Peyton is leaning against the wall. She wipes her eyes quickly and comes to me. “Baby, you look drunk,” she says with a laugh.
“Do I?” I slur and grope her as she stands next to the bed. They stopped so I could say my goodbyes to her. Perhaps my final goodbye. Her large, milk filled breast I touch and surprisingly she holds my hand to it. “I’m gonna miss those.”
“Don’t worry, they’ll be here when you get out of surgery.” She kisses my lips and my other hand runs over her hair.
“So, soft and silky curls, you have. I like ‘em.”
She giggles and I do too. “See you soon, Pop Rock.”
Peyton pulls out of my hands and I watch her as they move me away. I look up at the female nurse who walks the closest to me. “I love her so much it hurts.”
A smile lights up her face. “It’s pretty obvious, Mr. Dixon.”
“It is?”
She nods and I smile and then I feel like drifting off. My eyes roam over to find the dark haired male nurse pumping another syringe into my IV. I murmur, “Thanks, dude.” Then I close my eyes and float away.
Peyton
My heart beats along with the large clock in the private waiting room they took me to. I called my parents, and they said they’d be on the first flight out. Kip’s parents are almost here and I don’t know if I’m more nervous to meet the famous people or about how Kip’s doing in surgery.
Sebastien and Chloe Dixon are beyond famous. Kip’s mother is a glamourous super model from the eighties and his father a rock legend. And here I am about to meet them for the first time.
Kip’s cell rings, making me jump. It’s Bobby. “Hi, Bobby,” I answer.
“I got your message. Is he okay?”
“He’s in surgery as we speak.”
“Damn it. I’m coming down. Be there soon.”
He ends the call and I hold the phone to my chest and try not to freak out about how I’m sure to be in a room full of celebrities before this is all over with.
The door opens and in walks a nurse followed by Kip’s parents. I stand and find my knees weak and have to hold onto the arm of the chair. “Hi,” I manage.
“Oh, hunny!” Kip’s mom says as she gathers me up in her slim arms. “How are you holding up?”
“As best I can,” I mumble against her chest, as she’s about four inches taller than I am.
A hand grasps my shoulder and I’m pulled away and wrapped in Kips’ father’s arms. “Sweetheart, you’re gorgeous. I’m sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances. It’s not how I thought this would happen.”
He lets me out of his hug and holds me back and looks at my baby bump. His hand touches it and he looks into my eyes. He’s handsome and has this air about him that makes me want to freak out like the girls I hate.
“Our grandbaby,” he turns to his wife. “You have to touch her tummy. It’s our grandbaby in here.”
Kip’s mother looks at me timidly. “Is that okay with you, Peyton?”
I nod as words seem to have left my brain as I’m as star struck as I’ve ever been. She touches my tummy and looks at her husband. “Finally, our very own grandchild.”
His father looks at me. “She’s been wantin’ one of these. You’ve made us very pleased, Peyton.”
I nod and smile like an idiot. The door opens again, and a doctor walks in with his facemask still on. We all turn to look at him, our collective breaths held.
He pulls the mask down and we all see the corners of his thin lips pulled down in a deep frown. “Okay, he’s out of surgery. His appendix had burst and I’m afraid there is already gangrene in some of his organs. We removed as much of the affected tissue we possible could.”
“Dear Lord,” his mother says and sits down, pulling me along with her as she takes my hand in hers.
Kip’s father sits on the other side of me, his arm runs around my shoulders. “Is that all, doc?”
The doctor shakes his head. “He’s going to need a kidney transplant as we had to completely remove one and the other is damaged so badly that it cannot do the job on its own. I’m aware he has no siblings, perhaps a cousin or someone like that might be an eligible donor?”
Kip’s mother nods. “He has three on his father’s side near his age. But they’re back in England. How long does he have to find one?”
The doctor inhales and his frown deepens. “Maybe a week. There’s more though.”
Kip’s father’s grip on my shoulders tightens. “God damn!”
