The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

“Eleanor St Clair. He’ll see me.” She curled her lip at me and I took a deep breath.

  “One moment, please.”

  I picked up the phone to ring through to Nate as she suddenly made a dash for his office. I spluttered and jumped up from my chair, jolting my stomach into the corner of the desk and pulled a damn muscle in my stomach causing me to bend over and snatch in a breath.

  “Fuck!” I hissed and dragged myself over to Nate’s office.

  “I’m so sorry Mr Carter, she just barged in,” I apologised as I entered his office, holding my now extremely large stomach and taking some deep breaths as the pain got worse.

  She was sat on the edge of his desk, her legs crossed at the ankles in front of her as she practically drooled over him.

  Nate looked furious by her invasion. His head snapped round to mine and he glared at me, “For fucks sake, Ava. Is it so hard to keep people from barging into my fucking office? That’s what I fucking pay you for after all!”

  I winced as the pain in my stomach seemed to tear through me.

  I let out a deep breath coupled with a long groan and collapsed.

  * * *

  I came round to Nate fussing over me frantically. “Ava!” he sagged in relief.

  I frowned. “Nate?” I groaned as the pain in my stomach savagely pulled at me. “Fuck it hurts, Nate!” I cried.

  “I know Ava, Mason’s on his way, sweetheart” he soothed as he stroked my hair off my face.

  I curled up, panting and gulping for air. “Shit” I hissed. I had never felt pain like it.

  “She’s bleeding!!” Nate shouted at somebody across the room.

  I saw the paramedics rush over. “Hello Sweetie, were gonna get you all sorted.” She smiled warmly as she sunk down beside me and immediately felt for my pulse.

  “Don’t let me lose them . . . please,” I sobbed as another pain floored me.

  “We are gonna do our very best,” she said as numerous monitors and needles were attached to me. “How far along are you?” she asked as she reached for something in her bag.

  “31 weeks,” I groaned as another agonised pain came.

  “Can you tell me what happened?” she asked as she spread a sheet over me and Nate pulled away.

  “Don’t leave me Nate,” I pleaded.

  He smiled. “Ava, I’m just going to be over here while they sort you out, okay,” he said tentatively and I nodded faintly.

  “I need Mason,” I cried and tried to curl into myself.

  “Try and lay still, sweetie,” the technician said softly as I heard a commotion and Mason came running over to me.

  My man never came quietly.

  “Ava!” he cried and scooted down onto the floor beside me. “What happened, baby?” he asked frantic, his face etched with worry and anguish.

  I cried out as another piercing pain tore through me “Don’t let me lose them Mason . . . please,” I begged, “Not again.”

  The technician took my hand in hers. “Sweetie, I need you to tell me what happened.”

  “I don’t know. I stood up too quick to stop someone entering Nate’s office and banged my stomach into the desk. It just felt like I had pulled a muscle,” I tried to explain as I pulled up my knees and groaned loudly.

  “Okay, I’m just gonna have a quick look down below and make sure nothing is happening okay?” she asked calmly.

  I nodded as she disappeared below the sheet and opened my legs, removing my knickers and inserting a couple of fingers into me.

  “Oh, baby” Mason sighed as I cried out again. “Is there nothing you can give her for the pain?” he snarled at the other technician who just stared at Mason and shook his head, prompting a vicious snarl from Mason. “But she’s in fucking agony!”

  The technician just shrugged and Mason bit his lip harshly.

  “Baby, please,” I pleaded with him to calm down.

  He glared at him but then turned back to me and tipped his head. “Everything will be fine Ava, I promise, okay?” he declared with encouragement.

  I wished I shared his confidence.

  “Well it doesn’t look like you’re in labour, Ava but we’re going to take you in and get this pain and bleeding sorted out.” She eyed the other technician and my stomach sank.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked cautiously but she shook her head.

  “We’ll get you in and get the specialists to take a look at you,” she said as she gave me a false smile.

  Mason caught the falsity to it too because he then gave me another fake smile. “Don’t fucking smile if there’s nothing to smile about,” I snapped and he cringed.

