Chapter 6
ECHO
Nothing. Not a damned thing could have prepared Echo for not only meeting his children for the first time, but seeing his children hooked up to tubes and wires and beeping machines.
And they knew him. They called him Daddy without a thought, without a hesitation.
Harry just about ripped out his heart with his simple comment, “I wished for you to come.”
Echo missed so much already and refused to do so now. He would win his family back and do whatever it took to succeed.
In the extra large bed, Echo visited with his twins, Stacy included, while Harry received his treatment. They played games. Colored in books. Reading books Echo never once expected to read, Dr. Seuss was fun.
Echo watched as Harry went from bright and happy to sleepy as the day went on, with Helen glued to his side.
After a small meal, they started a movie to which the twins fell asleep. Which seemed to make it easier on the nurse when she unhooked the extra machine for Harry's treatment.
They had a month of this? How did parents do this?
Echo looked to Stacy, who was texting on her phone. How would she have done this alone?
She wouldn't have to find out. He wasn't going anywhere. He was going to be so clingy and needy and glued to her side that she'd get sick of him.
“Sorry,” she whispered, “I was letting the grandparents know how the day went.”
“Don't apologize.” Echo reached out his hand at the end of the bed. He jumped for joy in his head when she took it. “Will they be okay? Just to go get something more to eat?”
Stacy looked at the twins and back. “Harry was okay last night while I went out for a little bit. I wasn't gone long though.”
“We won't leave the building. We'll make sure the nurses have our numbers. Maybe we can play tag team with Frank and Eleanor.”
When Stacy looked up at him, his heart clenched in his chest. She was still so easy to read as several emotions flashed across her face.
Echo pulled her into the cove of his chest, and was thankful she didn't fight him. “He'll be good as new in no time. He has a good team, and if we need the best of the best, I'm sure I can pull some strings.”
Stacy tilted her head, “are you the one who set up an account for them?”
His brows pinched, that's what Josephine meant. “No. But I may have an idea who did. Tank, my club president.”
“There's so much I don't know about you,” she said offhandedly.
Now his heart ached for another reason. “I'm sorry, baby. I will do everything I can to make it up to you.” He had more he was going to say but his stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
At least Stacy laughed at him.
“Let's get you fed,” she patted his chest. “Looks like you've bulked up and you'll want to keep your form.”
Was that appreciation in her eyes? Was she turned on by him? He could work with that.
“This is all natural, baby. I'm in construction and I'm always moving.”
Stacy grinned and stepped towards the door. “Come on then, Travis. I'm exhausted.”
Echo wasn't sure if he wanted to hear that name from her or his club name. He'd figure it out later. For now, he followed his wife out the door and anywhere she led him.
STACY
Taking a breather after a harrowing day was nice, even though Stacy felt a bit guilty. She figured the guilt would come and go as she stayed strong for the kids. Breaking down earlier in Travis’ arms had not been on purpose even if it was a bit therapeutic. But seeing him, hearing his declaration of love, and having spent all day with both kids in a hospital room had taken its toll on Stacy.
As they traversed the halls down to the parents section –hand in hand– Stacy tried to go through their agenda for the next day.
There was a parental support group, which Stacy was looking forward to. She hadn't gotten to tell Travis yet, and wondered if he'd want to join her or not.
Eleanor had planned on visiting, and bringing fresh clothing for them, as well as staying with the kids until Stacy got back from the group.
The atmosphere felt different when they enclosed themselves in the parent section. Stacy couldn't recall its actual name, and at that moment it wasn't relevant.
Silently, they scoped out the kitchen area. Muffins and cereal were on one table to the side. Sandwiches were in a self serve refrigeration unit. With hot plates and a sink behind a bar style counter.
At a table, food between them, they ate in a comfortable silence.
“Do you have any paperwork I can read through? For Harry's treatment? Or you can lay it out for me.”
“I have paperwork, I can walk you through it too. It's hit or miss what information I've missed hearing. So having the detailed paperwork helps. I went over it again last night myself.” She understood it, sure, but there was a ton of information.
“Depending on how he takes to the treatment depends on hospital stays. Although they plan on keeping the kids together. They are hoping it will help in the healing,” she elaborated. “There is a support group for parents tomorrow. I plan on at least going and listening. Eleanor is going to sit with the kids for a bit.”
Travis nodded his head and finished his meal. “I'd like to come as well. This is a lot to take in.” She couldn't begin to imagine having the last six years fast forwarded for him.
Travis cleared off their table and sat back down, placing both hands outstretched. “Thank you.”
Stacy felt her brows dip as she automatically placed her hands in his. “For what?”
“For allowing me time with the kids. You could have easily said no.”
“It never crossed my mind.”
“They know about me? Even after I left?”
Stacy felt herself blush. “They still needed to know where they came from. I made a photo album from our road trip. It was all I had.” Stacy inhaled, she didn't want to hash out the past but knew it needed to be done. “I called your phone multiple times. After about a month I tried again and was told there was no Travis at that number so I assumed you changed it.”
Travis groaned. “Whoever answered probably didn't recognize my given name. I go by Echo within the club.”
Stacy rolled her lips to keep from lashing out. If she had known any of that information.
“I know. I can see it on your face. Had I introduced you to my club and family, the last six years would be different. I can't change the past, but I do want to build a future with you. And the twins. I want my family back, Stacy. I need you in my life.” He sighed, his fingers squeezing hers. “The last four years have been muted for me. I felt like I was missing a vital part of myself and I was, you. I've not been with anyone since I got out of the hospital. I tried twice, and it felt wrong.”
Stacy tried to ignore the stabbing in her chest. She wouldn't have blamed him, exactly. It wasn't like they were a couple then, or even now really.
“Just talking to them felt wrong,” he continued, and then leaned in after a covert glance around. “And I had this weird fascination with Vegas showgirls and couldn't figure out why.” Stacy felt her cheek heat more. “Now I know why. Please, Stacy, give me a chance to make you mine again?”
“I'm still mad,” he nodded his understanding. “I've missed you, and we have catching up to do. But no kissing. I'll cave if you do.”
Stacy knew just then of her mistake when he smirked. “Challenge accepted.”
They shared a laugh before they headed back to the kids. Hand in hand, Stacy knew life wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, and if she wanted the life she had once dreamed of then she needed to believe in it.
They still had a ways to go, but they'd get there. They had to. Stacy wouldn't be able to handle it if he walked away again.