by Nikki Bopp
‘Don't worry about her, we will make sure she is picked up and safe. We won't let anything happen to her. Promise.’
Lowering the phone, Patrick takes hold of my hand in his own. The slight tremor running through him scares the shit out of me, but before I can think on it too hard, the EMT has returned with another in tow. Straps I haven't felt up until now are tightened across my body. Then I’m suddenly lifted, my stomach staying firmly planted on the ground, but thankfully, Patrick stays with me. Only when they start to hoist my gurney into the ambulance is he prevented from following, my hand slipping from his hold. His mouth moves furiously, a look of pain on his face while he obviously argues with the EMT blocking him from joining us. I can't hear the words, but by the fire shining in his eyes and the dramatic hand gestures, I’m assuming he is giving the poor guy everything he's got.
Eventually, the EMT shakes his head and steps aside so Mr. Roswell can hop into the back of the ambulance and take a seat beside me, my hand being captured in his again. We both ignore the other EMT sitting on the other side who is ripping open packages and preparing an IV, my eyes focused entirely on Patrick and the deep lines marring his beautiful face. Giving me a small smile, he leans down over our hands and places a soft kiss on top of mine. My heart gallops at the move, questions swirling around with everything else in my head.
The sudden jab of a needle into the crook of my arm makes me flinch, my entire body jerking violently enough to cause a spurt of blood when the needle slips from the EMT’s hand. Shock crosses his face, but he quickly covers it and proceeds to stem the flow with a wad of gauze, the white fabric quickly turning red with my blood. I'm not normally a stickler when it comes to blood, but seeing it is enough to send my head spinning. I'm going to blame it on recent events and trauma because when my vision starts to dim, I don't try to stop it. My last view before my eyes close is Patrick yelling at the EMT.
Chapter 11
Pain and Love
Daniel
“Jenny’s been in a car accident.” The words sear through my brain the moment Ed utters them through the phone. Falling back into my chair, I stare numbly ahead at my darkened office and ponder how those words could mean something not so terrible.
“Dan?”
“Y-yeah,” clearing my throat, I try to shake the veil that seems to have fallen over my world. I've been here before, I've received this call before, and yet then, it was my father. He might not have been there like most other fathers, but he taught me the value of hard work and spent every cent he could to make sure I had a better chance than he did.
I just didn't expect this call so soon after meeting Jenny.
This afternoon was a complete disaster, I didn't mean to show my hand so quickly. I scared her, I confused her, and I wouldn't be surprised if I completely turned her against me.
“What happened?” I ask, trying to shake the melancholy thoughts from my head. I know it's not serious; otherwise, Ed would have been here in person to tell me, but being in a car accident is never something easy, especially for someone you care about.
“We were having a drink at the pub, and she said that she had to go pick up her kid. I was going to walk her outside, but she got away before I could. It was raining, and Wyatt was waiting across the street to drive her. She didn't see the car coming. The ambulance just left, Patrick is with her.”
His words are nearly a physical force that picks me up from my chair and has me gathering all my things. Without thinking of what I need and how long I'll be gone, I grab my laptop and a couple of files, shoving them in my briefcase.
“I'm on my way, which hospital is she going to?” There are multiple hospitals in the area that would be a good place for her to be, and only one of them that I would even want her at. I have no qualms about throwing around all my weight and money if need be to get her into the best hospital, with the best doctors possible.
“Uhh,” away from the phone, I can hear Ed talking to someone, perhaps an officer or someone else. “It sounds like they're taking her to Memorial.”
“Got it., I’ll be there soon.” Sprinting out of my office, the entire floor is dark already, making me realize how late it is.
“Well, there's another issue.”
My feet slow to a stop in front of the elevator. Jabbing the button like it will move it faster, I snap at Ed, “What?”
“Jenny’s kid, Evangeline.”
“What about her?”
“Someone needs to pick her up.” Fucking hell, I'm not the biggest fan of kids.
