Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  Emma felt a rush of gratitude towards the man and smiled, "Yes. Yes, thank you so much I would love that."

  He gave her another nod before walking away.

  Technically, she's not supposed to go inside, but he's the doctor, he can make the rules regarding visitors. Besides, a few years ago, he lost his own wife after her comatose state of five years. What he went through... He doesn't wish the same experience on someone like Emma. He turned and hurriedly entered the room, while hoping his patient can find a way back to that woman.

  .

  .

  "I'm so sorry, Emma." Richard tried to reach out to her, but Emma cowered away.

  After the doctor left, Emma's relieved demeanor vanished. She found herself staring back at the door where he left, knowing that's the direction Drake is in.

  "Don't." She whispered harshly as Ian tried to reach for her too, her voice rough from her dry throat.

  There's this uncomfortable feeling as if a heavy large hand is squeezing her throat, making her breathing difficult once again as the news of Drake came back to hit her with full force once more.

  "It's the damn polices fault!" She cried out suddenly, having this need to blame someone. "If they just freakin' shot Jay the moment he shot Oscar then -"

  "I know," Richard said quietly, a heavy feeling dropped in his stomach. "I know this is my fault. I'm so sorry."

  Emma furiously wiped her eyes before glancing at him, "What do you mean your fault?"

  Richard glanced at Ian, almost reluctant to answer.

  "We've been in this career for nearly two years, so we're still kind of new in crazy experiences," Ian confessed, "But remembering how I said we're kind of like double agents? Um, we're not exactly that. You see, Rich and I are secret polices."

  "What the hell?" Emma snapped, not quite believing him. "Is this a joke?"

  "Does it seem like we're joking?" Ian snapped, crossing his arms. "We're undercover cops, Emma."

  A pause.

  Emma stared.

  Seriously, this is a joke. It has to be, because there is no damn way Ian and Richard were policemen this entire time.

  When it finally hit her that they were telling the truth, a surge of anger washed over her.

  "You mean to tell me," She began slowly, "You two went around this whole time pretending to be gang members when you both were just new stupid policemen pretending to be heroes?"

  She doesn't care that she's being harsh again. She's way past mannerism and pleasantries, or being the nice little woman everyone thought she is.

  Rich winced, "I understand that you're angry and upset -"

  "Oh, you have no idea what I'm feeling right now, Richard." Emma spat viciously. "You policemen are useless -"

  "Hey!" Ian snapped defensively, "Not all of us are bad."

  Emma gawked at him in disbelief, "You two are not bad?" She let out a harsh sarcastic laugh, "Then why the hell is Drake not waking up?"

  She didn't mean for her bitterness to show but her anger and pain got the best of her.

  "Maybe we should start from the beginning?" Rich suggested, trying to calm her down.

  "You think?" She retorted sarcastically, wanting to know how to idiotic men could label themselves as policemen.

  Rich dropped his gaze to the ground, swallowing hard. After few more seconds of silence, he let out a deep breath and spoke, "At first, I was just assigned to narcotics where I had to go undercover and find out who has been selling them; so I was basically a Nark."

  "When he heard about Jay," Ian continued for him, "I asked to switch from the gang unit and be his partner since we had history with him."

  "To my benefit, I found out Jay had illegal weed, which isn't a narcotic, but still illegal." Richard shrugged, "Gave me another excuse to charge him with something."

  "That explains why you carried them around you." Emma noted, "But why didn't you say anything?"

  Richard groaned, "I didn't want to bust him yet for having illegal cannabis because during my undercover, Jay asked about you. That's when Ian and I knew he was up to something."

  "What exactly happened that night before you came in?" Emma asked, remembering he was late.

  "There was one other policeman who was my back up while the other one was just a paramedic just in case." Richard explained, "Melissa and Aidan was already waiting for us in front of the trail and lead us the way. When we arrived, we saw Oscar already on the floor with his wounded foot. I told them to hide and wait until they hear my signal. I honestly didn't know Jay was going to shoot anyone. He never did! When he shot Drake's father again, I was so shocked I literally couldn't move."

