“No. I had no clue I was pregnant. I’ve been having headaches and not feeling well, but I thought it was stress. I didn’t even think that I was pregnant because I took my pills.
She comes over and takes my hand in hers. She looks at me and says, “Honey, I know it wasn’t planned, but the best things in life never are. You just go with the flow. Now I know you are shocked and concerned, but there are other options out there if you don’t want .this pregnancy Those are your options and yours alone.”
I shake my head fiercely and say, “No, I am keeping my baby. I am a bit shocked, but I am keeping my baby.”
She gets up and hands me some tissues. “Well, I’m glad to hear that honey; you seem like a lovely girl. Is the father in the picture?” she asks. Shit, how am I supposed to tell Jackson? I was so upset that I forgot all about him.
I say, “Yes, he’s my boyfriend.”
She smiles and says, “Well I’m sure he will be happy. Now, let me examine you and see how far along you are. Once we are done, depending on how far along you are, we can do an ultrasound, how’s that?” I look at her and smile.
She starts the exam, which is a little uncomfortable at first, but she talks to me to keep my mind from it. She pulls her gloves off and starts washing her hands and says, “You are about 8 weeks pregnant. We can do an ultrasound if you want and you’ll be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I smile so big and agree.
She squirts some lubricant on my belly and it’s so cold I shiver. She apologizes and turns the machine on. She starts the ultrasounds and I hear it. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Tears start forming in my eyes and she says, “That’s the baby’s heartbeat. It’s a strong heartbeat. See this right here?” She says pointing to the screen. “This right here is your baby.” More tears start to spill from my eyes. She prints out some pictures and says, “Everything will be okay dear. Why don’t you get dressed while I write you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and then you can get out of here? Oh and these are for you and the daddy.” I smile at her, take the pictures and tell her thank you. After I get dressed, I walk to the front desk to get my prescription and schedule a new appointment.
I leave the office and walk to my car feeling extremely happy.
I’m driving not even five minutes when my phone starts to ring. I see that it’s Jared. I let it go to voicemail because I never answer my phone when I’m driving. I’ll call him once I get back to work. Just as it hangs up, it rings again. It’s still Jared and it must be important because he never calls back to back. Waiting until I get off the exit to pull over to answer, I see that he is calling for a third time. Even though I never answer my phone while I’m driving, him calling me three times in a row doesn’t sit well with me.
I answer it and ask, “What Jared? I’m trying to drive.” He is screaming in the phone so loud that I can’t hear a single word he is saying. I pull over to the shoulder and try to understand him better.
“Jared, slow down, I can’t understand you.” My hands are shaking because my brother never cries.
“Avery,” he says breathing heavy, “I need you to come to County General Hospital quick!” My stomach drops and I instantly think of Rhys. “Jared, is it Chubbs? Did something happen to him? Tell me!” I scream into the phone.
“No Avery, it’s not Rhys. It’s….” He takes a deep breath and blows it out. “It’s Jackson, Avery. He was in a car accident and it’s not looking good at all. I need you to get down here right now.”
Feeling the blood drop from my face, I scream loudly forgetting I’m on the phone.
What started out as a good day with happy news, turned into the worse one with the worse news I could ever get. “I’m on my way Jared! “ I scream into the phone and speed like hell to the hospital, hoping and praying the love of my life will be okay.
Jackson
The past three months have been amazing. Waking up to Avery in my arms, is like a dream come true. Since the day I told her everything I needed to, she has been at my house. I’ve asked her quite a few times to move in with me, where she belongs, but she says not yet. I’m hoping what I have planned will change her mind. She thinks I don’t know that today marks three months that we have been together. Every month on the 23rd, she makes me a special meal and gets me little gifts. She thinks I’m not aware of it all, but I am.
I skip my last class of the day hoping to get to the store and have enough time to get home and set up. Avery has no clue what I’m up too and I love it. Although my nerves have me on edge, I can’t wait to do this. This is something I’ve been thinking about doing, it just feels right to me.
