by L Chapman
“I love you, Lucy.” I place a little kiss on her hand.
I don’t see anyone as I’m pushed down the corridor and away from my daughter. It’s too quiet. Where is everyone? We suddenly stop outside a white door with a glass panel and closed blinds. I raise my hand over my mouth. I feel sick. Keep breathing, Megan. You can do this.
“Hi, Miss Madden. I just want you to tell me in your own time what happened today,” he says, taking a seat at the desk.
I turn to the side to see another male officer in uniform with his black notepad and pen, looking down.
“From the beginning when Lucy was taken or me killing Mark?”
“The beginning, please. Mr. Reed is in surgery.”
I feel like I’m going around in circles. I have answered the same questions at least twenty times. Seriously, does this man ever listen?
“Miss Madden, that’s all we need for now. Once we have spoken to Mr. Reed, we will go from there. Thank you for your time. I will take you back to your daughter now,” he says.
I feel a wave of sickness flood over me. This is my fault. I can’t cope with all of this. All I can think about is my baby girl alone in her own little world and not hearing anything from her. I can’t wait to hear her giggle.
I don’t understand how Mark is alive. I thought I killed him, or did I? Are the police lying to me? I can’t handle these unanswered questions.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Megan!” I hear Jenny’s voice yell as I’m pushed into Lucy’s room.
“Jenny,” I reply, tears flowing from my eyes. I’m so happy to see her.
“Shhh…She’ll be okay,” she says, leaning down to give me a hug.
It is an immense relief to have Jenny here. I need someone. Someone I know really well. Someone I can trust. I know Luke, but not as well as I know Jenny. Even though he is still fairly new to me, I know I can trust him. It’s going to take me the rest of my life, but I plan to repay him for everything he’s done for me.
“Thank you, Luke,” I say, taking deep breaths to compose myself.
“Anytime, babe.” He pauses. “Jake will be here soon.”
I smile. “Can I get out of this chair?” I ask Elizabeth.
“I can’t see an issue with it, but then again, I’m not taking care of yourtreatment.”
“I’ll ask Riley,” Luke says, walking out of the room.
I turn to thank him, but he’s gone. “I really don’t know what I would have done without Luke. He’s been a huge help.”
“That’s great,” Jenny says. “Lucy will be okay. You know that, don’t you?”
“I hope you’re right, Jenny.” I let out a small fake smile as my thoughts drift to losing Lucy and the fact that I’m now a murderer.
“I heard what happened.”
“I’m a murderer,” I say, lowering my head.
“No, you’re not. You did what you had to do. If you hadn’t, Lucy would be dead. The police didn’t arrest you. That’s good.”
“They say Mark is in surgery.”
“Then you didn’t kill him.”
“I killed us, though. There is no chance of getting him back.”
“Oh, Megan. You never know. You never know.”
I hear a tap on the door. I turn my head around to see a tall man wearing a baggy white t-shirt and black baseball cap. Once he walks inside the room, I notice that his dark jeans are so tight I can see his manhood. As I wave him forward, I look at his bare arms covered with tribal tattoos.
“Hi, I’m looking for Luke,” he says.
“He’s just gone to find a nurse. Is there anything I can do for you?” I ask.
“He just asked me to collect some things from his car for Megan,” he informs me. His voice is deep, rough, and sexy. He stands there, placing most of his weight on one side and holding my bag in his hand at the other side.
“I’m Megan.”
“Nice to meet you, Megan,” he says, walking over to me and holding out his hand. I take hold of it. What a strong grip he has. “So,this is yours.”
“It is, thank you.” I smile, taking the bag from him.
“Are you okay if I wait for Luke?”
“Of course, grab a seat.” I release a half-smile. “I have never heard him mention your name before.”
“Oh, is that a good thing?” he questions.
“I don’t know.”
He takes a seat in the corner, taking off his hat and placing it on his knee, revealing his bald head. He needs some hair; he doesn’t look right without it.
“I’m one of Luke’s assistants. Like a personal assistant. I do everything he needs me to do.”
“I see,” Jenny states as Luke returns to the room.
“Right, babe. I have some news for you.” Luke pauses and then turns to Jake. “Hello,Jake.”
“The news?” I enquire.
“You can get out of the chair. Your doctor, not that I can remember his name, will be over to see you soon.”
“Thanks, Luke. I can’t remember it either,” I admit. I don’t really remember anything that has happened since I have come to the hospital. Everything is a blur.
“And, he said you can eat,” he states, smiling at me.
“Oh,great.”
“Megan, you need to eat,” Jenny says, placing her hands on her hips.
“I know,” I confess.
“What do you fancy?” Luke asks.
“Why don’t you and I go and get some food?” Jenny suggests to him.
“Good idea. Do you need Megan’s wheelchair?” he jokes.
“Hey, I’m not an invalid,” she teases back.
“I know, babe.” He pauses before looking at Jake. “Can you stay with Megan, Jake?”
“Yes, ofcourse.”
“I don’t need babysitting,” I protest.
