by Laura Acton
“Go and enjoy some time with your bride. Thank you, Scott. I’ll never be able to express how much I appreciate what you did last night. Get some rest.” William gave Scott a sincere look.
Scott inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “One thing has me worried. The things Dan said … will he get in trouble for saying them? Did he breach security protocols?”
The smile faded on William’s face. “It’s something I’ll have to address soon with Daniel’s team. But technically the TRF team has level two security clearance right now. That’s the security clearance level of the staff who handle injury reports. I know you’ve got level four clearance. So Daniel should be in the clear.”
“Good. Would you like me to talk to Nick and let him know that anything they heard has to remain confidential?” Scott asked as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Yawning, William answered, “Yes, thank you.”
“If you need anything at all, call me.” Scott took one last look at Dan and headed for the door.
William gazed at Daniel for a long time. It felt damned good to finally have his son back. He finally leaned the chair back, closed his eyes, and promptly fell asleep as exhaustion claimed him.
Early Morning Heart-to-Hearts
45
August 5
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 2:00 a.m.
Dan woke slowly as he heard someone quietly enter his room. He opened his eyes a slit to check who and found it was Lexa. The general slept in the recliner, but no one else was in the room. Lexa cautiously moved nearer to his bed in the darkened room.
“Lexa?” He opened his eyes fully.
When he said her name, it startled her. Lexa thought he was sleeping. “Hi, Dan.” Quickly she closed the distance to the bed. She smiled as she looked at his pain-free face. The buzz which was ever-present between them begged her to touch him, but she resisted because the general slept in a chair nearby.
Dan smiled and then his stomach growled. They chuckled noiselessly not wanting to wake the general.
“It sounds angry, better feed it.”
Remembering their truck conversation, Dan said, “Would … if I … could.” He gave her a begging look reminiscent of the day in the SUV. “You wouldn’t … happen … to have a … power bar … to share?”
She dug in her purse and pulled one out. “You probably shouldn’t eat this. You haven’t had anything solid for so long. Your stomach might not like it.” Lexa gave him a coy look and waggled the bar just out of his reach.
Dan gave her his WOW smile.
Lexa gently tossed the bar into his palm. “Hey soldier, think fast.”
Grinning Dan closed his hand around the power bar and then opened it. As he took a tiny bite off the corner he realized Lexa was right, he should be careful. He nibbled on the bar, only eating a few bites, as they quietly enjoyed their push-pull banter at a much slower rate than normal given Dan’s diminished lung capacity and difficulty speaking in full sentences.
Much later, Lexa checked her watch and couldn’t believe that two and half hours had gone by. She rose from the chair and said, “Gotta go. Can’t be late for morning workout.” Then with a mischievous glint in her eyes and humor lacing her words added, “Ya know how that makes Jon feel. No one respecting his authority. Don’t want extra cleaning duty or counting ammo.”
The corner of Dan’s mouth quirked up as he shook his head.
“I’ll see you after shift.” Lexa smiled back to him wanting to kiss him.
Dan nodded his eyes turning serious and finding hers. With a rough huskiness to his voice said, “Lexa. … Thanks … for coming. … It means … a lot … to me.”
She gently slugged his arm. “You better get yourself better fast and return to the team, Loki’s driving me nuts. I need you to run interference, or else he’s gonna be bruised,” she teased trying to cover the hot-blooded reaction his husky voice elicited in her.
Then Lexa reached out and brushed through Dan’s hair before lightly kissing his lips. She gave him a quick hug and stepped back before she gave into her desire and kissed him again. She couldn’t do that with the general in the room. “See ya later, Dan.” She swiftly strode from the room, before her resolve lessened, and she claimed his lips once again.
She was so relieved things were normal between them. Lexa didn’t sleep well last night as her worries preyed upon her mind. She determined to help Dan understand what happened yesterday made no difference to her. Dan was still the same person in her eyes.