The doctor nods. “I’m really sorry to have to tell you all this. I really am. I wish I could offer more hope, but I cannot lie. He quit breathing on us twice and once his heart stopped for ten minutes. The fact is that even given the transplant, he may not be able to live off of the life support we’ve been forced to put him on.”
My heart stops. “He’s on life support?”
He nods. “He’ll be kept in a drug induced coma until we’re able to find a compatible kidney. Machines will keep him breathing and his heart will be kept beating. As far as that goes. The risk of his liver becoming affected is quite high as it wasn’t in the best condition in the first place.”
Sniffles come from his mother and her hand covers her mouth. “I’ll get on the phone and get the relatives coming in.”
“You do that, Mrs. Dixon. I wish I had better news for you all. He’s being taken to the ICU and sometime tomorrow we’ll start allowing one visitor at a time to go in and see him for ten minute visits once an hour during the day.” As the doctor turns around a very pale Bobby fills the doorway.
“What’s happened? Why do you all look like that?” Bobby asks.
The doctor nods. “I have to get back to make sure Mr. Dixon is hooked up properly. They’ll fill you in, sir.” He leaves and we all stare after him.
I open my mouth to tell Bobby the news but all that comes out is a wailing noise and my eyes fill with tears. Someone pulls me into a hug, and I fall apart.
Kip
Beeps and other weird noises I hear in the distance. Everything is black and I can’t seem to move. A voice I hear from so far away its almost inaudible. “Kip, I’m here.”
It might be Mum or Peyton, not sure which. A soft hand touches mine and a shot runs through me. The beeping sound speeds up and I hear her speak again. I know its Peyton now, my body always has reacted to hers. “Kip, you stay with me.”
I try really hard to nod, but I’m not sure if that’s working. Something must’ve happened to me on the operating table. I feel nothing, literally not a damn thing. Though my mind seems to be working, nothing else is.
Warm lips touch my cheek and inwardly I sigh. I wish I could open my eyes and see her. A dim figure moves into my mind. A tall, shadow with what looks like wide shoulders. It passes through my mind, but makes no sound.
It’s odd how I can see that in the complete darkness. It’s darker than the surrounding darkness. I shout out in my mind, “Hey, who are you?”
The shadow stops and it seems to turn back to me. It moves forward, getting closer and closer.
My hand is squeezed and lips touch my ear. “They found you a donor. You’re probably going to be pissed at your father, but a long lost son appeared out of a small town in Connecticut. He’s two years younger than you are, and damn if that guy doesn’t look almost just like you, Kip. Your mother was a little upset at first, then she decided it was supposed to happen as he might be able to save your life. I hope like hell he does.”
The figure in my mind stops as Peyton talks. It drifts back and eventually completely away. It was all that I could see and I’m already missing its company. “Come back! I’m lonely in here!” I shout with my mind. But it stays gone.
Warm lips kiss my forehead then she speaks again, “You’ve been like this for three days and hopefully tomorrow you’ll get the transplant if it all goes right. Maybe by the next day, I’ll be looking into those gorgeous deep blue eyes of yours. Then we’re going to get a sonogram done right in your hospital room s
o you can see what kind of kid we’re having. Most are betting on a boy, but I think it’s a girl.”
The dark figure reappears in my mind and it seems to be shaking its head. It moves a bit closer and I swear I can smell gingerbread. “I wish you’d tell me who you are,” I shout out in my head.
The figure drifts about and I get the feeling that it is here for me. Lips touch mine and a jolt runs through me. “I have to go, my ten minutes is up. I’ll be back in three hours. Your father will come in next, then your mother. I love them by the way. They’re wonderful. My family is here too and all my brothers forgive you for dumping me and said to tell you all the ass beatings you had coming are forgiven. Lucky you. So, come back to me soon, Pop Rock. I miss you. I love you.” Her lips touch mine again, sending another jolt through me and I can’t believe I can’t wake up as I feel more alive than ever.