“Why can't you pick her up?” Please, don't make me go pick her up. Kids don't like me for a good reason. I don't play games, I don't play dress-up, and I don't take their shit. “Will they even let me take her?”
“I called and spoke to the director, she said that we would need to bring someone on the prescribed list of people or she would need to call Child Protective Services.” Even the idea of having CPS step in is enough to make my decision for me.
“Fine, do we know who is on the list?”
“No, she said she couldn't tell me, but I’m assuming that Mia would be on there.”
I know who he's talking about, I only know one Mia after all. However, I still ask like an idiot, hoping that somehow I have come across another Mia in the last couple hours. “Steffanopolus?”
“Yep.”
“Fuck, ok.” Hanging up with Ed, I immediately pull up Mia’s number and hit dial while hoping that Sierra doesn't answer it for her. That's all I need to turn this shit day into an even worse one. Stepping into the elevator, I hit the button for the basement.
“Hello?” Mia answers, her voice guarded and unsure.
“Mia, this is Daniel Price.” Giving her a moment to process who is calling, I jump into why I'm calling and that Jenny has been in a car accident.
“I-I don't understand, I just saw Jenny an hour ago at the pub,” Mia’s words thicken with tears, her sniffles loud in my ear.
“I know. Right now, she is being taken to the hospital, but if we don't pick up her daughter, CPS will be.”
“Oh my gosh, yes. I'll go to the daycare right now and pick up Eva.”
“I'll meet you there.” Hanging up the phone, I step out into the basement of PRI, my driver already waiting with the door open to my Audi SUV. The inside is warm and inviting, but even then, I feel as though I’m numb. Nothing can penetrate the ice that has wrapped around me, not until I see Jenny and assure myself that she's okay.
Ben, the driver/security guard extraordinaire, slams the car into gear and careens us out of the garage at lightning speed, heading in the direction of the daycare. Trying to keep myself busy, I make a couple more phone calls, one of which thankfully panned out exactly how I’d like.
“We’re here, sir,” Ben nods to the building in front of us, proclaiming it to be the ‘Sunshine Place.’ What a name. Standing out front is Mia and a little girl with hair the same color as Jenny’s. She's dressed in the most absurd pair of rainbow pants, a bright yellow sweater, and pink snow boots. I'm surprised Jenny let her walk out of the house dressed like that.
Keeping my thoughts to myself, I slide over to let Evangeline and Mia get in. Mia gives me a cold stare and promptly turns her attention out the window. Only when Ben has pulled back into traffic does the girl turn towards me.
“Who’re you?” The accusing tone and intelligent gleam in her big brown eyes are enough to make any man nervous, especially when they're attempting to get inside of mommy’s heart. Sitting a little bit straighter in my seat, I offer my hand, which she only stares at. Because she's a kid and doesn't understand what a handshake is.
“My name is Daniel.”
“Eva.”
“Nice to meet you, Eva.”
“How do you know my mommy? And aunt Mia?” Eva looks over to Mia for an answer, but she ignores us both, her focus still on the passing city and the rain that has started again.
“I work with your mommy and Aunt Mia.”
“Oh,” faci
ng forward, she's quiet for a moment, her face pinched in thought. “Are you taking me to see my mommy?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Are you going to make her cry again?”
“Uh,” my words fizzle out immediately, every response fleeing from my mind at her question. I made Jenny cry? I know I'm a dick sometimes, but the last thing I want to do is make anyone cry, especially her. And how does Eva know that I'm the one that made her cry? I can't imagine Jenny talking to her toddler about me and my jackassery.
“Why do you think I made her cry?” I ask, aiming for the higher road.
“Because she told me. She said, sometimes, you make her cry, and sometimes you make her feel the flutteries.”
“Flutteries?” Is that a bad thing?
“Yeah, like the butterflies,” waving her arms over her head to imitate the flying insects, Eva lets out a long sigh. “I love butterflies.”