I walk into the jewelry store and am greeted instantly by an older woman, whose name tag reads ‘Blanche’.
“Well, hello there handsome. How can I help you today?” She asks, smiling.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, I answer, “I am picking up an order I placed last week, the name is Jackson Daniels.”
“Sure thing sweetie, let me go into the back and look through the log and see. I’ll be right out.” And with that she is gone.
While I’m waiting, I think of my Sunshine and what she is going to think once she sees this. I hope she is as excited as I am. I know I can do this. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, aside from keeping Rhys, but I want her by my side for the rest of my life.
Just as I let out another deep breath, Blanche comes back out with my order. “Here ya go sweetheart. Check it out and make sure it’s everything you want and then some.” Blanche says with a huge smile on her face. I smile back. With shaky hands, I open the box and my mouth opens a little. I loved it when I picked it out, but it looks so much better now that I’m looking at it again. Avery is going to be in love, I know it.
I close the box and look up at Blanche and say, “It’s perfect, thank you so much.” I smile a huge smile and head out to my car. Once in the car, I open the box up once more. I have to look at it again. As I open the box, my emotions start hitting me all at once. I seem like a pansy, but I don’t care. I plan on asking the one person in the word who loves me no matter what, to spend the rest of her life with me and my son, and the feelings are becoming surreal. It starts to take me back to a conversation I had with Jared earlier in the week.
I am so in love with Avery, that I want to take it to the next level. I want to wake up looking at her beautiful face and my arms wrapped around her. I love when she races to make sure she gets to have her morning conversation with Rhys. It amazes me the amount of love she has for him. I’ve never felt this way before and I want to do this the right way. Her dad has never been around, so I go to the closest man in her life, her brother. I know he is one of her best friends and they have always been close, so I need to talk to him about this before I go any further. I don’t really need his approval because he was the one who told me to get my head out of my ass before, but this is bigger than that, so I need to talk to him right away.
Taking out my phone, I send him a text.
Me: Yo man, you busy?
Jared: Just about to head home, why what’s up?
Me: I need to talk to you about something important.
Jared: Is everything okay dude? Is it Rhys or Avery?
Me: No, well kinda, but it’s nothing bad, I just need to talk to you. Think you could stop by my place before you go home?
Jared: Yeah man, I’m on my way.
I take a deep breath, sit back and wait for Jared to arrive. About 10 minutes later, there’s a knock on the door and Jared peeks his head in. He walks right in. We extended the ‘open door’ policy at my house too.
“Yo man, what’s up?” Jared asks as he walks over to me, sticking out his hand for me to shake it.
“Depends dude.” I say trying to shake the nervousness that has suddenly creeped up on me. I shake my head and continue, “Have a seat man.”
“What’s going on man, you look like you’re about to pass out? Tell me what’s wrong.” He says to me with concern written all over
his face.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Looking at Jared I say, “I’m just going to come right out and lay everything on the table. Okay?” Jared gestures his hand as if to say to continue on. I nod my head and start to say everything I need him to hear.
“First, I wanna say that I love your sister with all my heart, I really do. I know I was an ass in the beginning and I wanna thank you for that extra push, or I wouldn’t be where I am right now.” I take another deep breath and continue, “I know your father was never around and that you and Avery are close. You’re also protective of her. With that said, I need to ask you something.” He nods his head, but doesn’t say anything so I continue on before I lose my courage. “I want to ask you if I can marry your sister. I know we haven’t been together that long, but I want her beside me in every way. I love her more than life itself and I know how much she means to you. I’m coming to you to ask for her hand in marriage, it’s the right thing to do.”
Jared leans up, puts his elbows on his knees and puts his hands together and finally says something, “You really love my sister enough to make her your wife?”
I shake my head yes and say, “Very much so.”
