by Unknown
“Show me Easton!”
He is sitting in his office overlooking Denver. He looks old and tired. The next image is him sitting around the kids, they all seem so disconnected, like there is no relationship. Next is an image of Max, he is sitting at an outside coffee shop, the Seattle Space Needle behind him. He looks homeless. Jax is sitting in a chair, beat up and someone is holding a gun to his head, and Isabelle is a stripper in a gross strip club; she looks lost.
“We can show you the future, what life will be like. It's not set in stone, everything can be changed.” Whitney comes to stand by me.
“Show me what happens if Easton and I are happy together!”
Images flash, Tristan and Frankie are married. Estelle and Rhydian are married, she looks so happy and she is pregnant.
Michael is sitting next to a Native American, it looks like they have a son, but something isn't right. The son looks about eight and Michael is wearing a shirt I bought him for Christmas last year. Killian and Thea are together are snuggled up on a couch reading and laughing. Stacy and Reed are married with a little girl and a baby on the way. Everyone is happy and everyone is a family. All the anger is evaporated and everyone gets together for holidays. Pilar pulls my attention away from the screen.
“I want that for my sister, I want her to have a love like that. I know it's a selfish reason to want you to make things right with Easton, but I see my niece born. She names her Pilar.”
“You have to put aside your pride, Kennedy. Easton loves you. He is just confused and stupid. Kennedy, you are what holds everyone together. Because of you, everyone around you gets their happy ending. When you look at your children, you will see. You have to go back now Kennedy, you have a life to live. You must follow that path, no matter what you see just keep going. Your children are waiting for you.” Emma hugs me and kisses my cheek. Whitney hugs me and Pilar hugs me so tight I hear a bone pop.
I start walking and I'm scared, it's so dark. I hear voices telling me to go back to the stage, that’s where I belong, hands are trying to grab me, but I keep running. I'm running toward my children, I'm running towards Easton and my happy ever after.
Easton's POV
Kennedy’s water just broke, I make it to her room and Tristan lets me know Estelle is stuck in traffic. He seems panicked, Kennedy looks scared.
“It's okay,” I say
The doctor comes in and he's telling Kennedy it's time to push. After a few pushes, he pulls out the first baby. It's a boy! The nurse is cleaning him off, and I start crying when I hear him cry. Estelle rushes to into the room and stands by Kennedy. The doctor is yelling for blood, when I turn around the floor is covered in blood. Kennedy looks gray.
“Get the OR prepped. She has lost too much blood!” I hear the doctor yell.
Tristan is unable to move, Estelle is running next to the stretcher when they wheel Kennedy out, and I'm holding my son. The nurse tells me she has to take him to be examined. Estelle is standing by closed doors, she is crying. Tristan and I wait next to her.
“They wouldn't let me go back!” she sobs.
We all walk to the family waiting room, a few minutes later a nurse walks up to the Brennan’s.
“You can say whatever you need to the room, we are all Kennedy's family.”
The nurse turns, “We delivered two daughters, and they are getting cleaned up now. Kennedy lost a lot of blood; the doctors are still working on her.”
I know it's bad because the nurse’s eyes are glossy, “The doctor will be out with an update.”
“What are you talking about? She was fine, she was talking! What are you not telling us?” Estelle yells.
“I'm not qualified to say anything. The doctor will be out shortly. I will let him know he is free to discuss anything with the room.” she turns.
It takes six hours before the doctor comes out. He walks into the room.
“Kennedy lost a lot of blood. We aren't sure what caused the hemorrhage, but we did everything we could to save her.” I feel my legs give out.
Estelle is screaming, “No!” over and over again beside me.
Tristan is sitting on the floor crying.
“The babies are healthy they are in the nursery. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, after Kennedy coded, we were able to bring her back. She is on life support. We wanted to give everyone a chance to say goodbye.”
“She isn't dead! She is going to wake up! She knows her children need her!”
