I try really hard to nod, but I’m not sure if that’s working. Something must’ve happened to me on the operating table. I feel nothing, literally not a damn thing. Though my mind seems to be working, nothing else is.
Warm lips touch my cheek and inwardly I sigh. I wish I could open my eyes and see her. A dim figure moves into my mind. A tall, shadow with what looks like wide shoulders. It passes through my mind, but makes no sound.
It’s odd how I can see that in the complete darkness. It’s darker than the surrounding darkness. I shout out in my mind, “Hey, who are you?”
The shadow stops and it seems to turn back to me. It moves forward, getting closer and closer.
My hand is squeezed and lips touch my ear. “They found you a donor. You’re probably going to be pissed at your father, but a long lost son appeared out of a small town in Connecticut. He’s two years younger than you are, and damn if that guy doesn’t look almost just like you, Kip. Your mother was a little upset at first, then she decided it was supposed to happen as he might be able to save your life. I hope like hell he does.”
The figure in my mind stops as Peyton talks. It drifts back and eventually completely away. It was all that I could see and I’m already missing its company. “Come back! I’m lonely in here!” I shout with my mind. But it stays gone.
Warm lips kiss my forehead then she speaks again, “You’ve been like this for three days and hopefully tomorrow you’ll get the transplant if it all goes right. Maybe by the next day, I’ll be looking into those gorgeous deep blue eyes of yours. Then we’re going to get a sonogram done right in your hospital room so you can see what kind of kid we’re having. Most are betting on a boy, but I think it’s a girl.”
The dark figure reappears in my mind and it seems to be shaking its head. It moves a bit closer and I swear I can smell gingerbread. “I wish you’d tell me who you are,” I shout out in my head.
The figure drifts about and I get the feeling that it is here for me. Lips touch mine and a jolt runs through me. “I have to go, my ten minutes is up. I’ll be back in three hours. Your father will come in next, then your mother. I love them by the way. They’re wonderful. My family is here too and all my brothers forgive you for dumping me and said to tell you all the ass beatings you had coming are forgiven. Lucky you. So, come back to me soon, Pop Rock. I miss you. I love you.” Her lips touch mine again, sending another jolt through me and I can’t believe I can’t wake up as I feel more alive than ever.
I hear her footsteps as she leaves the room and the figure in my head moves away as well. A clear hand I see it raise as if it’s waving goodbye to me then it’s completely gone. The absence is a physical feeling in me.
Who was that?
Peyton
Putting on the brave act when I go in to see Kip is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want to lie on his body and cry and beg him to get better and come back, but I can’t do that. I have to be strong.
I allow myself a period of one hour each day to cry and feel sorry for myself, then I pull it all in and stow it away. We’re all trying our best to keep it together for one another.
The news of Kip’s illness traveled the globe and one day after his surgery a man showed up at the hospital. A man who looked nearly exactly like Kip. He claimed to be his half-brother. He claimed to be Kip’s father, Sebastien’s son.
One DNA test later revealed that he is indeed Sebastien’s son. One more test revealed that he is a compatible kidney donor and now the man is in surgery. Kip is being prepped to take the kidney that a brother he’s never known is giving him willingly.
It’s all over the news and I had to attend my first press conference with his parents this morning. I have to admire how stoic Chloe is being with such a hard thing to swallow. Her husband cheated on her and she has to have it publicly announce just to give her son a chance.
I don’t know if I could be as understanding as she’s being. My parents and brothers are all here and Kip’s parents are too. We all wait in a large waiting area for news about both men.
A tall, slim blonde woman appears at the doorway and everyone looks up as she enters. “I’m not here to do anything but wish you all the best outcome for Kip.”
Sebastien takes Chloe’s hand he’s been holding and kisses it, then stands up, taking her with him. His arm goes around her shoulders as he approaches the other woman.
“This is my wife, Chloe,” he says. “Chloe, this is Sandra Mathews, Kip’s half-brother, Dalton’s, mother.”
