I wasn’t in the mood to talk on the phone, so I sent a group text to my family updating them on the situation with Everly. Seeing how late it was, I knew my momma wouldn’t answer until morning. But my brother, Adrian responded right away. He still had another couple hours left on his shift, but promised he’d drive down to New Syracuse tomorrow morning with Momma.
The ugly nurse from before returned, calling out my name. Her raspy voice startled me. It was about damn time they let me see Everly.
Heavy silence filled the hallway she led me down. I could smell cleaning solution and a faint whiff of blood. It brought me back to the parking lot where I desperately tried to stop the bleeding. Everly kept begging me not to let her die. I didn’t know what to do or how I could save her.
I took a deep breath and braced myself when we reached her room. Please, God, let her be okay. Everly was the strongest and bravest person I knew. She would pull through and so would our baby.
“We’ve already filed a police report about the shooting,” the nurse said. “You know I shouldn’t even be letting you in here, right? I know you’re not here on official police business. Everly insisted though, and the doctor allowed it.”
Stupid bitch. I wanted to knock the glasses right off her face. What was her problem?
The moment I saw Everly’s beautiful face again, I had to resist shoving the nurse aside to wrap her up in my arms. She looked up at me briefly but quickly turned her head away again. I wanted to hug her and promise everything would be okay.
Emmett perched himself in the chair beside her with his legs sprawled out. He was munching on some peanut butter crackers.
“You just missed the doctor,” Emmett said. “She’s a nice lady. She even let you come join us for twenty minutes.”
“Better than nurse ratchet,” I muttered once she left the room.
They had Everly hooked up to all kinds of whatchamacallit’s I couldn’t identify. Thank God I never became a doctor. I’d never be able to handle it.
“Baby, I’m here now.” I knelt down at her bedside. “How are you feeling?”
“Adam.” Her voice barely came out as a whisper.
I reached up to wipe away the tears that fell from her beautiful green eyes. She shivered as she grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly.
“What’s wrong, honey?” I asked. “Are you hurting somewhere? Do you want me to page a doctor?”
She shook her head.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You can be honest with me,” I told her.
“Just tell him,” Emmett said. “It’s not like he’s going to be mad at you.”
“Shut up. You don’t know everything.”
I loved how she still had that spunk in her despite everything that happened. Brushing her blonde hair out of her eyes, I gently caressed her damp cheek. Why couldn’t she tell me what was wrong?
“You can’t blame yourself for what happened. Didn’t you listen to anything that doctor told you?” Emmett asked.
“I wish they’d let you take Emmett’s place as my guardian.” She sighed.
I smiled at that. “Me too. I can’t imagine how annoying he’s been.”
“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.” Emmett scowled. “You’re stuck with me until mom and dad get here.”
“Seriously though, what’s wrong, baby?” I kissed her knuckles.
She looked down, trying to fight back the tears that spilled again. Her gorgeous green eyes were already so puffy from crying. I hated seeing her in so much pain. I’d do anything to take it all away
She sniffled. “I lost the baby.”
It broke my heart to hear those words. I held Everly tightly as she sobbed on my shoulder. Only a few hours ago, I was so happy and already in love with our unborn baby. I’d already started wondering what he or she would look like. Maybe he would’ve had her beautiful eyes and my dark brown hair. No matter what, I would’ve loved the baby. We would have been amazing parents. But some bastard stole all that from us.
“I’m sorry.”
I tucked strands of her blonde hair behind her ear, frowning. “What are you apologizing for? Don’t you dare think for one damn minute that this is your fault.”
I held myself together for Everly that night and let her weep in my arms for as long as I was allowed to stay. It was very possible whoever attacked my girl and killed our baby would try to finish the job. I had to stay there to keep her safe. Even if it meant staying down in the waiting area. I couldn’t go home knowing she laid awake in a hospital bed crying over our baby. One of us had to stay strong.
I didn’t want her to see me break down, so I waited until my visiting time was up. Walking down the pristine white hallway, I tried my best to keep it together. I wanted to make it outside, where nobody would see me cry. I wanted to stay strong, but I couldn’t.
Tight pressure welled in my chest before the sobs poured out like rainwater rushing from the gutters. I barely made it to a chair to steady myself on. We lost our baby. I just learned I would be a father, and only hours later that all got taken from me. I thanked God that Everly survived, but why did our baby have to die? It wasn’t fair.
I felt Kaz’s hand on my back. He didn’t say a word. I think he knew I didn’t want to talk.
In that moment, I knew I would find the son of a bitch who hurt Everly and our baby. I would show them no mercy.
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