“Yeah, I think I’ve still got clothes at your house, though. Jeans and a t-shirt will work. Here, let me give you my card.”
“I’ve got it, honey,” she says.
“Addy, take it, please.”
“Are you being all macho he-man on me?” she asks.
“Yeah, taking care of my family,” I reply. My head is spinning with everything that needs to be done.
“We’ll get it all figured out, okay? The four of us will talk when we get back. I’m grabbing some pizza too, how does that sound, boys?”
“Can we have ice cream too?” JD asks. I grin because my boy has a sweet tooth and my woman caters to it every chance she can.
“Absolutely. I’ll ask the nurses if we can put it in their freezer until you’re ready to eat it, okay? How about some root beer tonight?”
“Yes!” both boys exclaim.
“See you when you get back, pretty girl. Please be careful.”
“Always. My whole life is in this place right now,” she says. I lean down and kiss her before she and Marvie head out the door.
“Hale? Do you remember their attorney’s name?” Boz asks me when we’re alone.
“Yeah, Masters or something like that. Why?”
“As organized as your sister is… dammit, was… I’m sure they’ve got arrangements and shit in place. You want me to call him for you?”
“Yeah, if they need me, come back in.”
“You’ve got it.” As he walks out, his parents walk in and I’m immediately embraced in the warmest hug his mom has ever given me.
“Whatever you need from us, we’re here, Hale,” she says, wiping tears from her face. “You and Caroline were ours too, even if not by blood.”
“Thanks, Momma Sue,” I reply, before she turns me over to Pops. He grabs me and hugs me close as well, whispering in my ear. I can feel his body shaking and know how hard this is on them as well. They weren’t just there for me growing up; when they found out I had a sister, they included her as well.
“We got you, boy.” His voice is gruff with emotion as he makes his way over to the boys. “Heard tell that two of my favorite grandsons are heroes,” he states, looking first at JD and then at Johnny. “The fire department wanted me to give you these.” With that, he pulls out the fire department badges that they give out during parades and hands one to each of the boys. “They said they’ve never seen two braver young men in their lives, and they want you to know that when you get older, if you’re interested, they’d love to have you on their team. Said you listened to their instructions, and that you were protecting that sweet little girl. I’m really proud of you both.”
“Pops?” I turn toward Johnny to see his chin wobbling. “We couldn’t help my mom and dad.” Tears start running down his face and before I can react, Momma Sue has climbed into the bed with him and has him in her arms.
“Johnny, the first responders tell me that there wasn’t anything you could have done to help them. For that, I’m very sorry.”
“Why did that other person hit us?” JD asks.
Good question and one I want the answer to as it’ll determine whether or not I retain an attorney to fight for everything owed to the kids. Pops looks at me and I nod, letting him know it’s okay for him to continue. “Well, JD, I’m not one hundred percent sure, to be honest. I reckon the police will let your dad know once the investigation is all done.” JD nods.
“So, I understand congratulations are in order, Hale?” Momma Sue questions.
Despite the circumstances, I can’t help the smile that crosses my face at her words. “Yes, ma’am. I asked and she said yes.”
“And I see you finally got Marvie to say yes,” Pops says to Boz.
“Yep.”
“Hale, you’re probably gonna need to do it sooner rather than later, all things considered,” Momma Sue states. Personally, I don’t care. I’d go to the courthouse today if Addy was willing.
“I want Addy to have whatever she wants.”
“And Marvie wants a double wedding,” Boz adds. “Wonder if we can hit the courthouse once the kids are released?” he muses.
“One thing at a time, okay? The girls may have their own ideas and I want them to have what they want. Happy wife, happy life, remember?” Momma Sue laughs and Pops chuckles.
“He’s right, son. Let’s get through this first.”
18
Addy
I’m worried about how this will impact the kids long-term and say, “Marvie, I think they’re gonna need counseling.”