“Mrs. Brennan, your daughter has almost no brain activity. The prognosis is she will never wake up!” says the doctor. He turns and walks out.
“She isn't dead! She isn't dead!” Mrs. Brennan assures everyone.
Estelle is rocking back and forth. She just keeps saying she isn't dead. Everyone is crying; we all follow the Brennan’s to see Kennedy.
Her mom whispers, “You have three babies that need you! Easton needs you, baby. You have to wake up! You have to see your children grow up!”
Mr. Brennan just stands there crying. I walk to the bed and look down at Kennedy and whisper, “I'm so sorry for the way I acted, baby. I held our son, and he is beautiful. Kennedy, I'm going to get our kids so you can feel them. I'm going to come right back.”
I lean down and kiss her forehead, give her hand a slight squeeze to reassure myself, then turn and leave the room. I walk to the nursery and my family is looking in on the babies. They all have black hair; their skin is so light it looks see through. I ask Tristan and Estelle to come with me. I grab my son and Estelle and Tristan each grab one of my daughters. We walk into the room and Mrs. Brennan collapses at seeing her grandchildren.
“Kennedy, you have to wake up! The babies are here to see you!”
We all stand by her bed against regulations; they let everyone in the room. Two doctors come in; nurses follow with a few chairs.
“Mr. Brennen, your daughter signed an organ donor release with her doctor. The team is en route, but will wait until you’re ready. We won't take her till she is gone.”
“Please cut off the machines, my daughter wouldn't want to live like this!”
The nurse begins removing the tubes.
I hear Moira singing ‘May It Be’ softly to Kennedy. She lays her head on the bed and puts Kennedy’s hand on her cheek. My mom comes and stands next to me, she goes and puts her hand on the Kennedy’s leg and begins praying, everyone joins in.
“Everything keeping Kennedy alive has been removed; now we just wait.” The nurse said soberly.
“I need to tell Kennedy something,” Max says. “But it's just between us.”
Everyone moves away from the bed. He gets close to Kennedy, whatever he is saying is getting some kind of response because Kennedy's eyes are moving. Her dad runs to the nurse’s station, alarms are going off, but Max keeps speaking. The doctors are trying to move him, but he hanging on the side rail. He is now screaming for Kennedy to come back, Liam is trying to pull him away but he is screaming Kennedy's name. The nurses are trying to get everyone out of the room so they can work on Kennedy, but no one is moving. The alarms on the machine are loud, everyone screaming, the doctors are yelling orders.
“I need everyone to clear the room!”
The doctors are flashing a light in Kennedy's eye, suddenly everything stops,
“She's flat lined,” the doctors turns and says. “I'm sorry.”
Kennedy sits up gasping for air. The machines start going crazy again. Kennedy’s eyes are open, the doctors are checking her over, asking her questions, but she doesn't say anything. Finally she speaks.
“Max, I need to see Max! I heard you, Max! I heard you calling me! I saw them, Max. They helped me get here! I was trapped in the dark, I was so lost. There were thing in the darkness trying to grab me. They were trying to make me stay! Your parents helped me get here, they are so proud of you, Max. Rose and Liam, Max's parents say thank you for loving him like your own. They said ‘thank you’ for keeping your promise you made on the bridge.
Liam has to sit down
, “I never told anyone what Greg and I talked about on the bridge, not even Rose.”
“He told me, well he showed me, you were having doubts about your relationship with Rose. You felt like you were all each other knew and wondered if it would be enough. He told you that Rose was your other half, just like Mikayla was his and that when you guys had children they would be raised next door to each other. They would be as close as brothers. That's what he kept saying, as close as brothers.” Rose and Liam are crying. “I was stuck on the wrong side of a lake, Estelle, I couldn't cross. This beautiful, giant swan appeared. When she touched the shore, she turned into a beautiful woman. She told me your biggest test was yet to come. You would need me more than ever before and for you not to worry, she was always with you. She told me to get on her back and she carried me across the lake. She turned back into a woman and said, “Il n'est rien”
Estelle finished the words, “de réel que le rêve et l'amour”.
