Blast from the Past (Men of Severn #2)

Chapter Thirteen

Shane Blake

Four hours later, Kimberley, the veterinarian, walks out of the back with a tired smile. Both of us are on our feet in a heartbeat.

“He’s fine,” she reassures quickly. “There was a lot of damage, and he’ll have to stay here for a few days. But I see him making a full recovery and coming home sometime next week.”

Mercy starts sobbing once more and I hold her tightly, supporting her. My woman really needs a break. Maybe some food and a nice long nap.

“Thanks, Doc,” I say with a nod.

“Take your girl home, get cleaned up, and get some rest. You can come back later this afternoon to see him once the anesthesia wears off.”

With another nod, I turn and lead Mercy back to my truck. She stares out the window as we slowly drive home. I know Tommy needs to get her statement but that can wait until tomorrow. But I do need to sort my business.

There are several missed calls on my phone, but I skip them all and scroll to Kalum’s number before hitting “dial.”

“Where are you?” he asks immediately, his voice filtering through the speaker system inside my truck.

“It’s a long story but I need you to clear my calendar for the next week.”

“Shane, where are you?” he asks again but with a note of urgency.

“Why? What happened?” Mercy cuts in.

“Shit…” he breathes harshly before speaking. “Charlotte went into labor.”

Shock courses through me and I don’t know what to say. Mercy stares at me for long moments before taking over.

“Which hospital?”

“Memorial.”

“Who is with her?” she asks.

I don’t know,” he replies. “I called Karmen, and she said she would meet you there.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep you updated.”

She ends the call before scrolling to Karmen’s name and hitting “call.”

“We need a shower before heading out,” she says, giving me something to do.

Her words have me focusing on the task at hand, and I concentrate on the road in front of me and getting us safely to my house.

“Where the hell are you?” Karmen asks loudly when she answers her phone.

“We’ll be there in thirty minutes at the most,” Mercy replies. “We had an issue…”

“What issue? Was there another threat?” I love her even more for being worried about the woman I love.

“I’ll tell you later,” Mercy cuts in. “Has the baby been born?”

“Not yet.”

“Okay. We’ll be there soon.”

****

Mercy West

Both Shane and I shower and dress quickly and in silence. The past six hours have already taken so much out of us, and now we have to deal with this. But for the first time today it seems like things might finally be looking up. I know he is excited about the baby even if it wasn’t exactly part of his plan. And weirdly, I’m excited too. To go on this journey into parenthood with him.

We arrive at the hospital just under thirty minutes later to find Karmen and Wesley sitting in the waiting room. Both look as tired as we feel.

“Has the baby been born?” I ask the moment I lay eyes on them.

“Yes,” Karmen says with tears in her eyes. “A boy.”

“A boy,” Shane says softly beside me, his words coated in disbelief. “I have a son.”

“Seven pounds, three ounces,” Wesley says proudly.

“Can we see him yet?’ Shane asks.

“You can. But there’s something else,” Wesley says, making his way toward his brother. “Charlotte…” He clears his throat. “She didn’t make it, Shane. There was a bleed, and they couldn’t stop it.”

I watch him pale and lead him to a seat. I know she was a one-night stand and they were never in love or anything like that. But still. She is the mother of his child and now she is gone. I don’t know what I am supposed to feel at this moment, but I do know I am sad.

Sad for a little boy who will never get to know his mother. Sad for her family who have lost her. Just sad overall.

Jacob Wilson and a man I recognize as his father walk into the waiting area. Both of their eyes are bloodshot from the crying and my heart breaks all over for them.

“Shane,” Jacob’s father says, his voice breaking.

Shane stands and embraces the older man, murmuring in his ear. For long moments no one moves or says a thing. We all wait to see what will happen next.

“Come and meet your son,” Jacob says to Shane once his father releases him.

The older man falls into a seat as Shane wraps his hand around mine and we follow Jacob down a bright white hallway to meet our son.