Marcus: The M Series, Book Three

by Ryanne Anthony

I laugh. “Mother... who are your spies?”

  “Never mind, darling. I'm glad Rachel is finally going to see Mariah. I'll be there to hold her hand and Lil will, too.”

  I laugh again. “Do you have my phone bugged, Mother? I just had that conversation with her.”

  “Of course not. I'll see you a little while. I love you, darling.”

  “Okay, Mother,” I chuckle. “I love you. Bye.”

  Sidra enters the office and gives me the tie I left on the couch in the den.

  “Thanks,” I murmur. “Are you all right?”

  “No,” she smiles, weakly. “My dad's gone, Matthew's locked up, Mariah is still not awake and...”

  My hands freeze on my tie. Christ, now what? I turn and look at her. “What?”

  Sidra sniffs loudly. “I'm pregnant,” she cries and puts her face in her hands.

  I grin. Matthew as a father. I can’t wait to see that. I think Mother may dance through the streets of Calabasas for weeks; she’s been praying for this for years. I relax my face and grab her shoulders.

  “Sidra, why are you crying,” I ask softly.

  “I don't know what to do. I don't know how he feels about me and now I have his child inside of me and I don't know if I should tell him.”

  Ooh. Familiar territory. Good. This, I can handle.

  “You should definitely tell him. You know the story of Mariah's first pregnancy.”

  “Yes, I do, but that situation is totally different. You can't remember a day when you didn't love Mariah and Matthew is not... demonstrative about any feelings he has for me.”

  “Where are the children?”

  She sniffs. “In the kitchen, having a snack.”

  Good, they won't leave the kitchen without permission. I guide Sidra to a chair.

  “Sit down,” I tell her, pointing. She sits in the chair and I pass her a box of tissue. “One thing you should know about Matthew is that he loves children. You've seen how he is with all of ours. And call me crazy, but I think he loves you.”

  “He loves Mariah. But then again, who doesn't? In another life, I would've.”

  I smile. “Yes, Mariah is great and everyone loves her, but Matthew's love for her is totally different than his love for you. Tell him about the baby, sooner than later. Trust me, Sidra. It is not a good idea to keep it secret from him. As soon as you see him, pull him to the side and tell him.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “But then there's...” she cries again and I wrap an arm around her, trying to console her. I’m about to ask her what else when my office door opens. Matthew enters, shoos me away and holds her in his arms.

  “Hey, sweets. Is this about your father,” Matthew softly asks.

  “No,” Sidra whines.

  “What is it then?” Matthew looks at me. “What happened, Cramp? Did you fire her for being with me?”

  I shake my head. I gave him my word and I meant it.

  “Sidra,” I call. She slowly raises her head to me. “Now.”

  Matthew frowns and looks back and forth between the two of us. She pulls out of Matthew's arms and stands behind me.

  “You do it,” she cries, nudging me.

  Matthew stands and scowls.

  I take a deep breath. “Sidra, you should –”

  “You do it,” she yells.

  “What the hell is going on here,” Matthew shouts.

  I look at Matthew then to Joshua, who now stands next to Matthew. Sighing, I reach behind me for Sidra and gently pull her to the front of me. I give her more tissue then place my hands on her shoulders, looking at her calmly.

  “All right, Sidra... just calm down. You’ll raise your blood pressure and that's not good for you… or the baby.”

  Joshua inhales sharply. “Holy miracle, Batman.”

  “Baby,” a pale Matthew whispers. “Sweets? Are you pregnant?”

  Sidra doesn't say a word. Instead, she plops down on the couch and cries into her hands.

  Matthew looks at her, then at me. “She's pregnant?”

  I smile and nod.

  “YES! My boys work,” he shouts, triumphantly. Laughing, he kneels in front of her. “Why are you crying, sweets?”

  “I thought... We were just having fun with each other. Now I'm pregnant by a man who doesn't love me!”

  “What? Why do you think I don't?”

  “You've never said it. You never listen to me unless we're in bed.”

  “On that note...” Joshua mutters as he moves to the door. I follow.

  “FREEZE,” Matthew yells.

  “No, this is way too personal. We've heard enough,” I insist, then shudder. “Too much.”

  “Don't move,” Matthew snarls. He turns to Sidra. “Why do you think I listen to you?”

