“We were over at Reese’s house when Shaker called. Reese offered to watch her for us.”
We fell silent when Shaker started communicating in his fancy pilot codes with someone over the air waves. “Yes, Mr. Marks, we’ll kiss your ass and let you land your helicopter anywhere you want because you donate large sums of money to us,” Keegan mocked.
Shaker snorted. “Caught that, did ya?”
“How could I not?” she retorted.
“Hell, I’ll kiss his ass for getting us to the hospital so fast,” I said. “But just this one time.”
We fell silent until we landed on top of the hospital fifteen minutes later. Someone was waiting at the door to the stairwell to let us in and tell us where to go. Mack and I didn’t wait for the others. As soon as the bird was on the ground, we were on the move.
The stairwell opened into the ER waiting room where we found Judge, Batta, Coal, Tiny, Spazz, and Leigh. “Give us an update,” I barked.
“We haven’t heard anything,” Coal said.
“Where’s Copper and Bronze?”
“They’re back there with the kids.”
“Why the fuck aren’t any of y’all answering your phones?” I demanded.
“Because we all jumped into the lake after him,” Coal shared. “Everyone’s phone is either lost or fried.”
Mack walked up to the receptionist. “My grandson, Kellan Ward, was in a car accident. I’m his next of kin and was told I needed to get here quickly. Can someone take me to him?”
“One moment, sir,” she said and picked up the phone beside her.
A door opened and River appeared. “You must be Kellan’s grandfather. Follow me,” she said and held the door open for him.
“I’m his other grandfather,” I said and followed Mack like I had every right to do so.
I was bracing myself for the worst when we arrived in a patient room with Copper, Layla, and a young girl who appeared to be sleeping. River closed the door and said, “They’ve already taken Kellan to surgery. His injuries were too extensive to wait. I don’t know all of his injuries, but I can tell you his heart has stopped twice—once when he was in the water, and once right before they took him to the OR. They believe he has a liver laceration which is bleeding into his abdominal cavity. I’m sorry, that’s all I know right now.”
“Was he awake when you saw him?” Mack asked.
“No, sir,” River said and looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry I don’t have better news to give you.”
“Thank you, dear. Any news is better than not knowing,” Mack said softly. “How are the children?”
“Riley has a broken arm and is sleeping off the sedative they gave her before setting it. Braxton has a concussion and has been moved to the pediatric floor for overnight observation.”
Someone knocked on the door before immediately pushing it open. Another nurse rushed inside, heaving in breaths like she’d just finished running a marathon. “They just delivered Savior’s baby. A little girl. She’s going to the NICU, but she’s doing okay for how early she is.”
“And Avery?” Copper asked.
“Um, Avery had some complications that I can’t discuss, but she’s going to be okay, too.”
“Thank you, Kennedy,” Copper said and stood to shake her hand.
“Can I see my great-granddaughter?” Mack asked.
Kennedy shook her head, but River stepped forward and took his hand. “I think I can sneak you in for a quick peek.”
“Take a picture!” Layla shouted after them.
As soon as they were gone, I focused on Copper. “Tell me what happened.”
“I’ll be happy to as soon as Phoenix gets here. I don’t want to tell it again,” he said and I could tell whatever happened was weighing heavily on him.
When Phoenix was brought back to the little girl’s room, Copper told us every excruciating detail of the accident and the subsequent rescue.
“So, what happened to the person that hit them?” I asked.
Copper shook his head. “Don’t know. The cops were talking to witnesses and trying to see if anyone had a dash cam that caught the wreck, but it appears to be a hit-and-run.”
“Well,” I scoffed, “they can run, but they can’t hide.”
32
Avery
Pain.
I was in a lot of pain. And I felt like I was going to be sick. I tried to move, but that made the pain worse. I placed my hand over my stomach, where it hurt the worst, and gasped at what I felt, or didn’t feel.
“My baby,” I rasped.
“Ms. Parker, you’re just waking up from surgery. You’re in the hospital.”
Right. I was in the hospital because my gallbladder crapped out on me. “Mom? Kellan?”
A warm and familiar hand gripped mine. “Hey, peanut,” my dad said.
“Daddy? Where’s Mom?”
“She’s upstairs in her room.”
I managed to crack an eye open and looked at my father. “What are you talking about?”
“Your mom had surgery today. You don’t remember?”
“Why would mom have surgery on the day I scheduled my surgery?”
“Is this normal?” my dad asked someone across the room.
“Yes, sir, it’s very normal for a patient to be confused when they wake up, especially in emergent situations like hers.”
“What emergent situation?” I asked, starting to get alarmed.
“Ms. Parker, you had a placental abruption. We had to do an emergency c-section to deliver your baby.”
My hands returned to my empty abdomen. “My baby! What did I have?”
“A beautiful little girl,” my dad said proudly.
“Where is my daughter?” I screamed.
“She’s in the NICU, but she’s doing better than expected.”
“What in the actual fuck is that supposed to mean?” I snapped.
“Avery Grace,” my dad chastised. “She meant your little girl came into this world earlier than expected in the middle of a stressful situation and she could be doing far worse than she is.”