I hear her footsteps as she leaves the room and the figure in my head moves away as well. A clear hand I see it raise as if it’s waving goodbye to me then it’s completely gone. The absence is a physical feeling in me.
Who was that?
Peyton
Putting on the brave act when I go in to see Kip is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want to lie on his body and cry and beg him to get better and come back, but I can’t do that. I have to be strong.
I allow myself a period of one hour each day to cry and feel sorry for myself, then I pull it all in and stow it away. We’re all trying our best to keep it together for one another.
The news of Kip’s illness traveled the globe and one day after his surgery a man showed up at the hospital. A man who looked nearly exactly like Kip. He claimed to be his half-brother. He claimed to be Kip’s father, Sebastien’s son.
One DNA test later revealed that he is indeed Sebastien’s son. One more test revealed that he is a compatible kidney donor and now the man is in surgery. Kip is being prepped to take the kidney that a brother he’s never known is giving him willingly.
It’s all over the news and I had to attend my first press conference with his parents this morning. I have to admire how stoic Chloe is being with such a hard thing to swallow. Her husband cheated on her and she has to have it publicly announce just to give her son a chance.
I don’t know if I could be as understanding as she’s being. My parents and brothers are all here and Kip’s parents are too. We all wait in a large waiting area for news about both men.
A tall, slim blonde woman appears at the doorway and everyone looks up as she enters. “I’m not here to do anything but wish you all the best outcome for Kip.”
Sebastien takes Chloe’s hand he’s been holding and kisses it, then stands up, taking her with him. His arm goes around her shoulders as he approaches the other woman.
“This is my wife, Chloe,” he says. “Chloe, this is Sandra Mathews, Kip’s half-brother, Dalton’s, mother.”
My mother is sitting next to me and grabs my hand as we all wait to see how Chloe will take this. Chloe holds her arms open wide. “Thank you, Sandra. Thank you so much for coming out with this. I cannot thank you and your son enough.” She takes the other woman into a warm embrace and everyone lets out sighs at the sight.
Sebastien wipes tears off his cheeks and sniffles. “I’m so sorry to you both. You have no idea of how sorry I am.”
Chloe lets Sandra out of her embrace and takes a step back. She gestures to Sandra as she looks at her husband. “Sebastien, I’ve told you a thousand times since this all came out to stop apologizing. This was meant to be. Now give this woman a hug and let her know how thankful we are she came to us.”
My mother squeezes my hand and leans in to whisper, “It’s like watching a movie.”
I nod and can’t take my eyes away as Kip’s father pulls the woman who resembles Chloe so much, it’s scary, into his arms and hugs her. I can hear him murmuring to her, but can’t make out what he’s saying.
Chloe smiles and says, “Perhaps we should go to a private area and talk.”
Sebastien lets the woman out of his hug and takes his wife’s hand. “Let’s do that. I want to set things straight with you, Sandra. If I would’ve known, I would’ve provided for you and our son. I will make this up to you both.”
They leave the room and we all let out our breaths. Levi gets up and runs his hands through his hair. “What the hell? I can’t imagine! Dad, you don’t have any long lost kids do you?”
Dad shakes his head. “Your mother would kick my ass.”
“You bet I would.” Mom pops Dad in the arm. “That Chloe has more class than I do, that’s more than obvious.”
“She has the biggest heart,” I say. “Crazy big.”
I have a ton of hope that I’ll be talking to Kip by this time tomorrow. My fingers have stayed crossed and I’m keeping an open line straight to God as I make a little prayer about once an hour and sometimes more.
Please let this work, Lord!
Kip
Slow beeps I find as I wake up. My body hurts and that’s different. At least I feel something. It’s been forever since I’ve been able to feel my body.
My God, even my toes hurt. Something is tight around the bottom part of both of my legs. It’s uncomfortable. My head is fuzzy, and a dim light shines in front of my closed eyes.
“Detaching ventilator,” a woman’s voice says.
Then I’m gagging and might throw up with what’s coming out of my throat. My head spins and my stomach churns.
