“I don't remember too much. We were talking and all of a sudden headlights seemed to come out of nowhere and slammed into the car on her side. I was so scared when I woke up.” I feel so confused. I hate not knowing, not being able to see her, touch her. “Have you been able to go in and see her yet? The Doctor told me she was still unconscious.” I ask hoping they've at least been able to see her. I really don't like the fact that she's all alone.
Rachel nods and sniffs as she answers. “I was able to sit with her for a while before her mother got here. It was so awful Braydon. Apparently she has me as an emergency contact in her phone. So when they called me I asked them if they could fly you to Boston. Once they realized who you were they agreed. I called her mom right away and booked her a flight. She hasn't left her side since she got here first thing Saturday morning.”
“Thank you so much for that. I'm sure she'll be happy to see her when she wakes up. And for bringing us home. I'm not even sure where we were when it happened.” I tell her, trying to remember but keep drawing a blank.
“The number on my phone was from New Hampshire. Honestly I was so shaken, I can't even remember what the officer said.” She breathes a sigh of relief as John quietly listens, holding her hand and rubbing her back in a comforting gesture.
We all look up, startled by the knock on the door. As the Doctor enters the room, I'm holding my breath.
“How are you feeling Braydon? I've been informed that Ilyanna's awake and hysterically calling for you. I've ordered a wheelchair to take you to her room. It should be here shortly. Do you need anything while you wait?” He looks as relieved as I am from the news and looking at John and Rachel, it's clear that they feel the same.
“I'm feeling a lot better now thank you. I am a little thirsty and wouldn't mind something to drink. Other than water that is.” I smile weakly, not sure what I'm allowed to have and hoping he'll make an exception.
“I'll see what I can find for you. Only one visitor at a time for now. And I must say good luck prying her mother away from her.” He laughs. “That poor woman has not left her daughter's side. We had to bring in a cot for her. She insisted on sleeping with her but I had to refuse, with the healing bones and all.” He finishes shaking his head.
I hear my cell phone ringing from next to the bed. When I pick it up I see it's my mother. Answering quickly I'm greeted with heavy sobbing. “Braydon? Is this you?”
“Mom, I'm alright. Ilyanna's hurt pretty bad. She had to have surgery.”
“Oh no dear. I hope she's going to be alright. What happened?” I tell her as much as I remember as fast as I can, knowing someone will be back soon so I can go and see Ilyanna. “I'm so sorry we're not there. I just didn't think your father would be up for the trip.” She apologizes, still sniffling a bit but definitely calmed down from when I first answered the phone.
“No worries Mom, I'll call you back as soon as I see how she's doing. I love you.”
“I love you too Braydon.”
About fifteen minutes after getting off the phone the wheelchair arrives.
“Seriously! What the fuck took so long?” I look to John and Rachel, who both let out sighs of relief. I've been bitching impatiently since getting off the phone with my mom.
*****
The sight that greets me when I enter her room makes me feel like I've been punched in the gut a hundred times. The entire right side of her face is swollen and covered in bruises. I can feel the tears start to build in my eyes as she looks at me with a trembling smile on her beautiful lips.
“Hi baby, how are you feeling?” I ask as I approach her side, her arms stretched wide.
“I'm sore, but honestly I'm so happy we're alright. I was so scared when I woke up and didn't know where you were or if you were hurt.” She has matching tears in her eyes, no doubt for the same reason as mine.
Joy, pure and simple for both of us being in one piece after the accident. I don't mention the baby, I'll leave that to her.
“Happy Birthday. I guess that's ruined huh?” So selfless, worrying about my birthday when it's the furthest thing from my mind.
“Thank you and not a chance, we can celebrate when we're both feeling better. John and Rachel want to come in and say hi. I'll just be out in hall talking with your mom.”
“I don't want you to leave. They can come in now, but your not leaving this room.” She says with a small pout on her lips.