He blinks back what seem to be a few tears. “I love my sister very much and all I want for her in life, is to be happy. I’ve never seen her more happy than when she’s with you and Rhys. I am more than honored that you came to me and asked for her hand. I’ve come to love you like a brother and I couldn’t picture my baby sister with anyone else.” Wiping his eyes he says, “I say yes for you to marry her. I know she would be thrilled to be your wife.” He gets up and walks over to me, so I stand. He shakes my hand and engulfs me in a brotherly hug which makes me tear up. Just knowing that he gives me his approval to marry his only sister, makes me feel those emotions.
We pull back from each other and start to laugh. Jared is the first one to say something. “Man, thankfully no one is here to see us looking like a bunch of girls.” I laugh again and he continues. “I really am happy that you came to me for that, I appreciate it man. I know she loves you just as much. She also loves Rhys like crazy and will be an awesome addition to your family. When do you plan on doing this?”
I smile and say, “On our three month anniversary, I already picked out the ring and everything. I had it engraved, so it won’t be in until next week. Your sister thinks she is slick every month on the 23rd and gives me a small gift and cooks. She thinks I don’t know what she is doing.” I chuckle. “I always ask what it’s for and she says it’s just because.”
“That’s great man, I know she won’t even expect it, you know how she is. I hate to leave, but I got some stuff to do. Thanks again man.” I shake his hand and he walks out the door.
Whew. I don’t know what I was so nervous about, that went really well. Now that I have his permission, I can feel a little more at ease about this. I love Avery and want her to become my wife.
Shaking my head back to the present, I smile and know that everything will be perfect. Putting the box on the seat, I put my seatbelt on and start the car. I can now head home and start the rest of what I’ve been planning. I bought all the food and everything earlier this morning after Avery left with Rhys to go to work. I’m excited to make dinner and put out all the candles and have a romantic evening with my Sunshine. I pull out of my spot and up to the stop sign. I’m so anxious to get home right now. As I pull out onto the road, I see an 18-wheeler coming out of nowhere. He slams right into me.
I feel the car flip a few times before it finally comes to a stop. I banged my head quite a few times in the process and now it feels as if it’s going to explode from the pain. Slowly trying to open my eyes, I squint seeing shattered glass everywhere. I can’t move my left leg and my wrist hurts like a bitch. I hear screaming and talking, but can’t see anything. It’s as if I’m losing a battle with my eyelids. Everything hurts and my head is throbbing. I reach up as best I can and touch it. I feel warm liquid on my fingertips. Trying with all my might to open my eyes, I see blood. All I can think about is Rhys and Avery, I can’t lose them. I need to get to them. I try to move again, but pain shoots up my leg. I need to see my baby and my girl. Why can’t I move dammit? I hear crunches of glass as if someone is approaching. I feel someone touching me gently and talking. I can’t see or hear what they are saying, everything is blurry and garbled. My body is becoming more restless, this is it. That moment everyone talks about in movies and books, your life flashing before your eyes when it’s time to go. My eyes close and I see my son, his beautiful face looking at me with a dimpled smile. I see Avery, my amazing girl, looking at her Chubbs with so much love in her gorgeous eyes. In that moment, I feel so much pain, not in my leg or head, but in my heart. The thought of never seeing them again makes me want to weep. I make another attempt to move, but my stupid leg won’t budge. I have to get out of here and be with my family. What are they going to do without me? No! No! I don’t want to go! This isn’t supposed to be happening! Blackness starts to overtake me and just as I’m slipping away, I hear Avery’s voice and see her. My Sunshine is here? Her hair is thrown up on top of her head and she is holding my son, smiling back at him. She looks up at me with those beautiful blue eyes and says, “I love you, Jackson Daniels, and don’t you ever forget it.”
Chapter 35
I drive as fast, yet as cautious as I can. My eyes are blurry from not only crying, but from the unknown. Arriving at the hospital in no time, I burst into the emergency entrance doors and head right to the elevator and up to the floor Jared gave me.
