OUTLIER: Blood, Brotherhood, And Beauty (Beauty 0f Lifee Book 4)

by Laura Acton

William and Dan were still chuckling. It took Scott an almost five minutes talking in hushed tones to Lily before she calmed enough to face the general and Dan.

  As Scott spoke to Lily, William and Dan settled down. William retrieved the bag of sandwiches from the floor. He sat down and pulled a breakfast sandwich out and started munching on one.

  Dan sipped the iced capp they brought for him and gazed longingly at the sandwich. Unsure if he should eat yet. The little bit of power bar he ate last night made his stomach unsettled. He didn’t want to risk throwing up.

  When Lily finally faced them, Dan smiled brightly. Scott is a lucky man—he found his soul mate. Lily blushed prettily, and he could understand why Scott was attracted to her. Dan spoke first, “Morning … Lily. … I’m Dan. … Nice to meet … the lady … who can … confound … Scott with … a single touch … rather hard … to do.” He extended his hand to her.

  The pink blush hadn’t entirely left her face. Lily moved forward thinking, the boys are never gonna let this drop. She would be teased from here to eternity for losing her poise today. Yet she smiled sweetly and ignored his hand as she pulled Dan into a gentle hug.

  As she hugged Dan, Lily said, “We’ve been so worried about you. Wonderful to meet you. Sorry for my reaction … it totally shocked me that you’re his doppelganger.” She released Dan from the hug and stepped back.

  Scott still rubbed his arm as he stared at Lily. Damn, that hurt.

  William swallowed his bite then said, “I think Lily and Lexa would get along perfectly. Both have a solid right jab.”

  More laughter ensued, and Lily joined in as the pink blush increased.

  It was this scene Dr. Larsson walked into. She smiled. What a huge difference from yesterday. “Good morning all.” She looked at the general and said, “My office told me you wanted to speak with me.”

  Dan turned to his dad. “What? Why?”

  William stood and went to Daniel. He laid a hand on his shoulder. “I want to take you home. Your mother and I would like you close. We want to help you recover so you can return to your team. I want you to be out of a hospital, but we need the doctor to agree it is in your best interest and help make the appropriate arrangements.”

  Still a hard concept for him to grasp, Dan zoned out as his mind whirled in so many directions. It landed on the realization his parents truly wanted him and wanted him home. He was pulled back as several voices called his name. He blinked several times and then gazed at his dad. “I’d like that.”

  The worry which had increased in William while Daniel was unresponsive for several minutes disappeared immediately. He turned to the doctor. “Is it possible? What do we need to get Daniel home?”

  Lily sat back and watched the four of them discuss and decide on a plan. She liked how the doctor was so willing to help. The doctor asked where his home was and when they told her Ottawa, Dr. Larsson said she had several contacts who lived in Ottawa who would help. She would arrange for a light duty nurse, respiratory therapist, and all necessary supplies.

  Dr. Larsson scrutinized Dan. “My primary condition is you must to agree to do everything as I instruct. I mean everything. None of this, I’m Special Forces, and I can do anything bravado. This includes keeping your pain level to less than four and the oxygen on twenty-four seven, except for bathing.

  “You won’t heal properly if you don’t have the right oxygen level and can’t breathe deeply and you can’t breathe deeply if you’re in pain. I have experience with your type, hate taking pain medications, but in this case, they are your best friend. They’ll help you return to that team of yours. Got it?”

  “Got it Doc. … Thanks.” Dan liked her no nonsense positive manner.

  Directing her next comments to the general, Dr. Larsson said, “I will need you to bring him to my office for a recheck every three days at first. I realize it is a long distance, but maintaining the nerve block appears to be the best way to handle Dan’s pain at least for the first few weeks.”

  “Not a problem. It’s only an hour flight each way. Assuming it is safe for him to fly.”

  Dr. Larsson nodded, and they discussed a few more items and made final plans to move Dan to Ottawa. The doctor concluded, “I’ll start things rolling on my end. I think we can get you out of here in two or three days. Though we need to determine how long the block lasts and run a few more test. We can plan to do another block the morning you leave. Dan, does that sound like a workable plan to you?”