  He went to have a word with Nate while the paramedics placed me on a stretcher. “You what?!” Mason shouted at Nate and I rolled my eyes.

  “Mason . . . Get over here now. It’s not Nate’s fault,” I shouted and then cried out again as another pain came.

  He looked over at me and then back at Nate but decided I was his main priority.

  “We’ll be taking her to the Royal,” the female technician told Mason as they wheeled me towards the elevator and Mason nodded.

  “I’ll meet you there, Ava,” he smiled encouragingly.

  “You touch Nate and I swear . . .” I told him and curled up against the agony. He sighed but nodded. “I mean it, Mason,” I grumbled but then the most torturous slicing pain shot through me and I screamed as whiteness enveloped me.

  “Shit!” I heard the technicians shout and then Mason’s anguished cry before I passed out.

  * * *

  The room was dark, my mouth was dry but I wasn’t in pain so that was good. I grumbled and tried to turn over but my legs seemed to have disappeared. I tried again but I just couldn’t move.

  “Ava,” I heard Mason’s gravelly voice from somewhere, “I’m just gonna put the light on, baby.” The room filled with brightness and I blinked furiously against it.

  I was in a hospital bed, that much I could work out and then it came back to me. My hand shot to my stomach to find it flat and empty. I lifted my eyes to Mason’s. “Mason?” I asked full of anguish.

  He came over to me and sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s okay, Ava. They had to deliver the babies but they’re strong,” he grinned, “and so beautiful Ava. The girl has your copper hair and the boy . . . well, just as handsome as his father,” he beamed.

  I choked out a sob. “But they’re okay?” I tested, the terror for my babies consuming me.

  “They’re in neonatal at the moment but they’re doing great, baby.” He stroked my hair off my face and leant down to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

  “What happened?” I asked and motioned for a drink of water.

  He held the straw to my lips as I took a sip. “Your uterus ruptured so they had to do an emergency caesarean Ava but . . . but . . .”

  I narrowed my eyes on him, “What Mason?”

  He sighed and grabbed my hand. “They had to do a hysterectomy Ava, I’m so sorry.”

  “Oh!” I breathed.

  The thought that I would never be pregnant again pulled at my heart but then the other part of me was excited that I had two beautiful babies waiting to meet me and for the moment I couldn’t decide how I felt about it, my emotions were too conflicting to take it in.

  “Can I see them?” I asked as the uncontrollable urge to hold them tore through me.

  “I’ll get the nurse.” He smiled but bent to kiss me tenderly on the lips. “I love you so much Ava, when . . . when you screamed on that trolley and . . . the blood, it was . . . it was everywhere . . . I thought . . . I thought . . .”

  He broke down, his head buried against my chest as he sobbed and sobbed, proper wailing cries which broke my heart and brought my own tears forward. “Shush Mason, I’m okay baby, I’m okay. The babies are okay, we’re gonna be fine,” I soothed as I stroked his hair and planted kisses on his head.

  The nurse peeked her head through the door, smiled gently as she saw the scene before her and then gestured five minutes with
her fingers. I nodded and turned my attention back to my man, he needed me for a change. It was usually him consoling me but this time it was down to me to give him the love and devotion he so needed.

  “Shush, baby,” I whispered as his sobs calmed and he climbed on the bed fully, careful of all the tubes and wires inserted into various parts of my body, lay beside me and wrapped me up carefully in his embrace.

  “I love you,” he breathed against my neck as he nuzzled me.

  “And me, you Mason, with everything I am baby.”

  CHAPTER 29

  MY BREATH WEDGED in my throat and my lungs seemed too big for my body, my hands shook and my blood coursed through my veins as I saw my beautiful babies for the first time; they were tiny, gorgeous and absolutely perfect.

  A sob tore through my throat as I saw them hooked up to what looked like every machine in the hospital.

  “It’s just to monitor them, they’re doing brilliantly,” the nurse said. She reminded me of a sergeant major with her near shaved head and stern expression but she had the softest calming voice I had ever heard.

