaned down to the ground and began speaking softly to Camila. The other medic joined her, and Lauren stepped back to get out of the way. Lauren shuddered then felt a supporting arm around her waist. She turned to see Dinah, holding her up. Camila let out a pained moan and Lauren turned and buried herself into Dinah's shoulder. Dinah wrapped her in her arms.

"They're going to take care of her," Dinah said softly, sounding like she was trying to convince herself as much as Lauren.

Lauren collected herself and turned back to watch the EMTs immobilizing Camila's leg in a brace and sliding her onto the stretcher. They placed her onto the cart and Lauren rushed back to her side and took her hand. Gayle looked at Dinah.

"You coming with us?" Gayle asked.

"No, this is Camila's fiancé, Lauren," Dinah said, "She'll ride along. I can follow with the police light in my car."

Gayle showed Lauren where to sit in the cart and they made their way back to the ambulance and to the hospital. Lauren had to sit in the front for the ambulance ride and immediately hurried to Camila's side as soon as they arrived after the short ride.