  Dan nodded. The doctor was almost out of the room when Dan called after her, “Doc.” She stopped at the door and turned to face him. “How … long will … it take to … recover?”

  Larsson considered his question. “You’ve done a lot of tactical planning?”

  Thrown off by the question, Dan said, “Yeah, why?”

  “If someone asked you to give a definitive answer on how a scenario would go given many variables, how would you answer them?”

  Reflecting on what the doctor said, Dan understood thoroughly. She couldn’t give him an answer. “Got it. … too many … factors … plan, … execute … and adjust.” He was good at that.

  Dr. Larsson grinned, nodded, and left to order up some tests.

  “Gonna … rest now, … Docs orders.” Dan closed his eyes and fell asleep.

  William studied Dan. That was a first, total compliance with a doctor’s orders. People could change. Though he didn’t want Daniel to change—he was exactly the way he should be.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 1:00 p.m.

  Dan woke after a very long nap. He scanned the room, finding only Lily in a chair and reading a book. “Hi.”

  Lily glanced up and smiled. “Hello again. Scott and your dad left to start making arrangements. I offered to stay in case you wanted company.”

  “Thanks.”

  When Dan’s stomach roared, Lily said, “Wow sounds angry. You should feed it.”

  He snorted and smirked.

  Confused Lily tilted her head. “Did I say something funny?”

  He slowly explained what happened when Scott met Lexa and now how she said nearly the same thing as Lexa did. They laughed. Lily told him she thought the boys were pulling a prank on her telling her about Lexa’s reaction. She said she couldn’t wait to meet Lexa.

  They enjoyed a pleasant albeit slow conversation with Lily doing most of the talking. She shared how she and Scott met and how long he took to before he popped the question. Giggling she said, “Yeah, Scott was so intimidated by my dad. I thought he would never ask.”

  “I … understand,” Dan said. “How … is the … Chief of Defence Staff?”

  Lilyanna McFergus-Broderick smiled. “Well. Thanks for asking. He sends his regards to you and wishes you a speedy recovery. Dad was upset to find out about all the stuff that happened to you. He blew his top. Never heard him rave so loud before. I think several heads are going to roll by the time he finishes the investigation. Something like this should never have happened to one of his soldiers and he’s going to make sure it never happens again.”

  Dan was surprised by that. “I thought … everyone … involved was … dead or being … court-martialed. … What else needs … to be investigated?”

  “Not sure. Not privy to details. I just happened to be visiting home the night Dad received the call from your father. I couldn’t help but overhear Dad’s side of the conversation. He was so loud, I thought the roof would come down. Dad thundered around the house the whole night.”

  Lily shuddered remembering the maelstrom that night. When Dan’s stomach growled again, Lily asked, “Hey, you want me to check with the nurse to see if they have something you can eat? Maybe broth, jello, or something?”

  “That would … be nice.”

  Lily popped up and headed out the door.

  Dan thought about the investigation pondering if there might be more to it than one psycho who hated his dad so much. Especially since his father said something about a special tribunal being convened by the
CDS to deal with Plouffe and Merrill.

  He wondered how that would work since they couldn’t be named in a court martial. For now, Dan was glad that Plouffe and Merrill were incarcerated in Club Ed. They were aberrant men who blended in for far too long. Dan was chewing on the list of crazy, fanatical people who sought to do him harm for no goddamned reason when Patch entered.

  “Hey, Dan. It’s good to see you awake and not in pain. How ya doing?”

  Dan studied him curiously. Patch called him Dan, not Blondie. Except for once in the hotel room, Patch had never called him Dan. From day one with the unit it had always been Blondie. “I’m okay, … Patch.” Dan caught the strange look cross Patch’s face. “What’s wrong?”

  Jim shifted on his feet not wanting to hurt Dan’s feelings but needing to say it. “It’s just, well, you, I, um, I …”

  “Spit it out … say it.” Concerned for a man he considered his brother, Dan could tell something was definitely bothering him.

  “Call me Jim, please,” he said hurriedly and gazed at Dan with uncertainty.

