The Darkest Of Light

by Sandy Alvarez

  The police announce their presence upon entering my home. "Polson PD," They walk in and round the corner with guns drawn. Instantly, I recognize the two officers—Lawrence and Perkins. The club has dealt with them on many occasions. Lucky for us we have a good rapport with these two.

  They spot Prez standing off to their left by the window, "Shit, Jake?" then he spots Green laying on the floor. "This guy dead?" he asks as he’s holstering his weapon after making sure the room is clear of threats before the paramedics come in. I have no time to answer him. He walks over, kneels down and presses his two fingers to the guy’s neck. Alba goes into another contraction, this one taking her by surprise and by the moan escaping her lips is much worse than the other one before.

  A couple paramedics along with two EMTs appear with all their gear in tow. Things happen extremely fast after that. My sister is prepped and loaded onto a stretcher as Doc stays right by her side while they wheel her out.

  Alba is loaded onto a stretcher soon after. I leave the cops with Prez to do his best to wrap shit up here. If they have questions for me or the rest of my family, they’ll have to wait. Following alongside my woman, I wait for them to load her into the back of the ambulance for a second time within the span of a week before climbing in behind them.

  The ambulance carrying my sister has already left. When the EMT driver goes to close the back-door, officer Perkins stops him and pokes his head just inside the door, "Listen, I’ll be needing statements sometime soon. And I thought you’d like to know I heard over the radio a while ago that one of your members was brought into the ER just before we arrived on scene," he tells me. My nod gives him my thanks before stepping back allowing the driver to finally shut the door.

  My mind is racing with a thousand thoughts right now. Kicking my own ass because I wasn’t here to prevent everything that has taken place. My sister and my brother are fighting for their lives right now and it’s crushing me.

  Turning to look at Alba I focus all my energy on her. As I try to help Alba through another contraction, the Paramedic asks, "Is this your first pregnancy?"

  "Am I that obvious?" Alba says as she catches her breath.

  "You’re doing good. The first one is always the hardest. I felt like I didn’t have a clue what I was doing either with my first child," her glance lands on me then back to Alba, "But I didn’t have someone to help me through it. You look like you have an abundance of support." She finishes.

  Alba looks my way and squeezes my hand a little tighter, "I’m definitely lucky, even if I’m totally terrified."

  "Given the circumstances, I can understand," she says putting her hand on Alba’s arm and giving her an understanding smile, "We’ll be pulling up to the hospital in five minutes."

  Logan is the first one I spot as we enter through the ER doors standing over by the triage room talking with Dr. Evans, whom I notice is in regular clothes instead of scrubs and her doctor coat.

  Alba turns to the nurse who took over as soon as the Paramedic wheeled us in and asks him to stop for a second and looks up at me, "Go find out about Reid and Leyna, please. I’m fine. I’ll be in the room waiting. I promise to have someone come bring you up just as soon as they get me settled."

  She’s just as worried about the two of them, if not more than I am. I give her a brief kiss on the forehead, "I’ll be there soon, mi amor my love."

  "Gabriel, how’s Alba doin’?" Logan asks as I make my way towards him and Dr. Evans.

  "In labor. Heard any word about Reid or my sister?"

  "I was just talkin’ with Emerson. Why don’t I let her fill you in?"

  Craning her neck to look up at me, she gives me a weary smile, "As I was telling Logan, I talked with my colleagues tending to both your sister and Reid. Leyna suffered a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. It was a clean shot, but since she has signs of internal bleeding they have to take her to the OR to open her up and find the source. She lost a good bit of blood as well." I clench my fists and swallow through the knot forming in my throat as she finishes.

  "She’s stable and the doctor is confident she will make it through. As for Reid, he’s busted up pretty bad, guys. The impact from being hit by a vehicle caused a good bit of damage to his body. He has four broken ribs, one of which punctured his right lung—causing it to collapse. Broke his right arm in two places, and may or may not have fractured his lower spine. Everything is so swollen and inflamed right now, they’ll need to wait and reassess him later. If nothing more, there may be nerve damage because he can’t feel much of his lower half. That’s all I can tell you at this point. I’m really sorry. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready for work. I promise to let you know more as soon as I can."

