His eyes rolled open again and he focused on her. “Everything is going to be fine,” he said, as if she were the one that needed reassuring. “Tell the boys I’ll be home in a few days. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
He drifted off, the pull of the drugs too hard for his wounded body to resist. Dr. Potts put his hand on Alix’s shoulder as she struggled.
“His vitals are stable for now,” he assured her. “I’ve given him some Demerol, so he’s not in any pain, but his blood pressure is flirting with the danger zone.”
Alix wiped furiously at the tears coursing down her cheeks, focusing on what she was trained to do. Her breakdown had been brief but now she had to get down to business. Cord’s life depended on it.
“Cord” she said quietly, putting her hands gently on his abdomen. “Baby, I need to examine you, okay? Can you please tell me if this hurts?”
He laid there, eyes closed, as she probed around his belly. His left side was pretty well battered, his magnificent chest bruised and cut. He was silent until she came to the left side of his stomach. A couple of gentle pushes just beneath his rib cage and he grunted. Alix paused and looked up at him.
“Does this hurt?” she pushed again, very gently.
He grunted again and his eyes rolled open. “A little bit, yes.”
“Do you have any pain in your left shoulder?”
“My whole left side is killing me.”
Alix poked around a few more times before checking the drainage tube stuck in his side, draining into a bag next to the bed.
“There’s a lot of blood in his drainage bag,” she muttered to Dr. Potts.
Potts nodded. “I know,” he said quietly. “That makes me think he’s ruptured something.”
Alix concurred. “No doubt about it,” she said. “In fact, I can’t wait for Dr. Levenger. Let’s get him up to surgery now.”
“But, Alix….”
“Now, Dr. Potts,” she snapped, louder. “I’m not waiting another minute. If he’s bleeding out, I need to get in there. Please make sure I have a surgery room cleared because he’s going right now.”
Dr. Potts sighed heavily. “You know I can’t let you….”
“Yes, you can,” her tears were fading and she was becoming more businesslike, utterly stubborn and pushy. “I’m not his wife. I’m not a relative of any kind. I’m taking him in for surgery immediately. If you don’t like it, file a grievance with the Board. I have work to do.”
With that, she began issuing orders to the nurses in the room and, even though they all glanced at Dr. Potts, they began doing her bidding. Monitors were unplugged and Cord’s bed was shifted into the wheeled position. Dr. Potts, knowing it would be of no use to try and stop her, made his way out to the nurse’s station to make sure a surgery bay was cleared out. Dr. Hendry was on her way.
Alix was at Cord’s head, softly but steadily issuing orders to the nurses who were wheeling him out, when they wheeled the bed past a collection of firefighters still standing outside of Cord’s room. When the men saw Alix, Steve, the firefighter who had once tried to pick her up, reached out to gently touch her arm.
“Dr. Hendry?” He caught her attention. When she turned to look at him, impatient, he spoke quickly. “Cord… I just want you to know he saved a lot of guys today. Take good care of him, okay?”
Alix came to a halt even though Cord’s bed kept going. “What do you mean?”
Steve was dirty, grimy and exhausted. He sighed heavily. “He was inside the church with several other firefighters when part of the roof collapsed,” he said. “Cord jumped right in and started pulling guys out, dragging them to safety. Because he was trying to pull the last guys free, he got caught in the second part of the roof collapse. It came down right on top of him. I swear to God, it’s a miracle he survived. So you take good care of him, okay? He’s our hero today.”
Alix’s tears returned. She was only able to keep herself in control if she was thinking about the surgery ahead, and not the fact that it was on Cord, but Steve’s soft words had her breaking down a little bit. She touched the man’s arm, smiling even as she wiped the tears away.
“He’s always been my hero,” she whispered. “He’s the most important thing in the world to me. I promise I’ll take excellent care of him.”
With that, she scurried after Cord as he disappeared down a corridor. The firefighters from Station Four watched her go, each one of them saying a little prayer for Captain Trevor and his beautiful young surgeon.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Cord awoke to the faint sound of Alix’s voice.
