Chapter 26 Zombie
ZOMBIE
Three hours.
It takes three goddamn hours for Sawbone to talk the four of us through treating Lucy’s injuries. I’ve done some fucked up shit as the VP of the Kings of Anarchy MC: Washington chapter but stitching up my woman while my brothers also tend to her naked body takes the cake.
I just pray I never have to do it again because I’m pretty sure my heart won’t survive it.
“The sedative should wear off soon,” Sawbone says.
“If you can get her to the clubhouse, we can get an IV going so pain meds can be delivered intravenously. You can give her a small dose of whatever you have on hand at the zoo, but I want to avoid giving her too much medication that I’m not used to. ”
“Thanks, brother,” I say, staring at him on Trick’s cell phone screen. I’ve never been so grateful for FaceTime in my life. “I appreciate everything.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“No worries,” Trick says from where he’s standing at the sink, washing his hands.
“Well, we’re about to land, so I’ll meet you at home.”
Sawbone disconnects the call, and I sag against the wall in relief. Lucy’s alive. Thank fuck.
I lost count of the number of stitches she required, and her broken ribs are going to cause her a lot of discomfort for a while. Then there’s the mental trauma of what happened.
But she’s alive.
“VP?”
I lift my head and look at Whiz. “Hmm?”
“We need to get going. Scrubs almost finished cleaning up the evidence of everything that happened. He’s also going to clear the security feeds so there’s no trace. But he can’t do that until we all leave.”
Absently, I nod and get to my feet. “How are we going to get her to the van? I’m afraid to touch her.”
“Undertaker’s waiting with a gurney from Death’s Door,” Trick says. “Just need to text him that we’re ready.”
I watch as he sends a text, and less than a minute passes before Undertaker’s pushing said gurney through the door to the surgical suite.
As carefully as possible, we move a still sedated Lucy from the table to the gurney.
I help Undertaker wheel her outside, holding my breath until we reach the van because I’m expecting her to cry out with each bump and jostle.
Thirty minutes later, we’re pulling up to the clubhouse, and Sawbone is waiting for us at the back entrance.
“I’ve got your room ready,” he says as we move Lucy inside.
“My room?” I ask, so tired I can’t think straight.
“Yeah. Figured you wouldn’t want to leave her side,” he says. “And you’re exhausted. Your room makes the most sense.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
I work on autopilot as we get Lucy into bed and hooked up to an IV and monitors. Trick, Quake, and Whiz leave, but Sawbone remains. I crawl onto the king-sized mattress next to my girl, laying on my side so I can see her.
“I’ll stay,” the medic says. “Get some sleep, Z. You’ll be useless if you don’t.”
Closing my eyes, I tell myself I’m only going to rest for a minute. I even fight to stay awake when Lyric enters my room, but it’s pointless. The only part of their conversation I catch is the greeting, and then, like a light, I’m out.
“Zombie.”
“Go away,” I mumble.
“Zombie.”
“Leave me alone,” I groan, desperate to get more sleep.
“Zombie!”
I jackknife into a sitting position, hand balled into a fist and fully ready to punch Sawbone in the face. He wraps his hand around said fist before it connects with his jaw.
“Lucy’s awake,” he says calmly, and all of my anger at being woken up disappears. He releases me and stands from his chair at the side of the bed. “I’ll come back to check on you both in a bit.”
I completely put him out of my mind as I look at Lucy, who’s awake but groggy next to me. “Hey, babydoll,” I say with a sleepy smile.
“W-water,” she croaks.
Quickly hopping out of bed, I grab a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and bring it to her. Sliding my arm behind her, I help her sit up so she can take a few sips. When it starts to dribble down her chin, I pull it away.
“More,” she begs, eyes closed.
“Give it a minute,” I advise. “I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Asshole,” she mutters, and I laugh, relief cascading over me in stark contrast to the fear that’s pumped through my veins for the last however many hours.
“Eh, you love me.”
“I do.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been beaten to within an inch of my life.”
“That about sums it up,” I tell her. “Are the pain meds helping?”
Her eyes flutter, and she nods. “So tired.”
I lean over to kiss her forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Over the course of the next two days, the morphine keeps Lucy pretty out of it. I don’t leave her side, though, even when Lyric threatens to have me voted out of the club for missing church. It’s an empty threat, and we both know it.
On the third day, Lucy’s eyes open, she immediately seeks me out.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi.”
“How…” She swallows. “How long have I been out?”
“A few days.”
She tries to sit up and groans. “Work. I have to check in wi—”
“It’s already done.” I settle on the bed next to her, careful not to bump or jostle her too much.
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her you were down with the flu. After grilling me about who I am to you, she accepted my explanation for your absence.”
“The flu?” Her eyes widen. “Zombie, the flu only lasts a few days.”
“True,” I agree. “But a honeymoon can last a few weeks.”
“H-h-honeymoon?”
“Yep.” I grin.
“But we’re not getting married!”
I gently lift her hand so she can see the diamond ring I put on her finger. “This says otherwise.”
“But… You…” Lucy narrows her eyes at me. “Did you even ask me to marry you?”
“Of course, I did. It’s not my fault you were doped up on pain meds and don’t remember,” I tease.
“I… We… Dammit, Zombie.”
Laughter barrels out of me at her expression. “Lucy, I’m kidding. Well, sort of.”
“Sort of?!”
“I mean, I did tell Melanie that we were getting married and going on our honeymoon,” I inform her. “But I haven’t properly asked you yet.”
“I knew it,” she huffs.
“I’m asking you now, though.” She levels her gaze on mine for a moment, her mouth hanging open. I gently push it closed. “Lucy Thomas, will you marry me?”
“No,” she blurts. “I mean… Shit, what do I mean?”
“I think you mean yes.”
“Why, Zombie? Why do you want to marry me?”
“One of these days, I’m going to tell you something, and you’re gonna let it sink in. How about we make that day today?”
“Answer the question,” she snaps, her sass slowly returning.
“When I reached Frosty's enclosure,” I begin, my vision blurry with tears as I recall the moment. “I thought you were dead. All I could see was the blood in the water. I couldn’t see you, and I definitely didn’t see Evan.
For that brief moment in time, I wished for death just so I could be with you.
” Unashamed, I wipe away a tear that escapes.
“Jesus, Lucy, I don’t ever want to feel that way again.
The thought of not having you in my life, of not being bound to you, mind, body, and soul…
I can’t.” I kiss her softly. “You asked me before if I want you because I need you or if I need you because I want you. The answer is both. Maybe that’s wrong, and maybe it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.
I want you because you make my world a little brighter.
I want you because you’re the light to my dark.
And I need you because, without you, I cease to exist.” I take a deep breath.
“So, I’ll ask you again. Will you marry me? ”
Tears stream down her cheeks, but she’s smiling. “Yeah, I’ll marry you.”
I wrap my arms around her in a hug, and she hisses from the contact, but when I try to pull away, she sinks her nails into my sides, silently demanding I stay.
“On one condition,” she adds.
Here we go…
“What’s that?”
“We at least wait until I’m not visibly broken. I don’t want our wedding pictures to be reminiscent of a horror film.”