His eyes tracked Lexa as she exited the room and his hand lifted to his lips. She kissed him. He experienced the same primal desire and could sense she did too. He glimpsed the flash of heat and craving in the golden flecks of her hazel eyes. It matched his own yearning. Dan sighed deeply, and his body relaxed completely. He had been so afraid she would reject him.
William smiled inwardly not changing his breathing—appearing to all to be asleep. He overheard their entire exchange. Not wanting to eavesdrop, but also not wanting to interrupt them, he pretended to be asleep. He could tell Daniel was attracted to Lexa and she was attracted to Daniel.
Lexa made Daniel happy—the tone of his son’s voice made it clear. That would be an interesting relationship. Lexa is a firecracker. Bright and beautiful when she lit the darkness, but powerful and dangerous if not handled properly. He wondered what the rules were regarding relationships between teammates. Though decided not to ask and trust his son to manage it appropriately.
Dan settled back on the bed and closed his eyes. “Dad, … I know … you’re awake … and … yes, … I’m happy … for many … reasons.”
William’s eyes flashed open, and he saw his son’s eyes closed. He smiled and closed his eyes. His son amazed him. William slipped off to sleep.
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 7:00 a.m.
General Broderick woke with a start and his heart racing. He scanned the room and settled down—Daniel was peacefully sleeping. William inhaled and exhaled several times to calm the erratic beating and finally blew out the last breath as his heart rate returned to normal.
Same damned nightmare played in his mind for weeks. The haunting image of Daniel falling to the ground next to him in the church courtyard repeatedly tore his heart out. Seeing Daniel sleeping soundly now, without the furrow of pain which had been constant, felt so good. Maybe this image would stop the nightmare.
William chuckled to himself when he remembered last night. How the hell did Daniel know he was awake? And even more confusing, how did Daniel know he thought he was happy. Their connection must be deeper than either thought—like when he was aware of what Daniel was thinking about the coffee.
But damn, he had visual clues for that one. Daniel had no visual clues last night. William was blown away by the level of trust his son showed him by allowing him to overhear the conversation with Lexa—it staggered him.
He was feeling good this morning as he pulled out his phone and looked at the time. It was only five in Yellowknife, but he knew Yvonne would be awake. He needed to hear her voice, so he dialed his favorite number. When Yvonne answered, William said, “Good morning, beautiful. Want some good news?”
“Well, good morning to you, too, handsome. Been hoping you would call. Yes, I’d love some,” Yvonne answered brightly. Will’s voice always made her day.
“I made a decision. I’m going to have Mike bring you, Becca, and Ann home. I’ll call Sutton in a while and have him send a unit to assist Mike’s men in securing our home. I’m going to bring our boy home, too. Soon.”
Yvonne excitedly said, “Really, how soon? Tell me about it. Did Danny agree? How’s Danny doing?”
William had no desire to share with Yvonne what happened. He shielded her from the most painful events if he could. She never needed to know how badly her son had been hurt or that he wanted to die and tried to do it once. It would shatter her heart. So he avoided that.
“Daniel needs his family around him. He has a difficult road to tra
vel, but I’m positive with our support he can make it back like he’s done before. Scott and I need to talk to Daniel’s doctors and make arrangements. I’m not sure exactly how long before Daniel can come home. I’m hoping it will be in the next few days.” William looked at Daniel and hoped that his son would agree with the plans he and Scott had come up with.
Yvonne drew in a deep breath as she looked out at the trees blowing in the gentle morning breeze. “I miss Danny so very much. Please do what you can to convince him to come home. Should I prepare his room or one of the guest rooms on the first floor?” she asked.
“Given his fragile state right now, stairs are out of the question. The large guest room with the attached bathroom would be best. Scott and Lily will be staying with us, too. At least for the remainder of Scott’s leave so that he can be close to Daniel. Their connection is still powerful. Scott has five or six days left, I think.”
Sighing, Yvonne turned to her sister and smiled. “The connection between Scott and Dan is still strong.”
Ann teared up and hugged her sister. “That makes me so very happy.”
