Chapter Five
Melissa
M Y ENTIRE BODY is throbbing and stiff from spending two days on the bus. Not a single person bothered me during the entire trip which I’m grateful for. I kept to myself and let my memories fill me. When I wasn’t letting my memories wash over me, I was thinking of everything I need to do now. The first thing on my long list is finding a doctor to see if I’m still pregnant or not. Then, I can make further plans while I continue to heal. I’ll also need to find a job and get some money coming in so I can find an apartment and make sure I have everything I need.
I’m at a loss as I get overwhelmed with everything I have to do and figure out. Oaklynn will help, there isn’t a doubt in my mind about it. She’s been texting me since I got on the bus. While I’ve been awake long enough to respond anyway. Jace must have let her know when I got on the bus and had that I had the phone with me. If she knows anything about what’s been going on with me, she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my safety. That’s one of the many things I can count on when it comes to Oaklynn. My safety is her main priority and always has been.
“Miller Point is our last stop,” the driver announces over the speaker system. “We’ll be arriving in a half hour.”
Knowing my time on the bus is almost at an end, I make sure all of my things are together so I can just grab them and go. I stash what’s left of the food in my bags among the clothing Jace packed for me. I’d be embarrassed he went through my underwear drawer, but I can’t find it in me. Not when he went out of my way to help me and risk his own life in the process. Going through my purse, I find a letter. Pulling it out, I unfold it and read.
Melissa,
I’m sorry I couldn’t stop this from happening to you sooner. If you ever need anything, I’ll always be here for you. Oaklynn has a surprise for you when you get to her. Please stay in touch and let me know how things are going. I overheard your dad say you were pregnant. Let me know what you find out about the baby. I’ll let you know where I land. Stay safe. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know immediately. By the way, I know you’ll be on the bus for your birthday. I want to wish you a happy one though I know this year will be anything but happy for you.
I’m sorry,
Jace
Tears fill my eyes. My entire world has been reduced to two people; Oaklynn and Jace. It’s not like I had a ton of people in my life who cared before, but I never thought the club would turn their backs on me. Jace and Oaklynn are the only two who care about what happens to me. I’m sure as soon as she knows everything, Oaklynn will be expressing her anger, hurt, and sadness over everything that’s happened over the last week or so. Hell, I didn’t even get a chance to properly say goodbye to Zeke. The only man I’ll ever love. He has my heart and soul and no one else will ever replace him.
Pain explodes through my chest so hard it steals my breath. I’ll never have that closure with Zeke. Because I don’t have my phone with me, I don’t have any photos of Zeke either. I won’t ever be able to let his son or daughter know what a handsome man he was. If I’m still pregnant that is. they won’t ever be able to see his smile when it graced his handsome face. Or the smirk when he was thinking of getting into trouble. Usually trying to get me out of it if I’m being honest with myself. They’ll never know the side of him that joked around and did what he had to do in order to get me to laugh. The only way they’ll ever know their dad is through the stories I’ll share with them from the second they’re old enough to hear and understand them.
It seems like no time at all passes before the bus is slowing to a stop at the bus station. Gathering up my bags as pain fills me once again to the point I feel I might pass out, I carefully make my way to the front of the bus. I’ve been sitting just before the midway point so it’s easy to get out or make my way to the bathroom. Which, I don’t recommend using if you’re traveling on a bus with other passengers. Not a great experience. Especially when you have to get sick.
The second my feet hit the asphalt below the last step, two things happen. First, I’m assaulted with the heat and humidity of the outside world after being on a bus for two days. It’s enough to slightly take my breath away as I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad here. Secondly, Oaklynn is in my face. She wants to hug me, I can see it in her eyes as she bounces on her feet just in front of me. Instead, she takes the bags from my hands and helps me over to her car. I’m put in the passenger seat as my bags are placed in the backseat. I laugh as Oaklynn runs around the front of the car; some things never change. Oaklynn’s always been full of energy that can’t help but spill over on anyone around her.
“I can’t believe you’re here. Or what your father is trying to do to you. Jace told me what happened to Zeke and what was done to you over the last week or so. He didn’t want to, but I didn’t give him a choice in the matter. We’re heading to the hospital now. I have a friend who works there so the cops won’t be involved. She’s the doctor on right now,” Oaklynn states, not taking a breath. “She’ll check you over and determine if your baby is safe or not. From there, we’ll go to my cottage and get you settled in. Jace wants me to let him know what the doctor says. As long as you’re okay with him knowing.”
“Thank you, Oaklynn. For letting me stay with you,” I tell her, exhaustion settling in my bones as she drives from the bus station.
“Girl, you don’t have to thank me for shit. I’m here for you no matter what. You know this. It’s you and me against the world,” she assures me. “And whoever happens to come along. Happy birthday, honey. I’ll do what I can to make your day a good one. Nineteen fucking years old!”
