Unbreakable Hearts (Broken Series #3)

by Amanda Bennett

  "Works for me, I'm ready to go whenever you are."

  "I'm ready now." I smiled as I made my way over to the wheelchair in our room. I didn't really need it, but I wanted to err on the cautious side, just in case.

  "Let's go grandma."

  "Shut up, I'm coming."

  "Oh, are you now? And I didn't even have to touch you. I'm good."

  "Ha ha, such a funny guy."

  "You know you love it."

  "I do." I tilted my head back, leaving an opening for him to kiss me. And just as I knew he would, he planted a deep passionate kiss against my tender lips.

  When we got back to Daniel's side, we both gasped in shock. He was off of his ventilator and breathing amazingly, all on his own. We both stared at each other for a long time, just smiling. We both knew our little boy was a fighter, but we certainly weren't expecting this.

  Gray rolled me over to the side of the crib and I quickly ran my fingers down his tiny arm. "He's perfect, Gray. I need to hold him. Will you go find a nurse?"

  I wasn't sure if Gray actually heard me, because I could still feel his presence, but I could only assume that he did, because seconds later there was a nurse bounding up to my side.

  "Is Mom ready to finally hold her little boy?"

  "Absolutely." I sat back and straightened my shirt. I was suddenly extremely nervous about holding him. He still had a ton of wires and cords attached to him, but they were all tightly wrapped up in the blanket that was swaddling him, so my worry eased up a bit.

  I wish I could explain the feeling, but I don't think words would do it justice. When I had held Charlie for the first time, it too was an indescribable feeling, but I had gotten to hold her right after she was born. After not being able to hold your baby for practically two days after having him, well, it was gut wrenching to say the least.

  An overwhelming peace fell over me and I could feel the two of us connecting like we had been when he was inside of me. His eyes were still closed, but a small smile spread across his itty bitty lips when I ran my finger across them. It was the most magical feeling I had ever felt.

  I clutched his five pound ten ounce body to my chest as though he was my lifeline. I never wanted to let him go. I wanted to hold him in my arms for as long as I was allowed. I know it sounds selfish, but even the thought of having to give him up to his dad, made me sad. It took everything in me to place him in Gray's arms a short while later. I think he knew how I was feeling, but he had to have been feeling the same way. He hadn't been able to hold him yet either and I knew he needed it just as much as I did.

  I glanced up at my husband holding our little Daniel, and I couldn't help but smile. He just looked so damn sexy when he was holding a baby. If this is what he did to me every time we had a child, I was going to forever be pregnant. Gray let me hold Daniel quicker than I expected, but I knew he knew what I needed at the moment and he was an amazing man for giving me that without any resentment.

  "You happy, Button?"

  "Extremely." I whispered as I placed a kiss to Daniel's forehead.

  "I'm going to head back to the room and see if Hannah and Theo are here yet. You going to be okay?"

  "Yeah." He bent down hugging both Daniel and me and then placed a kiss on both of our noses.

  After Gray left, I was able to feed Daniel and change his diaper. I even offered to give him a bath, but the nurse insisted that she do it because of everything he was attached to. I was disappointed, but I also understood. I wanted my little guy out of here sooner rather than later. After Daniel was happily fed and burped, I snuggled him into the crook of my arm and rocked him back to sleep. Just as I was placing him back in his crib, the doctor in charge of the NICU came in to speak to me.

  "Mrs. Weston, can I have a word with you?"

  "Of course." I kissed Daniel and then slowly waddled my way over to where the doctor was standing.

  "Your son is doing much better today. As you can see we took him off of the ventilator and he has been doing well with breathing on his own and eating, so far. Do you have any questions for me?"

  "Actually, I do. When can we take Daniel home?"

  "Well, he has to eat at least two ounces every three hours for the next twenty four hours and then I don't see why he can't go home."

  My heart soared. This was the best news I had ever received. "Okay, that sounds good to me. Could you please tell the nurses to not feed him, that I will come in every three hours and do it?"