  “What do you know about me? What's my favorite color? Song? Movie? When is my birthday, Matthew? Do you even know my middle name?”

  He smiles at her. “I do listen. I know all of that, sweets.”

  “Prove it,” Joshua chuckles.

  Matthew glares at him then gives me a 'control him' look.

  I shrug. “You wanted us to stay. I'm with Twerp; prove it.”

  Matthew turns back to Sidra. “Where's your cell, sweets? Call me.”

  Sidra frowns at him then picks up her purse and pulls out her phone. Matthew takes his from his pocket. She hits a button and Matthew's phone sounds off with a woman singing. Sidra cries and wraps her arms around Matthew's neck.

  “What is that,” Joshua asks. “It sounds familiar.”

  “It does but I have no idea,” I murmur.

  “Still the One by Shania Twain. My favorite song,” Sidra says quietly.

  “Your ringtone. The only number I have one assigned to. You should hear the amount of shit I get at the Bureau for it,” Matthew chuckles.

  Sidra giggles. “I'm sorry.”

  “Don't be, sweets. I don't care what they say.”

  “Okay.”

  “And to answer your other questions: red, Sense and Sensibility, and May eleventh.”

  “Oh, you do listen and not just when I tell you what I want in bed.”

  “Ew,” Joshua whispers. “Let’s go. I really don't need to know what my brother's girlfriend wants in bed!”

  “I concur. This is getting awkward,” I say, gripping the door knob.

  “Shut up,” Matthew shouts. “Take your hand off the door!”

  I do, and cross my arms. “I think I know why he wants us here.”

  “Why?”

  Matthew reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out our maternal grandmother's ring. “Sidra, as you know, Marcus inherited Grandma Cannon's ring. I got Grandma Crawford's and I’m supposed to give to the woman I’m going to spend my life with.” He takes a deep breath. “Sidra Shanell Daniels,” Matthew says, smiling. “Will you marry me?”

  Sidra gasps and cries as she screeches, “Yes, Matthew. Yes!”

  Matthew slides the ring on her finger and pulls her in for a kiss. Josh and I quietly leave the room.

  “Let's go to the kitchen. I need to get the kids cleaned up and ready to go. I cannot believe Matthew is engaged.”

  Joshua laughs. “You and I both, Cramp. I'll finally get to be best man!”

  I stop. “Says who?”

  “Me. It's my turn. You had one.”

  “The hell you say.”

  “Come on, Cramp! You were mine! It's my turn, damn it!”

  I snort and start walking, again. “Yeah, we'll see.”

  “Hi, Uncle Josh,” the boys say in unison. Joshua grins as he ruffles their hair.

  “Uncle Josh,” Lila yells, jumping up and down as I attempt to clean her face and hands.

  “Hi, Angel!”

  “Uncle Josh, can I have a ride?”

  Joshua squats in front of her. “Of course, Angel! Climb up!”

  Lila climbs on top of Joshua's shoulders and he heads out the back door.

  “We're taking the van,” I call. I gi
ve my boys wipes for their hands. Matthew and Sidra entered the kitchen as they finish.

  “Sidra and I are riding with you.”

  “Fine, but I'm taking the kids to Monica's first.”

  “Okay. Van?”

  “Yeah.”

  * * *

  Brown's funeral was emotional and filled to capacity. Sidra's mother thanked my family for our generosity since Mother and Rachel paid for the funeral and the reception after, and both declined to accept any gratitude.

  Mrs. Daniels didn't have to lift a finger. They asked her what she wanted and they took care of it. At the reception, she wished good things for Mariah's recovery and made me promise to allow her to meet Lila as soon as possible. I agreed instantly.

  “I wanted to offer my sympathies again, Mrs. Daniels. My mothers and I are leaving now to go visit my wife.”

  “Again, please call me Vera. We're going to be family now,” she smiles then pauses a moment. “Would you mind if I visited your wife, Marcus?”

  “Not at all, Vera. Whenever you want.”

  She sighs and squeezes my hand. “I'd like to go now, if you don't mind.”

  “Are you sure you want to leave?”

  “I'm sure. Marsha and I were discussing it this morning and we feel awful about your wife.”

  “Marsha?”

  “Dannie's mother. We're very close.”

  I smile. “You sound like Rachel and Lil.”