My mother is sitting next to me and grabs my hand as we all wait to see how Chloe will take this. Chloe holds her arms open wide. “Thank you, Sandra. Thank you so much for coming out with this. I cannot thank you and your son enough.” She takes the other woman into a warm embrace and everyone lets out sighs at the sight.
Sebastien wipes tears off his cheeks and sniffles. “I’m so sorry to you both. You have no idea of how sorry I am.”
Chloe lets Sandra out of her embrace and takes a step back. She gestures to Sandra as she looks at her husband. “Sebastien, I’ve told you a thousand times since this all came out to stop apologizing. This was meant to be. Now give this woman a hug and let her know how thankful we are she came to us.”
My mother squeezes my hand and leans in to whisper, “It’s like watching a movie.”
I nod and can’t take my eyes away as Kip’s father pulls the woman who resembles Chloe so much, it’s scary, into his arms and hugs her. I can hear him murmuring to her, but can’t make out what he’s saying.
Chloe smiles and says, “Perhaps we should go to a private area and talk.”
Sebastien lets the woman out of his hug and takes his wife’s hand. “Let’s do that. I want to set things straight with you, Sandra. If I would’ve known, I would’ve provided for you and our son. I will make this up to you both.”
They leave the room and we all let out our breaths. Levi gets up and runs his hands through his hair. “What the hell? I can’t imagine! Dad, you don’t have any long lost kids do you?”
Dad shakes his head. “Your mother would kick my ass.”
“You bet I would.” Mom pops Dad in the arm. “That Chloe has more class than I do, that’s more than obvious.”
“She has the biggest heart,” I say. “Crazy big.”
I have a ton of hope that I’ll be talking to Kip by this time tomorrow. My fingers have stayed crossed and I’m keeping an open line straight to God as I make a little prayer about once an hour and sometimes more.
Please let this work, Lord!
Kip
Slow beeps I find as I wake up. My body hurts and that’s different. At least I feel something. It’s been forever since I’ve been able to feel my body.
My God, even my toes hurt. Something is tight around the bottom part of both of my legs. It’s uncomfortable. My head is fuzzy, and a dim light shines in front of my closed eyes.
“Detaching ventilator,” a woman’s voice says.
Then I’m gagging and might throw up with what’s coming out of my throat. My head spins and my stomach churns.
“Kip, can you hear me?” a man asks.
I try to nod and it seems like I am.
“Great!” the man says.
“Can I talk, doctor?” It’s Peyton’s voice and I try to open my eyes.
“Of course, dear,” he says.
“Wake up, sleepy head. You’ve been away too long,” she says.
Little blinks I make then open my eyes to see blurs surrounding me. “That’s my boy,” my father says and I turn my head in that direction.
“Pop?”
“That’s right, son. I’m here. Mum’s here too along with a room full of people who are ready to see you.”
I blink some more and it all comes into focus. I scan the faces and find my love’s and eerily it’s me who stands by her side in a grey hospital gown. An IV stand next to him. “Who’s that guy, love? He looks like me. Did ya replace me already?”
The whole room laughs and it makes me jump a li
ttle with the noise. “Allow me to introduce you to your only known sibling, Kip,” Peyton says as she runs her arm around the man and my ire rears up immediately. “This fine young man is Dalton Mathews, your half-brother, and he saved your life.”
One of his arms is draped over my beloved’s shoulders. “Nice to meet you, bro and thanks for saving my life and all, but what up with your arm on my girl?”
The room full of people laugh and Peyton takes his arm off her and places it on her brother, Blake’s, shoulder. “Hold him up, Blake, will you? I can’t have my man getting all jealous.” She makes her way to me and leans over and plants a kiss right on my lips. “It’s nice to see you back, babe. We all missed you like crazy.”
Her hand rests on mine and my world is coming back into place. After a moment of looking at her beautiful face, I look back at the man who has my face. “A handsome rascal ya are, Dalton, did she say your name is?”
He nods and smiles. “It is, and thanks, I can say the same for you. How’s my kidney feeling there, bro?”
