Chapter 33
“I can’t believe they’re all dead…” I spoke softly, staring into the vending machine’s window. Monica would want something salty and then sweet. I had already gotten her some grape juice and a bottle of water. I’d thought about ordering a pizza, but I was pushing it with getting her to eat a couple snacks already. She was under a lot of stress and worried. I was barely holding on myself. Still seeing her bloodied and beat up when I’d opened that basement door.
“It's over.” spoke Nick, gruffly. “The old farmhouse is gone. We let it burn to the ground actually. After everything that's happened there.” his voice trailed off.
“Nick, you know this isn’t your fault.” I said, selecting a chocolate bar to go with the peanuts I’d gotten Monica. “There was nothing any of us could’ve done to prevent what happened to Jackson.”
“I know,” his voice was rough, terse. “I just feel like I was responsible for him, like I let him down somehow. He knew not to go there alone.”
I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me.
“He’d dealt with a lifetime of abuse, man.” I said softly. “I know Jackson wouldn’t want you to feel this way, carry this.”
“Alright. Anything from Lucas?” Nick’s voice was even more short with me, changing the subject. I’d have to worry about him, the effect this was going to have on him, later.
“Nothing. Last I heard she was in delivery,” I updated him, walking back down the hallway.
“Too fucking early.” he muttered.
“Yep. I’ll keep you updated as I know something.” I said, speeding up as I heard voices in the waiting room.
Rounding the corner, placing my phone back in my pocket, I saw Lucas standing with his back to me. His hair was standing on end, like he’d been running his fingers through it distractedly.
“They’re okay though…” he trailed off, as I walked around him. Monica had her hands covering her mouth, tears rolling down her face, even as the big man pulled her into a hug.
“I’m so fucking glad you’re okay,” he added. “Both of you.”
Monica just continued to cry against his chest, hugging him back, as he reached out a hand to me.
I grasped it, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
“Baby is here and fine.” he explained, as Monica stepped back, wiping her tears and I placed an arm around her. “He’s tiny. So fucking small. He’s having some trouble breathing. They want to monitor him.” his voice broke.
“Becks was apparently seven centimeters when Lucas got up here.” Monica picked up, “and letting everyone in the room know that the baby was staying put until her husband got here.” she laughed tearfully. “She said and I quote, ‘I’m not fucking doing this alone again’ and had them all terrified.”
Lucas chuckled, running a tattooed hand through his hair again.
“She was in battle mode, man” his gray eyes met mine. “I’ve never quite seen her like that. The whole part of the labor I caught and delivery was…” he shook his head.
“I know, man. It’s incredible what these women can do.” I agreed with him.
Monica laughed, shaking her head at my side. “It doesn’t feel fucking magical.” she murmured.
“They want to keep her for observation overnight. But she’s fine. Becks did beautiful. They’re getting her cleaned up and then you all can come back. She demanded the bathroom and a shower and ordered me to go with the baby. She swore me to secrecy.”
“Ugh…I’m dying to meet my nephew!” groaned Monica.
“Patience,” I soothed, smiling down at her.
Lucas laughed. “Sorry. I’d rather face your anger than my extremely hormonal wife’s.”
“I’ll let it slide this time.” Monica returned.
“I’m gonna go check on baby boy and mama,” Lucas said, nearly slipping. “I’ll come get you when Becks is ready.”
“Alright, brother. Congratulations.” I said.
“Tell Becks we love her,” added Monica.
“Will do, you two.” Lucas turned, leaving the room.
Monica sighed, shaking her head. “I cannot believe the baby is here.” she said, looking at me.
“They’ll be fine.” I assured her. “He is in the best place for them and it sounds like other than being early, and needing some time to catch up, everything else went perfectly.”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around my waist, cuddling into me.
“I checked in on the girls. They’re asleep, and Nan was headed to bed. She said to just leave them there until we get some rest tomorrow. She’ll probably kick all our asses if Lucas didn’t call her before he told us anything.”
Monica chuckled, then sat down groaning.
“You’re in more pain than you’re letting on.” I accused her.
“Alright. Maybe I am.” she admitted, grabbing the peanuts and juice from me.
“Trevor…”
Lucas’ voice came through like it was in a tunnel and I blinked my eyes open slowly. My back and neck ached from the position I’d fallen asleep in on the hard plastic sofa. Glancing down I saw Monica was still asleep, laid out, head on my lap.
My eyes met Lucas’ and I spoke quietly.
“Everything okay?”
He nodded, glancing down at Monica himself.
“Becks is ready to see you all if you want.” he spoke in a whisper, “I just didn’t know if you wanted to wake Monica up just yet or…”
“She’ll put us both on another floor of this hospital if we don’t.” I joked.
“Mon,” I spoke softly, running my hand down her arm.
She groaned, her face twisting in pain and I felt a rush of irritation that she’d talked me into letting her stay here when she was in so much pain. There hadn’t been any compromise with her. Until she set her own eyes on her best friend, we weren’t leaving.
“What,” her voice grumped, raspy with sleep.
“Becks is ready to see you,” Lucas spoke, standing up to his full height again.
Monica jerked upright, grimacing in pain, her hand going to her abdomen.
“Jesus. Would you take it slow, woman?” I growled.
“Let’s go,” she ignored me, standing up gingerly, ready to follow the tall cop.
Going down the quiet hallway of the labor and delivery unit, Lucas came to Becks’ door. Knocking and opening it gently, we entered the room to see the new mother laying in her bed, glowing.
Becks’ eyes grew big, taking in how her friend was moving, and she shot me a concerned look.
“Monica, you shouldn’t have stayed when you were this hurt.” she scolded, even as the two women hugged like they’d been apart for a decade. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Becks continued, tearfully.
“We’re fine.” I assured Becks, “Monica is banged up and needs to heal but there was no convincing her to go home when you were here.” I added.
“I had to make sure you were okay too.” spoke Monica, standing and looking down at Becks, tearful herself. “Are you okay? How's the baby?”
Becks wiped the tears off her face, still holding Monica’s hand. She met Lucas’ eyes and smiled.
“He’s perfect.”
Monica nearly shrieked excitedly as Becks nodded and Lucas and I laughed. I shook my friend’s hand.
“Congratulations, you two.” I said, elated for them.
“His lungs just need to grow a little more. He needs some extra help.” Becks said, worriedly.
“They said he’d be fine, hon.” spoke Lucas, moving to her other side. “He’ll be in the NICU for a while. Then we’re taking our son home.” his hand rubbed her shoulder softly.
“What’s his name?” asked Monica.
“You tell them.” said Becks, reaching up and placing her hand over Lucas’.
The gruff, stoic man cleared his throat, and I was surprised to hear his voice crack as he spoke.
“We named him William so we could call him Will, like we did my grandpa Willard.”
“That’s beautiful!” exclaimed Monica, squeezing Becks’ hand.
“But his middle name is Paul.” Lucas’ gray eyes met mine, then Monica’s as I heard her let out a soft sob. I moved up to her, placing my arm around her shoulders to draw her into me tight.
“William Paul,” Monica echoed, staring at her friend with tears running down her face. Becks’ was crying now too, and I even had to run my hands over my eyes.
“Paul would’ve been…” Monica’s voice trailed off, shaking her head.
“I know,” whispered Becks.