  She smiles, too. “Yes, we were saying that a few days ago. I'm glad my new son-in-law is coming from such a warm family. My girls chose well.”

  I grin. “Matthew is questionable but I agree about Ryan. He did a great job finding Mariah last week. He amazed me with his skills.”

  “Yes, he's very smart. Don't ever play scrabble with him,” she laughs. “I'll go get Marsha and we’ll follow you.”

  “Sure. I'll grab the mothers and see who else is going.”

  I approach my family and tell them I'm going to the hospital now. “Who's going,” I ask and they all jump up.

  “All of us, Marcus,” Ethan answers. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing.” I turn to Rachel. “Vera and Marsha want to come as well.”

  She nods and softly smiles. “Good. I like them both.”

  “Okay, if everyone's ready, let's go.”

  * * *

  At the hospital, I set them up in the conference room then leave to find Melvin and check Mariah's condition.

  “Why are you dressed up, Marcus,” Ira asks, frowning as I approach the nurse's station.

  “Today was the funeral of the man who saved Lila's life.”

  “Why didn't you tell me? I would've gone.”

  “I needed you here for Melvin while he took care of Mariah, Ira.”

  He nods. “I understand. How's Lila and the boys?”

  “They're fine. Missing their mother, but coping. Anything new with Mariah?”

  “I haven't heard anything, but I've been in surgery all morning. I'm just finishing up the day’s charts. I’m a visitor now, Marcus. I've been fired. Dr. Hickson told me as soon as I got out of surgery.”

  I frown in confusion. “What? Why were you fired?”

  “The feds brought that Guzman asshole in here. He was injured in a gang fight. I wouldn't even exam him. I recognized the name and took the next case, instead.”

  “He fired you for that?” My jaw clenches. “Stay here.”

  My blood boiled. I walk fast to the conference room and beckon to Thomas.

  Thomas grips my shoulder, bracing himself. “What wrong, Marcus?”

  “Hickson fired Ira for refusing to operate on the fucker that kidnapped your daughter,” I say through clenched teeth.

  His mouth tightens. “Are you shitting me,” Thomas roars.

  “What,” the family asks at once.

  “Ms. Combs,” Thomas shouts. “Double page Hickson to this conference room. STAT!”

  Ms. Combs runs to the desk and picks up the phone.

  “Dr. Hickson, please report to the ICU conference room, stat. Dr. Hickson, ICU conference room, stat.”

  Thomas paces the floor. “Of all the fucking…”

  Rachel comes up to him and grabs his arms. “What?”

  “Hickson fired Ira,” I shouted. “Because he refused to operate on Guzman.”

  “Guzman,” Monica asks. “Isn't that...?”

  “Yes! The fucker that kidnapped Mariah!”

  “What? Can he do that,” Rachel gasps.

  “He can. But it's not final,” Thomas shouts. “I cannot believe...”

  Minutes drag by as we wait for Hickson. Finally, he shows.

  “Marcus, Thomas,” he nods. “What's the problem?”

  Thomas grabs Hickson's upper arm and practically hauls him down the hall. I follow them to Mariah's room. I peek in and see Melvin examining her.

  “Do you know who that is?”

  He peers at the name printed on the door. “Says M. Cannon. Why? Who is she?”

  “She's my wife.”

  He looks in the room and back at me. “Her? She's not white.”

  “What the fuck does that mean,” I roar at him. The nurses freeze and stare. The ones of color are practically praying.

  “She's also my daughter, Hickson. You know I gained another daughter when I married and that is her! Do you know the hell she went through last week?”

  “I've heard,” Hickson said in a bored tone. “I have things to do, Thomas. What is this about?”

  “Did you fire Ira Burns,” I demand.

  “I'm your boss, Marcus. Control yourself and your tone,” Hickson warns.

  “You –”

  Thomas steps in front of me, cutting me off before I can say exactly what I think of him.

  “And I'm your boss, Hickson! Answer his fucking question, right now!”

  “Yes, I fired him,” Hickson shouts. “He refused to treat a patient!”

  “Are you aware the patient he refused is the same one that did this to my daughter?”

  “Not your actual daughter. She's not even adopted, she's your step-daughter, Thomas. Big difference.”