  We watch her walk off and disappear through the double doors. They’re both going to make it, but at a price. I’m feeling defeated. I’m supposed to protect my family and I failed. My emotions and heavy burden must show. Logan puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes, "None of this is your fault, brother."

  Quinn, Bella, Austin, Blake and Jake come walking through the automatic doors and the first thing out of Bella is, "Where’s my sister, Gabriel? God, please tell me she’s okay," fresh tears fall down her face and Logan pulls her close. The rest of the men I know will start showing up soon. The ones in front of me are waiting for answers.

  I look down at Bella, "She was taken to labor and delivery. Nothing physically wrong with her other than she’s in labor." I’m about to tell Logan to fill the guys in on Reid and Leyna when screeching tires cause all our heads to turn towards the emergency room doors, and Agent Taylor comes bursting through the doors into the waiting room, "Where the hell is Leyna?" he roars.

  I don’t know who the fuck he thinks he is. Badge or no badge, this prick has no business coming up in here asking for my sister. I step in front of him stopping him mid stride. My brothers form a barrier behind me anticipating trouble. Logan pushes Bella off to the side behind him.

  "What the fuck you doin’ here asking about my sister, Taylor? This is a family emergency and you are not family. Get the fuck out of here," I growl as I square off with him. I don’t need this shit right now. That thread is about to snap and it’s all going to be projected right onto the asshole standing in front of me.

  "I was on the phone with your sister, motherfucker, while that crazy son of a bitch was terrorizing them. I heard the whole goddamn thing play out. Where the fuck were you? Now, either get out of my way or give me answers before we have a problem on our hands," he stands his ground, clenching his fists at his side.

  I think everyone heard that one nerve I had left snap. Before I could lunge, I’m grabbed by three of my brothers. Two security guards rush up, inserting themselves between me and Agent Taylor.

  "Gabriel," Dr. Evans’ voice carries over the commotion and whatever fight I had is pushed to the side when she says the next few words, "Gabriel, Alba’s in a room. Come on, I’ll take you there myself. The rest of you men sit down. I’ll be back to give you an update on Reid and Leyna."

  I follow her to the elevators, "Your sister is out of surgery. She is going to be fine. A few days in the hospital and she should be able to go home. The doctors are finishing up on Reid," the elevator stops on the third floor and we make our way down a few halls before coming up on another set of double doors. She pushes the button on the wall and we walk through and pass the nurses station to my right, "I’ll let the others know what I’ve found out. Alba is waiting for you," she says, stopping at room number 312.

  "Thank you, Dr. Evans." Walking in I find Alba in the bed and hooked to several monitors—one of them filling the room with our son’s heartbeat. This is happening. She’s about to bring a life into this crazy, fucked up world and make my life more beautiful than the day she walked into it. Calmness washes over me, taking place of all the worry and anger I was feeling before walking into this room.

  My woman gives me that—comfort, peace, a sanctuary from my inner struggles. She smiles at me, trying to hide her o
wn fears and worries. I set her mind at ease when I walk to her bedside and take hold of her small hand in mine, "Leyna is going to okay, babe, and I have a feeling Reid will be too," My emotions start to try and get the best of me, so I clear my throat, "Has the doctor been in yet? Are we close?"

  Alba takes a deep cleansing breath, "Yeah, she was in here earlier, I’m at five centimeters. The anesthesiologist will be in soon to give me an epidural," she says, as we hear a knock on the door.

  "Miss Jameson? I’m here to start the epidural," the older man says as he enters the room along with Mila.

  "Mila," Alba says brightly, "I’m so glad you’re here. I was hoping I would see you."

  "I was surprised to see you on my hall this evening. You aren’t due for another three weeks," She mentions.

  "It’s been a long day and it’s a long story, Mila. Listen could you check and see if my sister has made it—”

  I interrupt her, "She’s here, Cariño Sweetheart. Downstairs in the ER with the rest of the guys."

