“Calm down. Look at the lot of you. You storm in here with a man who is half dead demanding that they do something and I’m sure from the look on your faces there was no room for argument. Dr. Graham is giving Lazarus the star treatment. Believe me I threatened him if he didn’t.”
“So what do we do?” Jessica asks.
“We wait for him to wake up.”
“How long will that be?” I pace around the room.
“It depends on him.”
“So it could take weeks even months?” Vegas shakes his head.
“Yes.”
“Shit.” I finally take Vegas’s abandoned seat. Jessica perches on my knee.
“Can he be moved?” Vegas asks.
“Once he is off this machine we will move him to our facility.”
“Good. How long until we can take him off this.” I point to the machine.
“His lung has to heal. Once Dr. Graham thinks he can breathe on his own, he will take him off. Sort of a test. See how long he can breathe on his own and make sure his isn’t struggling for air.”
I look over to Lazarus lying there. “William is going to pay dearly for this.” I whisper.
“Sorry to disturb all of you, but I need to sponge him down.” A cute little nurse comes in the room. If Lazarus was awake he would be smiling from ear to ear.
We all exit the room. “Ty. You need some rest. How long has it been since you’ve slept?” Jessica looks concerned.
“I slept.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“For how long?”
“An hour or so.” I think.
“Come on. Sara is wanting to see you.” Jessica pulls me by the arm leading me out of the hospital. “We will come back once you get some rest. You can’t do anything for him right now.” She’s right.
Jessica and I go to the hotel across the street. She and Sara are staying in my room. Making our way up to our floor and to our room. She enters the key card opening the door. Sara is watching cartoons and Sylvia is staring out into space. She jumps up when we come in.
“How is he?” She rushes out.
“He’s still…sleeping.” I don’t want to say too much in front of Sara. She sees Lazarus as an uncle and I don’t want to worry her. Even though she is only six, she understands better than most kids her age.
“I think I’ll go check in on him.” Sylvia grabs her thin jacket walking out.
I sat down on the edge of the bed. Sara whips her head around noticing I’m there. She squeals jumping in my lap. “I missed you Daddy.”
“I missed you too munchkin.” I hug her tightly.
“Cassie called said we can postpone the trip if you like.” Jessica utters.
“No we will leave tomorrow. I need to get this over with. We have already postponed it once.”
“Honey. I think you’re putting too much on yourself right now.”
“I know, but this needs doing.”
“Okay.”
“Besides it will only be for a day. I can’t stay away.”
“I don’t want you too. I know you want to be back here for Lazarus.”
“Do we have to go Daddy?” Sara pouts. She knows exactly what Jessica and I are talking about.
“Yes honey, we do. Only for a day. Then we will come back here.”
I lay back on the bed. Sara snuggles into my side with Jessica on the other. We just lay here not saying a word. The sky grows dark and I finally close my eyes. The dreams come in a flash. Lazarus is on the ground in a puddle of his own blood. William’s laughing. I’m running, but I can’t get there fast enough. Dropping to my knees I check for a heartbeat. I can’t find one. “Lazarus!” I yell. He doesn’t move. “Lazarus!” I yell again. Still nothing. William is laughing, but I don’t see him.
“Ty. Wake up.”
My eyes pop open. I look into Jessica’s beautiful eyes. She has witnessed one of my dreams. Sitting up in bed I rake my hands down my face. “Sorry about that.” I utter gruffly.
“Was it really bad?” She questions.
“Yeah. It was really bad.” I don’t lie.
“It’s okay.” She runs her hands through my hair.
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“A few hours. You needed the rest.”
“I’m going to take a shower. Then when I get back from the hospital we are heading to Virginia.”
“Honey. I really think you need to postpone it. You can’t keep going like this.” Jessica expresses her concern once again.
“I love you.” I kiss her soundly on the lips. I head into the bathroom. I just need a minute to myself. I need to gather my thoughts after the dream. I feel vulnerable and too damn raw. I feel this way after every damn nightmare I have. Taking my time in the shower I think back to that night Lazarus was shot. I could have done something. I should have been the one in that hospital bed.