  "I can. I'm glad he is doing better. Looks like he'll be napping for a bit. You should go get some rest."

  "Thank you."

  "It's my pleasure."

  I moved as quickly as I could to get to my wheelchair and make my way back to my room. I couldn't wait to share the amazing news with everybody. Gray was coming out of the room, just as I was wheeling myself in.

  "Hey, I was just coming to get you. How'd it go?"

  "Oh my god, Gray. I got to talk to the doctor and he says as long as he eats at least two ounces every three hours, he doesn't see why we can't take him home tomorrow."

  Before I knew it, Gray had me out of the wheelchair and was spinning me around in his arms. "That's the best news I've heard, in a long time."

  "Me too."

  Just as I was about to ask where everyone was, Gray carried me over to the bed and I spotted everyone gathered around the small table and Charlie, as she colored. Hannah quickly made her way to my side, and I instantly reached out for her. I gave her the tightest hug I could manage, as tears rolled down my cheeks.

  "Oh honey, why are you crying?"

  "No...no, these are happy tears. We might get to take Daniel home tomorrow."

  "Oh Bennett, that's amazing. I like the name by the way."

  "Me too." I whispered.

  As Hannah pulled out of our embrace, Theo popped up on the other side of me, pulling me into a giant bear hug. He held me longer than usual, but it was never uncomfortable. Theo had basically become my big brother over the last couple of years. There was nothing he wouldn't do for me, and there was absolutely nothing we wouldn't do for him. He was a great man.

  Theo finally pulled back and kissed my wet cheek. "I'm so happy for you."

  "Thanks, Theo."

  Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door and I wondered if it was time for my meds again. I was beyond shocked when I saw that breathtakingly beautiful man come walking into my room.

  "Hey everybody. Bennett, I just wanted to come by and give you these," he held out a vase full of a dozen stargazer lilies, "and say congrats. So where is the little guy?"

  "Ryan!" Hannah shouted.

  "Hannah, it's okay. He's in the NICU, but he's doing great, so hopefully he will be home with us tomorrow night. Thank you for the flowers, Ryan. That was very thoughtful."

  "Of course."

  I watched as he took in Hannah's appearance, and I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on with those two. I must not have been the only one, because Gray and Theo were looking at Ryan like he was their last meal.

  "Ryan, this is my husband Gray. And the bear over there is Hannah's boyfriend, Theo."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you guys." Gray shook his hand without hesitation, but Theo was too busy burning holes through him. I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well.

  Nine

  Gray

  "Who the fuck do you think you are coming in here, like you know these people?" And here it goes.

  "Theo, calm the fuck down." I needed to interject before this shit got out of control.

  "Nah, there's no reason for him to even be here."

  "I know, man. He just came by to say congrats, I don't think he is trying to move in on your turf." Trying to calm Theo down was like trying to calm down an angry bull. It usually didn't work.

  "Yeah right he did. He came here to see Hannah. I know it, and he knows it."

  "Theo, I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression, but I'm not interested in Hannah in that way." Ryan gave Hannah an apologetic
look.

  "Yeah right. Even a blind man would be interested in her."

  I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous accusations and outlandish things that were coming out of Theo's mouth. "Theo, you need to calm down. Charlie is in here and she really doesn't need to see her Uncle Theo break some guy's nose. Isn't that right pretty girl?" I glanced over at my beautiful little girl who was completely oblivious to the current situation.

  "Yes." Her voice was so tiny. I just loved it.

  "Uncle Theo is sorry Charlie, but this man shouldn't be here."

  "Dude, go take this crap outside." Now I was just getting pissed off.

  "Let's go." Theo was such a literal person.

  "Look, I just came here to say congrats to Bennett and Gray. I'm not here to cause problems. Congrats again." I shook Ryan's hand and walked him to the door, thanking him on his way out. He didn't seem like a bad guy, but Theo was my good friend and if I didn't have his back, I was in some deep shit.

  "God, what is your problem?" Here we go. Hannah was getting worked up, and when Hannah got worked up, so did my wife. It's definitely not a good combination.

