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Polly traveled to London the next day ― the whole family with her. For obvious reason Thomas wasn't with them but he did know about Anna, and was worried. He had asked Ada if he could perhaps come and see Anna but he was told that it would be the best if he doesn't do so. Thomas knew his family hated his guts and that Polly mostly blames him for Anna's situation. While the reason behind Anna's deep sleep was not clear, Polly was sure the stress the girl's been under had something to do with everything. 

It's been awhile since the last time Polly had visited London and all times she thought of returning to the city, she never imagined it to be because of her unconscious daughter. 

Waiting by the hospital doors for Polly and the family was Imogen. She was tired and the bags under her eyes had gone darker over the past days. Though Imogen has tried her best to keep a positive attitude, it has turned out to be very difficult. But she had decided to put up her bravest face on for Polly.

Imogen didn't particularly think of herself as Polly's friend ― she's only been around the woman a few times ― but was aware of how important Anna was to Polly, and knew that the situation was going to be very hard on her. 

"I hope your travels were pleasant," Imogen greeted the guests. 

She knew their travels couldn't be pleasant ― the family had traveled to London to see their sick relative and they've been in prison just a day ago. But Imogen tried her best to make the situation a little less painful. She asked if the Shelbys would like to have some tea first at the tea parlor around the corner but of course her suggestion was squashed and Polly ran inside the hospital to find Anna. 

Imogen watched as the remaining Shelby brothers did the same but Michael stayed behind, staring down.

"She will be fine," said Imogen. 

Michael shook his head. "I haven't said a word to her. I haven't been a brother to her since we were children. And now she might die. It's a cruel twist of fate. I was suppose to die. So were Arthur and John. So was my mum."

"But we all survived but now Anna's the one facing death."

"Anna has faced death several times in her life and she has always managed to escape. She will this time too," Imogen assured. 

"How many times can one escape death before it catches?" Michael sighed and went inside. 

Guilt was eating him from the inside. He truly believed that his and the family's survival was only because Anna's been unconscious for days. The guilt didn't only build up from that ― he felt guilty for not being there for her. He could've been a good brother. He could've helped Anna feel more welcomed when the truth came out. 

After yelling at about four different hospital workers, Polly was finally led to Anna's room. Anna had a private room, thanks to Imogen, but even that and those beautiful flowers people have brought to brighten up the room didn't make the situation any better. 

For a moment Polly just stood there by the threshold, unable to move. She could see Anna laying still on her bed. From afar it was hard to tell if the girl was breathing at all. There were two nurses in the room; one was cooling Anna's forehead with a damp cloth while the other one was opening up the curtains to let some sunlight in.

"Oh hello," said the one who was sitting one the side of Anna's bed. She dipped the cloth to some water before bringing it back on Anna's forehead. "Are you authorized to be here? Should I ask for Lady Bernard?"

It hurt Polly. The words cut her deeper than she thought they ever would. Those people didn't know who she was. That she was Anna's mother and not Imogen. That jealousy has been there from the moment Anna's identity came to light ― the jealousy Polly feels towards Imogen for being there for Anna and being the one who saved her from the streets. Polly did not save Anna. She had never done so. 

"I'm Anna's mother," Polly said and tried to keep her emotions in hold.

"Oh. My apologies," said the young nurse. "We will wait outside, in case you need anything."

Polly watched as they hurried away, their cheeks red with embarrassment for not realizing the connections between the two dark haired women. 

Once the room was empty of any strangers Polly took another moment to collect herself before approaching Anna's bed. She took one deep breath in and exhaled, trying to get rid of the anxiety in her but for nothing.  

It was like she was afraid to go to Anna. Seeing her lay on that bed, watching her almost invisible breathing...

"She's fine," Polly said to herself and started to walk towards Anna. "She's fine."

The walk from the door to Anna's bed felt much longer than it looked. Each step she took felt heavy like her feet were made of stones. She thought about the day years ago when Anna had told her that she wants to go to heaven. It had been a misunderstand ― Anna had wanted to fly as high as her favorite kite her father had made for her ― but those words have haunted her for years. 

Anna was so still, her skin matched the sheets on her bed. It took every bit of Polly not to fall apart by the sight of her fragile looking daughter. Anna was a strong girl ― she has always been so strong ― but now she looked weaker than the leaves which fall before the winter. 

"My poor child," Polly sighed when she reached Anna's sick bed. She fell on her knees just next to the bed, grabbing Anna's cold hands to hold.

She did her best not to cry. Polly kept telling herself that Anna will be fine. That she will wake up soon so that Polly can see those beautiful eyes. 

"I sort of thought that she will wake up once you come here."

Polly was startled by the voice in the room and turned to look over her shoulder to see Isiah. He was standing by the door, looking more tired than ever.

"Maybe talk to her. If she can hear you then she might wake up," he said. 

The thought of her sweet Anna being with someone like Isiah was not appealing to Polly. Michael being friends with Isiah was already an adjustment Polly had to make when the two became friends. There was nothing really wrong with Isiah and from time to time Polly though he was a nice young man. But he wasn't good enough for Anna and no one would ever be.

Now however, Polly would give everything to even see Isiah flirting with Anna ― at least then Anna would be awake and alive.

Polly offered Isiah a small attempt of a smile. 

"How are you?" She asked.

Isiah was surprised by the question. He wasn't the one whose daughter was fighting for her life. He wasn't the one who had just spent time in prison and had a noose around his neck just a day ago.

"I ummm... I've seen better days," admitted Isiah.

"So have I," sighed Polly, directing her focus back to Anna who was laying still just like before. 

She brought her hand to rest on Anna's cheek, flinching at how hot the girl's cheeks were compared to her hands. Polly wasn't a doctor but knew this couldn't be a good sign. 