I shut off the water at the sound of Sara beating on the door. “Daddy I have to pee!” She yells.
Wrapping the towel around me I crack the door open just enough to peak out. “Tell your mom to bring me my bag.” Huh? Did I just say that? “I mean…” The words die off.
“Mommy, Daddy wants you to bring his bag!” Sara yells.
Oh no. I didn’t mean to say that. It just sort of came out that way. I hope Jessica didn’t pay any attention to what Sara had just called her. Jessica appears a few seconds later. Her brows raised. I snatch the bag from her closing the door. I don’t want to explain that little slip of the tongue. Dressing quickly so Sara doesn’t have an accident.
“Finally.” Sara slams the door behind her.
“She’s only six. Why is she already so bossy?” I shake my head.
“I wonder where she picked that up at.” Jessica remarks.
I look at her. No way has Sara gotten her bossiness from me. “Not from me.”
“Oh I think so.” She smiles.
I’m glad she hasn’t mentioned the Mommy thing. I can’t believe I said that. I mean yeah someday soon I want her to marry me and be a mom to Sara. It’s stress. At least that’s what I tell myself. “I’ll be back later. I’m going over to the hospital. Be ready when I get back.”
“Can I go with you Daddy?” Sara begs as she comes out of the bathroom.
“Not this time. But soon okay.”
“Okay.” She pouts. I don’t want her seeing Lazarus like this.
Kissing her on top of the head I head to the door. “Ty.” Jessica calls out.
“Yes?” I turn.
“We are having a talk when you get back.” she narrows her eyes at me.
“About?” I play dumb.
“Oh I think you know.”
“Nope not a clue.” I lie.
“Ty.” Jessica warns me.
“Fine. It was a slip. Nothing more.”
“We are still going to talk about it.”
This woman should be the one interrogating. She’s kind of scary looking when she’s serious. “Sure.” I walk out.
Chapter 31
After visiting Lazarus early this morning, we are now on the private jet alone with Sylvia and Cassie, heading to Virginia. I’m nervous as hell. I’m afraid that Sara’s real family will want her. If that happens I will lose her. Of course Lazarus was right we could go visit her, but it just wouldn’t be the same. She has been with me for a little over a month now. As little as that time has been it feels a lot longer. I already feel like her father. We are just a few minutes away from landing.
“Relax honey.” Jessica squeezes my hand.
“I can’t. What if I lose her?”
“Don’t think about that right now.”
“How can I not?”
It isn’t long before the pilot announces for us to buckle our seatbelts. We land and I take Sara in my arms carrying her off the plan. She holds tight around my neck. Cassie tells our driver the address as we get in the car. I’m chewing on my finger nails. Jessica takes my hand kissing my knuckles. The drive isn�
�t long, but feels as if it’s taking forever. Finally we pull up at a small brown house.
An older gentleman comes out to meet us. Cassie steps out first then Sylvia. I hesitate before getting gout of the car. Jessica and Sara come out last. Sara reaches up for me to take her. She hold on tight to my neck. She does this every time she meets someone new.
“Mr. Elise. This is Ty.” Cassie introduces us.
I shake the older man’s hand. He has a firm grip. “Come in.” He invites us inside.
We follow him inside. Sara’s grandmother and her Uncles and Aunt are waiting. Sara acts as if she doesn’t even know these people. “This must be Sara?” Her Grandmother comes up to us.
Sara shies away. “Sara sweetheart. You want to say hi?” I ask.
“Hi.” She whispers. That’s the first time she has whispered in a long time, again indicating that she doesn’t know these people very well.
“Have a seat.” Her grandfather shows us to the couch.
Cassie introduces us the rest of the family. All of them try talking to Sara, but she doesn’t say much. “She has grown since the last time we saw her.” Cynthia exclaims.
