“Christ… really guys?” My eyes snap over to Brance, who’s standing at the French doors. His hair wet, he holds both Reed’s and my phones with his other hand covering his eyes.
Reed pulls me tight against his chest. “What the hell, Brance?” he snarls.
“I have to go. Logan’s mom has taken a turn for the worse, and I’m heading down to Tustin. Both of your phones are going off.” He sets them on the table and kisses the top of my head.
Reed groans as I jump off his lap and tighten my robe to hug Brance. “Are you going to be okay?” I take in his tired eyes.
He sighs. “I owe Logan and his family at least the courtesy of being there when she passes.”
Reed clears his throat. “What can we do to help?” He stands, adjusting himself, then pulls my robe tighter.
“There is nothing anyone can do I guess. I’m going to turn my phone off at the hospital, so I’ll check in later.” A ding makes us look down. “My Uber’s here.” Brance grabs me for a tight hug, his whole body radiating need, and I squeeze him tighter.
“Do you want me to go with you?” I pull back so that I can brush his hair out of his eyes.
“I’ll survive.” We walk to the front door.
“Call me if you need me,” I say, biting my lip as he gets into the car.
Suddenly I shiver and cross my arms. As I turn toward Reed, I can sense it: something’s wrong.
He’s on his phone. Pacing, he runs his hand through his hair. In slow motion, he stops and turns to look at me through the glass of my French doors. His turquoise eyes find mine, and I almost scream because I know with just his look something has happened. As if on autopilot, I race up the stairs throwing off my robe and shoving my legs into jeans. I reach for a long-sleeved pink tee and grab my short, black, quilted Burberry coat. I’ve pulled on my tennis shoes when Reed walks in, his face pale despite his tan. My heart stops for a moment. He’s not speaking, only listening to whoever is on the other end of the phone. His eyes travel over me as I twist my hair into a low bun. He takes my hand with his and propels me to the garage and opens the Explorer’s door for me.
“I want the best, Jax. Is Mom okay?”
“What is it, Reed?” My hands are shaking as I try to buckle myself in. Reed gently moves my cold hands aside as he locks me in, his concentration on whoever is talking.
“Fine… we’re on our way.”
He tosses his phone on my lap as he starts to back up. “Mom and Dad got up this morning and took the twins to the park. Luke fell off the apparatus.”
My whole world stops. Flashes of my life splatter on my brain much like paint splattering on paper as I try to breathe.
“Tess.” Reed snaps me back to him. We’re already on the freeway. “This is not the time to lose it, babe. He’s going to be fine, but you have to pull it together.”
My eyes go to his. He’s right. I can fall apart later. Right now, my son needs me. Reed’s warm hand tightens on mine. “He’s getting a scan at Cedars. By the time we get there, I’m sure we’ll know what’s going on. Jax is there making sure he has the best doctors.”
“Okay.” My voice sounds like a robot’s. “He will be fine,” I announce. My heart is pounding so hard it vibrates in my temples. I rub my hands on my jeans.
“He is fine. They need to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion. Mom said he was unconscious for a few minutes, but when he woke up he was really grumpy and alert, so that is all good.”
I nod and try to swallow. “Lilly?”
“She’s with your mom at the hotel.”
“My mom?” I instantly reach into my purse for my phone. Ignoring how shaky my fingers are, I have to hit her number twice before I get it right. Reed’s warm hand is on my leg as he rubs it up and down in a soothing motion. I look at his handsome face. Jaw tight, he’s worried but so strong.
“I love you.” He looks over at me.
“I love you more.”
“I doubt tha—”
“Hello?” my mom finally answers.
“It’s me.”
“Yes, I know, Tess. Has something happened?” Her voice genuinely sounds scared.
“No, we’re almost there. You have Lilly?” My tone is harsh and I’m sweating. Reed squeezes my leg in support. “Mom, this is important. You need to watch her. Lilly is full of energy and she must be scared…”
“Tess, I’m not an idiot. I did raise you, you know.”
