by S. J. Bishop
"Six more hours?" she asked, getting hysterical. "How can I sit here for six more hours? I’m going out of my mind."
"Why don’t you take a walk?" her mother suggested.
"The last time I took a walk I was almost killed," Ava snapped at her. The police had been around to question us. They’d taken our statements there at the hospital rather than the police station as a courtesy since Lily was sick. Myron had been examined by doctors and released into the custody of the police. He was sitting in a jail cell right now.
I put a hand on Ava’s arm. "I’m sorry," Ava told her mom.
"It’s okay. We’re all a little tense right now," Her mom replied. Ava offered her a small smile. The longer the surgery took, the less hope Ava seemed to have.
"Come on," I said, rising from his chair. "I could use a walk myself."
Martha looked gratefully at me. I sensed she was happy that I was here with Ava now. "You two really should let the doctors look at you," Martha said. The nursing staff had already come by twice trying to get Ava and I into an exam room, but we had refused until we knew how Lily’s surgery went and since the injuries weren’t threatening, they had humored us.
"We’re fine, Mom," Ava said. We got up and walked out of the waiting room. I led Ava down a long hall with darkened hospital rooms off to each side. It was well after midnight and most patients were asleep right now. The hospital was far from quiet though. Doctors and nurses bustled around from one side of the hospital to the other.
"Thanks again for sticking around," Ava said to me.
"Where else would I go?"
We paused outside a hospital room that was completely black. The rest of the rooms lining the hall were dark, but they all had soft beeps and blurps coming from them. Bits of light showed themselves from the monitors the patients were attached to.
"Do you think this room is empty?" Ava asked.
I peered into the darkness. "Looks like it. Why? Do you want to get some sleep? I’ll talk to the nurses, I’m sure—"
"No," Ava said, slipping her hand around my waist and pressing her lips to mine. "I want something that will keep my mind off of Lilly, even if it’s only for a few minutes."
"What are you talking about?" I asked. Then Ava reached down with her hand and began massaging me. My member sprung to life. I looked around the hallway. Some nurses were busy at the other end of it; they seemed oblivious to Ava’s and my presence.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked.
"Absolutely," Ava whispered, looking up and down the hall once more before pulling me into the room. She shut the door behind me and wasted no time. She kissed me hard as we made our way into the room, bumping into the wall as we searched for the bed. The back of Ava’s legs smacked against it and she sat back on the mattress, wrapping her legs around me.
My heart pounded in my chest. I had been with a lot of women in a lot of places, but never in a hospital. Some part of me wondered if this was right, if we should really be doing this. Then Ava’s hand was in my pants, stroking me as I fumbled to get them down. They fell to my knees and I pushed myself against her so that she could feel the strength of my desire for her.
Ava leaned back and pushed her pants to her knees. I couldn’t see her, but I could feel her heat beside me. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I made out her outline. She sat back on the bed, scooching to the very edge of it. It was the perfect height to meet my body. My shaft leaned into her, teasing her opening with my thick, hard mass. Her hands shook as she held onto my shirt, craning her neck up to taste my lips once more.
"Ava," I whispered. Then I was inside her, pushing my mass deep into her warm pussy as her body arched. Her legs wrapped around me and her hands moved to my ass, squeezing me and urging me forward.
The thought of discovery made everything more erotic. I could barely contain myself as I moved in and out of her. Her soft, sweet body opened wider for me as I moved faster and faster against her. There was a sound at the door and for half a second I thought we might be found, but then the noise was gone and I continued my steady pulse against her.
She moaned quietly in my ear, her breath warming my neck. I tasted her lips once more and let my tongue slide over her sweet skin as she nibbled my neck. Ava’s knees suddenly locked into place behind me. Her pelvis began to shake. I immersed myself deeper and harder into her before releasing my energy. Our bodies merged together into one form, shaking together as we both let go of all the tension we’d been holding for the night.