William heard Yvonne and Ann and decided he would share some of the humorous moments from yesterday. It made him so happy when Yvonne laughed hard when he described Loki’s antics. When he told her about little Allie and ‘Prince Charming’ and the wall full of colorful drawings, Yvonne insisted he take a picture and send it to her.
He glanced at the clock and realized he had a short amount of time to round up coffee before the meeting with Dr. Larsson. He concluded, “I love you, beautiful. I’ll call you once things are arranged. I’ll see you soon.”
Yvonne smiled. “I love you so much, Will. Thank you. I can’t wait to see you and Danny, too.”
After she had hung up, Yvonne turned to Ann. “We’re going home soon. William is making arrangements. Danny is coming home to me.” Joyful tears sprung forth—her prayer was finally being answered.
William sat holding the phone a moment. The joy in Yvonne’s voice was palpable. His eyes shifted to Daniel. Yvonne would help Danny. He grinned as an image of Yvonne embracing Daniel came to mind. They both needed each other. He was fairly confident Danny would accept it now. He took a picture of all the colorful drawings taped to the wall and sent it to Yvonne. Then he stood and went to grab some coffee before Dr. Larsson arrived.
Edmonton, AB – Club Ed Infirmary – 5:15 a.m. (7:15 a.m. Toronto)
Nigel Plouffe watched the door for the orderly. He needed to poop for a long time now. He couldn’t hold it much longer. He was cuffed to the bed and not allowed to take care of his business unless an orderly showed up. They were taking forever to come.
His desire to bribe an orderly had no success so far. He hadn’t seen the same one more than once, and they never talked to him. So Plouffe couldn’t get a read on any of them to determine who might be the best target.
The need to go was tremendous and holding it in was getting harder. Plouffe yelled, “I have to go, now. Where the hell is the orderly?”
Outside the room, Milo Dieterich waited as he listened to the major yell. He stood waiting here for five minutes. He had listened to the rumors flying around. Rumor had it the major had arranged to kill the general or the general’s son, depending on who told the story.
Milo was set to meet with investigators later this afternoon. Everyone who had ever had the slightest contact with Dan Broderick was getting called in for interviews. A few of his friends had already had their interviews and said they were grueling. Milo would come clean in his interview. He only hoped they would go lightly on him because he didn’t actually follow through with what Murphy bribed him to do.
He wasn’t a stupid man, though he gave that impression to many people. In reality, Milo was a bit forgetful, but some things he would never forget. Like how Murphy had coerced him and then beat the crap out of him when he didn’t do what he wanted him to do. Milo put a few things together in his head and decided that Murphy was too dumb to be the one pulling the strings. Murphy had most likely been Plouffe’s goon. And Murphy almost pulled him into the sick twisted vendetta against the Brodericks.
“I have to go now. I can’t hold it much longer. Get your asses in here now!” Plouffe shouted.
Taking another moment, Milo cracked his knuckles and stretched his back. He sauntered into the room. “Sorry, been busy. What do you need?”
Plouffe glared at the orderly. “Uncuff me now. I have to go.”
Milo ambled to the bed. He made a show of digging in his pockets. “Oh, gosh, I don’t have the key. I’ll be back in a moment.” Milo turned and slowly walked towards the door.
“On the double. That’s an order!”
Stopping at the door, Milo turned and smiled at the major. His words were full of disgust, “You don’t remember me, do you?”
“Why the hell should I?” Plouffe shifted clenching his butt cheeks tightly.
“No, reason. But I’m aware of who you are and what you did. I think it’s about time you experienced lying in your own shit.” Milo closed the door as he left. He ignored the major’s bellows as he went to go grab a soda.
“Get back here now, or I’ll have you written up. You’ll be kicked out with a dishonorable mark. Bring your sorry ass back in here this instant.” Plouffe blustered until he could hold it no longer and ended up lying cuffed to his bed in his own stinking filth.
Plouffe’s roars filled the infirmary, but he was ignored by the staff. Many wished Plouffe had died when he was stabbed. And they all believed it was partial recompense for what he tried to do to the Brodericks.