  "Why are you defending him, Hannah?" Theo growled.

  "I'm not defending him, but jeez you were so fucking rude. I swear you always think I'm cheating on you or that something shady is going on. Grow up, Theo."

  "Me grow up? Look at you. You work all day. I barely see you and then this? What am I supposed to think Han?"

  "I think you're supposed to trust me."

  "I do, but man, you make it hard sometimes, that's for sure."

  "Theo, back off a little." I grabbed Theo's shoulder to pull him away from Hannah, but he wasn't having it.

  I put my hands up in surrender and made my way over to my wife's bedside. When I realized Bennett was sleeping, I laughed to myself. How anybody could sleep through any of this was beyond me. I glanced around the room and my heart dropped to my knees when I couldn't see Charlie anywhere.

  "Where the fuck is my daughter?" I was standing over Theo enraged.

  "What do you mean, she's right th-" Theo pointed towards the table where Charlie had been just seconds ago. "Oh my god, Gray. I'll go find her."

  "Don't do me any favors. I think you've done enough." I growled. "And don't you dare wake up Bennett while all of this is going on. She has enough to worry about."

  "I'll help, Gray." Hannah's voice grew increasingly louder as she approached me. I just shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes at their childish behavior.

  We all went separate ways in search of my baby girl. There's no way she could have gotten far. For crying out loud she wasn't even two yet. My heart was racing as my adrenaline coursed through my veins. If we didn't find my Charlie soon, I was going to start freaking out.

  I checked and double checked every nook and cranny of that damn maternity ward, before I finally went to ask a nurse. I hadn't heard anything from Theo or Hannah, so I just assumed they hadn't found Charlie either. As I approached the tiny older nurse whose name I absolutely just couldn't remember, I almost started crying. I hadn't felt this emotional or out of control since the night Raylon took Bennett. I was sick and tired of something always happening to someone I love.

  "Excuse me ma'am, have you seen a little brown haired little girl?"

  "I'm sorry, honey, I don't believe I have. Let me ask around really quick and put out an announcement." All my pent up rage seemed to dissipate the minute this friendly woman looked at me. Her small green eyes surrounded by wrinkles had a sudden calming effect on me, and I stepped back to take a long deep breath.

  "Thank you." I whispered as she walked away. I wasn't quite sure where she was going, but she said she would help.

  I paced back and forth for what felt like an hour, when she finally reappeared from a back room. I quickly made my way back over to the desk; hope the only emotion I could feel.

  "Okay, Miranda says she saw her down the hall in front of the NICU doors."

  "Oh thank God. Thank you so much, uh..."

  "It's Dorothy, dear."

  "Thank you, Dorothy."

  With that, I turned and ran my ass down the hall and out of the maternity ward. As soon as I hit the corner of the NICU, there my baby girl sat on a young nurse's lap, laughing and giggling without a care in the world.

  "Charlie Reagan, you scared Daddy half to death." I reached out for Charlie and she happily climbed into my open arms. I glanced up at the nurse, "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would've done if I couldn't find her."

  "You're welcome, Mr. Weston. I'm guessing she just wanted to visit her little brother."

  I wasn't sure how this nurse knew me, but I brushed it off as I tucked Charlie deep into my chest. As I gave the nurse a thank you grin, I turned to take Charlie back to her mother. When we got back to the room, I went to grab my phone from my back pocket, but realized that Hannah and Theo were already back and Bennett was now awake. As if we hadn't already had a rough couple of days, let's add losing my daughter to list of reasons my wife can be upset.

  "Well hello there." I bent down, placing a chaste kiss to Bennett's forehead.

  "Oh good, you found her." She reached for Charlie as she was already climbing out of my arms.

  "She was with a nurse outside of the NICU. I didn't want to wake you, and have you worry."

  "I appreciate it." Her tone of voice was off, and I couldn't tell if she was angry at the situation or me. Maybe even both.

  "Are you okay?" I whispered in her ear.

  "I'm fine. I'm a little pissed off at Hannah at the moment, but what are ya gonna do?" She whispered back.