A soft buzz lingered in the air even after it was over. Ava kissed me and I led her back towards the door, peeking into the hallway to make sure no one was watching. Ava squeezed my ass one last time before we emerged, kissing the back of my neck and giggling like a school girl. It was nice to hear her laugh again. It reminded me of the girl I’d fallen for all of those years ago under the tree by the Allegheny River.
50
Ava
I clung to Carter as we made our way back to the waiting room. Now that Lily was in surgery, everyone had congregated there once more. I kissed the back of Carter’s neck. He looked behind him and smiled. Suddenly, his face froze. His eyes grew dark and dull.
"Carter?" I asked, alarmed.
He shook his head, clearing it. "I’m okay," he said. "Just felt a little lightheaded for a moment."
I looked up at him, worried. "Really," he said, "I’m fine."
I smiled and let my worries go. Carter was strong. We’d been through a lot tonight and he probably needed some sleep. Or some food. My stomach grumbled. I’d never eaten the Snickers Bar my mother had brought me. I wondered if I still had it.
"There you two are," Hannah shouted when we emerged into the waiting room. Hannah had joined my parents there once it had been settled that Erik wasn’t going to die any time soon, and Olivia would stay with him in the hospital for the night.
"We just went for a walk," I said, blushing and hoping no one would notice.
Hannah eyed us suspiciously. "I’d have thought you’d be at home by now," Carter said to Hannah, settling into a chair. His face had grown paler in the last few minutes than I had seen it all night.
"I’m not going anywhere," Hannah said. "That’s my niece in there!"
I paused. In all this, I had never stopped to consider that Hannah was Lily’s aunt. I’d been so wrapped up with how to tell Carter that Lily was his daughter, it had never occurred to me that Hannah might have a vested interest in Lily’s well-being as well.
"Yeah, I guess you are her aunt," I said, smiling now.
"And as her aunt," Hannah said. "I’ve got a few questions for you. First of all, how long has this affair been going on?"
My cheeks burned bright red as my parents looked over with interest. "It hasn’t," I mumbled. Hannah laughed. "I mean..." I didn’t want to talk about all this in front of my parents, but I supposed that they were all adults.
I took a deep breath and squeezed Carter’s hand. He squeezed mine back, but I noticed that it didn’t feel as strong as usual. I was about to ask him again if he was alright when Hannah said, "We’re waiting..."
"Look," I said, "Carter and I were together once, three years ago. That’s how Lily came to be. And that’s been the only contact we’ve had. Until recently..." I smiled and bit my lip, sneaking a look at Carter, who smiled back. His eyes seemed to be getting dimmer by the second though.
"Carter, are you okay?" I asked. "You look awful."
"I’m fine," he replied, but now Hannah and my mom and dad were looking at him too. "I’m fine," he repeated to us. "Just had a little too much excitement for one day. Found out I was a father. I was almost killed. It’s a lot to take." He tried to laugh but it came out as more of a gasp.
"You know, I do feel a little funny. Maybe I’ll just go splash some water on my face," he told us, standing and heading to the bathroom.
"And food," my mom said. "Poor thing probably hasn’t eaten all day. I’ll go get him something. Ava what does he like?"
I paused, realizing that despite all we’d been through together, we still had a lot to learn about each other. "I’m not sure," I confessed.
Hannah stepped in. "A chicken sandwich would be great," she said.
"Chicken it is then," Mom said, rising and heading for the cafeteria.
Ten minutes later, Mom was back, and Carter was still in the bathroom.
"Maybe I’d better go check on him," Dad said, looking anxious.
"He’s probably fine," Hannah said, but her eyes were nervous. Dad stood and headed into the bathroom Carter had disappeared into. A second later his head popped out of the door.
"Get help!" Dad shouted.
I rose from my chair and darted to the bathroom. Carter lay on the floor, his face white. His eyes were closed and I wasn’t sure he was breathing.
"Oh my God," I cried. "Carter!" I knelt beside him while Hannah ran for help. A second later she was back with several nurses in tow. They lifted Carter onto a stretcher and wheeled him into emergency. I tried to go with him but they refused to let me back there.
"Just family," the nurse said.