  “Sure, why?” Dan asked, half knowing what Patch would say. If it was what he thought it was, he felt the same way.

  “You remember how we talked at the hotel? Well, I gotta move forward. Need to leave the hurt behind. Not the brothers—only the leave the past in the past. Patch is my past. Jim is my future.” He waited for Dan’s reaction and hoped he didn’t hurt him.

  “I understand. … I agree. … Jim,” Dan opened his arms. Jim moved forward, and they embraced. As they held on Dan softly said, “Is Heather … your future?”

  Jim pulled away suddenly and stared at Dan in shock. “How the hell do you always know things? You know them before I do.”

  “Special … I guess.” Dan smiled mischievously as he saw Heather in the doorway, “So is … Heather … the one?”

  “Yeah, I know this is quick. We have only had one official date, but I already bought a ring. I carry it with me everywhere. I’m trying to decide how long would be long enough before I ask her to marry me. I hate having to wait. I’d do it today if I could.”

  “Then do it,” Heather responded firmly.

  Jim pivoted instantly to the door as a shockwave nearly bowled him over. Heather was standing there—she overheard. Jim reached into his pocket and withdrew a small velvet box and dropped to one knee. He smiled and nervously asked, “Heather, will you be my future? Will you marry me?”

  She skipped to Jim, knelt next to him, and wrapped her arms around him. “Yes, most definitely yes!” Then kissed Jim.

  Dan could only gape open-mouthed. That totally wasn’t what he expected. He only wanted to tease Jim when he spotted Heather in the doorway.

  Happy for Jim, for both of them, Dan turned to view the scenery out the window, such as it was, to give them a moment. They are a perfect match for each other.

  Lily returned to the room to find two people she didn’t know kneeling on the floor and kissing passionately. Her brows rose as she gawked them a moment before she skirted around them to Dan. “Uh … I leave you alone for a second and …” she waved her hand towards the two people, who were oblivious to anyone else at the moment. Lily was unsure what was going on or what to say.

  Dan turned to Lily and noticing she brought broth and jello, he reached for the jello cup. “Yum, … that for … me?”

  Lily absentmindedly handed it to Dan as she continued to stare at the couple on the floor.

  “Spoon?”

  Still gaping in awe at the couple locked in a passionate kiss Lily moved a spoon in Dan’s general direction.

  Dan reached out for the spoon. “Jim … asked … Heather … to marry … him. … She said … yes.” Dan spooned jello into his mouth—jello always sat well in his stomach.

  Lily managed to find the chair and sat down smiling at the spectacle.

  Heather and Jim finally registered where they were. They stood and turned toward Dan. Heather beamed brightly.

  Jim shone just as bright. “She said Yes!”

  Dan took another spoonful. “Uh huh, … I see that.”

  Then a thought crossed Jim’s mind. “Did you? You knew she was there!”

  “Uh huh,” Dan said through another bite and gave Jim a lopsided grin.

  “I should kill you for that,” Jim said in a brotherly teasing threat.

  “Why? … She said … yes.” Dan chuckled as another spoonful went into his mouth. He was starving.

  Lily was now in a fit of giggles watching them.

  Heather moved to Dan and hugged him. “Thanks, Dantastic!”

  “Least I … could do.” He peered down at his empty jello cup wishing there was more. “Ya know … where … they keep … more of these?” he asked Heather and gave her a boyish grin.

  “Sure, anything for Dantastic. Be right back.” Heather rushed from the room and returned a few minutes later. She carried half a dozen jello cups and plopped them down on his table, then handed him one.

  Dan gazed at the two of them as Jim put his arm around Heather’s shoulder. “Congrats. … So, when’s … the wedding?”

  Jim grinned at Dan. “Depends. I want you to be my best man.”

  “Love to.” Dan dug into the next jello cup.

  The four talked for quite some time. Dan mostly listened and polished off all six of the jello cups. Jim and Heather decided they wanted to marry quickly, but would wait until Dan was well enough to be Jim’s best man.

  Dan hated that he tired so easily. He laid back and closed his eyes intending to only relax for a few minutes.