  I nodded and turned my attention back to the two little incubators. “Hey,” I whispered as I leaned in further to observe them more.

  “Would you like to hold them?” the nurse asked as Mason sunk into a chair beside me.

  “Yes!” I choked out. She beamed at me and proceeded to unhook some things and connect some other things before she lifted the girl out and manoeuvred her and the wires over to me.

  The feeling of pure love, worry and adoration shrouded me as I held my daughter for the first time, she was absolutely stunning and I knew then that she would break many hearts, from her large eyes to her curly copper hair and her tiny nose.

  “Hi Katie,” I whispered.

  Mason choked back a sob as he heard her name for the first time. His hand slid into my hair and he placed a kiss on my head.

  “Katie?” the nurse asked and I nodded.

  “Katie Hope Fox,” I informed her as she wrote it down on her clipboard. “Katie after my friend and Hope after my mother.” I smiled thoughtfully as I stroked her smooth chubby cheek with the back of my fingers.

  “Would you like to hold your son?” she asked Mason, who grinned widely at her. She chuckled and leant over the crib. “Daddy’s back,” she said to my baby boy.

  I gathered that Mason had been a regular visitor while I had been out cold. “Any names for this one yet?” she asked as she lay him in Mason’s arms.

  “It’s Daddy’s choice.” I smiled as I leaned over to take a look at my handsome boy. Mason tipped his head at me and I nodded eagerly.

  He kissed our baby on the head. “George Mason Fox,” he whispered.

  A tear slipped free from my eye. “George after his step-grandfather and his Uncle and Mason, for me of course.”

  I frowned quizzically at him. “His uncle?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Kerrie’s twin, my brother was named George,” he said softly as he planted another tiny kiss on George’s wispy brown hair.

  I had known they wouldn’t be identical but I was amazed that they were so different; each of their features seemed to be the complete opposite of their sibling; from their hair colour, the shape of their eyes and the size of their noses.

  George was a little bigger than his sister but Katie seemed to be a little longer and I instinctively knew that George, being the bigger of the two would protect his sister with his very soul and that knowledge thrilled and comforted me.

  “They’re so beautiful,” I sighed.

  “They are, but with our looks baby they didn’t have much choice,” Mason winked at me.

  Katie gurgled and fidgeted in my arms and my heart swelled to an enormous size as she opened her eyes and stared straight at me. “Hey, sweet pea,” I whispered. “You are gonna want for nothing Katie, I’m gonna make sure you have so much love, you and your brother. I will be here through everything and I promise that no-one will ever hurt you.” I kissed her forehead and turned to see Mason regarding me, his eyes glazed and his lips sucked severely behind his teeth.

  “I promise Ava, I promise to take care and protect you all.” His face was pained and I knew he was referring to the unconventional relationship we had.

  Grabbing his hand, I brought it to my lips. “I know Mason,” I said adamantly but he looked away. “Hey, none of that today,” I stated. He looked back at me and nodded hesitantly. “We are a family Mason, whether you’re with us or not.”

  He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then opened them, once again displaying all the love, warmth and dedication he felt for us.

  There was a tap on the window to the side of us and I looked up to see Courtney, Sam and Marcy beaming at us.

  “You’re not supposed to have too many visitors but I’ll let them in for five minutes.” The nurse smiled and she waved them in.

  All three wasted no time and within seconds they were at our side, cooing and ahhing at my children. “Oh Ava, they are beautiful,” Marcy declared, hugging me with eyes full of tears.

  Sam slapped Mason on the back and then kissed my cheek. “Congratulations Ava,” he whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on each of the babies’ heads.

  I looked up and saw Courtney regarding us from the edge of the room, her face tight as she tried to rein in her emotions.

  “Aunty Courtney, meet Katie and George,” I said to my friend.

  She gulped before approaching slowly and squatted in front of them both, stroking their faces softly and declaring to each of them to protect and love them as tears slid down her face.