  "Richard," Emma shook her head, confused. "What I want to know is, there were four policemen - well, six including you both, and the paramedic. Out of all of you men, you couldn't take down one man?! Your men must have heard the first gunshots so why didn't they do anything that night?!"

  Her screams echoed in the empty guestroom.

  "Emma!" Richard snapped, getting impatient. "Were you not listening to what I said? I said there was supposed to be one policeman who was my backup. One. His name is Steven, and I called him to be my extra man. When I arrived and saw there were three extras, I thought Ian called for more."

  "I didn't." Ian said, "Honestly, my head at the time was just dead set on you guys. So when I saw those three, I thought the same thing Rich thought: More back up, so I didn't question it. Until last night when Steven arrested Jay."

  "I do not understand." Emma growled, "What are you trying to say?"

  "Jay knew you were being tracked." Rich explained, "Apparently he knew some people in the field and paid them to -"

  "That's why they didn't shoot immediately." Emma breathed heavily, finally understanding. "Please tell me that those men are arrested."

  "Don't worry," Rich assured her, "Jay was the one who confessed it. Seems to me like he didn't want to be the only one going back to prison! Had to drag the others with him. Of course, they tried to deny it but one of them stupidly slipped the fact that they had switched Steven's gun with an empty one when he wasn't looking."

  "So when Jay shot Oscar... Steven literally couldn't do anything without getting himself shot by the others." Emma said, putting their explanations together.

  "Yeah, Steven told me on the ride over here that when he tried to shout for my attention, one of Jay's buddies had discreetly placed a gun on his back to shut him up." Richard nodded, "But when they saw we were fighting back, Nancy shot one of the fake policemen in the hand before he could fire a shot."

  "Alona shot the other one in the shoulder," Ian couldn't help but feel proud. "While Steven used the distraction and pretty much kicked the ass of the one who threatened him."

  To say Emma was stunned would be an understatement. How did she not remember this? Oh yeah, maybe because she was dead focused on Drake and trying to keep him awake, she didn't pay attention to what was going around her. All her thoughts and concentrate was on Drake.

  Just like how Drake tried to concentrate on her while he tried to ignore the pain and the sudden coldness.

  "You gave those ladies guns?" Emma couldn't help but gasp.

  Poor Nancy having to be dragged into this insane situation... However, she understood it was for their protection, and Nancy was doing what any mother would do for her own child. Emma would have done the same. Luckily, Alona and Nancy did have back up guns for protection; otherwise the night might have ended differently.

  "We didn't!" Ian assured her, "apparently Nancy kept some of Oscar's licensed Winchester handguns and grabbed them." He shook his head, letting out an amused chuckle, "The crazy things you mothers do for your child."

  However Emma was still upset. "But when Jay shot Oscar, why didn't you two do anything?"

  "I froze." Rich muttered, glaring at the ground. "I don't know what went through my head, I was so scared, I didn't know Jay was actually going to do it and -"

  "You should have done what you were trained to do!" Emma s
napped, honestly these were the people who's supposed to protect them.

  "Yes, but this isn't an easy job, Emma!" Ian tried to reason with her, "Everything we do is a huge risk! Our job was for the safety of the hostages - which happened to be you three."

  "Every decision we make or end up doing always has risks." Richard agreed, "If we immediately came to attack Jay, he could have just turned around and shot all three of you since he was closer! If Steven even had a working gun and went ahead and try to aim and shoot Jay, he could have accidentally shot either one of you guys because he was farther away. We wanted to give him the false sense of security first, thinking he got everything in control before we hit him unexpectedly - but we failed."

  "Yes, you did!" Emma snapped. She knows that she should be grateful, but the image of an unconscious Drake lying on the hospital bed is still burning in her mind. They can't expect her to keep her calm just because they explained their reseaoning, when the person she loves is occupying a hospital room. "Because not only did Jay shoot Oscar when he saw that he was outnumbered... he still went and tried to shoot me, but hit Drake instead!"