I almost scream that’s what I’m scared of. Instead I croak, “Thank you” and hang up. I look down and Reed’s hand is clasped in mine. I lighten my grip since my fingertips are white—that’s how hard I’m clinging to him. But I don’t care. I need him. His constant reassurance makes me feel better.
We park the Explorer in the emergency room parking lot. As we speed walk through the emergency doors, he laces our fingers together. My body is shaking with anxiety.
“He’s fine,” Reed says.
In minutes, Reed has us in the right area. Caroline and Jax are talking to a female doctor.
“Thank God.” Caroline clutches her chest, reaching for Reed as he approaches. “Here are my son and his wife.”
I cringe because it makes my heart drop to my stomach for many reasons. Her mascara is smudged all over one cheek. Her normal perfect self is, for the first time ever, not perfect. Jax is by her side basically holding her up.
Reed doesn’t speak but looks at the doctor.
She immediately starts to speak. “I was informing your mother and your brother…” Her cheeks pinken as she looks at Jax.
“That Luke has a fractured skull,” Caroline finishes and bursts into tears and Jax pulls her close.
“It’s okay, Mom. He’s okay.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I step in front of Reed. “I’m Luke’s mother.”
She smiles, but it’s uncomfortable. I don’t blame her—we are an intimidating group.
“It means that I will be keeping him today and tonight to monitor him. We will be running some more tests in the morning. The good news is that he has had no vomiting or any confusion. As of right now, he is not having any signs of head trauma besides the swelling.”
I find myself sinking back into Reed’s warm body. “So he’s okay?” I exhale.
“At this time, he does not seem to have any side effects. The longer he goes without any symptoms, the better and the less we worry. The skull takes at least six weeks to heal, so he will need to be very careful.”
“How long will he need to stay here? We have a little girl who needs us also.” Reed gives her a small smile and I watch the poor woman try to remain unaffected as she stares for a second at his full lips.
She gives him a quick nod. “Yes, well, if he is still having no symptoms in the morning, I will rescan him and he can go home.”
“We will be staying with him tonight. He’s in a suite right?”
She looks at both of us. “Yes.” She looks at her watch. “I think he’s already in there. The lab technician will bring him to his room after the test is finished. Your father is with him.” Her eyes dart to Jax again who seems to be ignoring her as he rubs Caroline’s shoulders.
“Thank you so much for taking care of my son.” My voice cracks as the tears finally slide down my cheeks. Reed pulls me into his strong arms.
“He’s fine, babe. Let’s go see him.”
She smiles and I notice that she’s quite attractive. “You’re very welcome. Luke is strong. I’m confident he will be fine.” A nurse interrupts to hand her a chart. “Oh, one more thing. His head is swollen where he fell on it. So it feels squishy. Try not to let him touch it. It will go down, but it takes time.” She smiles. “Excuse me. If you need anything or he starts acting strange, call the nurse immediately and she will page me. Otherwise, I’ll be by later to check on him.”
We watch her walk away and then it’s like a harsh dose of reality hits us all.
Reed has moved us away from the nurse’s station as a security guard introduc
es himself, ready to show us to Luke’s room.
I can’t speak, the huge lump in my throat making me painfully aware that I should have been there.
“They’re my responsibility, our children. I should have—”
“Kitten, please.” It’s harsh and I stop talking. He turns to the guard. “Make sure no one but family gets near my son’s door?”
“Yes, sir.”
He nods and lets me enter first. Brad sits in a chair. Luke is asleep on his lap.
He looks up at us and smiles, his eyes glistening. “One moment he was within my grasp and the next—”
Reed holds up his hand. “Dad, it was an accident.”
I walk to him and gently take Luke. He nods almost weary. “It was awful. I keep replaying him falling.” This time his eyes do spill over with tears.
“Dad.” Reed gives him a hug and I melt, love for Reed pouring out of me. I must be squeezing Luke because he stirs and I kiss his sweet cheek as I watch Reed comfort his father.
I set Luke gently on his bed. The love that I have for this child and Reed wants to explode like a bottle of shaken soda. All the money that we have is meaningless. Our children deserve everything, and that includes Reed and me being together.