  "She’s probably a mess with worry," Alba’s shoulders slump.

  "Let’s get this epidural done before another contraction hits and I’ll see if I can find her for you okay," Mila offers.

  They get everything prepped and have Alba sit on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging off the side and tell her to arch her back out as much as she can. Mila takes a solution and rubs it over a large area of Alba’s lower back. I watch as the anesthesiologist places a big ass needle into the spine of my woman then carefully removes the needle leaving a tiny catheter in its place. After placing tape over it to keep it from moving, they clean her up and Mila helps her lay back in the bed.

  "You should start feeling numb soon. I’ll be back in with the doctor later," he informs us before leaving. Mila hugs Alba then leaves herself. We sit here in the quiet sounds of the room listening to the baby’s heartbeat and as the medicine takes effect I noticed how relaxed Alba gets. She’s tired and worn out from everything.

  "Take a nap, mi amor. I’ll stay right here by your side," I whisper in her ear as I brush her hair from her face.

  "Okay," she responded in a sleepy voice, closing her eyes.

  She sleeps for almost an hour. The quiet doing me some good as well. Mila poked her head in a couple times to make sure we were both okay and to let me know that most the guys along with Bella were down the hall in the waiting room. I asked her to give them an update for me because I wasn’t leaving Alba’s side.

  Dr. Evans also came by to inform me Leyna was awake and Bella was in with her, which puts me at ease knowing she isn’t alone. She also said that Reid is heavily sedated and will probably remain that way for several hours. She was going to give the guys an update. My brother has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but he’s strong and we’ll all be there to help him along the way.

  Alba starts to rouse with a small moan. She shifts her body in discomfort and I help her to sit up. "Umm, Gabriel, something feels different. I feel a whole lot of pressure down there. I think you need to get the doctor," she says through another long moan.

  Pushing the button on the side of her bed I page the nurses station, "We need the doctor."

  A couple minutes later the doctor shows up. "So, what are you feeling, Alba?" she asks as she slips on some gloves and starts to examine her.

  "Pressure, a lot of pressure," Alba tells her.

  "While you were sleeping this baby decided he was ready to make his appearance. You’re crowning. Get ready to push. It’s time to have this baby," her doctor says cheerfully.

  Holy shit!

  I have no time to prepare or to even tell my brothers. The doctor positions her legs into the stirrups and Mila along with another nurse comes walking in with their gear in tow. Looks like we’re having a baby. So many things are happening at once as they prep. I start feeling a bit lost until I feel Alba’s hand grabbing for mine. Her face seems to mirror my own. Fear, excitement, worry, determination, pride—but mostly love.

  "Let’s do this," my brave woman says.

  It’s all over almost as soon as it began. After about five hard pushes, my son is born and I’m cutting the cord. He has a head full of thick, black hair and he is a big boy. I feel my chest swell with pride. They quickly clean out his mouth and nose, wipe him off then place him on Alba’s chest, skin to skin.

  I stand there and look upon the most beautiful sight I have ever experienced in my life. My son and his mother—soon to be my wife. My old lady.

  No words can describe what I’m feeling. I’m so sucked into the moment I think I forget to breathe. All the fear I had in becoming a father vanishes.

  If it’s possible, she becomes even more beautiful as she cradles our son in her arms. Alba lifts her blue eyes to meet mine, wearing a smile that outshines the fuckin’ sun, "Come meet your son."

  Getting right up beside her, I dip my head and place a soft, gentle kiss to my son’s forehead before placing my lips on Alba’s.

  "You done good, mi amor my love," I whisper to her. The three of us share a few moments together before the nurse walks up to retrieve my son. Wearing a smile, she extends her arms, "I’ll bring him right back. We need to check his weight, length and few other things before we get his footprints along with his ID bracelet," she finishes saying as she gently scoops him from his mother’s arms.

  I watch intently as the nurses quickly and thoroughly do their job before turning my attention back to my woman, "I’m going to step over to the window and call Jake and let him know a new member of the family has arrived," I kiss her one more time.