  "I'm sorry, Emma!" Ian cried out, "I'm sorry our plan didn't work out!"

  "And I'm sorry that even though I'm a stupid police," Richard added, his tone increasing with a mixture of bitterness and anger. "I was so fucking paralyzed by shock and fear right at the moment Jay pulled the trigger!"

  He stopped to gather his breath, knowing his face was flushed with anger as he sarcastically added, "I shouldn't have such a normal human reaction affect me at all, Emma! And for that, I'm sorry!"

  Richard turned around and threw his fist against the wall. He loves this woman as a friend, but damn it! He hates it when she's right...

  Emma let out a sob and looked away. She was too stunned to form a coherent thought, that she just merely closed her eyes and counted to ten as she let out a few deep breaths.

  Yes, their job is dangerous. Yes, she shouldn't have yelled. But what can one expect? The man she loves is in a deep sleep, so she's grieving. It wouldn't be possible for anyone to beentirely forgiving.

  "I'm going to see the doctor." Emma shook her head, opening her eyes and turning away from them. "I can't lose him, guys. I can't. Not when I finally told him how much I love him."

  "You're not the only one who might lose someone, Emma." Richard reminded her, as he turned around to face her. "Don't forget, Aidan needs him too. And don't forget the fact that I might also fucking lose my own best friend too! So stop making everything about you!"

  "What?" Emma couldn't help but gawk at him, angry that no one understands. "How fucking dare you tell me I'm only thinking about myself when Drake and I have a son who needs him more than you. Don't forget Nancy too, who might lose her only son! So you stop trying to turn this around!"

  She turned around and walked to the other side.

  Ian grabbed Rich's shoulder, trying to shake the stupidity out of him.

  While Drake and Rich are best friends, Drake and Emma are in love.

  The feeling of being in love is already this intense feeling that ultimately consumes the person inside; the pain of losing that passionate love would be all too unbearable. Yes, Rich may be feeling devastated, but that doesn't mean Emma isn't going through the same. Friendship-love and being in love are not exactly the same love, it's not comparable.

  Not to mention their son, Aidan, got so much more to lose, because how jacked up would that be that Drake fought this hard just to be with her and Aidan, only for the little one to grow where his father doesn't exist?

  "Richard!" He hissed, "Calm yourself!"

  The pain and anger is too much for both Emma and Richard. It was only a matter of time before both of them snapped.

  Emma whirled around and stared at Richard, wanting to hurl some more reasons unto why everything could have happened differently if Rich or Ian actually did their job.

  But she can't...

  She suddenly felt tired and drain and just...

  Ugh, she doesn't care anymore. She doesn't care whose fault it is. All she cares about is the man inside the hospital room.

  "I'm sorry." Emma whispered tiredly after a few more seconds, "You're right. Us arguing will not bring Drake back to us. I know your guys' job is completely dangerous, and I am forever grateful to you both for putting your lives on the line just by being undercover for us. I understand you guys did everything you can for our own good."

  Richard didn't speak, only watched her. She stared back at him, a sad frown on her face as she ignored the wet tracks from her face.

  And then...

  Everything just suddenly snapped.

  Without any warning, Emma rushed towards him and flung her arms around his neck, burying her face on his chest as she finally let out all her anguish and hurt.

  "Emma," Rich let out a sharp breath from the force when she ran to him. He immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, as he placed his chin on top of her head, murmuring how sorry he was and how he felt he's a bad friend for not saving Drake fast enough. "I'm sorry too."

  At that, Emma hushed him.

  She was beginning to realize that Richard is hurting as much as she is, both of them going through the same bullshit together.

  "I let my emotions get the best of me, none of this was any of your guys fault." Emma said, pulling away from him. "Like I said, both of you risked your lives for us so thank you. I'm sorry for yelling, again."

  "We understand, Emma." Ian said, as she pulled him into a grateful hug also. "Your reaction is exactly how a person in love would act like."

  .

  .

