When I tried to push away from him, he removed his fingers and hovered over me as he slid his pants to his knees. As he rubbed his erection against my swollen clit, I used what little strength I had left to punch the side of his head, right against his temple. He fell hard against the counter, but quickly regained himself. His fist came at me with vengeance, slamming with unbridled force against my ribs. I heard a crack as the air drained from my lungs. Every attempt I made to suck in air sent a shooting pain throughout my chest.
His fist flew at my face, but I turned my head, causing him to punch the floor. I looked in his eyes, seeing a level of anger I have never seen before. He was completely void of any and all emotion. A sound from the living room made him jump to his feet.
I rolled into the fetal position, but he bent down and pushed me flat against my back.
“I’m not finished with you yet.”
His fist met my face with more force than any other blow I had received. As he arched his arm, preparing for a hit that I was sure would finish me, the sound of glass shattering echoed throughout the house. Austin tried to jump to his feet but Sniper flew toward him, latching his strong jaws around Austin’s neck. Blood was pouring from Austin as he screamed and tried to fight Sniper off.
I heard the sound of sirens in the distance as Austin pried Sniper’s jaw open and slipped out of his grip. Sniper growled and latched onto his leg, sinking his canines deep into Austin’s flesh. As the sound of sirens got closer, Austin kicked at Sniper, who unlatched his jaw and moved out of the way, causing Austin to kick at air. Austin took off running and I heard the slider slam shut.
I rolled on my side and wrapped my arms around Sniper. Minutes later, men in uniform came crashing into the house. Sniper refused to leave my side, but my first instinct was to protect him. I worried they would somehow blame him. “D-don’t hurt m-my dog.”
“Ma’am. Can you look at me?”
“M-my dog.”
“We won’t hurt your, dog. We’re here to help.”
I tried to make eye contact, but I couldn’t breathe. I fought to catch my breath, but no air would go into my lungs, and then everything went dark.
One word. One word from Ember was all it took to send fear coursing through my body: Austin. When the line went dead, I called 911 and told them she was in danger. Blake and I were thirty minutes away and would never make it to her in time.
On the way to the hospital, I was in a complete whirlwind. I don’t know how fast I drove, and hell, I don’t even remember half the drive, but I made it in record time. I walked to the receptionist desk in a complete fog. The line was long as people with various ailments flooded the emergency room. I couldn’t wait. I needed to see her. I needed to be with her.
“Ember Mills. Tell me she’s okay. Please tell me she’s okay.”
I was yelling and everyone turned to stare, but I didn’t give a fuck. I heard a voice behind me, “Sir, come with me.” I followed the woman to a room in the back with Blake behind me. She asked us to sit, but all I could do was pace. Why hasn’t anyone told me anything? Where is she?
“Sir, please sit.” I paced a few more times before I sat next to Blake. “Ember is in surgery. She lost a lot of blood, suffered multiple broken ribs, and has damage to her organs. There is a lot of internal bleeding, but we are going to do the best we can.”
The best we can? What does that even mean? “She’s going to make it, right? She’ll be okay, right?”
I felt Blake put his arm around my shoulder as the nurse touched my hand. I stood up and stepped away from their attempt to comfort me, “No. No. She’s going to be okay. She’s strong. She’s…” The flood gates opened and I dropped to my knees. I put my face in my hands and let out every single emotion I had suppressed my entire life. I can’t lose her. I need her. Harlee needs her. Oh God, Harlee!
“Harlee!”
“She’s okay, brother. She’s with Piper.”
I have no idea how long I stayed on my knees, crying into my hands. I felt arms come around me and I was too defeated to do anything about it.
“Dalton. Honey look at me.”
I felt hands touch mine and remove them from my face. I blinked hard, trying to dry my eyes and focus on who was next to me. When I could finally see clearly, Harper’s face came into view. I wrapped my arms around her back and pulled her to me, being as careful as I could to avoid causing her pain from where she had a C-section just days before.