“How long has it been?” Cassie asks.
“The last time we saw her, she was two years old.” Her grandfather huffs out.
Why the hell didn’t her parents want them to see Sara? Sylvia watches the reactions of each person in the room. She must sense something went very wrong in between Sara’s parents and their family.
“As I told you the situation before. Ty wants to adopt Sara, but where she has family. I have to ask are any of you willing to care for her.” Cassie gets right to the point.
This is the moment I’ve been dreading. The answer could change my and Sara’s life forever. It seems to take forever for anyone to answer. Sara hold tight to my neck she hasn’t let go of me since we have arrived.
“I can’t.” Derrick finally gives voice to the question.
“We are too old. We don’t know how many years we have left.” Sara’s grandfather grunts out.
It’s left up to Shawn and Cynthia. They take their time. As if they are thinking over the question. “We’ve always wanted kids.” Cynthia says. My heart sinks. I thought I could do this, but I don’t think can. “But I can see she is attached to you. She knows you. She doesn’t know any of us. Sara wouldn’t be happy with any of us. We won’t fight you on this. All we ask is that we get to visit her as often as we can.”
“Done.” I say eagerly.
I want to leave before they change their minds, but I don’t want to be rude. “Well now that’s settled how about lunch.” Sara’s grandmother announces.
My heart feel lighter than it has in a long time. Sara doesn’t let go of me. I end up sitting her in my lap while we eat. We talk over lunch and I get to know Sara’s family better. Her Grandfather worked in the coal mines for years. Her Grandmother stayed at home taking care of the kids. Shawn and Cynthia met at college and went on to invest in their own business which takes them out of the country a lot. Derrick doesn’t talk much. I get the feeling he feels like a he has failed or an outcast. I’m not sure about which one.
Jessica and Cynthia get alone great. Which I’m glad. Sara doesn’t call me Daddy or Jessica Mommy. I don’t know how these people would react if she did. We end up staying for another two hours before we leave. Once we make plans to meet again we are on our way back to Nevada. I check in with Vegas on Lazarus’s condition. Nothing has changed, yet. Dr. Graham is getting ready to take Lazarus off the ventilator. I want to be there when he does, but we won’t make it in time. Even though I know it could go either way with Lazarus I still feel lighter where Sara is concerned. Cassie tells me that it won’t be long before I can officially make Sara my daughter legally.
“Daddy do I have to stay with them?” Sara pouts.
“No sweetheart. You are staying with Jessica and me.”
She smiles big and claps her hands. This child has come so far in such a short time. I just glad it worked out. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to give her to them. A visit on holidays isn’t so bad. I agreed happily.
Jessica smile at me. “Remember the talk we were going to have?”
“I forgot.”
“I know. I was just going to say. I don’t mind if she calls me Mom. I kind of like it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You’re not the only one who loves her.” She kisses me.
I can’t believe I have a family and how crazy was it how we became one. Finding Sara in the woods alone and scared. Jessica showing up at Lazarus’s back door, so to speak. Now here we sat on this plan heading back to Nevada. I kiss Jessica one more time just to make sure it’s real. Sara is snuggles into my side sleeping. Jessica holds my hand she looks happy. Finally I close my eyes as well. It’s been on hell of a day. This time when I sleep no nightmares come. It’s a sound sleep and it isn’t long until Jessica wakes me.
“We are landing.” She whispers.
Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I buckle Sara’s seatbelt then my own. Looking over at her she smile wide. “I love you.” I kiss her.
“I love you too.”
Cassie and Sylvia are talking in hushed tones. “What’s that about?”
“I think they have a bet going. Not sure on what.”
I shake my head, it could be anything with those two. We finally land and I carry Sara off the plan. This time Tango picks us up.
“How did it go?”
“They want me to have her.” I smile.
“Damn congrats man.”
“Thanks. How is Lazarus?”
“Right now he’s breathing on his own. Still isn’t out of the woods yet.”