  Several minutes later, Jim noticed Dan had fallen asleep. So he and Heather excused themselves and asked Lily to tell Dan they said goodbye and would be by sometime tomorrow.

  Before they left, Lily said, “Congratulations you two.”

  Lily thought they would enjoy sharing the proposal story for years to come. She picked up her book and settled back to read. She glanced up at Dan. What an interesting man. So much like Scott, but Scott’s the one for me. Lilyanna turned to her page and began reading.

  Risk and Protection

  47

  August 5

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Outside Room 1030 – 7:30 p.m.

  Happy for an uneventful shift, Alpha Team spent the day patrolling with no incidents. After shift ended, the team showered and changed with speed so they could go visit with Dan. The team decided to pick up where they left off the previous day with Nick going in first. Lexa would have her solo next. After that, if Dan wanted, they would all visit with him.

  Nick knocked on the door and pushed it open a crack to peer inside. “Can I come in?”

  Scott strode over and opened the door wide. “Sure, he is still asleep though. Had an eventful day today.” The happiness on his face dispelled any worry those words would have typically caused.

  Jon asked, “How so?”

  Scott not wanting to wake Dan, walked into the hall with the team. He related the story of Dan and Lily meeting. Lexa growled at the guys when they teased her about the right jabs, but they stopped after she jabbed Loki.

  “Ow. I didn’t even tease you. Why me? You should’ve hit Jon. He was the worst!” Loki grumbled playfully making a show of rubbing his bicep, which actually didn’t hurt because Lexa only tapped him.

  Lexa rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “Cause you’re not my TL and can’t make me mop floors for eternity.”

  “Alright. But you owe me a triple chocolate smoothie.” Loki gave her puppy dog eyes as he pressed his palms together as if in prayer.

  “Deal. Our next movie night I’ll make smoothies.”

  Nick shook his head at their antics as a corner of his mouth lifted. Relief streamed through him. His team behaved closer to normal, and their good humor appeared to be restored.

  Amused by the team dynamics, Scott now fully understood why Dan wanted to return to them. The team and what they did is what Dan needed to move forward. Once they quieted down, he told them about Jim’s propos
al to Heather. Finally, he shared with them the conversation with Dr. Larsson and how Dan agreed to the plan to go to Ottawa for to recover.

  That news made the team both happy and sad. They understood the need and that it was best for Dan, but they would miss him while he was gone. As Scott was telling them all the details he and the general worked out, General Broderick opened the door.

  “He is awake now if you want to visit with him,” William said as he joined the group in the hall. Nick moved forward to go in.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 7:45 p.m.

  Nick noted the only two in the room besides him were Dan and a young lady sitting with her feet tucked under her in the recliner. She glanced up when he entered.

  “Boss. This is … Scott’s wife … Lily. … Lily this … is my boss, … Sergeant … Nick Pastore.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Lily.” Nick strode forward offering his hand.

  Lightly shaking the sergeant’s hand, Lily replied, “Likewise, sir. Dan had lots of fine things to say about you.”

  Dan blushed slightly when Boss glanced at him at her comment.

  “I think I’ll head out and let you gentlemen talk privately now. I’ll go round up some more jello for you, too.” Lily unfurled and slid her feet into her sandals and strolled from the room.

  Nick grabbed a chair and pulled it near the bed while assessing Dan. He appeared tired, but not in pain, thank goodness. There was a glint in his eyes and calmness to his face. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m good sir. … Amazing … what no … pain can do … for you.”

  Nick nodded his head and considered how to approach the elephant in the room. Head on may be the best approach. He rubbed his hand over his face.

  Dan recognized the motion and spoke before his boss. “I know … you’re worried … for the team. … Do I … pose a risk?”

  Nick tried to interrupt, but Dan stopped him by raising a hand up. “I understand. … I do. … If I was … in your … position … I would … have to … consider it. Coming back … isn’t … guaranteed. … As much as I … wish it could be … there are … too many … variables. … I plan to … work very hard … to make … that happen. … Returning … is important to me. … I’m willing … to do anything … you need … me to do … to prove … I’m not a risk … to the team.”