"I’m family," Hannah replied. "We all are. I’m his sister and this is his fiancé."
I caught the nurse stealing a glance at my blank ring finger. "Fiancé huh?"
"That’s right," Hannah answered for her. "And I demand we be taken back there."
The nurse, who was probably on the last hour of her shift and too tired to argue, raised her hands and said, "Suit yourself."
We found Carter in the back surrounded by two nurses and a young doctor with light blonde hair and green eyes. "I’m his sister," Hannah said, before the doctor could say anything.
He smiled. "I know who you are Ms. Stone. I’m Dr. Greenwold. I’m afraid your brother has lost a lot of blood."
"He has?" I asked, guilt overwhelming me. "It didn’t look like that much to me." I bit my lip. Why hadn’t I made him see a doctor hours ago when Mom suggested it? "He seemed okay. He said it didn’t even hurt."
"The blade appears to have hit a nerve. That would explain why he didn’t feel any pain."
"A nerve?" I asked. "Is that serious? Like an artery?"
Dr. Greenwold laughed. "Not quite as serious as an artery. He won’t bleed out from it, but it could affect his ability to use his arm."
Hannah gasped. "You mean... like throwing a football?" Dr. Greenwold looked at her and nodded.
"We’re taking him into surgery now. I won’t know how serious the damage is until we’re in there."
"Do whatever it takes, Doc," Hannah said. "I don’t know what he’ll do if he can’t play football anymore."
"I’ll do my best," Dr. Greenwold said, pushing Carter towards the OR. "But I can’t make any promises."
51
Ava
Dr. Greenwold came out first. Even though Carter had gone in for surgery well after Lily’s had begun, he was still out before her.
Hannah and I stood up when he came out, clinging to each other. I had a fresh bandage wrapped around my leg. While we were waiting, Hannah and my parents had insisted I get myself looked at.
Dawn was breaking outside the hospital. Hannah had called her parents shortly after Carter had gone in for surgery. They had been greeted by Hannah, who told them of the awkward situation—not only was their son in surgery, but so too was the granddaughter they had never known they had. They had sat off to the side of the waiting room in silence, processing this new information.
"How is he?" I asked.
Dr. Greenwold smiled. "Well, he’ll be alright as far as his health goes. There was only slight internal bleeding and we were able to stop it without any problems."
"Thank God," Hannah and Carter’s mother said, rising from her chair. My mom put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. Hannah’s mom smiled back.
"Regarding the nerve in his shoulder. I’m afraid it was completely severed. There’s little we can do to repair it."
"What does that mean?" their father asked. "Will he still be able to play football?"
The doctor shook his head. "I’m afraid it’s just too soon to say. Sometimes, these things heal on their own, but usually in a case like this... Carter’s right arm function may be rather limited. We’ll know more in the next few weeks."
"Can we see him?" Hannah asked.
"Wait just a little while," Dr. Greenwold said, smiling at her. "Let him rest a bit before you go in."
I sat back in my chair, my head resting on my knees. Lily’s doctor came out after the sun was fully up. The surgery had taken eight hours. I was barely able to stand when Dr. Martin approached. Exhausted and terrified of the news, I waited for him to speak.
"It went well," Dr. Martin told me and I let out the breath I hadn’t noticed I was holding in. I stood frozen trying to process all this might mean. Was it possible that Lily wouldn’t have to be rushed in and out of the hospital anymore? Could she have a normal childhood?
Mom and Dad hugged Carter’s surprised parents, who after a moment’s hesitation, hugged them back. Hannah gripped me in a tight hug, just like the sisters we’d grown up as.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Dr. Martin said, his smile faltering. "I don’t want to give false hope." One by one, the smiles fell off of our faces. "What I mean is, we’re not exactly out of the woods yet. We’re gonna need to wait and see how Lily’s body handles things. She’s been through a lot. She’s strong, but she’s still only three."
"What are you saying?" I asked, desperate for some good news. "Is Lily going to make it or not?" My voice rose and my parents came beside me, taking me in their arms.