“They won't let any more than one person in at a time. You'll be fine baby, I'll be right outside the door.” I lean over from my wheelchair and give her a soft tender kiss and her dam bursts. I pull back and stare into her eyes that are now streaming with tears that are running freely down her cheeks. “What is it?”
She grabs both sides of my face in her hands and pulls me into her for another kiss. “We're having a baby. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I wanted to surprise you for Christmas. I'm so, so sorry. If something would have happened to her and you didn't know, I never would have been able to forgive myself.”
“Shhhh, it's alright, I forgive you. A girl huh? What makes you think that? Our son will be pretty upset to learn that his mother called him a girl throughout the whole pregnancy. I'll tell him.” I say in jest, trying to cheer her up. It worked like a charm, putting a smile back onto my girl's face.
Smacking my arm she starts to giggle and it's the best damn sound I've ever heard. “I don't know just a feeling, I'll be happy either way, boy or girl. And you be nice, you have to deal with me every day now. I'm officially moving in.”
My face breaks out into a huge grin. This day just keeps getting better and better. “As soon as we're better we're going house shopping. Or we can build, it's completely up to you. I love you so much. I'm going to go now so you can see our friends for a few.”
“I love you too handsome, hurry back to me.”
*****
“I want a room with two beds for the rest of our stay.” I demand of the doctor when he approaches me in the hallway outside of Ilyanna's room.
“I don't think that will be a problem. Let me make the arrangements. It might take a couple of hours, but I'll make it happen.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a stern look. “No funny business alright, your both still in rough shape.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I don't think that'll be a problem doc.”
“Be back in a bit.” He turns and walks down the hall to the nurse's station, hopefully putting the wheels in motion for our move.
I've been away from her long enough, two more days is not gonna happen. Even if I have to sleep on the chair in her room.
I'm stunned when I turn around and see a slightly shorter and older version of Ilyanna heading towards her room. I meet her at the door and hold out my hand. “You must be Mary? Braydon, it's a pleasure to meet you.”
She launches herself at me holding on for dear life and starts to sob. “I'm so happy to finally get to meet you too, just wish it wasn't under such circumstances.” She releases me, wiping her face and shaking her head she apologizes. “I'm sorry, I'm such a mess.”
“No problem at all ma'am, it's understandable. You want to know a secret?” She slowly nods with a small smile on her lips. “I'm a mess too.” She lets out a small laugh and finishes wiping the tears off of her face with her sweater.
She hugs me again and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you Braydon.”
*****
“Can I ask you a favor?” I ask Rachel. We're sitting in the cafeteria grabbing some dinner.
“Sure, whatever you need. You know that.”
“Will you pack Ilyanna a bag for about a week? We won't be going back to work for a little bit. I had planned on taking her away for awhile and I was able to just postpone it until Wednesday. The doctor said we'll be here until Tuesday. I can pack a quick bag when we get back to my place before we go.”
“No problem. We'll head home after we're finished here and come back in the morning.” She looks at John and he just nods while chewing
his food.
“Where are you taking her?” He asks once he's swallowed his mouthful.
“Lee Brice is playing Friday night in New York. We were supposed to be heading there today but obviously those plans changed. She doesn't know about it so don't say anything okay. All I've heard is how much she loves his music so I know she'll have a great time.”
“I'm so jealous,” Rachel says with a scowl on her face.
John and I share a secret look. They're coming too, just not heading out till Friday. Someone has to keep an eye on B.C.O Financials while I'm away and there's no better man for the job.
“I'm gonna get back to my girl and check with the doctor about our new room. I'll see you guys in the morning. Thanks again for everything.”
“Is the wheelchair really necessary?” I ask the doctor when I get back to my room.
He looks at me for a few seconds and sighs. “I don't see a problem with you not using it, just take it easy. You had a concussion and I don't want you over doing it.” He looks at his chart and continues. “I don't think you need the i.v anymore, honestly you could probably go home.” I open my mouth to say something, but he holds his hands up. “I know what your going to say and that's why I'm not releasing you. Let's face it, I know you won't leave Ilyanna. I would want to stay with my wife if I were in your shoes.”