"Did the doctors tell you anything?" Asked Isiah but didn't move from his post. 

Polly answered with a weak shake of her head. "I haven't even spoken to any doctors. I presume Imogen knows what I don't, as do you. So tell me Isiah, is my daughter going to live?"

It was cruel and inconsiderate of Polly to ask such a question from the young man who was desperately in love with the sleeping girl. Polly knew it and so did Isiah but they both also knew of the pain and fear they held inside ― the pain and fear which made them a little less human. It gave them the right to be upset, angry and cold towards others. 

"No one knows," he said after a moment. "Apparently it doesn't look good. They said she was on borrowed time already. You see Spring Fever should had finished her but for some reason it didn't."

"Imogen likes to think it is because Anna needed to have at least some good in her life. At least some happiness so she was given more time. She met Imogen, came to Birmingham, found you..."

"Now you sound like she's not going to make it," Polly mumbled and did not take her eyes off of her daughter. "You are reading her obituary."

Isiah took in a deep breath, his fists clenching. "I'm just repeating what I've been told."

"What happened to you my girl..." wondered Polly with her voice so quiet that Isiah barely heard her. 

It was nearly impossible not to shed a tear when looking at Anna. A girl so beautiful, innocent and full of life was now nothing but a shell of her former self. While Polly had very hard time in believing in God ― generally but especially at this moment ― she did think Anna was a gift sent from above and now Polly wondered if it was time for Anna return to where she had come from.

"I was with her when she collapsed," Isiah confessed and though he was not stupid and knew that he had nothing to do with Anna's situation, he felt guilt.

Perhaps, if he had been more observing and careful, he might had noticed the signs. Anna had been more delirious, having dreamless dreams while awake. She had been under a lot of stress with returning to London, seeing old friend and trying to free her family from prison. 

"I had no idea she wasn't feeling well."

Polly wanted to point her finger at Isiah and blame him but she couldn't. She knew it was not Isiah's fault ― she thought the fault was the family's. The family had placed her under so much stress and pressure, Thomas' idiotic ways had put Anna in danger.

"I don't blame you," said Polly quietly, her back facing Isiah so she couldn't see his lost looks. "It is my fault. My family's. Tommy's."

With that, Imogen entered the room with a solemn aura that filled the room within seconds. Isiah gave notice to this and greeted Imogen, rather awkwardly, before she walked past him to see Anna.

Looking at Anna and Polly, Imogen felt like a fool. How did she not see it the first time she and Anna had met Polly ― how much they look alike. Anna could easily pass out as  younger Polly. 

"She looks better than yesterday," observed Imogen though it was a lie. 

She didn't have the heart to tell Polly that Anna actually looked even worse than before. Imogen glanced at Isiah who had left his post near the door and was now closer to Anna's bed. He could Imogen was lying ― he has not left Anna's side and knew she looked even worse than before ― but he didn't say it to Polly either.

Maybe they all could just give Polly false hope and let her believe for a little longer. 

"She does?" Polly asked and it almost surprised Imogen and Isiah to see how quickly her hope was restored by such a plain comment. 

"Yes," Imogen assured. "Much better."

"But Isiah said that the doctors aren't sure..." Polly said.

Imogen shook her head. "Doctors say what they think they should. But I've known Anna longer than they have and I can tell she seems much better now."

Isiah saw Imogen giving him a stern look, wanting to make sure he wasn't going to say anything that might upset Polly any more. 

"She does look better now that I look up close," Isiah said and earned a grateful look from Imogen. 

Maybe Polly was being just naive but she bought every word she heard. She needed the hope although it was false ― she didn't want to even begin to imagine what life would be like if Anna does not wake up. 

That was not an option.

Loud racket reached the floor and Polly immediately recognized the voices ― they all belonged to her nephews. She didn't want to leave Anna so Imogen and Isiah offered to take their leave and have a talk with the rest of the Shelbys. 

The room fell so silent once Polly was there alone with Anna. The girl's quiet, barely audible breathing, was the only thing assuring Polly that Anna might be all right. She longed to see her daughter's eyes, to hear her voice. She thought of the words Isiah had said, how he thought that if she would take to Anna, she might wake up.

It was a stupid idea which did not have any medical assurance behind but Polly decided to talk to Anna anyhow. 

She ran her fingers through Anna's hair, admiring the curls of her hair. Polly wanted to take in every feature of Anna's face in case the unthinkable might happen.

"Hi Sally," sighed Polly and decided to use the name she used to call Anna. "It's momma. I'm back, and so is your brother and cousins. Whatever plan you had it worked and you saved us. Now I need you to be saved."

"Please Sally... I can't loose you again. I won't survive it."

In her mind Anna answered. In her mind Anna opened her eyes and smiled at her. In reality, nothing. 

"Isiah was here too. I heard he hasn't left your side at all. I don't like it, to be honest with you, I don't like the idea of you and him but my god Sally, if you wake up now, I will support this match more than anyone. Please just open your eyes and say something," whispered Polly and let her tears fall down her cheeks. "I love you baby and I am probably being very selfish right now but you can't give up. You can't leave yet because I haven't had enough time with you. Isiah hasn't either and neither has Imogen. No one has."

Not being able to look at her pale and still daughter any longer, Polly rested her head on Anna's chest. The sound of Anna's heart beating was the only consolation to Polly ― it reminded her that she was still alive. She hummed softly a song she used to sing to Anna when she had been a little child with the cutest grin and sparkling eyes.

Polly would happily give her life in order to save Anna ― she would do it to Michael too. She had killed for him and she would kill anyone in the world for Anna too. 

She stayed there for nearly an hour, her head rested on Anna's chest to make sure the girl's heart was still beating. Polly was nearly asleep when she suddenly felt a hand on the top of her head.