It was soft and gentle, and although he could hear her, he couldn’t make out the words. He was in a haze, warm and liquid, but gradually the haze burned off and he found himself facing the soft fluorescent glow of a hospital room. There was pain and discomfort there. Opening an eye, he saw that Alix was standing right next to the bed.
“The drainage is becoming less,” she was saying to someone. “We can probably remove the tube in a day or two, depending on how he’s healing up.”
“I’m going to heal up fine,” he mumbled, his tongue thick and dry. “I’m fine already.”
Alix gazed down at him, smiling. “That’s what you think, big boy,” she said. “I’m going to keep you here a couple of days longer if I have to sit on you.”
“You might have to,” he said. Then he opened both eyes, sleepy and drugged, and gazed up at her. “But I do know one thing.”
“What?”
“I must be in heaven.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s an angel standing next to the bed,” he muttered, watching her giggle. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Alix leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. “How do you feel?”
“I’m hungry.”
She laughed. “We’ll get you something to eat,” she said. “Want some good news?”
“Sure.”
“You didn’t lose your spleen, although it was touch and go for a while,” she said, stroking his head. “Everything is intact but you’re very bruised internally. You got off lucky, my love.”
He sighed, grunting because taking a deep breath hurt his cracked ribs. He lifted a hand, one that wasn’t stuck with IV needles, and Alix held it tightly.
“So I’m going to make it?” he asked.
“You’re going to make it.”
He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Did you do the surgery?”
Her smile faded. “I did,” she said. “I wasn’t going to let anyone else touch you.”
He smiled at her. “I’ve got the best doctor in Salem.”
Alix leaned forward, kissing his lips sweetly. It was a painfully tender moment, one wrought with relief and joy. Tears sprang to Alix’s eyes but she fought them. There was much cause for rejoicing.
“Hey,” she said, kissing his cheek one last time before pulling away. “You’ve got about twenty people out in the waiting room to see you. The boys are here, your parents are here, your brother is here, and there are about ten firemen I don’t know waiting to see you. I really think you should see the boys and your parents, but everybody else can wait.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, still in the pull of the drugs. “So you met my parents, did you?
She chuckled. “I did, and I met your brother, too,” she said. “They knew exactly who I was when I said my name, even before Chris did any introductions. Your mother even hugged me.”
He grinned. “How are the boys?”
Alix stood up from the bed. “Chris is a rock, like always,” she said. “Kyle is quiet and Cole looks like he’s been crying. They’re afraid. I’ll bring them in, okay?”
He nodded weakly. “Okay.”
Alix left him and headed out to the waiting area that was crowded with people. Some were sitting, some were standing, but nearly everyone seemed weary and concerned. When the group saw her coming, they perked up and turned their attention towards her. Alix smiled at the anxious faces to
let them know everything was okay.
“He’s awake,” she said, mostly speaking to the boys and to his parents. “His vital signs are steady and he’s lucid. He’s going to be fine.”
Everyone hissed their relief, happy encouragement going all around. Cord’s mother wiped her nose with a handkerchief.
“How does he feel?” she asked. “Does he feel okay?”
Alix was gentle with her. “He feels as good as can be expected at this point,” she said. “He says he’s hungry and that’s a good sign. Let me take the boys in there for a few minutes and then you can go in and see him.”
Mary nodded and blew her nose as Chris, Kyle, and Cole gathered next to Alix in a group. She smiled at the boys and motioned for them to follow. Back down the sterile hallway they went, entering Cord’s room where the nurse was adjusting his fluids. When he saw the boys come in, he extended a hand to them.
“Hey, guys,” he said. “Come on in.”
Timidly, the three boys stepped into the room, followed by Alix. Chris was the boldest, approaching his dad and taking the man’s hand. He held it tightly.
“How are you?” Chris asked, deeply concerned.