  Smiling, she gives me an approving nod.

  Turning my back for a moment I stare out the window, collecting myself as I dig my phone from my pocket. I pull up Jake’s number and hit send. He answers before the first ring even finishes, "What’s the word, son?"

  Swallowing my emotions, I speak, "We have a healthy baby boy, Prez, and Alba is good too," I beam.

  "He’s here! Both Momma and baby are doing fine," he calls out and a room full of cheers erupts through the speaker of my phone. "Let us know when you guys are ready for visitors. Congratulations," he tells me, his voice full of pride.

  "You got it," I answer before shoving the phone back in my pocket. Turning, I walk back towards Alba. I’m not one to show much emotion but as the nurse starts to walk back with our bundle wrapped tight and warm in her arms, she rounds the end of the hospital bed and heads straight towards me.

  "He’s a big boy. 9 pounds, 7 ounces and 21 inches long. Would you like to hold your son?" she asks me. The nurse helps by gently placing him in my waiting arms, and the moment I feel the warmth of his little body against mine, my lips lift in a smile.

  Besides the first time I laid eyes on his momma, this moment trumps all others in my life. Lifting my head, my eyes connect with Alba’s, "Cariño Sweetheart, thank you for such a beautiful gift."

  Not long after we get settled and the nurses are through with all the well beings of my boy and his momma.

  The guys come piling into the small room, but not before Bella came bounding in and immediately started fawning all over the baby and her sister. Watching them and their special bond makes me determined to not wait long on giving my boy a brother or sister of his own.

  "Congratulations, brother," Logan walks up and pulls me in for a hug.

  "Gracias thanks," I tell him.

  "It was all worth it ya know. Everything we’ve ever been through in life. This right here… our family, it was all worth it, brother," Logan remarks.

  "Si, mi hermano Yes, my brother. Worth dying for."

  Our family left thirty minutes ago, and Logan literally had to throw his woman over his shoulder to get her to leave Alba’s side.

  With the room finally quiet, my exhausted woman takes a much needed nap as I hold my son, Gabriel.

  Gabriel Martinez, Jr.

  Alba insisted he be given a good, strong name and wanted that name to be his father’s, and I will work hard to make damn sure
I make him proud to carry my name.

  Epilogue

  Alba

  When we brought home baby Gabe twelve weeks ago, Gabriel announced we were getting married. There was no asking, just a demand. That’s pretty much what I would have expected from him. Gabriel may not be the bended knee type, but he’s my type and he’s perfect.

  I originally wanted to wait until the fall to have our wedding because Montana is beautiful that time of the year, but Gabriel wasn’t having it. The two of us argued about the subject for all of ten minutes before I gave in and said yes. As long as he gave me enough time to plan something small and he had to wear a tux. He agreed to a dress shirt and jeans and gave me no longer than three months.

  Now here we are. Standing in front of the altar on the edge of the lake out at Bella and Logan’s house. I’m wearing a long, flowing white wedding dress with a halter style bodice. Beautiful white jasmine flowers have been delicately intertwined into a loose braid that is swept over my right shoulder. Simple and elegant.

  Gabriel is making good on his promise. I’m about to become Alba Martinez.

  Logan is standing at Gabriel’s side and my sister by mine while she holds a sleeping Gabriel, or as most of us like to call him, baby Gabe. He is a complete replica of his father, aside from his blue eyes, which are a mirror image of my own. That little boy has filled us with more love than I could ever image.

  After Gabe was born, Gabriel declared he would be giving his son a sibling right away. I told him he was out of his mind. No way was I having another baby for at least another couple of years. I should have known by the wicked gleam in his eyes that he was going to prove otherwise.

  So, when I woke up three mornings ago sick to my stomach and throwing up, I knew Gabriel had gotten what he wanted, and the positive pregnancy test I took later that day proved him right. I plan on telling him tonight.

  We decided to forgo a honeymoon and instead opted to let Bella and Logan keep Gabe for the night. Gabriel and I have never been away from him, so I’m predicting we won’t make it through the night before coming back over to my sister’s house to pick him up.