“I know, babe.” He winks slyly while holding the door open for Jenny.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I slowly open my eyes and see nothing but darkness. As I lift my hands and rub my eyes, I shudder in pain. Ouch! My shoulder really hurts. I forgot about it. I gently sit up, using one hand to shuffle myself back. Taking a deep breath, I look around, but I can’t seem to work out anything.
“Oh, you’re awake, Megan.” I hear a familiar voice in the background.
“Hi,” I say, looking around to see where the voice is coming from.
Suddenly, a little light comes on beside me.
“Oh, hey, Jake.” I pause. “What are you doing here?”
“Luke asked me to stay with you. Jenny is at his house with Warren. Luke is staying the night with Lucy in her room upstairs. She is in a private room and isn’t going to let anyone harm her. He didn’t want you to be alone.”
“What time is it?”
“Just after five in the morning.”
“What?” I exclaim.
“Hun, you fell asleep when they went to get some food. You have been out for the count since.”
“Oh, how is Lucy?”
“She is settled. They have moved her to the baby unit to keep a closer eye on her.”
I nod. “Thank you, Jake.”
“I think they took the tube out of her. At least, Luke said they were going to.”
“Oh, that’s great,” I say, smiling. “Do you think I can see her?”
“I’ll go and ask the nurse.”
I watch as Jake walks out of the room. I’m in a room now. When did this happen? I have walls, not curtains. I look around, seeing my bag on the floor on the other side. I swing my bare legs around. When did I get changed into one of these horrible backless hospital gowns? I dangle my legs off the bed, shuffle my bum forward, and reach my toes onto the floor. I lean forward, grabbing my bag and pulling it up.
“Hey, you be careful,” Jake says as he walks back into the room.
“I will.”
“They said you’ll have to wait to see Lucy. The doctor needs to see you first.”
“Oh, that’s crap.”
“
I know. Can I get you anything?” he asks, standing beside the bed.
I shake my head. Going through my bag, I look for some underwear and clothes. I pull out a pair of leggings and a baggy green t-shirt. I can’t find any underwear, though. They must be in my other bag. This is really not my day. I push the bag towards the end of the bed.
“Do you know where the toilet is?”
“Yes, just outside your room.” He smiles, pointing at the door.
“Thank you.” I place my feet onto the floor and slowly stand, holding onto the little bedside table for support. My legs feel like jelly, but I don’t want to ask for help.
“Can I help you?” Jake asks, holding out his hand.
“Thank you.” I take hold of his farthest hand, letting his other hand wrap around my body to pull me closer to him for support.
“Take your time.”
“Hey, I have a kid. Time? You don’t have time when you need a wee.” I smile.
“So, I’ve heard, but I will get you there.”
He does what he says, helping me right into the bathroom.
“I’m just outside, Megan,” he says.
I quickly get dressed into the clothes I found. They will have to do. I swiftly brush my fingers through my hair. Trying to make myself look better, I reach over and grab a paper hand towel and wet it to give my face a quick wash.
“Is everything all right?” Jake asks.
“Yes, I’m nearly finished.” I flush the chain, slowly standing up and holding onto the handicap rail behind me.
“Ouch!” I cry as I fall onto my bum beside the toilet.
“Megan, are you okay?” Jake opens the door. I quickly pick up the hospital gown, pulling it over my legs.
“I’m fine, Jake.”
“You don’t look it,” he says, bending down beside me. “Do you need a hand?”
“Erm, no.” I glance down. “I haven’t covered my bits yet.”
Jake lets out a little titter. “I’ll turn around while you take care of everything. Then, I’ll help you up.” Before I have a chance to say anything else, Jake is standing and facing the other way as he covers his face. I lift my bum and pull up my underwear.
“Thank you. I’m sorted.”
“Let’s get you up,” Jake says, helping me to my feet and back into the room.
“So, I need to know something about you. You’re here with me, and all I know is your name is Jake.”
“Jacob William Evans, but I prefer to be called Jake. I have worked with Luke for four years now.” He pauses. “I can’t think of anything else.”
“Anything at all? Favorite colour, car, anything. We have serious time to waste.”
We seem to spend hours just chatting and passing the time until Jake falls asleep in the chair. It gives me some time to myself. Time to relax and finally think.
“Good morning, Miss Madden,” a large man says as he walks into the room.
“Hi.”
“I’m Doctor Hugh. I have just come to check on you and discharge you. All your tests have come back fine, but you need to follow up with your doctor and have him keep an eye on you.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Megan,” I hear Mia say as I walk along the hallway to the lift.
“Hi, Mia.”
“Come and see Mark. He is asking for you.”
I feel like a knife has just been stabbed into my heart.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I question Mia.
“Yes.” She pauses. “Come on.”
Taking hold of my hand, she pulls me around to walk the other way down the hallway. I turn to face Jake, who gives me a little smile, and then follows me. I don’t seem to have walked far before I’m faced with a door. It’s a door that looks the same as the last time he was in hospital. I inhale deeply as Mia forces me into the room.
“Megan, it’s so nice to see you,” Annabella announces as I walk into the room.