Tapping his pencil on his clipboard, he takes my hand to help my out of the chair. “I don't see any reason why I can't just put her in a private room and let you stay. With a separate bed of course, you can stay admitted for a couple more days and we can keep an eye on you.”
roommate
“Braydon knows about the baby,” I tell my mom when she comes back into my room. I really wish he wouldn't have found out this way but there was no way I could keep it from him any more. He needed to know.
“I'm glad, keeping a secret like that has to be stressful. Not to mention he had a right to know. I know you wanted to surprise him but God on the other hand had other plans.” Leave it to my mom to mention God's plan.
“I talked to Rachel and you can sleep in my old room while you're in town. Looks like we'll be here until Tuesday for them to keep an eye on us.”
“Oh honey that's nice of them but I would hate to impose. I'm sure I could find a hotel to stay at for a couple of days.” She's wringing her hands the way she does when she's nervous. Boston sure is intimidating especially for us country folk.
“Please mom, it's no trouble to them at all. They'll be at work during the day and they can drop you off here on the way. She insists on you not wasting money on a room since you have a grandbaby on the way to spoil.” I've managed to put a smile back on her face thank goodness. I don't want her upset.
“So? What did she have to say about the baby? She must be really excited.” Now that we're on the subject of the baby she's much calmer, which is definitely a good thing.
The look on Rachel's face when I told her was priceless. “What the fuck? Seriously? I'm gonna be an Auntie? This is awesome! Your gonna have one spoiled little baby on your hands. I'm gonna be it's godmother right? Please? Please? Please?” I can't help but smile as I replay her words in my mind.
My mother bursts out laughing when I tell her a slightly edited version. “That sounds like Rachel. I am so happy for you Ilyanna. Looks like life is turning around for you. You have a handsome loving man, a baby on the way and the most supportive best friend you could ask for. Not to mention an ecstatic mother that can't wait to move up here and help with the baby.”
“Really? Your ready to just up and move here? That's awesome momma! I can't wait to help, once I'm out of this damn hospital that is.”
There's a knock on the door and the doctor enters with a wheel chair. I give my mother a puzzled look and then direct it at the doctor with a raised eyebrow.
“What's the chair for?” I ask confused.
I look to my mother again and she just shakes her head and mouths, “I have no idea.”
“Mr. O'Donnell has requested a private double room for you to share. I've come to tell you it's ready. If your mother will help get your things together, I'll be back in a few minutes to bring you over there.” He tells me before going back out into the hallway.
“Wow, Ilyanna. That's something. I don't think he wants to be away from you. He told me himself he's a mess. And it's understandable.”
“I didn't even know it was possible to make requests like that. We better get my stuff ready.” She jumps up to task and starts moving around the room. “I told Braydon I'll marry him,” I blurt out as she's packing my meager bag.
“What do you mean you told him? Did he propose? That's wonderful baby.” She gives me a gentle hug, not wanting to hurt me.
“Not exactly momma, he would always make remarks about a wedding and a family and I would shut him down, not ready to talk about it.” I sit on the edge of the bed and take her hand in mine. “I'm ready, I really am and I needed him to know it. He's nothing like Jackson, thank God. He's so good to me and the way he looks me... I know he doesn't look anywhere else and it's the same for me. I basically gave him the green light for proposal.”
“I am so proud of you, he is a very nice man. I know I just met him but I get that vibe from him. The look in his eyes when he's talking about you. My baby's growing up.” She sniffles and wipes at the tears starting to leak down her cheeks.
“Okay, okay enough mushy stuff. Hurry up with that bag so we can get out of this tiny room. I'm starting to get claustrophobic.” I try to lighten the mood a little bit with sarcasm. This room is not small by any means.