Humming to myself, I stow away that bit of knowledge and offer a smile to the little girl. “I like butterflies too.” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Mia turn away from the window to give me a confused look. Still, I ignore it, deciding to tell Eva about the butterfly garden.
“They're everywhere?”
“Everywhere. You walk into this huge building, and there are butterflies everywhere!”
“Mia!” Eva gasps, turning to Mia with huge eyes and an excited smile. “Can we go see the butterflies?”
“We’ll have to see, maybe once your momma is feeling better, okay?” Mia replies, her face lined with exhaustion, which is really surprising. I've never seen the woman look anything less than perfectly put together and perky at all hours of the day. I'm not sure if it's the recent events with Jenny, or something else, something home related, that's causing her even more stress than usual.
Before Eva can launch into what looks to be an epic begging fest, Ben announces that we’ve reached our destination. He pulls up directly in front of the Emergency Room entrance, allowing the three of us to get out before leaving to park the car. Inside the entrance, we run into Ed and Pat, arguing with the receptionist.
“I'm sorry, but unless you are family, you'll have to wait until visiting hours,” the nurse replies with a pissy voice that I know all too well. Someone is tired, overworked, and just wants to go home for some quality time. The good thing is, I now can give her that option.
“Excuse me,” I interrupt with a tight smile, my business facade easily falling over me. “What seems to be the issue here?”
The nurse’s hackles immediately rise with the new addition, and she glares at the lot of us with as much venom like a snake with a bad tooth. “I was just telling these gentlemen that visiting hours are over, and they will need to wait until tomorrow morning unless they are family to the patient.”
“And you just assumed that they weren't family?”
“Well…,” the nurse stutters, a flush of embarrassment climbing up her neck.
“How long have you been working today,” I lean in to read her badge and the name displayed, “nurse Delaney?”
“I don't see how that's of consequence. Now, if you could-” gesturing towards the waiting area, my words stop her dead.
“Well, you see Ms. Delaney, as of about an hour ago,” checking my Rolex to make sure my timing is correct, I continue. “I am now the majority shareholder for this hospital, and have been named to the board of directors.”
Nurse Delaney’s mouth gapes open in shock and confusion, probably trying to decide if I’m telling the truth or lying to her just to get by to the precious emergency department behind her desk. The conflict is evident in her face, and rather than drag it out, I simply hold out my phone, the CEO of the company’s number already dialed in and just waiting to be called.
“You're more than welcome to call the CEO yourself if you don't believe me, but if you don't get out of our way right now, I'll have you out on your ass by the end of your shift.”
My threat is ruined by Eva’s gasp, “That's a bad word!”
Softening my face, I send her a wink. “You're absolutely right, Ms. Eva. You should never use bad words.”
“Now,” turning my attention back to nurse Delaney, I shake the phone in my hand. “Would you like to call your CEO and explain to him why you're barring entrance to a patient’s fiancé and daughter?”
“N-no, sir. We do ask that you only have two visitors at a time, though.”
“Absolutely,” dropping my phone back in my pocket, I hold my hand out to Eva, who hesitantly grabs it. “Let's go see mommy, shall we?”
Chapter 12
Confessions
Jenny
Waking up is never fun. Waking up to a bunch of arguing men is even worse than normal. Reaching for the pillow behind my head, I attempt to roll over to block out the noise, but a twinge in my arm and the massive migraine that decides to announce its presence stops me.
“Ugh,” I groan through a dry throat, letting go of the pillow, I grab for my aching head and almost wish that I was asleep again. The arguing stops immediately, the only sound in the room is my labored breathing as I try to somehow get past the pain even though it feels as though my head is about to explode.
“Jenny?” a small voice asks, the sound of tears audible to even me. Mia’s hand, cold and shaking, gathers mine in hers.