“You already have by being here with me. There’s nothing else you can do to make it good because the one thing I want, I can’t have,” I return, tears sliding down my face at the thought of Zeke not being here.
It doesn’t take us long to get from the bus station to the hospital. Oaklynn parks and helps me inside where she lets the receptionist know Doctor Mueller is expecting us. We take a seat in the small waiting room until I’m called back. My best friend in the world isn’t going to let me go through this all alone as she stands and helps me from the seat before walking back to the exam rooms with me.
Dr. Mueller greets me with a soft smile. Sympathy fills her blue eyes as she takes in the injuries she can see on my face and neck. I’m still wearing the hoodie Jace put on me before leaving my side. Dr. Mueller has long blonde hair, pulled up in a ponytail while wearing a black shirt under her white lab coat. She’s taller than I am, standing at close to five foot seven or eight. Her body is tone, and I can tell she works out on a regular basis. Not only that, she’s also young. I wouldn’t guess her to be much older than thirty.
“Oaklynn has filled me in on what happened. As much as she knows anyway. I’m not going to ask for details. All I’m going to do is check over your injuries and we’ll do an ultrasound to check on the baby. Does that sound okay?” Dr. Mueller asks me, keeping her smile in place.
“Yeah,” I respond, beginning to strip my clothes from my body with Oaklynn’s help.
The pain still fills me. After two days on the bus, it’s not as bad as when I left the Burnt Brothers’ clubhouse. I strip down to my bra and panties with the help of Oaklynn and the doctor when it becomes too painful to do myself. Once I’m up on the table, Dr. Mueller gets her exam of me started. She pushes, pokes, and prods my body to check for possible broken bones and other damage done to me.
“Nothing seems to be broken. It’s all deep tissue bruising. Your ribs aren’t broken, they are bruised though and will take time to heal. The cuts on you have already started to scab over so there’s nothing I can do for them. A few of them should’ve had stitches. Have you had any spotting or bleeding since the attack on you?” she questions me, pulling her gloves off.
“Not any that I know of. I was in and out of it for almost a week,” I answer her honestly.
Dr. Mueller nods. I watch as she wheels a machine over closer to the bed I’m lying on. It looks like a torture device. For some reason, I find that funny and have to stifle my laughter. Looking over at Oaklynn, she looks as if her eyes are about to bulge out of her head. She doesn’t know any more about this machine than I do. Placing her hand over her mouth, I watch as her dark eyes fill with tears since she’s trying not to laugh her ass off.
“Since we don’t have an idea of how far along you are, I’m going to do an internal ultrasound. I’ll have to stick this wand up your vagina,’ she informs me as my eyes bulge out of my head now.
Nodding my head, I try not to watch what the doctor is doing. I’m not sure I want to know what’s going on.
“This will be uncomfortable,” Dr. Mueller lets me know as she begins to place the wand in my body.
After messing with a few buttons, the screen lights up and I see an image fill it. Dr. Mueller moves the thing around and presses some buttons. I have no clue what the hell I’m looking at. To me, it doesn’t look like much. As I shift my attention toward Oaklynn, she has no clue what we’re looking at either.
“It looks as though you’re a little over four weeks pregnant. Do twins run in either of your families?” she questions me.
“Not that I know of. They don’t in mine, but I’m not sure about the father of the baby. He, um, he was killed a little over a week ago,” I say, tears clogging my throat and filling my eyes.
“I’m so sorry. Well, it looks as if you’re having twins, Melissa. Everything looks good. The beating you suffered through did not do any damage to either baby. I will let you know you’ll have to take your prenatal vitamins, find an obstetrician immediately because they may want to monitor you closer than normal under the circumstances. I’ll have my nurse get you a script for the vitamins and a list of doctors in the area. For now, you need to take it easy and rest will be your best friend. If there’s any bleeding or anything, go to the emergency room immediately,” Dr. Mueller tells me, her tone letting me know how serious she is.
Even though I barely heard a word she said after twins, I nod my head at her. Pressing more buttons, I hear noise before the doctor places a few pieces of paper in my hand. Looking down, I see pictures of the babies. I don’t take my eyes off them as I hear Oaklynn and her talking. Their voices are faded as I zone out and focus solely on my babies. I’m going to have twins. My emotions are all over the place as I miss Zeke more than ever in this moment. He should be here experiencing this with me.
“Honey, let’s get you dressed,” Oaklynn says, her voice soft and soothing as she stands next to me.
I snap out of my daze and notice the doctor has left. Oaklynn helps me put my clothes back on before we leave the exam room. She leads me to the front desk once again and stops to get the paperwork I need. Once we’re ready to head out, my friend grabs my arm and we head out into the sunshine. I’m still not saying a word. The only thing I want right now is to curl up and let my emotions take over. I want to sleep until I can get myself under control and deal with the situation I’m now in.