  “Speaking of George, I rang him last night,” she said as she stood and kissed my cheek. “He’s on his way.” She grinned at me knowing I would be ecstatic at the thought of George coming.

  “I’m afraid times up,” the nurse told them and they nodded.

  “You need anything, Ava?” Courtney asked but Mason shook his head at her.

  “No, I fetched all Ava’s stuff in last night.”

  She smiled and nodded. “Okay, mama and papa, I’ll see you later.” She bent to kiss me again and then kissed Mason on the cheek and I heard her tell him to take care of me but I knew he would anyway.

  * * *

  I was allowed home ten days later but I was anxious about leaving the babies behind.

  “Ava, they’ll be fine,” Mason said as he unlocked the cottage door and ushered me in. I inhaled deeply, relaxing instantly at the familiar smell of my home.

  “I know.” I sighed with tears in my eyes.

  “Come on, I have something to show you.” He grinned and my brow furrowed.

  “What are you up to?” I asked hesitantly but he took my hand, leading me upstairs and into the spare bedroom.

  My mouth dropped open as I exhaled noisily.

  The room had been transformed into a beautiful nursery, all decorated in lemons and soft greys. There were two white antique metal cots, two changing tables, two little wardrobes and drawers but what took my breath was the wall above the cots. Above each one, the babies’ names had been painted beautifully in a script font and the effect was stunning.

  “Oh wow!” I breathed. Mason embraced me from behind, his chin resting on the top of my head.

  “Do you like it?” he asked quietly.

  I scoffed, “I love it.” I swallowed heavily and his mouth found my ear as he nibbled on my earlobe.

  “I did it myself,” he divulged and I turned wide eyed to stare at him.

  “Really?” I was stunned. He nodded and smiled shyly. “Mason . . . it’s amazing. It’s perfect.” I palmed his face and pulled him down for a kiss. “I love you” I breathed against his lips. “Thank you for . . . for everything, but most of all, for our perfect children.”

  He kissed me this time. “No Ava, it’s me that should be thanking you; you’ve made me complete, baby.”

  * * *

  The next few weeks were exhausting as my life revolved around visiting the hospital, spending time
with my man and preparing for the babies to come home. They were doing great and I was told they should be able to come home in a couple of weeks.

  Every morning when I stepped into the nursery at the hospital they appeared to have grown and become stronger and I couldn’t hold back the grin that erupted on my face every time I looked at them, they gave me so much joy and love already.

  Mason tried to visit as often as possible and always made sure he spent the weekend with us but I understood the weekdays were hard but he phoned me every night for an update.

  The following Saturday morning I was rushing about, trying to clean the house as I got things ready for my hospital visit when my phone rang.

  I looked around manically for it, cursing when I couldn’t spot it. I eventually found it under a pile of ironing on the table. My heart skipped as I saw who it was and with shaking hands I swiped the screen

  “William, please tell me you have good news?” I asked as I closed my eyes.

  “Oh, the best Ava, the fucking best,” William laughed. I collapsed into a chair and calmness settled over me for the first time in weeks.

  CHAPTER 30

  “NATE,” I SAID as I heard him answer his phone.

  “Hey Ava, how are you?” I sensed the smile behind his voice.

  “Excellent Nate, in fact I’m better than excellent but I need a favour.” I grimaced as he paused.

  “Why am I worried, Ava?”

  I laughed. “Don’t worry; you don’t have to do much . . . I just need you to make an appointment with Commissioner Delaney. I know he won’t entertain an appointment with me so I need to do it in your name and . . . I need you to come with me,” I asked apprehensively.

  He was silent for a moment. “Ava . . . what are you up to?”

  “I can’t tell you yet but please, Nate,” I begged, “I really need you to do this.”

  He sighed heavily. “Okay, I’ll text you a date and time,” he said slowly, “But you have to promise me Ava, that you’ll be careful.”

  I smiled at his protectiveness. “I promise Nate and I promise to tell you everything once I have done this.”

  “Okay, give me an hour,” he said and ended the call. I rang the hospital and told them to inform Mason I was running late and I made my way over to The Black Panther.