Cord wriggled his eyebrows. “I’ve been better,” he said. “But I’ll be fine. I don’t want you guys to worry, okay? God, I don’t even know where to start. How long have I been out?”
“It’s Friday,” Chris said. “You got hurt on Tuesday.”
Cord thought on that, trying to clear the cobwebs out of his weary mind. “Where have you been staying the past few days?”
“With me,” Alix said quietly. “They’ve been staying at my house at night and Hester has been there to make sure they’re taken care of. Your mom took them back to your house last night and stayed with them.”
“Gramma cooked a huge breakfast this morning,” Kyle said, grinning, trying to lighten the mood. “I tried to go back to bed afterwards but she made me go to school.”
Cord grinned at his big-eating son. “You guys have probably been eating like kings between Alix and Gramma.”
“It’s hard to say who’s a better cook,” Chris agreed. “I’m leaning towards Alix. She makes this thing called a Dutch Baby. It’s like a giant pancake-popover thing and… oh, wow, is it good. That, and some bacon and eggs, and I’m pretty happy.”
“Are you going to get out of here soon, Dad?” Cole asked. He was standing back by the wall, looking forlorn and scared. “How long are you going to be here?”
Cord turned towards his son. Indeed, he looked as if he had been crying. “Not too much longer,” he said. “I’m going to be fine, okay? I told you not to worry.”
“I’m not,” Cole insisted. “I just want to make sure… you know, that you’re okay. That you’re coming home soon.”
“I’m coming home soon, I promise.”
Cole looked embarrassed by his display of emotion and looked at his feet. Cord eyed his youngest son for a moment before looking to the older boys. “I’m feeling kind of tired,” he said quietly. “Can you ask Gramma and Grampa to come in here for a minute? Cole can stay with me until they come.”
Chris and Kyle bowed out, leaving Cole and Alix with their dad. Alix thought to leave, too, so Cole could have some alone time with Cord and slipped out with the excuse that she had something to do. When it was just Cord and Cole, Cord held out his hand to his youngest. Cole came forward and let his dad grab hold of him, pulling him closer.
“You okay?” Cord asked.
Cole nodded but the minute he did so, the tears started to come. “I’m okay.”
Cord watched him struggled. “Were you scared?”
Cole nodded furiously. “Everybody was scared,” he said. “And Alix… she never left you. Even when we came in to see you after you had surgery, you were still knocked out and she was with you the whole time. Sean said she didn’t come home for two straight days.”
Cord suspect as much. He knew Alix and knew she would have stayed with him constantly to make sure he was okay, but still, he was touched by such devotion. “She’s a good doctor,” he said quietly.
Cole was looking at his dad’s big hand as it held his, dwarfing it. “She saved your life,” he insisted. “I heard some of the firemen talking when you came out of surgery. They said she saved your life.”
“She did.”
Cole hung his head. “Dad, I know I was mean to her when you guys first got together,” he said, struggling to find the right words. “But… well, she saved your life and I’m glad it was her. I mean, I’m glad she did it. She’s okay.”
Cord smiled faintly as he deciphered what his son was trying to say. “You mean that she’s okay with you now.”
“Yes.”
“She’s proven herself worthy.”
“Kind of.”
“I’m glad,” he murmured. “Did you tell her that?”
Cole looked mortified. “No way!”
Cord laughed, squeezing his son’s hand. “Maybe someday you’ll tell her.”
Cole turned bright red but was saved from saying anything more as his grandparents entered the room. Quirt and Mary went straight for the bed, all but ignoring Cole, but he was okay with that. He actually felt better than he had in days.
Cole turned for the door just as Alix was coming in and their eyes met. Normally, he would have tucked his head down and kept walking but this time, when she smiled, he returned it. For a moment, he just stood there and smiled at her, finally looking away in embarrassment and continuing out of the door. It was a warm, wordless gesture that was completely unexpected. But the acceptance, the silent thanks, was there. In fact, Alix was shocked. A good shock, but shocked nonetheless.