“We’ll drop your script off before heading to the diner for something to eat. Jace let me know you only really had snacks while on the bus. You need some real food in your body for those babies,” Oaklynn orders me as I get in the car and she crosses in front to get in the driver’s seat.
I stare down at the pictures still in my hand. They don’t make any sense to me. The only thing I see is Baby A on one and Baby B on the second one. Fear, nervous excitement, and pain fill me as reality hits me full force. I’m going to go through this pregnancy alone. I’ll deliver my babies alone. For the rest of my life, I’ll be a single mother. There is no one on this Earth who can compare to my Zeke. He’s the love of my life and I’ll never replace him. I’ll never find someone as good as he was.
“It’s all going to be okay. I’m going to be by your side through everything,’ Oaklynn says, breaking into my thoughts as she places her hand over mine.
I didn’t even realize I was crying. That’s all I seem to be doing these days. I’m sure anyone would be given the circumstances. However, I’m not a crier and I have to pull myself together. In eight months, I’ll be a mother and there’s so much I need to do before then. More than I ever really thought about.
“Thank you, Oaklynn. I love you,” I respond to her. “I’m taking today to get my emotions out. Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll get to work on figuring things out.”
“There’s no rush, Melissa. You heard Dr. Mueller; rest is your friend for now. That’s all you need to worry about,” she tells me, pulling into a parking lot. “I’m going to run in and drop these off. Then we’re gonna get these babies fed some real food. I’ll be right back.”
Oaklynn has taken over the situation. She drops my script off before coming back to get me. Instead of remaining in the car, she gets me out and locks it up behind me. Walking around the corner, she leads me to the diner that’s just past the pharmacy. I look around as we walk inside and take in the decor. This isn’t one of those old fashioned diners I’m used to seeing back home. It looks more like a large dining room filled with mismatched tables and chairs. There are red booths that have seen better days along the outer walls and a few tables even sit out in front of the diner for customers who want to enjoy the sunshine.
“What can I get you guys today?” a waitress asks, walking up to our table.
“Can I get the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and corn? I’d also like a soda to go with it,” Oaklynn answers her as I continue looking at the menu.
Despite not having much of an appetite, everything sounds so damn good to me right now.
“Can I please have a cheeseburger with the works, fries, gravy, and a glass of water?” I add in my water.
After letting the waitress know how I’d like my burger cooked, she leaves us alone to gather our drinks and check on her other tables. My mind returns to Zeke because when we used to go out to eat, the meal I ordered is exactly what he’d get. The only difference is he’d get a shake to go with his food. It was his one treat if I didn’t bring him something else. Zeke didn’t like to eat a lot of junk food, but he didn’t eat exactly healthy either. Sweets just typically aren’t his thing.
“Thinking about Zeke?” Oaklynn asks me once our drinks are set in front of us and the waitress is gone again.
“Yeah. I don’t stop thinking about him. I didn’t get to say goodbye, have him properly buried, or anything else. Now, I’m carrying his twins and he won’t be there to help me raise them. They’ll never know who he is other than through the stories I share with them. I’m never gonna get over him, Oaklynn,” I tell her, trying to hold my tears at bay.
“I know, honey. It hurts so bad right now. It’s going to hurt every day. However, you’ll get to a point where the pain isn’t so bad. You’ll be able to think about him without needing to cry or feel as if you’re going to lose your shit,” she tells me, her voice almost a whisper. “And I’ll be there to hold you up on the days you can’t do it on your own.”
“That’s why you’re my ride or die, Oaklynn. And why I’ll always be your ride or die,” I respond, wiping a few stray tears that slipped out away.
Oaklynn changes the topic and tells me what’s been going on with her since she moved here. She’s been getting ready for classes to start since she graduated early once moving in with her aunt and uncle. In the meantime, she’s been working for her uncle at his funeral home. I can’t honestly say I’d ever believe Oaklynn would work in a funeral home, but she seems to love it. It’s all she’s been talking about.
When she finally gets to going to the college a few times already, it’s to tell me about some parties she’s been to. There still isn’t a guy in her life for some reason, but she won’t tell me why. I know she’s shy, but this seems to be more than just her shyness coming out to play when she’s around other people. Schooling is something else I have to figure out. Since I didn’t get to go back for my last week, I’m not sure if I even graduated. I’ll have to contact them at some point in the next few days to find out what’s going on.
Once we’re done eating, Oaklynn picks up my medicine while I get back in her car. It takes a half hour to get to her cottage. It’s a small place on the back side of her aunt and uncle’s property. She’s got her own driveway and everything. Thankfully, it’s a one floor place because I don’t think I can make it up any stairs right now. Today has been exhausting and as soon as we’re through the door, I collapse on the couch and fall into a deep sleep. The pictures are still clutched in my hand as Oaklynn covers me up with a blanket before leaving the room so I can sleep and get the rest I need.