“So ya gave me one of your kidneys, did ya? How nice of ya. Don’t worry I’ll give you something if ya ever need it. Not that I have a lot of great organs to give, but money buys a lot of things, so how about a new car, mate?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Just seeing you up and able to make jokes is enough for me. I never knew I had a brother. I have myself three sisters and you don’t know how often I prayed to have a brother, and now I do. A damn rock star at that. And a rock legend father to boot. Life’s pretty great, I don’t need any more.”
My father moves and takes Blake’s place holding up my new brother. “Damn glad to see you, son. We should get this guy back to his bed. He’s had surgery as well. We can all get to know each other, we have all the time in the world, you know.”
Pop takes my look alike brother away, and a woman who looks a hell of a lot like my Mum follows along, pushing the IV stand attached to Dalton. My eyes go back to find my mother who looks at me.
“How are ya doin’ Mum?”
Her smile suggests she fine, but I can’t see how. “I’m fantastic. I’m talking to my baby boy.” She comes to the other side of me and kisses my forehead. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too,” I say and have to swallow hard as I know how much pain not only my illness has caused her, but the fact my father was unfaithful must be hurting her as well. “You look gorgeous as always, Mum.”
She runs her hands through her long blonde hair. “Thank you, Kip. Compliments are always appreciated.” She laughs and touches my cheek. “I’m really happy to see you, baby boy.”
A nurse comes in and breaks up the party. “I’m afraid I have to get you all to leave. We have to make sure he’s doing okay with everything.”
They all wish me luck as they file out, but Peyton lingers at my side. After they’ve all left, she leans down to kiss me and the nurse clears her throat. “It’s best not to kiss him on the mouth or anywhere near his nose or eyes.”
Peyton pulls back and bites her lip as she looks at me. She raises my hand and I see the purple place around where the IV is attached to it. A little kiss she leaves on it. “I’ll be back as soon as they let me if you want.”
“If I want? I want!”
She waves at me as she walks away and my heart swells with how I feel about her.
It’s good to be back!
Peyton
Only two days after Kip’s surgery, and he was let out of the ICU and placed in a private room. Dalton was released today and will be stopping by at dinner time to eat with Kip and I.
Another hospital bed was brought in so then I can stay the nights with Kip. We’re waiting for the ultra-sound guy to come in and tell us what kind of kid we’re having.
Wearing a hospital gown a sickly color of green, I lie in bed with Kip and cuddle against him. “It’s so damn good to be back in your arms, babe.”
“It’s good to have them around you. Before we find out for sure what our baby is, would you like to know what I think it is?” Kip asks.
“I would,” I say and run my hand over his cheek. Stubble meets my hand and I secretly love the way it feels.
“It’s my opinion that we will be having a son. Now I know you think it’s a girl, but I have my reasons to believe it’s a boy.”
“Really?”
His hand runs over my arm and little chill bumps rise in its path. “Really. I heard ya talkin’ to me once while I was sleeping. You said ya thought it was a girl and this shadow man in my head shook his head at me.”
She giggles. “Okay, a shadow man, huh?”
“Yeah, I think it was our baby. Even though it was the size of a man. It only showed up when you came to see me. He was there every single time, and he was never there when anyone else came in.” He looks into my eyes, seemingly searching them to see if I believe him. Then he adds. “Thanks for not pullin’ the plug on me by the way.”
“About that,” I gently punch him in the arm. “Why in the hell would you put me down as the only person to decide that? Are you crazy?”
“Some think so, yes.” He nibbles my ear and I lie back against him.
“I could never pull the plug on you, Kip.” I run my fingers over his muscular thigh which his hospital gown is revealing.
“Do you not think I know that, love? That’s why I choose you.”
A knock comes at the door and the same man from the ER the day we came in, wheels a machine in. “Who’s ready to find out what kind of bun Peyton has in her oven?”
“I am,” Kip and I say in unison.