“I think you’re right,” she replies. Thank God she’s driving because I’m a wreck. “Let’s hit your house first and grab what you need for you and Hale, then we’ll hit Hellmart.”
“Our favorite place,” I reply, causing her to laugh. “Okay, so Miss Rosie loves unicorns, and both boys are into baseball. Shouldn’t be hard to find stuff for them. Probably need to get cast covers too, don’t you think?”
“Write it all down so you don’t forget. Y’know, y’all probably need to get married sooner rather than later, Addy.”
“That tosses your double wedding out the window,” I state.
“Who said we can’t just all go to the courthouse? Y’all stand up for us, we stand up for y’all, and we have the kids and Boz’s parents there. A small dinner and cake, we can do this ourselves.”
“Marvie, you and Hale have never had the big to-do, though,” I protest.
“Honey, my daddy’s not here to walk me down the aisle. I know Pops would do it, but it wouldn’t be the same. Let’s just see what the guys think, okay?”
I nod because she’s right. Hale’s gonna have his hands full and will need me, but is that a good enough reason to get married so quickly?
At my house, we quickly grab the things Hale requested. “Let’s grab the cakes and swing them by the diner,” Marvie states. “One less thing for you to worry about.”
“I’ll still have to deliver to The Oink Joint,” I point out.
“Nope, I texted her while you were getting Hale’s stuff; she’s gonna meet us at the diner and grab theirs.”
“That’ll just leave the muffins for the Sunday school,” I muse, heading into the kitchen.
“Ha, got you there as well, my friend. She’s also meeting us at the diner. You need to focus on Hale and the kids right now and it’s the least I can do to help.”
Tears fill my eyes at her words. I’m not sure how I got so damn blessed to have a friend like Marvie, but I hope I never take it for granted. “This is a huge weight off my shoulders. Y’know I’ll be baking every night, though.” It’s true - in times of stress, I bake.
“That might not be a bad thing because Mrs. Porter mentioned some upcoming street festival and said they might need extra cakes.”
I start to laugh at her as she is packing up the cakes. “You are something else, my friend,” I tell her. “Here I am worried out of my mind and you’ve managed to take it and make it all easy for me.”
“I know you’ll probably need stuff so can you jot it all down? Me and Boz will run and grab it tomorrow for you and bring it over so you’re ready.”
I throw my arms around her and hug her. “Marvie, I love you.”
“Love you too, Addy. Now, we need to get a move on. First the diner, then Hellmart, then two little boys want pizza and ice cream.”
* * *
Several hours later, we walk back into the hospital room, our arms full of bags, pizza, and root beer. I dropped the ice cream off at the nurse’s station and they put it in their freezer until later.
“Yay, pizza!” JD calls out. Already both boys look better, and I glance at Hale with my eyebrow raised.
“While you were gone, we got these two into showers,” he states.
“Well, we found some snazzy pajamas that are better than those old gowns,” Marvie replies, pulling the matching pjs out of the bag. “How about y’all eat and then get changed? When can y’all see Rosie?” she asks.
“
Was waiting on Addy,” Hale says. I reach into one of the bags and pull out the unicorn nightgown I found, as well as a stuffed unicorn, and nod.
“Whenever you’re ready,” I tell him.
“Let’s eat first, sweetheart,” he says, handing me a plate.
It doesn’t take long for us to scarf down the pizza and soon, Hale and I are on our way up to the pediatric ICU. “I’m a bit nervous,” I admit. “How much is she going to understand?”
“No clue. We’ll take it one day at a time,” he replies. Walking up to the nurse’s station, he asks, “Which room is Rosie Carlisle in?”
“Right this way, sir. Are you her uncle?” the nurse questions.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, as we follow behind her.
“She’s still out per the doctor’s orders, but he plans to start turning down the medicine tomorrow,” she says, ushering us into the room.
Seeing the small little body lying so still has me tearing up. “We brought this for her.”
The nurse takes the nightgown and quickly gets Rosie changed. “I’m sure she’ll love it,” she says, tucking the little girl back under the sheet. “How are the boys?”