“I called Ember’s parents. They are on the way.”
I nodded and buried my head in her shoulder. Blake walked over and tapped me on the back. “Come sit down, buddy. Harper doesn’t need to be on the floor.”
He helped Harper sit in a chair and then guided me to the seat next to her. “I just spoke with the police. Austin vanished. When they found Em, she was clinging to Sniper. He is covered in cuts and glass; apparently, he jumped through the living room window to get to Ember. One of the cops brought him to the vet. I have to check on him and then pick up Chief.”
I looked at Blake completely dumbfounded. How did Sniper smash through my thick living room window and how did Austin get away?
“Blake, why don’t you check on Sniper. I’ll stay here with Dalton.”
Blake nodded and hugged us both. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll call someone to fix the window on my way to the vet.”
“Thank you, brother.” I said as I hugged him one more time. I needed the comfort of my friends more than I thought, and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual. We all love Ember. We are all family.
Harper and I sat for hours in a completely numb state. When the doctor finally walked into the waiting room, he looked hesitant as he approached us. “Are you Ember Mill’s family?”
“Yes sir.” Harper said as we both stood in unison.
“Ember suffered a significant amount of internal bleeding. We were able to stop the bleeding, but the swelling in her brain is cause for concern. Also,” he took a deep breath and sighed before continuing, “She’s in a coma. It could be a few days, it could be a lot longer. Only time will tell when or if she wakes up. Before you see her, I want you to brace yourselves. She has a great deal of external wounds and you probably will be unable to recognize her.”
I tried to hold my shit together. I used every bit of strength I could muster, but when Harper broke down, I lost it. I feel like we are back in Alabama, hearing about Ember’s dad being in a coma, but his was medically induced. Déjà vu hit me with rapid force. I remember the pain I felt when Haywood was lying there, and now I have to see the love of my life in the same state. How am I going to do this? How?
I stood up and grabbed Harper’s hand, pulling her to her feet. We followed the doctor through numerous doors until we came to the intensive care unit. When we rounded the nurse’s desk and walked into Ember’s room, I took one look at her and my heart sank.
“Oh God!” Harper screamed as she buried her head in my chest, sobbing uncontrollably. I consoled her the best I could while holding myself together. Ember was hooked up to every machine imaginable. Her face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition, just like the doctor said it would be.
We sat in chairs next to her bed, both placing a hand on her arm. No words were exchanged as we sat there, silently grieving. Nurses came in and out, but we hardly noticed. After a couple hours, I noticed Harper was fighting to stay awake. She just had an emergency C-section a week ago and I cannot imagine how exhausted she is.
“Harp. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. Her parents should be here at any time and I’m not leaving.”
“I can’t just leave, Dalton.”
“You are still healing yourself, Harper. Please. I promise to call you if something changes.”
“I’ll be back first thing in the morning unless you need me before then.”
I nodded and hugged her. When she walked out of the room, I sat back down next to Ember and carefully took her hand in mine. I gently kissed each knuckle and intertwined our fingers. People in
a coma can hear, right? I’m not sure, but it’s worth a shot.
I stood up and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. With my lips by her ear, I whispered, “Please come back to me, Ember. Please. I can’t live without you. I should have been there. I should have fucking protected you. I’m sorry, babe. I’m so incredibly sorry.”
When tears began to fall down my cheeks for the millionth time today, I sat back down and rested my cheek against her hand, savoring any form of contact I could get. I stayed that way for a while, guilt eating away at my soul.
I heard someone walk in the room, but I figured it was a nurse coming to check on her so I didn’t even bother to look up.
“Son?”
Dread instantly filled me as I sat up straight and turned toward the door. Haywood was standing there with a mixture of shock and grief consuming his features.
As he moved toward me, I stood up, meeting him halfway. He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. Tears streamed down his face, mirroring my own, as he pulled me against him.