“That’s good though. Right?”
“Yeah. It’s good. Dr. Graham says if he does well tonight that he will keep getting stronger. He still has a chance of getting pneumonia though. That’s always a possibility.”
“Let’s just pray for the best.”
We get in the car driving back to the hospital. Sylvia, Cassie and Jessica take Sara back to the hotel. Walking in the hospital we go straight to Lazarus’s room. The same nurse that has bathed him for the last week and a half comes out of his room smiling. Vegas must be flirting with her.
Walking in we find Lazarus talking to Vegas. He looks up and smiles. “When you’re healed I’m going to kick your ass.” I say without any heat to my words.
“Yeah well stand in line big boy.” He laughs then groans.
“Are you the reason for the blushing nurse?” I tease. I’m so damn happy he is awake and breathing on his own.
“I still got it,” We all laugh, “I hear I’m breaking out of here soon. Going to get some old moldy guy with hands like sandpaper giving me sponge baths.”
“Would you like your sexy little nurse instead?” I raise a brow at him.
“Think she would?” He chuckles again.
“If the price is right. I’m sure she would accommodate you.”
He thinks for a moment. “Tango can you make that happen?”
“No I can’t. I’m not some magician.”
“Damn.” Lazarus smiles. I guess laughing hurts.
We all laugh and talk for a while. I guess no one has told him he may never walk again. I’m not sure how well he is going to take the news. Lazarus was never one to sit around. He is going to go bat shit crazy. He will have have someone stay with him at all times. I will find the best doctors to help Dr. Bailey out. Maybe find him a cute nurse in the process. The man will have to have something to occupy his mind.
“Ty. Can you hang back a second?” He asks as we all start to leave.
“Sure.”
Lazarus waits until the room is empty before he speaks. “Tell me the truth. Everyone is walking on pins and needles around me. What’s the real damage?” I have never lied to him before and I’m not going to start now.
“They think you may never be able to walk again.” I drop my head. I didn’t want to be the on
e to tell him. “I’m sorry man. This should have been me. Why the hell did you do that? You knew I what I was going to do.”
“Ty. You have Jessica and Sara. What would happen to them?”
“I don’t know.” I mumble.
“Ty. I know I may never walk again. I’m not going to give up. I just need to wrap my head around this new ability I have. Which is fucking limited ability I have. I don’t know what I would have done if this was you instead of me.”
“The same damn thing I’m doing now. Blaming yourself.”
“True. But this is on William. Tell me you took the bastard down?”
“He never had a chance. Dr. Bailey is treating him. I intended to kill him. I was so damn close.”
“What stopped you?”
“Vegas.”
“Good. Because when I’m able I want a piece of him. I’m going to make the son of a bitch wish he were dead.” I’ve never seen this man so serious since I’ve known him.
“Tango has him in holding. He’s all yours when you’re able.”
“Good.”
“Simon is still out there.”
“How did Leo and Sophia do?”
“They got what they went in for. There’s a lot of info in that file. Date, places and names. Simon will pose as William. It will be business as planned. At least that’s what we are hoping for.”
“Damn I’m going to miss all the fun.”
“Hopefully you will be as good as new, when we get all the details together.”
“Ty. What if I don’t?”
“Don’t talk like that. I’m not going to let you give up. So stop doubting yourself.”
“You sound like a fucking woman.”
“Yeah well I live with a couple of them.” I laugh.
“Thanks man.”
“For what?”
“For saving my life.”
“You would have done the same for me.”
“Yeah I would have.”
“Are they feeding you?”
I change the subject and Lazarus looks a little relieved that I had. “Not yet.”
“Well when they do I’m going to bring you the biggest burger I can find.”
“Damn man don’t talk food right now. I’m starving.” He groans.
“I think Sylvia wants to talk to you. I’m heading back to the hotel. Jessica and Sara are here. Sara wants to visit. I’ll bring her by in the morning.”
Secret Ops: Ty's Revenge Page 24