  I stood from my wife's bedside and made my way over to Theo and Hannah. "Out in the hallway, now." I motioned for both of them to follow me.

  As soon as the door to Bennett's room closed behind me, I laid into the both of them. "Seriously, I don't know what the hell is going on with the two of you, but could you try to figure it out on your own. There was absolutely no reason for what just happened. Theo, you have turned into one of my best friend's, but dude, you need to learn to relax. And Hannah, figure your shit out quick and stop leading Theo on. You two have been together long enough now that I would think you guys would know how to work things out." I let out a strangled breath before continuing. "Look, I appreciate everything you guys have done for us. Not even just this last week, but overall. You guys are amazing friends and I know it's hard, but if it's not working, maybe it's time to walk away."

  Hannah's eyes snapped up to mine, "What are you talking about? Theo, do you not want to be with me anymore?"

  "Of course I do. Sometimes it just seems like more work than it should be."

  I stood back and watched as Hannah took in what Theo was saying. I was amazed that she hadn't ripped into him yet, but judging by the look on her face, I could tell she was feeling the same way.

  "Look, it's getting late. If you guys need to go home and talk, Charlie can stay here with us tonight. It's not a problem, just tell me."

  Hannah's hand came up and rested on my shoulder, "Gray, you know we would never do that. You guys have enough on your plates right now. We'll take Charlie home with us and be back first thing in the morning."

  "Thank you."

  As I approached my wife, I knew she could tell that things were starting to simmer down. "Everything okay?"

  "Yes, love. Everything is fine."

  "Good, because the nurse in the NICU just called and we can go in and feed Daniel now." A smile as wide as the Grand Canyon spread across her face and I couldn't help but fall deeper in love with her at this very moment.

  Ten

  Bennett

  Ugh, this is so not the way I wanted to be woken up this morning. The phone next to my bed wouldn't stop ringing. When it eventually registered in my small little brain that we were still at the hospital, I quickly reached over for it.

  "Hello?"

  "Mrs. Weston, this is Miranda in the NICU. Can you and your husband please come down here?"
r />   I tried to swallow past the tight knot in my throat to respond, but nothing happened. I could feel the oxygen in my lungs being expelled and none was going back in to replace it. I felt as though I was suffocating. The room began to spin and my mind went blank. Something is wrong. Oh my god, something is wrong with my brand new baby.

  "Mrs. Weston?"

  "I'm sorry, my wife just dropped the phone. We will be there in just a second."

  I hadn't realized that Gray had been sitting by me and heard what the nurse had said, until I heard his voice. I sat perfectly still, unable to move. My brain kept telling me to get up and go to my son, but my extremities had a whole other idea.

  "Bennett, we need to go."

  I nodded my head in agreement, but still couldn't find it in me to move. The bed dipped below me as the weight of Gray's body disappeared from beside me. Seconds later, I felt him pick me up and place me in the wheelchair. Everything after that was a blur. I remember washing my hands and hearing the heart wrenching cry coming from the room that Daniel was in. I already knew his cry, but I don't remember even going to him. All I remember is Gray holding me tightly against his chest as he shielded me from what was going on behind him. The doctor was now kneeling in front of me, and the tears I had been trying so hard to hold back, immediately began to fall.

  "Mrs. Weston, are you okay?"

  I nodded. There were no words to say.

  "Daniel was looking pretty pale this morning and he hasn't been eating what he was supposed to, so we had to put an IV in the top of his head to get him some fluids. If he doesn't start eating more though, we will have to put the feeding tube back in."

  Before I realized what I was doing, the words were flying out of my mouth. "NO! Why did nobody call us? And what do you mean he hasn't been eating? Gray and I came in every three hours throughout the night and fed him. Every time, he ate exactly the amount you asked us to give him."

  The doctor stepped back as I pushed myself out of the wheelchair. "Well Mrs. Weston, now he needs to eat three ounces every three hours before he can go."

  "What are you saying? First it was two ounces and then he would be good to go, now you're telling me it has to be three ounces? What are you doing?"