“I’ll go get your mother and we will bring you some food.” Brad sniffs.
“No, Dad. You guys have done enough. If you could help out with Lilly that would be great.” He rubs the back of his neck as he looks at me.
“Yes, please Brad, if you could watch Lilly I would feel so much better.” I throw my arms around him and hug him tight.
“You are a great man. Not only are you an incredible father but you’re are an amazing grandfather. Our children could not be luckier having you and Caroline in their lives.” And I truly do mean that. My father still refuses to meet Luke and Lilly. Lana was allowed to come for a short visit to celebrate the twins’ first birthday. It was bittersweet because deep down we kind of knew we might not be seeing each other again or at least for a while. I try to call when I can, but Lana sounds sad and lonely, which makes me feel powerless. I can’t make her leave him. I mean it took my mom twenty-three years to finally work up the guts to divorce him. So Lana has a lot of soul searching to do before she takes that step.
“Then we will go back and help Claire.”
I nod. “Yes, please, and call when you get there.”
He chuckles. “You know, your mother held it together much better than Caroline and I did.” He places his arm on my shoulder.
“Well, let’s not push it. We want her to end on a high point.” Reed’s voice is curt, his eyes on mine almost as if he can read my mind.
“Okay, you two.” He kisses my forehead. “Call if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Brad. Tell Caroline the same.”
He shakes his head. “We love having her, but I wish—”
“Dad, go.” Reed opens the door for him.
He blinks back tears, gives Luke a longing look, then nods at the security guard as the door quietly shuts.
I’m in Reed’s arms in seconds, his face intense as I lift my lips to his. He backs up.
“Say it. I can feel your mind racing.”
“This is what matters. I don’t care what you did. I don’t care that you married Lexi. All that is pointless.” I grab his face. “I am completely in love with you. Always have been, and I’m not ashamed anymore of telling you that I always will be.”
He kisses me. His warm tongue fills my mouth and I taste my salty tears as we deepen the kiss.
A small tap and a nurse enters to check on Luke. Reed reluctantly lets me go.
She smiles and goes over to Luke and gently wakes him. He blinks and instantly sits up.
“Hi, Mommy and Daddy.”
I almost start crying, but I don’t want to scare him, so I say, “Hi, baby. I heard you fell?”
“Yeah.” He looks down at his sheet. The nurse introduces herself as Teresa and starts to check Luke.
“I’m hungwy, Mommy. How much lowger?”
Reed steps over to the bed. “You know what, Buddy? We have to stay the night, but I bet I can get you some pancakes.”
Luke looks thrilled, and my heart thuds at how alike they are.
Teresa clears her voice, looks up, and smiles. “He looks good.” She turns back to Luke. “How are you feeling?”
“Hungwy. Where’s Lilly?” Luke goes to swing his little legs down.
“She’s with Grandma and Grandpa. You can call her later.” I reach for him and plop him back in the bed.
“I’m ordering you a Reuben from Jerry’s Deli,” Reed tells me as he pulls out his phone.
I turn to Teresa. “So is he fine to get down?” She smiles again at Luke who grins back at her.
“He’s adorable, and yes he seems to be doing great.” She hands him a bunch of Band-Aids, which he happily takes.
“I’ll check back later. If you need me, beep me.” She looks at Luke. “Enjoy your pancakes.”
He looks up, a Band-Aid already on his arm. “I will.”
Still on the phone, Reed nods at her, and I turn and sit on the edge of Luke’s bed.
I take a deep breath before I start. “Sweetheart, what did I tell you the other day about climbing too high on things?”
“Can I watch TV, Mommy?” he asks, completely ignoring me. Reed comes up and wraps an arm around me.
“Luke, you can watch TV in a minute. I need you to listen to me. You and your sister are really lucky to have the mommy you have. When she tells you not to do stuff, she’s doing this because she loves you and knows what is best, okay?”
Luke’s pretty green eyes look at Reed like he is the most amazing man in the world.
“Your mom and I are a team, Luke. Remember that.” He gives me a wink, which makes my stomach flutter like I’m thirteen again.
“Owkay, Daddy.”