"The next forty-eight hours are critical," Dr. Martin said. "If we’re going to have any problems, we’re going to have them during that time."
"Can I see her?" I asked.
"Of course. But just you for now. Lily’s not awake yet, but she can sense your presence." He hesitated, "We’ve moved her out of recovery and put her in the same room as her father."
I blushed and looked around her to see if either of our parents would say anything, but no one did.
I headed towards Carter and Lily’s room when I heard my mother calling after me. "Ava." I turned and saw my mother standing at the end of the hall, tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around me and hugged me tight.
"I just want you to know that I’m sorry for anything I’ve ever said or done to make you feel like you weren’t a good mom. You’re the best mother I’ve ever known, including myself." She laughed and looked at me and my eyes spilled over now too.
"Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Carter from the beginning."
"It doesn’t matter. Not now. All that matters is that Carter and Lily get well again. I love you honey."
"I love you too Mom."
My mom gave me one last hug then hurried back to the waiting room. Inside the hospital room where Lily and Carter lay. I held my breath. Carter looked worse than Lily with the bruises and cuts that saturated his face, but Lily’s porcelain skin against the myriad of tubes and needles poking out of her made her appearance that much more unnerving.
I went to Lily first, kissing her head. Then moved to Carter, kissing his. The beeping of Lily’s heart monitor was rhythmic at first, almost peaceful. But as I stood there, it seemed to get more and more erratic. I searched the room for a nurse, wondering if that was normal.
Suddenly the beeping went ballistic. Three nurses burst into the room followed by Dr. Martin.
"What’s happening?" I asked, but they were too busy to answer me. "Dr. Martin, what’s happening?"
"We have a problem," Dr. Martin said. "She’ll be okay, trust me, but you need to leave now."
"What? Why? I’m not leaving." But one of the nurses took my arm and pushed me from the room, closing the door in my face. I stood there a second, listening to the sounds of my daughter crashing, before returning to the waiting room.
Epilogue
AVA - One year later
The music began to play. I scooched Lily
ahead of me. "Go on honey, you first."
"Kay Mommy. Now?" Lily asked, turning to look at me with wide, wondering eyes.
"Yes Lily, now."
Lily stepped onto the long white carpet that lined the path to the wedding altar. Her flower basket swung from side to side as she threw pink petals down. My parents took pictures. Carter’s parents had hired a whole video crew. They’d been so upset that they didn’t get to have a wedding here last time, that for Carter’s wedding they’d gone all out.
Hannah pouted beside me. "My parents didn’t have swans walking around in the yard for my wedding," she said.
I smiled and laughed. "Where’s your date?" I whispered.
"Dr. Greenwold? Mmm... there he is. On the aisle." Hannah waved at him and he waved back, his face glowing.
"I think he might be a little enamored with me," Hannah said.
"By that goofy grin on his face," I replied, "I’d say he’s head over heels."
Hannah beamed. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely. Your turn."
"What?" She asked. "Oh, crap." Hannah stepped onto the carpet, taking the arm of Carter’s old coach from the 49ers who escorted her down the aisle.
The music changed and I steadied myself. I stepped onto the carpet, my wedding gown dragging behind me. I’d thought about getting something shorter, but my mom had almost had a heart attack at the suggestion.
"A wedding gown needs a train," my mom had said. Carter’s mom had agreed, and I had decided to play along. Now that the day was here, I was happy they’d made me choose this dress. I’d always dreamt of wearing a ball gown like this. It made me feel like Cinderella.
Carter stood at the end of the aisle, a huge smile on his face. His best man, Axel, stood next to him, eying the bridesmaids. Both men looked good in a tux. Despite the problems Carter still had with his arm, and would probably always have, he managed to keep up his workout routine and stay in shape. Lily stood in front of him. I still couldn’t believe we’d celebrated her fourth birthday. After some initial problems with her heart surgery, which Dr. Martin had smoothed out, things couldn’t have gone better for her. The trips to the hospital had gotten fewer and fewer until I’d finally had to make a special trip there to deliver Dr. Martin’s wedding invitation.