I gripped the back of his shirt, soaking his shoulder with my salty tears, “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t protect her. I failed. I failed her.”
“Now you listen to me, son. You did not fail her. You’ve brought out more light in my lightning bug than I have seen in a long time. You gave her a second chance at happiness, Dalton. You did that. She’s tough, you hear me. She will pull through this.”
I couldn’t reply. It was difficult to breathe, so speaking was damn near impossible. We sat next to her in silent conversation before I went back to the waiting room to allow her mother to come in. Only two people are allowed at a time in the intensive care unit.
When I reached the waiting room and grabbed the knob, I hesitated. Ember’s dad didn’t blame me, but what if her mom does? I took a deep breath and turned the handle. Her mom immediately stood when she saw me and offered a sad smile.
“Oh sweet boy. Come here.” We closed the gap and embraced each other. I tried to speak, but once again, words failed me. While my words were non-existent, my sobbing was relentless. When I calmed down enough to breathe in a full breath, we released each other and I sat down so that Claudel could go visit with Ember.
I looked around the room, only a few people sat quietly, numb expressions on their faces. I wondered about their loved ones. If they too sat in this waiting room, racked with guilt while someone they loved with every ounce of their soul was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for another chance at a full life.
I shook my head, a pitiful attempt at clearing my mind. When that didn’t work, I dug my phone out of my pocket. I had a handful of texts from Blake and Harper. I hesitantly called them back, not wanting to reopen the floodgates when I answered all of their questions about Ember.
I was able to keep my shit together, which was difficult beyond words when Harlee got on the phone. She wanted to know why she couldn’t be home with us and it shattered my heart. I told her that Mamie and PawPaw were coming to see her, and her excited giggle made me smile.
Until Austin is caught, it isn’t safe to be at my house. Blake took Chief over to Piper’s and someone is coming to fix the window tomorrow. Poor Sniper has to stay at the vet for a few more days while they monitor him, but Blake said he was in good spirits and will make a full recovery. I owe that dog a lifetime of cheeseburgers when he gets home.
I sat for a while, mindlessly playing on my phone. I tried hard to keep myself positive, but nothing helped. The coffee in here was disgusting and I was starting to get tired, so I began to pace back and forth in the waiting room.
I heard the waiting room door click open and I froze. A million thoughts went through my head as time moved in slow motion. Relief flooded me when I saw Trent walk in, holding a giant cup of coffee.
“Hey bud. I figured you could use a pick me up. Hospital coffee tastes like ass.”
“And you know what ass tastes like because…”
“Fuck you, bro. Take the coffee.”
I grabbed the cup and took a sip, letting the liquid flood my taste buds. I let out a small sigh and smiled, “Thank you, man. I needed this.”
“I figured you did. Any news?”
“Nothing. Her parents are in the room with her now. What if the police don’t find Austin? He won’t stop, Trent. I know he won’t.”
“They’ll find him, Dalton. Unless that son of a bitch flees to Mexico, they will find him and until they do, we all have to look out for Ember and each other.”
Luckily Austin doesn’t know where Piper lives. He could probably find out, but I try to push that thought away. I won’t let him get Harlee. He’ll have to kill me first and even then, he would have to go through everyone else.
I sat with Trent, conversing about anything other than our current situation. He told me how the rest of the deployment went and how amazing it is to be dad. I’m genuinely happy for him, and for Harper. They are going to be amazing parents.
When Ember’s parents came into the waiting room, I said goodbye to Trent and went back in to sit with Ember. Visiting hours were nearly over, but they are allowing me to sleep in the chair next to her bed. I had to put up a bit of a fuss, but I refuse to leave her.
When I walked into her room, I kissed her forehead and told her how much I love her. I hope she can hear me and I hope she knows just how much she means to me. I place a soft kiss on her lips and pull the shitty recliner as close to her bed as I can. When I lie back and take her hand in mine, sleep takes me.