“They should be released tomorrow,” Hale says.
“Such a tragedy.”
“Yeah, it is.”
We sit for a little while with Rosie watching her sleep. “Addy?” he asks.
“Yeah?”
“When we get her home, are you okay with going to the courthouse? I’m sure you wanted something different and if that’s the case, we can figure it out.”
“Hale, I’ve had the huge shindig before and don’t need it. It’s not a reflection of how the marriage itself will be, y’know? But you’ve never been married, don’t you want the whole thing?”
“I just want you. Period.”
“Then we’ll go to the courthouse. Marvie already said pretty much the same thing. My worry is that neither of y’all have ever been married and I don’t want either of you to regret us just doing the courthouse.”
He wraps his arms around me and says, “Whether it’s at the courthouse or in a church somewhere, at the end of the ceremony, we’ll still be married, and that’s all I care about.”
“Let’s go back to the boys’ room and we can talk about it with them, okay?”
He kisses me and I melt into him. Regardless of the current situation, I need to feel him near. “Wait until we get home, woman,” he teases.
Hale
I chuckle when we get to the room and see that not only are the boys eating ice cream, complete with chocolate syrup and sprinkles, but so are Boz and Marvie.
“How’s Rosie, Dad?” JD asks around a spoonful of ice cream.
“She’s still sleeping. They gave her special medicine to keep her asleep, so she heals.”
“Good, I don’t want her to be in any pain,” Johnny adds.
“She’s got a few scratches, but like we said earlier, you boys protected her,” Addy says.
“Do we get to go home tomorrow?” JD asks.
“Where’s home now, Uncle Hale?” Johnny questions.
“You’re all going to live with me,” Addy tells them. “And once Rosie gets out of the hospital, we’re getting married at the courthouse.”
“No tuxedo?” JD inquires.
“Nope. Nice clothes, though, so you can’t wear your fishing waders,” Addy teases.
“Dad, are you and Addy staying here tonight?” JD asks me. I know we had originally wanted to, but the thought of sleeping in the chairs and then having to help the boys with everything once they’re released has my body cringing.
“I think we’re gonna stay at her house, buddy. These chairs aren’t all that comfortable to sleep in.”
“Yeah, I suppose they aren’t. What time do we get to leave tomorrow?”
“No idea, but we’ll be here early. You guys finished? We want to help you change before we head out.”
“I am, Uncle Hale,” Johnny replies. I help him off the bed, making sure to grab the IV pole and take him into the bathroom so he can get changed into the pajamas the women bought.
Once he’s back in bed, I maneuver JD into the bathroom and help him as well. “Dad, it’s okay that you’re not having a fancy wedding,” he tells me as I work the shirt over his cast.
“I know, buddy. We both feel it’s more important that we’re together, since Johnny and Rosie are gonna need all of us, y’know?”
“It’s gonna be hard for them, Dad.”
I nod because there’s not much else I can say. “We’re gonna find someone they can talk to, you too if you need it, about all that’s happened.”
“That’d probably be good for us,” he replies.
“How’d you get so smart?” I ask him as I get his toothbrush ready.
“I don’t know. I think I got it from my dad, though,” he replies.
* * *
Our ride back to her house is quiet, leaving me to my thoughts about everything we need to do before the kids are released.
“Addy, we need to stop and see about getting another bed,” I tell her.
“Hellmart has them,” she replies, causing me to chuckle.
“Then let’s run by there and grab what we need so we can get it all set up tonight,” I say.
Before she can respond, my phone rings. Seeing it’s Boz, I hit the accept button and his voice comes through the speakers. “What’s up?” I ask.
“Marvie and I are running to get beds and what-not for the kids. Do you want us to go by Caroline’s and grab that stuff or get all new?”
“New might be better, although I know they’re gonna want their things.” Shit, another task to handle.
“See you at Addy’s. Marvie said she needed margaritas, too.”