“Kip, can you hear me?” a man asks.
I try to nod and it seems like I am.
“Great!” the man says.
“Can I talk, doctor?” It’s Peyton’s voice and I try to open my eyes.
“Of course, dear,” he says.
“Wake up, sleepy head. You’ve been away too long,” she says.
Little blinks I make then open my eyes to see blurs surrounding me. “That’s my boy,” my father says and I turn my head in that direction.
“Pop?”
“That’s right, son. I’m here. Mum’s here too along with a room full of people who are ready to see you.”
I blink some more and it all comes into focus. I scan the faces and find my love’s and eerily it’s me who stands by her side in a grey hospital gown. An IV stand next to him. “Who’s that guy, love? He looks like me. Did ya replace me already?”
The whole room laughs and it makes me jump a little with the noise. “Allow me to introduce you to your only known sibling, Kip,” Peyton says as she runs her arm around the man and my ire rears up immediately. “This fine young man is Dalton Mathews, your half-brother, and he saved your life.”
One of his arms is draped over my beloved’s shoulders. “Nice to meet you, bro and thanks for saving my life and all, but what up with your arm on my girl?”
The room full of people laugh and Peyton takes his arm off her and places it on her brother, Blake’s, shoulder. “Hold him up, Blake, will you? I can’t have my man getting all jealous.” She makes her way to me and leans over and plants a kiss right on my lips. “It’s nice to see you back, babe. We all missed you like crazy.”
Her hand rests on mine and my world is coming back into place. After a moment of looking at her beautiful face, I look back at the man who has my face. “A handsome rascal ya are, Dalton, did she say your name is?”
He nods and smiles. “It is, and thanks, I can say the same for you. How’s my kidney feeling there, bro?”
“So ya gave me one of your kidneys, did ya? How nice of ya. Don’t worry I’ll give you something if ya ever need it. Not that I have a lot of great organs to give, but money buys a lot of things, so how about a new car, mate?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Just seeing you up and able to make jokes is enough for me. I never knew I had a brother. I have myself three sisters and you don’t know how often I prayed to have a brother, and now I do. A damn rock star at that. And a rock legend father to boot. Life’s pretty great, I don’t need any more.”
My father moves
and takes Blake’s place holding up my new brother. “Damn glad to see you, son. We should get this guy back to his bed. He’s had surgery as well. We can all get to know each other, we have all the time in the world, you know.”
Pop takes my look alike brother away, and a woman who looks a hell of a lot like my Mum follows along, pushing the IV stand attached to Dalton. My eyes go back to find my mother who looks at me.
“How are ya doin’ Mum?”
Her smile suggests she fine, but I can’t see how. “I’m fantastic. I’m talking to my baby boy.” She comes to the other side of me and kisses my forehead. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too,” I say and have to swallow hard as I know how much pain not only my illness has caused her, but the fact my father was unfaithful must be hurting her as well. “You look gorgeous as always, Mum.”
She runs her hands through her long blonde hair. “Thank you, Kip. Compliments are always appreciated.” She laughs and touches my cheek. “I’m really happy to see you, baby boy.”
A nurse comes in and breaks up the party. “I’m afraid I have to get you all to leave. We have to make sure he’s doing okay with everything.”
They all wish me luck as they file out, but Peyton lingers at my side. After they’ve all left, she leans down to kiss me and the nurse clears her throat. “It’s best not to kiss him on the mouth or anywhere near his nose or eyes.”
Peyton pulls back and bites her lip as she looks at me. She raises my hand and I see the purple place around where the IV is attached to it. A little kiss she leaves on it. “I’ll be back as soon as they let me if you want.”
“If I want? I want!”
She waves at me as she walks away and my heart swells with how I feel about her.
It’s good to be back!
Peyton
Only two days after Kip’s surgery, and he was let out of the ICU and placed in a private room. Dalton was released today and will be stopping by at dinner time to eat with Kip and I.
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