Estelle repeated it, "Il n'est rien de réel que le rêve et l'amour. My mom used to whisper that to me every night before bed. I never told a soul, it was our special secret.”
“What does it mean?” Kennedy asked.
“Nothing is real but dreams and love.” Estelle responds with tears streaming done her face.
“I saw the girls; they showed me a life I didn't want and what my life could be like, what all our lives could like.” I placed our son in Kennedy's arms.
“Hi baby boy, aren't you handsome?”
Just then, my son opened his eyes for the first time. They were ice blue; it was the strangest and most beautiful color I've ever seen. She arranged pillows and grabbed all the babies, putting them on the bed with her. It was amazing to see her surrounded by my children. Everyone said goodbye, before leaving Max turned to Kennedy,
“I'm starting at the Hope on Monday and so are my brother and sister.”
“I know, Max your parents showed me what's to come for the three of you. I know it's me that gets you ready.”
“I owe you an apology, Kennedy.” Liam said.
“We are family, Liam, you’re these three’s uncle. Everything will work out I promise.”
“Kennedy, I want to get married now, like, in the next twenty minutes,” Easton says
“You have to tell them, Estelle. They will find out eventually.” Tristan looks toward Estelle.
“I made a mistake, well, not really a mistake. I don't know how to say this.” Estelle bursts out in new tears.
“What is it?” Estelle shakes her head, not wanting to say anything. “Tristan, do you know what this is about?”
“You guys are married! You have been since the wedding. You both signed the marriage license before the ceremony. Remember, in the office while you were getting ready, she stuck it in an envelope and put it with the outgoing mail. By the time we realized, it was too late. The courthouse had received and recorded it. When we tried to explain what happened, they told us it wasn't something that could be taken back.”
Estelle stepped forward with her iPad open to the county clerk's office and sure enough, there it was signed and dated by myself, Easton and Governor DeWitt. I jumped up and gave Estelle a hug, spinning her around. Once I put her down, I walked over to Kennedy, sliding her engagement ring and the matching wedding band on her finger.
“We aren't getting a divorce, so don't even ask. FATE corrected my dumbass mistake. We are meant to be together.”
Chapter 20
Married! We have been married this whole time. What are the chances that I would survive death again, wake up and find out I'm married to the man I love. My children are healthy, both of my families are mending, it will take a while. Everything will be like before, but my goal is to make sure everyone stays together and gets their happy endings. That's why I got this second chance. The nurses have come to get the babies to run some test. It's just me and Easton and I'm tired. Great! Feeding drains your energy!
“Kennedy, what did Max say to you? They were talking about organ donation and they said you were dead. We were in here just to say goodbye.”
“I heard his voice. He said I know you're lost. I got lost in the darkness too. That he was sending help. I was scared, so I sat down in the darkness. Then a couple appeared. They told me they would get me to the lake, so I got up. They told me how much they love Max. They told me they knew his future, and I was a large part of him realizing his destiny. They also warned me that darkness is coming for us and we needed to prepare, especially Estelle. You probably think I'm crazy!”
“No, baby. I don't think you're crazy, I think you died and you saw something, Kennedy. We are soul mates we belong together. I've made a lot of mistakes, but I know I love you and our kids. I knew the minute you put your ring into my hand that I had made the worst mistake of my life. I just didn't know how to undo the damage.”
“We are married, Easton, and we have three babies. We can't go back, we have to go forward.”
“Mr. Kerrigan, visiting hours are over in forty-five minutes. The babies are in the nursery so Ms. Brennan can rest. She’s had a really hard day, and she needs to take it easy. Ms. Brennan, a huge package came today, it's been at the nurse’s station. I'm sorry it wasn't brought to you, but the day shift was crazy and they must have just forgotten to bring it in. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No, I'm good. Do you know who the box is from?” I inquired.