A quick kiss I give his cheek then climb off the bed and climb on the other one. Kip gets out of bed, slowly and groans like an old man as he walks over to watch the screen and hold my hand.
I shriek with the cold as crap gel he squirts on my stomach. “Sorry,” the guy says. “I suppose I could’ve warmed it up.”
“You think?” I ask as I give him a nasty look.
He shrugs. “Maybe next time.”
His little wand roams over my belly and he makes little sounds like hmm and huh, then he looks at me. “So, were you wanting a girl, Peyton?”
I smile and nod then look at Kip. “Sorry, I told you so. Mothers just know sometimes. Perhaps I’m a little psychic.”
The man hums a bit. “Or maybe I heard you as I walked down the hallway. Because I was about to say that I’m sorry, maybe the next baby. This one is a boy.”
“Told ya!” Kip gloats. He fist bumps the air and smiles like he just won the lottery. Although that probably wouldn’t even phase the billionaire.
“Man! A boy! It’s not that I’m disappointed I’m having a son. It’s just that Kip was right and I hate when that happens.” I pout.
A little tickle he gives me under my chin. “Is mommy mad that daddy was right?”
I bat at his hand. “Yes.” Then I stick out my tongue for good measure. “So what are we going to name him? I like Samuel.”
He shakes his head. “No way. I want something cool and cutting edge. Maybe Zap or Zing.”
I laugh and shake my head. “There’s no way I’m naming a kid either of those hellacious names. How about Bruce or Gary?”
Kip fakes a yawn as the ultra-sound guy gives him a tissue and gestures for him to wipe the goo off my tummy. He does as he says, “Come on, Peyton. The kid doesn’t want to get beat up every day and robbed of his lunch money. How about Streak or Flash?”
“We aren’t having a super-hero, Kip!” I push at his chest and laugh.
“You don’t know that.”
The guy laughs and pushes the cart out of the room. “Good luck you two. Congrats on the baby and you may want to think about the name, Tyrese. It’s my name and I like it.”
As he leaves the room, we both shout out our thanks to him and get right back to arguing about the baby’s name.
Kip
Though in a hospital bed, it’s still nice to hold my love in my arms as we sleep. So much has happened in the l
ast couple of weeks, it’s bordering on mind blowing.
Apparently I died a few times and gained a brother. He turned out to be a cool guy and we are so damn alike it’s uncanny. Peyton freaks me out with how close the two got while I was comatose. But it’s getting to be okay with me.
I suppose having all brothers has her used to hanging out with guys and that’s cool and all, but it’s odd seeing her cutting up with a guy who looks like me, but isn’t me.
Her body is formed to mine and though still unable to do to her what I want to, I crave her. Small kisses I place on her neck and she moans and wiggles. Her ass presses against my dick and I have to pull away as it will be too hard to control myself and if the nurse catches me making love, she’ll have my hide.
Peyton twists in my arms and opens her eyes. “Hi,” she says as she runs her arms around my neck. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you each time I wake up to find you all over me. I thought it might never happen again and I say a silent thank you to God every single time.”
“Do ya?” I kiss the tip of her nose. “So if I’d passed on to the other side, are you sayin’ you’d never love again? Are you tellin’ me, you’d never get over me?”
Her eyes go dark and she moves in close, our bodies only covered in thin hospital gowns as she donned one since I have to wear one. “I will never get over you, Kip. Not ever.”
Her lips touch mine and I harden in an instant. My tongue thrusts through her lips and I wrap her tight in my arms as my dick pulses against her stomach. I pull my mouth away and groan. “Fuck, Peyton! What have you done to me?”
“What have you done to me, is more the question,” she says with a cute little smile.
I shake my head and her lips are too juicy and ripe and press mine to hers again. Fuck what the doctor said. The stitches are secure and I feel almost normal again. My dick certainly does.
The IV is the only thing hampering me, so I pull Peyton on top of me as I kiss her. She moans and grinds against me. “Do you think we can do this?” she asks.
The Naughty One Page 40