St. Michael’s Hospital – Outside Room 1030 – 7:20 a.m.
The general took five steps from Daniel’s room when he saw Scott and Lilyanna rounding the nurse’s station. Scott carried a tray and Lily a large bag. As they got closer, William said, “Good morning,” and moved to hug Lilyanna. “It’s been way too long since I last saw you. Just after your honeymoon, I think. You are looking lovely as always, Lilyanna.”
Lily hugged him back and blushed lightly. She held up the bag and pointed to the tray. “I thought you might like some breakfast sandwiches and some decent coffee.” She lifted one cup and said, “Black, right?” as she handed him a large cup of Timmy’s.
“Thanks.” William inhaled the aroma and sighed as he took a sip.
“How’s Dan?” Scott asked.
“Still sleeping peacefully. Woke for a bit in the night but went back to sleep no problem. Daniel was so exhausted he’ll probably sleep most the day away,” William said as they headed toward Daniel’s room. “I told Yvonne our plans, and she is excited. Hope we’re successful with the doctor.”
“We will be,” Scott stated.
As the general entered the room, Scott stopped Lily before she could follow. “Now, you remember you married me. No regrets about not getting the younger twin,” Scott said in mock sternness then laughed.
Lily only smiled. She knew Yvonne and Ann were twin sisters, she liked them both. This twin thing was just something the Broderick boys dreamed up and had the earmarks of one of their silly, boyish long cons. The collective brothers and cousins were always teasing her with their warped sense of humor and tried to get a rise out of her to make her lose her poise. It never worked, she was always smooth and steady—unflappable even.
Though, Lily didn’t quite understand the point of this one, though they had an odd sense of humor. Adam and Jeff had gone so far as to call her and tell her about one of Dan’s teammate’s reactions to meeting Scott. They told her how confused it made Scott—rarely was Scott confused. Lily didn’t believe Scott and Dan looked like twins—not for a second. How gullible did they think she was?
So, Lily demurely smiled and calmly said, “Knock it off already. Not gonna fall for it. You two are cousins. How alike can you really be? I’m sure you and the boys are pulling my leg. You and Kyle look like brothers, but not twins. So as cousins, I doubt that you and Dan look that much alike. I mean, come on you have diff
erent fathers after all.”
Scott shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not lying babe. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He strode into the room before her.
Flustered, Anxious, and Ecstatic
46
August 5
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 7:25 a.m.
Lily started into the room as she heard the general say, “Morning, son. Sleep well?” She thought, wonderful, he’s up. Eager to meet Dan, Lily smiled brightly and hurried into the room. She came to an abrupt halt right next to Scott as he eyes landed on Dan. “Holy f’ing crap.”
The bag of breakfast sandwiches dropped to the floor as her hand flew to her mouth not believing what came out. She never cussed. Lily gawped open mouthed at an exact copy of her husband albeit slightly younger. She turned and slugged Scott in the arm.
“Oww!’” Scott yelped and stared at his wife dumbfounded. Lily hit him? Lily cursed? Where is his calm, sweet, unflappable lady?
Dan and William laughed at Scott’s bewildered reaction. The expression on his face when she hit him was absolutely priceless. He was baffled. Not an easy thing to do with Scott. Of all the cousins, Scott was the cool collected one. Dan braced his ribs with his arms, unable to stop laughing and hoped it didn’t start a coughing fit.
Lily scrambled to regain her dignity and calm demeanor. “Sorry, I …, but damn!” Shocked at another cuss word out of her. “I mean darn … my God!” Yet another curse she corrected, “My goodness … you two are the same … you sure you don’t have the same dad?”
Then Lily blushed bright red as she realized what she just implied. She slugged Scott again even harder, spun on her heel to speed from the room—thoroughly embarrassed by her reaction and outburst.
Scott immediately wrapped his arms around Lily stopping her from leaving and hugged her tightly. “It’s alright babe, but I did warn you.” He leaned in close and planted a big kiss on her cheek.