His words triggered my memory and everything came rushing back. “My babies! Where are my babies? Are they okay?” I started pulling at the covers and trying to get out of bed so I could go find my children.
“Avery, stop! You can’t get up right now. They’re okay. Riley’s arm is broken and Braxton has a concussion, but they’re okay,” my dad said vehemently.
“What about Kellan?”
Dad grimaced and shook his head. “The last I heard, they were taking him to surgery.”
“And Mom?”
“Your mom’s going to be okay. She’s got a few broken bones and some bumps and bruises, but nothing she can’t handle,” he assured.
“You need to go back and stay with her. She doesn’t need to be alone.”
“You know good and well your mother would whoop my ass if I left you alone. But before you start, she’s not alone. One of Kellan’s friends is staying with her and I have strict instructions to call them as soon as they move you to your room.”
I nodded as my lower lip started to tremble. “This can’t be happening,” I whispered.
My father squeezed my hand. “You’ve got a waiting room full of people who love you and are ready to help in any way they can. You will get through this.”
I closed my eyes and relaxed into the pillow until they moved me to my room. To my surprise, Copper, Layla, and Riley were waiting inside when they wheeled me in.
“Riley,” Copper rumbled. “Your Mommy’s here.”
“She’s still sleepy from the medicine they gave her before they set her arm,” Layla explained.
My eyes landed on the bright pink cast on her left arm. “Is it bad?”
“Both bones in her forearm are broken, but she didn’t need surgery,” Copper shared.
“Riley,” I called. “Wake up, baby.”
“Mommy,” she said through a yawn.
“Hey, sweet gir
l. You okay?”
She nodded and immediately started to cry. “Can I put her on the bed without hurting you?” Copper asked.
“Yes,” I said and patted the bed beside me.
“Riley, your Mommy just had surgery on her tummy, so you have to be gentle,” Copper instructed.
“Okay,” she said and carefully scooted up beside me. I breathed a small sigh of relief when I had her in my arms. “Did you have the baby?” she asked.
I swallowed past the emotion clogging my throat. “Yes, I did. You have a little sister.”
Riley sat up and looked around the room. “Where is she?”
“Well, she’s in the special nursery for babies who come early,” I explained.
“Can we go see her?”
“Yes, we can, but not right now.”
“Can we name her Elsa?” she asked excitedly.
I smiled but shook my head. “No, sweetie, her name is Sienna Blake Ward,” I said.
“I wanted to name her after my favorite princess,” she pouted.
I kissed the top of her head and looked up as Copper handed me his cell phone. “Mommy!” Braxton shouted from the screen.
“Hey, little man!” I said and struggled to fight back my tears. “I’m so happy to see you. Are you okay?”
“Yes! Bronze is my new best friend,” he said proudly. “He gets me ice cream and tells me funny stories. And he has a pet snake he said I could play with.”
“Knock, knock,” I heard from the phone. “Did someone order an X-box?”
“Bye, Mommy!”
“I want to play with the X-box,” Riley whined.
“If it’s okay with your mom, I’ll take you to Braxton’s room,” Layla offered.
“Yes, thank you,” I said sincerely.
As soon as they were out of the room, I asked, “Tell me about Kellan.”
“He’s still in surgery,” Copper said.
“Tell me about the accident. What happened?”
“They were hit on Lakeview Road. The truck rolled and started to go over the guardrail, but the rear axle got caught on part of the rail and stopped them.”
“They were hanging over the bridge?” I gasped.
Copper nodded solemnly. “I pulled Braxton out, but Riley’s arm was pinned between the seat and the door. Savior cut himself out of his seat belt so he could free her and hand her out to me.”
“Then what?”
“Fuck, Avery. I’m so fucking sorry,” he said and shook his head. “I thought he was okay. I pulled him through the back window and he stood on his own two feet. We were about to climb up and he— Fuck! I couldn’t catch him!”
I held my hands up and frantically waved them. “No more. I don’t want to know anymore.”
“If there’s anything I can do, anything you need, you got it.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m going to need help with the kids for the next few days.”
“Not a problem. Riley can spend the night with me and Layla tonight if that’s okay with you. And we can keep Braxton when he’s discharged from the hospital. Or we can stay with them at your house. Whatever you want.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Rest, Avery. I’ll wake you as soon as we know something.”
33
Savior
My eyes fluttered open and I immediately closed them to block out the piercing bright light. When I tried to raise my hand to use it as a shield, I discovered I couldn’t move either one of them. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“Mr. Ward,” someone said. “You’re in the hospital. You were in a car accident. We have your hands tied down so you can’t pull the breathing tube out.”
A soon as I heard the words “breathing tube,” I became hyperaware of its presence and I immediately began coughing. All I could focus on was the tube in my throat and I wanted it out.
“Settled down, boy,” Gramps said and I instantly obeyed his command.
“Mr. Ward,” another voice said. “I’m going to remove the breathing tube now. When I tell you to, cough.” I did as he said and coughed while he pulled the tube and what felt like the majority of my insides out of my mouth causing me to groan in pain.
“You’re okay, Kellan,” Gramps said.