*****
Wow, now this is a nice room. As I take in my surroundings Braydon walks in. “How are you feeling beautiful?” He asks looking good enough to eat in faded blue jeans and fitted white shirt.
He bends down to kiss my left cheek. “Not too bad, but I've felt better. This room is a nice surprise,” I tell him with a smile.
“I couldn't stand to be away from you another night. The doctor gave me the okay to go home, but he knew I wouldn't want to leave you so he agreed to this.” He sweeps his hand out gesturing around us.
“Mom? Do you want us to call a cab so you can go to the house and get settled?” I ask her as she sets my bag down on the floor next to one of the beds.
“John and Rachel are coming back in the morning. They could bring you back with them,” Braydon adds and she looks sad at the idea of leaving me.
“I'll be fine momma, go get some rest. I love you.”
“I love you too baby girl.” She smiles at me and turns to Braydon, who starts to make arrangements for a car to come pick her up.
Laying down on the bed facing two of the most important people in my life I start to drift off into a deep sleep.
I wake up feeling his heavy hand in mine. Our beds are pushed together and there's soft light filtering in through the wide blinds on the windows. I just lay here looking at Braydon for what seems like forever before I'm looking into the most handsome eyes I've ever seen.
“Good morning beautiful. How long have you been awake?” He asks me, releasing my hand so he can stretch and sit up.
“Not too long. I like watching you sleep,” I tell him as he walks into the bathroom. He peeks his head out, treating me to one of his mega watt smiles I love so much.
“I like that you like watching me sleep. Feeling's mutual you know? I could look at you all night.” He closes the door to the bathroom and I look around the room at all the flowers that must have arrived while I was asleep.
They're everywhere, covering every available surface in the room. “Where did all these come from?” I ask while gesturing to all of the bouquets as he comes out of the bathroom.
“Most of them are from the office. The blue and white rose bouquet is from Brett and Sarah, the red are from George, the purple from Frank. Rachel and John brought the rainbow arrangement and your mom brought the pink ones before she left last night and the rest are from me.” He pulls the beds apart and co
mes to sit in front of me on the mattress.
I don't say anything about Brett and Sarah sending flowers together, that's a question for another time. Braydon seems to have something on his mind and I don't want to distract him from it.
“I don't have to tell you that the past few days have been the scariest of my life, but at the same time the happiest of my life. You agreed that you're ready for marriage and I've found out we're having a baby. I am one happy son of a bitch right now. The only thing dampening my happiness is the fact that we're in this hospital.” The look in his eyes conveys his feelings. I feel the same way. “When we leave here tomorrow we're heading to New York. I have a surprise for you on Friday. We'll just take it easy until then. If you want to check out what the theaters have going on we can do that too. Whatever you want to do I'm all for it.”
I've never been to New York and it sounds like fun but this damn cast on my leg is going to hinder a lot of things I might want to do while we're there. I frown at him before telling him my concerns.
“Baby you could be in a body cast and I'd carry you anywhere you wanted to go. Trust me it won't be a problem. Wherever you want to go I'll make it happen. All you have to do is say the word and we'll be there.” He has a way of making all my troubles go away. When he says something I trust that he means it, and that makes me love him even more.
*****
I'm looking out of our thirtieth floor hotel suite and the view is beautiful. We've been in New York for two days so far and have only left the hotel once for dinner at a five star restaurant that Braydon had to make reservations for before we even left the hospital. I'm completely content to stay in the room with him and watch tv all day. I know he doesn't like being confined in the room but he hasn't complained yet. My leg's been bothering me, not having my pain meds on drip anymore. My cast is starting to itch something fierce but I don't dare start to and ruin this time for us, I just suck it up and suffer in silence.
The doctor at the hospital had me call my doctor to make an appointment to get x rays in a couple of weeks to see how my bones are healing so they can tell how long I'll have to keep this damn thing on. I also had to set up a consultation with an obgyn for a follow up to check on the progress of my pregnancy.
Fighting Temptation (Bay State Series Book 1) Page 14