Days felt like years as Ember continues to lie helpless in this damn hospital bed. There has been no change in her condition. I haven’t left Ember’s side except to spend time with Harlee, and when I’m gone, her parents or Harper stay in the room with her. I keep talking to her and begging her to wake up. I grow more and more concerned every moment, and Austin is still MIA, which only adds to my worry.
Ember’s parents and our friends have been taking turns visiting. I remain a permanent fixture by her bedside as everyone else rotates in. I wish Ember knew how much support she has. She is loved by so many people.
“Hey son. How are you holdin’ up?”
Haywood walked across the room and pulled up a chair next to me. He kissed Ember’s cheek and whispered something in her ear before sitting down.
“I’m numb. That is the best way to describe it. The days bleed together and I’m fighting with everything I have to stay strong.”
“Do you love my little girl, Dalton?”
“Yes sir. I love her and Harlee more than anything in this world.”
Haywood squeezed my shoulder and smiled, “Good, that’s good. I knew you did. I see it. I feel it. Let me tell you a little something about love; it ain’t easy. Nothing worth fighting for is easy, son. You may feel helpless and completely lost, but just being here for her and loving her, is powerful all in itself. When I walk into this room and see my baby girl hooked up to machines, I feel sad for just a moment, but before it can consume me, the love you two share lights up this entire room and gives off a calm sense of comfort. A comfort that lets me know that your love will conquer anything. While you stay by her side, offering every bit of courage you can muster, she is silently fighting to come back to you. Keep your grief and worry at the door, Dalton. When you’re with her, the only emotion you need to feel is hope and love.”
I sat there for a moment, letting his words sink in; your love will conquer anything. His words spoke volumes. Our love is strong. We have been through so much, in such a short amount of time, but we will conquer any and all obstacles, together. “Thank you, for everything. Ember is incredibly lucky to have a dad like you.”
Haywood gave me a pointed look and nodded, “She’s lucky to have you too, ya know?”
We sat there and talked for a while. He told me stories about Ember when she was little and I laughed at how much the stories reminded me of Harlee. I have no doubt that Moose will grow up to be as amazing as her momma.
I went to the cafeteria for a while so Ember
’s parents could have some alone time with her. When I came back, I read her funny articles from a magazine I snagged from the waiting room, hoping my voice would help bring her back. I’ll do anything to get her back.
I have paced this hospital room for an entire week. The longest week of my life. At this point, the doctors are worried she may never wake up. The swelling on her brain has gone down significantly, but she remains unresponsive.
I picked up Harlee this morning and took her to the trails. I packed us lunch and we ate on the trunk of a tree that had fallen, most likely from a lightning strike. I tried to remain upbeat when I was with her, but she didn’t understand why she couldn’t come home and why she couldn’t see Ember. She’s too little to understand, and it kills me that I have to lie to her so she doesn’t get more upset.
On the way home from the trails, we stopped and bought Sniper two cheeseburgers. He has a lot of wounds that are stitched together, but he is as happy as ever.
When I was leaving, she cried and begged me to take her with. I told her I would come back in the morning, but it didn’t help. When she said, “Peaches, please don’t leave me,” I had to suck in a deep breath and hold it in, just to keep the tears away.
I scooped her up and snuggled with her on the couch. When she fell asleep, I slipped out and headed back here. I knew she would feel better if she was with Ember’s Parents, so I sent them to get her as soon as I got here. Luckily they made it to Piper’s long before she woke up.
I flipped through the channels, but nothing was on, so I took Ember’s hand and told her about my day. I told her all the funny things Harlee said while we were hiking and how much we miss her and then I leaned over and kissed her forehead, “It has been a week, Em. A whole week. I need you, babe. Harlee needs you. Please come back to us. Ember, please wake up.
I rested my head on the top of her hand as I held it. I cried and pleaded with God, begging him to take me instead.
I kissed her hand, and whispered against her flesh, “Our love will conquer anything. Please come back to me.”
Ember Skies Page 20