“No, but because you're so high profile we had security open it just to make sure it wasn't anything that could harm you or anyone else. I'll go grab it.”
When she came back, she sat it on the tray. It was a long flat box and the envelope said ‘Darlin’ on the outside.
Darlin’,
I'm glad to see you living your life; I've been keeping tabs on you since your big press conference. I thought after that Kerrigan boy broke your heart I was gonna have to break his face, but seems he done right by you and that's all that matters in the end. You made me a promise that day in court. I thought you were some silly girl, but you showed your true colors. The last words you said was a Brennan always keeps their promise. I want you to know a Falcone always pays their debts. I owe you a life debt, sweet girl. If you ever find yourself in need, I'm a phone call away. When you get a chance, bring them babies to the clubhouse. Trixie's momma, Brenda, would sure love to meet you.
Seth Falcone - Renegade
President & Founder
The Chosen Ones M.C.
Brighton, Colorado
Inside the box were three little mini biker vests. They each had the Skull and Cobra and The Chosen Ones M.C. on the back and on the left were tiny patches; one said Star, with a pink star next to it; another said Diva, with a purple heart next to it; and the last said Hammer, and had two sledgehammers crossing. I'm guessing Trixie's mom picked these out. I couldn’t see Renegade asking for pink stars and purple hearts. I pulled out my vest and on the left side, I had two patches, the first said Duchess, and the second said Member.
"How do you know the President of one of the most dangerous motorcycle gangs in the entire western part of the United States?" Easton looked at the four leather vests.
I hand him the note. "His daughter, Trixie, was killed by Henry Lloyd Burns. She was eighteen years old, and her first time away from home. She wanted to go to college to be a doctor. She got a full scholarship to Edison University in New Jersey. He was in the courtroom that day. I already knew what I was going to do so I walked up to him and told him I would get justice for Trixie. He looked at me as if I was crazy. When everything went nuts inside the courtroom, he stood in the center like a statue. He never took his eyes off me, and I never took my eyes off him. I looked at him because I couldn't look at my parents and Tristan. That's how I know Seth Falcone, also known as Renegade, President of The Chosen Ones M.C."
"Baby, you just keep amazing me!" Easton kissed me passionately.
"Mr. Kerrigan visiting hours are over" the nurse said through the door.
“I'm not leav
ing my wife!” He replied shaking his head.
The nurse looks like she is about to call bullshit when Easton pulls up our marriage license online. The nurse looks confused.
Easton chuckles and says, “Fate stepped in and corrected my mistake.”
The nurse sighs and says, “How romantic. Let me get you some blankets and a pillow. I better not find you in the hospital bed or I'm kicking you out.”
The next morning everyone storms the hospital. I'm stuck here for a few more days, until they can figure out how I was dead then undead. The doctors joke that they want to make sure I don't turn zombie on anyone, but I'm glad they are being thorough. Shamus and Liam both keep their distance. I think they are unsure if they are really forgiven.
“I died!” I say to the room. “I died, and the girls showed me the future two ways. The first one was when I held on to the anger; the other was when I forgave. I forgive everyone. It's gonna take a little while to forget, but I do forgive. I'm not crazy, I'm not mentally unhinged, and I'm not a danger to anyone unless they hurt my family. What I did to Edwin Mayò was because he made a direct threat and put his hands on me, not because I'm some crazy maniac in a rage. I just needed to get that off my chest.” Everyone nodded.
“Now we have three babies that need love and support and godparents. I've asked Estelle and Tristan, they are the siblings I never had, and I need all of you to be grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I can't do this by myself, and I don't want to even try.”
Tristan came to see me once everyone was gone. Easton had gone home to take a shower and change.
“Hey, where have you been?”
“I was helping the guys put together the cribs. Kennedy, I have something that I want to discuss with you.”
“Tristan, what's up? You can tell me anything.”
“I think you should move into the house that Easton bought.”