“That’s my boy.” He grabs for Luke to tickle him.
“Careful, Reed,” I say, unable to help my smile because come on, I have the cutest kid in the world along with the hottest whatever Reed is to me.
He stops. “Your mom’s right. We’ll play later. Let’s see what we can find on TV while we wait for dinner.” All three of us go into the lounge area and cuddle up together as Reed and Luke discuss what to watch. I sit in between Reed’s legs as Luke climbs on both of us. We finally agree on PBS and I only wish Lilly was here because snuggling with my boys is the best thing in the world. A knock interrupts us about forty-five minutes later.
“That must be dinner. Push me up,” I tell Reed who is looking down my shirt. Luke is happily watching Wild Kratts.
I let the guy roll our food in while a woman in her late forties trails behind him with a couple of bags from Bloomingdale’s.
“Thanks, Vanessa.” Reed gets up. “I really appreciate this.” He hands her a ridiculous amount of money.
She counts it, nods, and leaves. I lift an eyebrow. “Best personal secretary ever—competent and rarely talks.” I roll my eyes.
“Whewre’s Lilly? I want Lilly. I swick of this place. It stinks.” Luke pads over to us, standing on tiptoe to peek at the food.
“Luke Bradley Saddington,” I say, glancing around the suite. It’s incredible. I think it has three bedrooms. Again, I’m thrown back to the life of being wealthy, and it’s scary how fast you adjust right into it. Granted it’s been a stressful day, but we are staying in a hospital decked out so lavishly it looks like a five-star hotel.
“Trust me, this does not stink.”
“Here, Kitten, you sit here and Buddy, you here.” Reed has all the food set up on the table and I groan as I take a bite of my sandwich. The corned beef and sauerkraut are mouthwatering. Add the sweet thousand island dressing and cheese and it’s yummy. We must have been starving because we all three eat fast and finish almost everything.
Leaning back in the chair, I’m so full it’s almost uncomfortable. “How about we take a quick bath and then we’ll call Lilly and Grandma a
nd Grandpa?” Luke yawns. His head looks awful. It’s swollen on top. Anxiety—it’s like my worst demon. It strikes me anytime. My head shoots it straight to my stomach and I almost throw up my Reuben.
I lock eyes with Reed’s and he reaches for my wrist, his long dark fingers caressing me against the rapid beat in my pale wrist.
“You’re okay, Kitten.”
I nod and lean down to kiss him. “Ready, baby?”
Luke is quietly staring at us. “My head hurts, Mommy.” And that’s it. Reed stands and calls the nurse as I pick Luke up and cuddle him. Not three minutes later, Teresa enters with some Infant Tylenol and checks him again.
“The doctor will be here soon. He seems fine, just tired. It’s getting late.” She looks at Luke then smiles at me. “Dr. Stevens will be here shortly.”
“How about we take a nice warm bath?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
I run the water and add some expensive bubbles in as Luke claps at how many there are. “Okay, you can play for a little bit,” I say as I sit on the edge and take in the bathroom. Besides the bars to help people stand, you would never know we’re in a hospital. Reed walks in and smiles at us. He rubs my neck as I melt into him.
“I ordered us a hot fudge sundae, so hurry up.”
Luke instantly perks up. “I wuv sundaes.” He throws some bubbles in the air. I quickly wash him and dress him in his new, adorable Incredible Hulk pajamas that the woman from earlier bought for him.
“Sundae’s here,” Reed hollers from the other room. I take Luke’s hand and we sit down at the table.
“Three spoons, so we can all share.” Reed hands me a spoon, and along with Luke, we happily dig in as exhaustion and stress finally set in. I almost scream when there’s a knock on the door and the woman doctor from this morning steps in. She still looks fresh while I feel like a car ran over me.
“Sundae? Wow, you’re a lucky boy.” She smiles and Luke grins, his fat cheeks covered in vanilla ice cream smeared with hot fudge. “So I guess no nausea?” She smiles at both Reed and me.
“No, he ate a big dinner, had a bath, and now we’re having dessert.” Reed grins as he reaches for my hand because I want to burst into tears.
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