  Rage flies across Thomas' face. He throws the punch before Ira and I can stop him. Tom and Ethan run down the hall toward us with Matthew and Joshua chasing after them, catching them just before they get to Hickson.

  “What the hell is your problem, Hickson? Mariah's his daughter as much as Lisa is, you son of a bitch,” Tom shouts, struggling against Matthew’s hold.

  “She's not blood related, Tom! Even if she was, Burns had no right to refuse a patient service. He took the oath just like you and I did!”

  “He's fucking human, asshole! His friend was kidnapped by that fucker! Look what the fuck he did to her,” Ethan shouts as he tries to free himself from Joshua's grip.

  “Mariah is my sister,” Tom shouts again. “And if you insult her or my father again, I will make sure you are the next one to be refused service!”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “Do you have a hearing problem as well,” Ethan roars. “I think he was very clear! Let me go, Josh!”

  “No, Ethan! Not until you calm down!”

  Matthew pulls Tom toward Joshua and Ethan and whispers something to the both of them.

  Tom calms immediately and looks at Matthew in awe. “Seriously?”

  “Damn right. I've done it before. Now, can we release you two,” Matthew asks. “I’d like to get on this right away.”

  “Oh, hell yeah,” Ethan says. “I'm good now.”

  “Me too,” Tom smirks. They release them and Tom goes over to Ira and takes over his hold on Thomas. Matthew pulls out his cell and talks quietly into it.

  Ethan looks at his father and mutters, “Come on, Pops. Fuck this guy.”

  “One minute, Ethan. Dr. Burns,” Thomas calls, glaring at Hickson. “Do you want to keep your position? Are you happy here?”

  “Absolutely,” Ira nods. “Never had any intention of leaving CMH, Dr. Harvey.�
��

  “I'm vetoing Ira's dismissal, Grant. You're fired, effective immediately. Get your shit and never step foot in this hospital again.”

  I notice a few of the nurses smile and high-five one another.

  “You can't fire me for upholding the rules with this fag!”

  A fist flies across and lands on Hickson's nose. Yeah, that's broken. I turn and see Melvin shaking his fist.

  “I'll pack up my office, Dr. Harvey. I'll be out in an hour at the most,” Melvin says, walking away. “So fucking worth it.”

  “Melvin!”

  “It's all right, Marcus. I broke the rules, so I'll just quit. Trust me, it was well worth it and a long time coming. Dr. Harvey, you should poll your staff. Hickson here has a problem with minorities and gays. Ira and I have been putting up with his shit, as well as a few others.”

  “It's true,” Rob says behind me. “He's referred to me as a –”

  “Don't say it,” a woman shouts behind us. “Please don't say that awful word!”

  I turn. Vera is trembling, tears pouring down her face.

  “You stay out of this,” Hickson says as he holds his nose. “I'm suing this hospital and you, Henderson!”

  “Fine,” Melvin mutters taking out his cell. “Mom, I slugged a doctor, now he's threatening to sue ... He insulted Ira ... Yes, him ... I knew you would ...Yeah, about ten, at least ... I've quit ... Fine, I'll see you when you come. Call me when you get here ... Oh, really? Good, come to the eighth floor, ICU conference room.” He looks at Hickson. “My lawyer is Sheila Boston. Have your lawyer contact her.”

  Ethan snickers, then breaks out in to a full-on laugh.

  “Ethan,” Joshua calls. “Are you cracking up? Do I need to get your mother?”

  “I work for his mother! We call her Bad-ass Boston! That woman could make Trump cry and Kanye shit himself. She's gonna have this asshole's lawyer crumbling and begging for his mother to wipe his ass!”

  “You don't intimidate me, Harvey,” Hickson shouts.

  “I don't have to, asshole. Just wait until you meet Mrs. B. She intimidates everybody.”

  “Great. Another ni–”

  That punch came from Nathan.

  “Fucking hate that word,” Nathan snarls at Hickson. “And anyone who thinks that way. Tell your mother she's got another client, Melvin. Sorry for the spectacle, Thomas. I'll pack up my office, too, as soon as I ice my hand. Come on, Melvin.”

  Vera walks up to Hickson. “After all these years, you're still a bigot. How dare you attempt use that word! Your nieces are of color! Oh, but you don't care about them either, just because of who their father was. Look down the hall, Grant. Tell me, which two are my daughters?”