“Are they done arguing? It's like having three more children,” my words, even whispered, are apparently loud enough for the other people in the room to hear. I know all three of them are here, by Daniel’s grumbles and Patrick and Edward’s laughter. Cracking open one eye, I immediately close it at the bright lights in the room.
“Crap, that's bright.”
“I'll get it,” Patrick proclaims, the soft whisper of his loafers on the tile drift away from the bed. Through my closed lids, I can see the darkness of the room, relief rushing through me instantaneously.
“Is that better?” Mia asks, squeezing my hand with her question. Worried that a nod will only make my head feel worse, I offer a thumbs up with my opposite hand.
“Here, this should help with the head,” Edward slides a small plastic cup in my hand, pills rattling inside. “The doctor said you're fine to take them.” Without further question, I toss the two pills back, accepting a cup of water he hands to me next. My softly muttered thanks is brushed aside for blissful quietness.
“What happened?” I ask after what feels like an hour. I think I might have dozed off briefly, but everyone is still standing around the bed when I open my eyes. I don't remember much, other than the EMT. “Wait,” memories rush back in a wave. “I can hear.”
“The doctor thinks that when you were hit by the car, that you just hit your head hard enough that it caused your hearing to go away,” clearing her throat, Mia gives the men a small smile. “He wasn't sure if it was going to come back, but I guess you answered that question for us.”
“How long have I been here?” The window off to the side is dark, making me realize that it could be a couple of hours or a couple days. Eva. Her name runs through my head like a banshee scream, my body jolting upwards in a panic. “Where's Eva?!”
“She’s fine,” Daniel answers calmly, taking a seat opposite Mia. His hand, warm in contrast, lands on my forearm, goosebumps rushing across the flesh in answer. “She's down in the cafeteria with Wyatt and Ben.”
“Ben?” I ask wracking my brain for information on who that is and coming up short.
“My driver.”
“Oh.”
“As for your other question,” Patrick interjects with his blinding smile I so love. “You've only been here for about three hours. The doctor said you got a big bump on your head but otherwise seem fine. He just wanted to keep you here for observation.”
“Seems to me, like you could do this job just fine,” an unfamiliar man replies, the door to the room clicking shut behind him. His black hair is cut short to highlight his high cheekbones and kind oval face. The dark umber tone to his skin stands out starkly against the
white of his coat and keying me into his south Asian descent. His kind smile immediately puts me at ease.
“Good evening Ms. Ray, my name is Dr. Rakesh Battra, but you can call me Rakesh.” Leaning a bit on the edge of the bed, he pulls out a penlight and flashes it into both eyes. “I hear you had quite a little accident this evening.”
“I guess so, I don't remember most of it honestly.” I try not to cringe away at the bright light, but Dr. Battra only smiles at me.
“That's completely normal given the trauma that Mr. Roswell and Mr. Maccini were explaining. Luckily, it looks like you came out of it rather unscathed. I do want to keep you overnight to make sure there aren't any issues, and I would like to have ENT come take a look to make sure there isn't any damage to your ear. Obviously, your hearing has come back, so it was likely just a traumatic event, and your body was attempting to cope in its own way, but I still want to make sure. Any questions?”
“When will I be able to go back to work?” My question causes the three other men in the room to verbalize their disagreement, even Mia pipes in with a grumbled response too low for me to hear.
“That is the last thing you should be thinking!”
“Don't worry about that!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Daniel booms loudly enough to make me jump in surprise.
“Well,” Dr. Battra murmurs slowly, his eyebrows nearly lost in his hairline with bewilderment. “I think it's safe to say that your job is secure, but to ease your mind, you should be okay to return to work on Monday.”
When no one else pipes in with any more questions, Dr. Battra gives us all a curt nod and exits the room about as quickly as he entered it.
“What the hell was that?” I ask aloud, not really directing the question at anyone. Still, my pointed glare is focused on Daniel, who immediately bristles with tension.