  After they stayed in the waiting room for another few hours, they heard a voice.

  "Emma?"

  The three of them turned around to see the doctor entering the door way, "We confirmed it's an epidural hematoma; so we did whatever we can to give him the proper surgical care after his mother's approval. We moved Drake to a more private room in the Intensive Care Unit in the third floor, would you like to come and see him?"

  Emma quickly nodded before a thought crossed her mind. She glanced at Richard and Ian, "Unless one of you guys wants to accompany him? Rich, I know you and Drake are best friends and knew each other longer than I have but -"

  "Drake is in love with you, Em." Richard interrupted her with a sad smile, "As much as I know my beautiful handsome face will be quite the first sight... if he did wake up miraculously, you would be the first person he wants to see. Not me or Ian."

  Emma couldn't help but let out a small laugh, giving them a thankful smile. With a quick good-bye, she rushed to the doctor's side and followed him.

  "He's in room 718."

  They passed through hallways and doors, pictures and artwork, until they stepped and entered into the elevator. Which each second the elevator moved upwards, the shakiness in her hands began to double. The small feeling of what felt like tiny prickles came back to visit her, poking and moving about inside her stomach, making her cross her arms to contain her nervousness.

  Once they entered the third floor, Emma's breathing was ragged again.

  It seems like the more steps they take towards room 718, the more the storm inside her act violently towards her body. She knows what's ahead of her, but she's not mentally prepared to see... this.

  They entered Drake's room. She didn't hear the doctor tell her that he'll be back with Nancy, nor did she hear he say good-bye to her.

  All she could pay attention to was Drake, her Drake Rogers.

  He was not the same image as he was a few days ago, looking too proud and strong. She tried to take a step forward, but as she came closer, she began to notice how unusually pale and frail he had become. The trace of prideful arrogance had wiped away from his handsome face, and is now replaced with what looked like relaxation and bliss; completely empty of the fear and anger he carried only hours ago.

  Amazing how pain and trauma changes a person physically.

  Emma took his hand, letting
out a small sob when she wasn't greeted with the usual squeeze he would give back. She let her eyes rank all over him, noticing his head is wrapped with white bandages, all these weird long tubes hooked up in machines and him, and this other plastic tube lying across his face, giving extra oxygen for his nose. With her left hand, Emma reached forward and caressed his cheek; feeling relieved that it was warm and smooth.

  "Oh Drake," Emma whispered, ignoring the aching pain in her throat as she spoke. "You stupid, stupid boy."

  Why did he have to act all heroic, shoving her out of the way so he could get shot? Why couldn't he just let her get hit in the stomach herself? She would have survived anyway, because she wasn't bleeding in the head in the first place!

  Emma shook her head, leaning down so her forehead rested on his shoulder. Actually, deep down she knows why he did this. She had no idea such a love even exists; the saying 'I would jump in front of a bullet for you' was only that - just an expression! But no, Drake proved her wrong.

  It wasn't just an expression; it's an automatic reflex, something his body would do without any thought. She would have done the same for him and for Aidan. Why? She loves them both so fiercely, that the sight of Drake in this stupid hospital bed was slowly driving her insane.

  "Please come back," Emma mumbled, pressing her head against his neck as she continued to squeeze his hand. "I love you too, Drake, please come back to me and Aidan." She lifted her head up, hoping to get a miraculous reaction out of him.

  Nothing.

  Feeling helpless, she felt a painful pressure in her heart as dropped her head again, leaving kisses on his face as she continued to murmur, "Drake, wake up, please! For me and for Aidan, we need you, I need you."

  He remained frozen.

  "Oh no," Emma groaned, looking back at the door, a part of her hoping the doctor would come back so he can fix Drake, "Please, please, please!" She wrapped her right arm around him, careful not to disturb his wound. She held onto his hand with her right hand, as she continued to speak to him, "I love you, Drake. Is that what you wanted to hear? I love you, so you better come back to me and Aidan, or else I will never forgive you for making me go through this pain!"