Once the doors to Floor 7 open, I see both Jared and Demetri’s crying faces. I run directly to my brother and hold onto him extremely tight. After what feels like a lifetime of clinging to him, I turn to Demetri and do the same thing.
Pulling back from Demetri, I ask, “What the hell happened? Is he ok? Where is he? Can I see him?” All my words are coming out quickly to get answers. I just want to know what happened and when I can see Jackson. The unknown is what’s killing me.
He wipes his eyes and says, “I really don’t know, they haven’t told me much of anything. They said that an 18-wheeler slammed into him and witnesses had seen his car flip.” I gasp and cover my mouth. Unable to listen anymore, I start to cry again. Demetri wraps his arms around me and holds me as tears run down my face. Jackson has to be okay, he just has to be. I just found him and there is no way this can be happening. I need answers and I need them fast.
Finally getting myself somewhat together, I ask Demetri to continue, “There were several people trying to help him and keep him awake, but none of it helped. No one touched him because they weren’t sure of the extent of his injuries, so they waited for the paramedics and police to arrive. I got a call shortly after because I’m his emergency contact. I left Jules and Rhys is a hurry to get here. They haven’t let me see him yet, and the only thing I know is what the police have told me and that he is in surgery. I’m waiting for a doctor to come and talk to me.”
I shake my head. I need Jackson to be okay and I need to see Rhys, right away. Before I can even have another thought, a doctor approaches us. “Are you the family of Jackson Daniels?” I firmly grip both Jared and Demetri’s hand and Demetri’s replies saying that we are.
“I am Dr. Perez, Jackson is out of surgery and in recovery. I’m going to cut right to the chase. It’s not looking good right now.” I start to cry before he can even finish. Jared squeezes my hand and lightly shakes his head at me and I return the gesture. Straightening back up I look at the doctor for him to continue.
“He has what we call ‘Subdural Hematoma’, which is swelling of the brain. That is one of the reasons for doing immediate surgery. We used Barbiturate, which puts him into a medically induced coma to help reduce the swelling. Along with that, he has four broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken left leg and a fractured right arm. We have him on a ventilator to help him breathe a little better. It may help him and it may not, we can never be too sure with inju
ries that are this extensive. I will have a nurse bring one of you at a time to his room. Again, I am so sorry.”
I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding and started having trouble breathing. This can’t be happening, not to my Jackson. He has to be okay.
Feeling a hand on my back and a voice telling me to breathe, I look up and see my brothers’ bloodshot blue eyes. “Breathe, Avery, breathe.” He says to me. I take a few deeps breaths and am able to focus and breathe a little better. He wraps his big arms around me and tells me everything is going to be okay, but after what the doctor just said, I don’t know how that can be; he is messed up, badly.
A nurse comes to us and lets us know that Jackson is in his own room now and that only one of us can go in at a time. Demetri looks at me and I nod my head for him to go first. He is his brother and as bad as I want to see the love of my life, he has every right to go in there before me.
Jared squeezes my hand and I look at him. “It will all be fine, sis. Stop your mind from thinking the worse, he is a tough dude, he’s got this.” I hug him and tell him I love him and try and stop my wandering mind.
Demetri comes out a little bit later and his eyes are redder than they were when he went in there. I instantly get up and embrace him. I know this is hard on me, so I can only imagine what he is going through right now. He kisses my cheek and says, “I won’t lie, he looks like complete shit, but don’t let that freak you out. Go in there and talk to him, let him hear that voice he loves so much. If you need me, I’ll be right here.” I grab his hand and give it a tight squeeze and turn around to walk to his room. After I take a few steps, Jared stops me. “You got this sis. Show him how tough you are. I promise everything will be okay. I promise you.” He kisses my head and sits back down. I don’t know how he can promise me that, but I hope he is right.
Found By You (The Found Series) Page 13