It was only then I realized I’d never opened my eyes again. Slowly cracking one open at a time, my eyes landed on Gramps.
“You look like shit,” I blurted.
“So do you, you little shithead.”
“What happened?” I rasped and tried to clear my throat.
“Mr. Ward, I’m Dr. Abernathy. Do you know where you are?” he asked and shined a bright light in my face.
“In the hospital.”
“What year is it?”
I looked over at Gramps. “Is he fucking serious?”
Gramps chuckled and nodded. “Yes, now, answer the question.”
He asked me several other questions before giving me a quick exam and mumbling something about writing some new orders. When he was gone, I turned my attention back to Gramps. “So, what happened?”
“You were in a bad car accident two days ago,” he said cautiously.
“Was anyone hurt?” I asked as my stomach started to churn.
“Yes, but they’re going to be okay and this was one hundred percent not your fault.”
I frowned. I didn’t remember anything about being in a car accident. “Who was hurt?”
Ten minutes later, I knew every horrible detail about the wreck, but I could tell there was something he wasn’t telling me. “And what else?” I asked.
Gramps shook his head. “Relax, Kellan. It’s not exactly bad news, but it’s not my story to share. You’ll know soon enough.”
I wasn’t happy about it, but I trusted Gramps implicitly, so I kept my mouth shut and closed my eyes.
I woke to the sound of muffled voices and sniffles. When I opened my eyes, I saw Gramps first. Then, my eyes landed on Avery sitting in a wheelchair crying. “Avery? What’s wrong, baby?” I asked and reached for her.
“Kellan,” she cried and gripped my hand firmly. She tipped her head back and whispered, “Thank you.”
“Why are you in a wheelchair? Wait, are you wearing a hospital gown?” I asked and tried to sit up.
“No!” Gramps barked. “You can’t get up. I was going to step out to give you two some privacy, but you have to stay put.”
“Understood,” I said with a nod.
When Gramps stepped outside, I met my woman’s tear-filled eyes and spewed question after question. “What’s going on? How are Riley and Braxton? Are they really okay? Gramps said they were, but I know he’s not telling me something. And what’s wrong with you? I know you weren’t with us, and I—”
“Kellan,” Avery interrupted and wiped a few tears from beneath her eyes. “You have a daughter.”
It felt like my heart stopped for a few moments upon hearing her words. A daughter. A little girl. I was overwhelmed with feelings of love, happiness, and pride, but also fear, as the purpose of my entire being shifted to a new focus—family.
“When did you find out?” I asked. “I thought you wanted it to be a surprise.”
More tears spilled from her eyes. “I found out when she was born two days ago.”
My eyes immediately moved from her face down to her stomach. “But it’s too early.”
She nodded. “She’s in the NICU and will be for a few weeks, but the doctors say she’s doing good.” She handed me her phone. “Here she is. Sienna Blake Ward.”
I took the phone from her hand and stared at my baby girl on the screen. Tubes and wires surrounded her little body, but she was the most precious thing I’d ever seen. “She’s beautiful,” I whispered in awe. “And you named her after my parents.”
“I hope that’s okay. We can change it if it’s not, but I couldn’t bear the thought of her not having a name if something happened,” she said and choked on a sob.
“Fuck, Avery,
you’re killing me. I can’t even hold you right now. Are you okay? How was the delivery?”
“They had to put me under general anesthesia and deliver her by an emergency c-section. I didn’t even get to see her until hours after she was born, but your grandfather made sure she wasn’t alone.”
“What about Riley and Braxton?”
“Riley’s arm is broken and Braxton has a concussion. He had to spend the night in the hospital but he was released yesterday morning.”
I suddenly remembered why the kids were with me in the first place. “Shit, baby, how’s your mom?”
“She’s going to have a long recovery, but I keep trying to remind myself that she is going to recover. Her hip was broken as well as her pelvis. She’s been in a lot of pain, and now she’s pissed because she can’t help me with this whole situation.”
“Did they get the person who ran over her?” I asked.
Avery shook her head. “No, and the last I heard, they don’t know who hit you either.”
“How is that possible? The grocery store should have surveillance cameras and there had to be plenty of witnesses for my wreck.”
“I don’t know. Copper said he would handle all of that for us,” she said and paused. “Have you seen him yet?”
“No. Why?”
“He’s been a blessing through everything over the last two days, but he’s also been a mess,” she said carefully.
“What do you mean?” Copper always had his shit together. Just like Phoenix, he seemed to know what was going on before it happened.
“When you fell, he tried to catch you. He told me his fingers barely brushed your shirt. Bronze said he didn’t hesitate to jump in after you. Actually, none of your brothers thought twice about jumping in to get you. But you can tell it’s weighing heavily on Copper,” she explained.
“He doesn’t have anything to feel guilty about,” I said, more to myself than to her. “I’ll tell him that when I see him.”
“Ms. Parker, I need to take you back to your room now,” a nurse said from the doorway.
“Give us just another minute,” I said with a charming smile.
“Of course,” she said and stepped back into the hall.
Savior (Blackwings MC - Devil Springs Book 3) Page 15