I see Mark, lying there in bed while drips flow into him. He turns and faces towards me.
“Can you all leave Megan and me to talk?” He pauses. “Please?”
Everyone leaves the room apart from Jake. “You can wait outside, Jake. I should be fine,” I tell him.
“I’ll be outside the room, hun,” he says, smiling at me and closing the door as he leaves.
“Remind me not to give you shooting lessons,” Mark says, letting out a cheeky smile.
“I’m so sorry,” I say as tears stream from my eyes.
“Hey, don’t worry. I told you to do it.” He pats the side of the bed. I slowly walk over, taking a seat beside him.
“You’re a crap shot anyway. You hit my arm.” He grins.
“I aimed for your chest.”
“See, you’re a bad shooter.”
“I’m so sorry,” I repeat, tilting my head down.
“Tell me why you left, Megan. I need to know,” Mark says, placing his hand on my knee.
“John.” I pause. “John told the police that I couldn’t see my daughter ever again if I was with you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you. It killed me to leave you,” I explain, lifting my head and looking into his eyes.
“I love you, Megan. That wasn’t going to bother me. I would have understood it more.”
“I heard you wrecked your house.”
“Easily fixed, baby,” he states, smiling at me.
“I best let you get some rest.” I stand up, turning to leave.
“Megan, don’t.”
“Don’t what?” I reply, walking towards the door.
“Leave.”
“I need to check on Lucy.”
“Come here.” I do as he says and walk back towards him. “I understand why you left. I don’t want to lose you.”
“But, if I get back with you, he will go for Lucy,” I tell him, openly stating my worry.
“I understand, baby, but can you see the police letting him anywhere near her now?”
“No, but until I have Lucy better and paperwork in place to stop John from getting her, I can’t. I just can’t.” I quickly run out of the room. I can’t be near him.
“Hun.” I hear Jake bellow behind me. I stop at the lift, pressing the button. Come on. Hurry up. “Hey, Megan,” he says as he wraps his arms around me.
“I can’t do it,” I say, tears falling from my eyes again. Jake pulls me tighter.
“Don’t worry. Let’s go and see Lucy.”
I slowly walk into the baby unit. I don’t know what to expect at all. What will be new with my baby girl? I hope she is better. I can’t have her poorly.
“Megan,” Elizabeth says firmly.
“Morning, Elizabeth.”
“You’re looking loads better today.” She pauses. “I have good news. Lucy is fine. There are no signs of any permanent damage from the drugs.”
“That’s great. When can I take her home?” I question. I don’t want to be here any longer.
“She can go home today, but she needs to come back in three days for repeat blood tests.”
“Can I have it done at the doctor’s office where we live?” I ask.
“I’d rather have her close, just in case something happens. No long journeys.”
“Fine.” I hurry over to see Lucy.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I say as I see her climbing around her large cot, giggling as normal. “I love you, baby girl.” I pick her up. Finally being able to hold my little girl is such a relief.
“You’re staying at Luke’s. It’s already sorted,” Jake says.
“Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
I’m so happy to be out of the hospital. I do wish I was at my home, but Luke’s will work. It’s big enough for all of us. Well, it’s big enough to fit all my family. I found out that it has eight bedrooms. Eight, really? I don’t get why he would need that many. He did explain that it helps when his manager and team are here working. That kind of makes some sense, but on
ly a bit.
“How can I repay you?” I ask Luke.
“Two things.”
I take a deep breath. Oh, no. I’m really dreading what he wants. I just hope it’s something I can do. I do wish I had the money. “What are they?”
“I need some tickets and stuff designed for my twenty-fifth birthday party,” he says, running his fingers through his hair.
“I can do that. What is the theme?” I ask.
“Hollywood glam. Yes, I know. It’s a bit predictable, but I have to play it safe.” He smiles. “I did think about something more me, but as it’s mainly a celebrity do, I need to think of my image.”
“That’s okay. I can do that. Just give me the information, and I’ll make you some designs.”
“Thanks, babe,” he says, taking a seat on the sofa next to me and placing a cup in my hands. “Tea, babe.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking a little sip. He makes a good brew, but he always places sugar in it.
“I plan to do something more me with my friends and family. I want to go paintballing. I was going to see if Mark wanted in, too,” he says, giving me a little smile.
Ouch, that really hurt. I don’t want to hear his name. I want to be free of that man. I need to be free. I need to be with my baby girl. “What’s the second thing?” I ask. Now, I’m really worried since the first thing was easy.
“I’m getting a new tattoo, and I need, well, I want someone to come with me.”
“Okay, do you want me to go with you?” I ask, double-checking.
“Yes.”
“I’ll get Jenny to babysit,” I say, smiling.
Luke has made me feel so comfortable here already. Even though it’s only been a few hours, I feel like I can do almost anything and not worry. He has made sure I have everything I need or what. He sent Jake out to get girlie things I need for the bath. Some of the stuff I had never seen before. Hey, it’s the thought that counts. He even got Jake to get nappies for Lucy.