“We’ll grab more ice then,” I tell him. He disconnects the call and I glance at Addy.
“You okay with that, sweetheart?” I ask.
“Yeah. Do you wanna put the boys in the rooms with the Jack and Jill bathroom between them? That way they can have their own space but still be together.”
“I like that. What about Rosie?”
“The room across from theirs has its own bathroom as well.”
“Your grandfather really planned this out well.”
“I did a lot of renovations over the years as well. There’ll be plenty of space for all of us, Hale,” she states.
I’m continually amazed at how she rolls with the punches we keep getting hit with and reach over and grab her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Addy, you blow me away, y’know that? Not sure I know of any other person on this planet who would just say, ‘we can handle it’ like it’s nothing.”
“Hale, I always wanted kids and was fully prepared to help you raise JD. Two more kids, especially ones who have suffered such a devastating loss, is not a big deal in the scheme of things. I’ll love them because they’re all a part of you somehow.”
No words. None.
I pull into her driveway and see Boz unloading his truck. Once I help Addy, I give him a hand and soon, we’re putting together bunk-bed sets with a full-size bed on the bottom and a twin bed on the top. “I really like these,” I tell him as we finish up the second set of beds.
“Yeah, figured that way, they could have friends over and shit,” Boz replies. “Marvie’s got the bedding in the wash already. What say we run over to Caroline’s and John’s and box up some of the kids’ things and bring them over?”
“Can’t ask y’all to do that.”
“Man, we don’t mind and as my mom always says, many hands make light the load.”
“Then let’s go get the ladies, shall we? We probably need to take both trucks.”
* * *
I stop and take a deep breath before opening up my sister’s home. Seeing how they left it earlier in the day has me fighting tears. I feel Addy’s hand rubbing my back and say, “This is gonna suck.”
“I know, honey. We’re here to help. Marvie, let’s see what we can grab in Rosie
’s room while the guys handle Johnny’s.”
We decide to take Johnny’s dresser, so I head to the garage for some straps to keep it closed while Boz takes the clothes in the closet and puts them in garbage bags, poking the hangers through the bottom. Never thought to do that, but it’ll work and all we’ll have to do is hang them up when we get back to the house.
“Hale?” Addy calls out. “Can you come here for a minute?”
I walk into Rosie’s room and see that they had the same idea. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
“Can we just take her bed? We’ll move the queen bed that’s in the room I was going to put her in and put it in the spare room.”
“Good thing we brought both trucks. Let me get the hand truck that John has in the garage so we can get this done.”
We work long into the night, setting up the bedrooms and by the time we’re done, we’re all exhausted. As Boz and Marvie get ready to leave, Addy looks at them and says, “No, stay in the spare room tonight. I don’t want y’all driving as tired as we all are. I’d worry too much.”
“Good plan,” Marvie replies, yawning. “Can I have a nightshirt? I wanna take a quick shower and toss this into the wash. We can get up early enough to do breakfast here before we head back to the hospital, right? I’ll toss them into the dryer then.”
“Works for me.”
I honestly don’t care. The whole day has me spinning and I’m wiped out. “C’mon, baby, let’s grab what they’ll need and then take a shower and get some shut-eye.”
19
Addy
I wake up the next morning exhausted and hurting in places I didn’t know had muscles. Sliding out from beneath Hale’s arm, I grab some clothes and head to the bathroom to get ready for the day. When I come back out, I see he’s still sleeping so I head to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee, then switch the laundry over so that Boz and Marvie have clean clothes to wear.
Deciding on French toast, I pull out what I need, along with my griddle, and get started with breakfast. With the bacon in the oven and the batter ready to dunk the bread, I open up Spike’s crate and take him outside. I feel terrible that we’ve been gone more than we’ve been here, but he was a good boy and used the pads in the crate. Confident he’ll be okay in the area that we sectioned off for him, I walk back inside and quickly clean his crate, then get his food ready.
Hale’s Song: A single dad contemporary romance Page 12