Everything was going to be okay.
* * *
“Carefully,” Alix admonished the boys. “Be careful of his left side.”
Chris was on his dad’s left side while Kyle was on the right. Cord had his arms around his boys’ shoulders as they helped him from the truck and, very slowly, walked him towards the kitchen door of Evenshade. The ground was even and there were very few steps, unlike his house which was on a raised foundation with steps everywhere. Cole was behind his father, his hands carefully on the man’s back to prevent him from falling backwards if he lost his balance.
“I’m okay,” Cord assured the collection of concerned family members. “Just take it slow and I’ll be fine.”
Sean was at the kitchen door, holding it open, as the Trevor boys helped their father in through the opening. Five days after his run-in with a collapsed roof, Cord had been released from the hospital and was off duty for at least six weeks until he healed up. Alix stood back, holding Rose’s hand, as the boys moved Cord inside.
Once inside the kitchen, Alix picked Rose up and moved to the back hall and the two smaller rooms that were back behind the living room.
“Bring him in here,” she instructed, daughter slung on her hip. “I’ve got it all set up down here for him so he doesn’t have to take any stairs.”
The boys very carefully assisted their father across the back hall and into the first room, which Alix had set up with a fold out couch, a big television, and more pillows and blankets than the man would need in a lifetime. Rose slithered down from her mother’s arms and ran to the fold out bed, jumping on it, as the boys eased Cord down onto the mattress.
“I’m good,” he insisted, grunting as he gingerly tried to get comfortable. There were a lot of hands trying to help him. “I’ll be fine, really.”
Alix was putting pillows behind his back, trying to help him find a good position, as Rose slipped in under the radar and tried to climb on his lap. Cord grunted again as the little girl made contact with his bruised body.
“No, Rosie,” Alix grabbed her daughter before she could do any damage. “Cord has boo-boos. You can’t jump on him, okay?”
Cord put his arms up for the little girl, pulling her out of Alix’s arms. “She’s okay,” he insisted. “She can sit right next to me and we can watch television.”<
br />
As Rose happily sat next to Cord, the boys were all over their dad. “Dad, are you hungry?” Chris asked, rather anxiously. “We can go get you something to eat.”
“Nobody is going anywhere,” Hester was in the doorway, watching everyone hover over Cord. “I’ve made lunch and there’s plenty. Pulled pork barbeque.”
Sean and Cole made a break for the kitchen to get some food while Chris and Kyle maintained vigilance over their father.
“Do you want something, Dad?” Kyle pressed. “A sandwich? Soda?”
What Cord really wanted at the moment was just to be left alone but he knew everyone was very concerned about him. He felt awful that he had upset everyone so badly, but he also felt incredibly blessed and grateful to be alive.
“Sure,” he said after a moment, giving in to his boys’ anxious faces. “A sandwich and a soda would be great.”
He watched his boys run off, turning to Alix as she stood next to the bed. Their eyes met and he smiled, reaching out to take her hand.
“How are you doing today, honey?” he asked. “Feeling okay?”
Alix smiled, squeezing his big hand. “I’m fine,” she began to choke up. “I’m more worried about you. How are you handling the Percocet?”
He could see she was starting to get weepy so he kissed her hand, squeezing it. “It makes me kind of tired, but the pain isn’t nearly what it was,” he assured her. “Besides, I have a great doctor. I’ll be up and moving around in no time.”
Alix wiped at her eyes before the tears could escape. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m not usually so emotional about things, but I’m a little hormonal.”
He kissed her hand again, lifting Rose up so she was over on his right side. “Come sit down with me,” he murmured. “I haven’t had the chance to hug you yet today.”
Alix sat down beside him, very carefully, and he put both arms around her, hugging her gingerly as Rose got a hold of the television remote and turned on the set. Cartoons began to dance across the screen as Cord buried his face on top of Alix’s head, holding her against his chest.
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 241
