39. Blair
39
BLAIR
I sink deeper into the plush waiting room chair, my mind still reeling from the chaos of the past hours. The memory of finding Maggie on her bedroom floor floods back—her skin so pale, so still. My scream brought Ransom charging through the door like a force of nature. He took control when I couldn't, when my hands shook too hard to even dial 911.
His family materialized out of nowhere, efficient and organized like a well-oiled machine. They carried her to the square and lifted Maggie with such care onto that massive tour bus. Evie, the nurse, never left Maggie's side, monitoring vitals and speaking in calm, measured tones that somehow cut through my panic.
The life flight transfer plays on repeat in my head—watching them take her away across that field, feeling so helpless. Now here we sit in this ridiculously fancy private waiting room in a hospital in the middle of the city. The walls are some soft shade of blue that's probably meant to be soothing, but all I can focus on is the steady tick of the clock on the wall.
I glance over at Max in the corner. He's sprawled on the floor with Mia and two mountain-sized men—Colton and Maverick, I think. They're building something with Legos that appeared as if by magic, along with coloring books, tablets, and enough snacks to feed an army. Max's laugh rings out, and my chest tightens. He has no idea how serious this is. Or maybe he does know, but thankfully is still easily distracted.
Ransom's hand brushes my shoulder, and I realize I'm bouncing my leg again. He doesn't say anything, just sits beside me, solid and present. His family has formed a protective circle around us, handling everything from coffee runs to paperwork. I haven't had to think about a single detail.
I've spent years being the one who takes care of everything and everyone. Now I'm surrounded by strangers who move like a synchronized team, anticipating needs before I even realize it. It's overwhelming.
And somehow exactly what Max and I need.
Ransom's hand moves in slow circles on my back, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. My eyes snap up to see a doctor in blue scrubs walking toward us, chart in hand.
"Ms. McKenna?" His voice is gentle. "Could we speak privately?"
I push to my feet, my fingers somehow tangled with Ransom's. The thought of letting go makes my chest tight, so I don't even try, just tug him up. "I need him,” I squeak. Ransom’s fingers tighten around mine.
The doctor nods and leads us to a small alcove away from the others. The sounds of Max's laughter and Lego clicking fade into background noise.
"The tests show a severe electrolyte imbalance," the doctor explains, his words careful and measured. "It's affecting her heart rhythm."
My throat closes up. "Is this..." I squeeze Ransom's hand harder. "Is she dying? Is this the end?"
Ransom's thumb brushes across my knuckles, and I realize I'm trembling. The fluorescent lights suddenly seem too bright, too harsh. The doctor's face blurs as tears fill my eyes.
"I need to know," I whisper. "I need to know how much time..."
The doctor's expression softens. "We're getting her stabilized. The fluids and electrolytes we're giving her should help her feel much better."
"But?" My voice cracks.
"There are decisions that will need to be made." He holds up his hand as I open my mouth. "Not today, though. Right now, everyone needs rest. A good night's sleep will help us tackle the harder conversations tomorrow."
Ransom's thumb traces circles on my palm. The gentle motion anchors me as my mind races.
"How far has it spread?" The words taste like ash. "The cancer—how much worse is it?"
"We're running several tests over the next few hours. That will give us a complete picture of her current condition."
I squeeze Ransom's hand. "She told me—she made me promise she wouldn't die in a hospital."
"Ms. Mckenna." The doctor's voice is kind but firm. "We're not at that point yet. Right now, she's stable. The immediate crisis has passed."
"But—"
"One step at a time," he says. "Let's focus on getting her comfortable and gathering all the information we need. Then we can discuss next steps."
Ransom's steady presence beside me keeps me grounded as I process the doctor's words. His thumb never stops its gentle motion against my skin.
"When can I see her?" I ask.
"Once we finish this round of tests and get her settled in a room. Should be about an hour." The doctor checks his watch. "Try to rest. It's going to be a long few days."
I nod, unable to form more words past the lump in my throat. The doctor gives us a sympathetic smile before heading back down the hallway.
"I can't do this again." My voice breaks as memories of Dad flood back. "I was right here, in a different hospital, a different doctor, but the same careful words. The same gentle tone."
Ransom guides me out the door, into a little alcove, away from prying eyes. His arms wrap around me, solid and secure. I let myself sink into him. Nothing between us is resolved. There is no plan. But still, I know deep in my gut that he's got me.
I can trust him.
"Dad got sick so fast. One day he was fine, working on Mrs. Peterson's Camaro. The next..." The tears flow freely now. I thought he was fine. Turns out that was another one of his lies. He knew he was sick. And I still don't know for how long. Just that he never bothered to tell me. To let me prepare. "Four days later, he was gone. Just gone."
"I'm here." Ransom's fingers thread through my hair, his breath warm against my temple.
"What if that's all I have with Maggie? Days?" My hands clutch his shirt. "Max needs her. I need her. She's supposed to see him graduate, go to college..."
"Let it out, sweetheart." His voice is low, steady.
"I'm not ready. I thought I was, but I'm not." The sobs wrack my body. "She made me promise she wouldn't die in a hospital, but what if?—"
"I got you. No matter what." Ransom's hand traces circles on my back. "We'll figure it out. Whatever comes next, you're not alone this time."
"I keep seeing Dad in that hospital bed. So small. He was never small before..." I press my face into Ransom's chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "I can't watch Maggie fade away like that. I can't..."
Ransom doesn't offer empty reassurances or try to stem my tears. He just holds me closer, murmuring soft words of comfort as I fall apart in his arms. His steady heartbeat under my ear grounds me, even as everything around me feels like it's falling apart.
"I'm scared," I whisper against his shirt. "I'm so scared."
His lips press against my hair. "I know, Baby. I know."
I pull back from Ransom's embrace, wiping my eyes. "Max will be asking questions soon. He's too smart for his own good sometimes."
"What do you want to tell him?"
"I don't—" My hands flutter uselessly. "He knows she's sick, but this is different. Should we tell him how bad it is? Would that just scare him more?"
"Hey." Ransom catches my restless hands. "Let's keep it simple for now. She got dizzy, needed some medicine. That's all he needs to know tonight."
"Right. Yes." I nod, then freeze. "Oh God, we don't have anything with us. No clothes, no toothbrushes. His stuffed penguin—he can't sleep without it. And Maggie's medications are all at home. We need?—"
"Blair." Ransom's voice cuts through my spiral. "Stop."
"But—"
"Come home with me tonight. With all of us."
I blink at him. "What?"
"I have plenty of room for the both of you. Janey and Jonas packed your things. They're downstairs in my car."
I have a vague memory of Ransom's car behind us on the road. I couldn't tell you who was driving. "I can't just?—"
"Yes, you can." His thumb brushes my cheek. "Let me take care of you both. Just for tonight."
"But what about—" I don't even know what I'm worried about. I can't pull all of the swirling thoughts into an objection. All I know is going home with Ransom seems like my least simple option, but it's also the only thing I want right now.
I want him.
"Evie's going to help coordinate things here. She works downstairs in the emergency room. She knows her way around this place and will take good care of Maggie. They'll get her settled in her room, and you and Max can go see her, then we'll go home."
I shake my head. "I should be handling all this. I need to?—"
"You need to breathe. That's all." Ransom's hands frame my face. "You don't have to figure everything out right now. Let me help."
The fight drains out of me. "I don't know how."
"Start by saying yes." His eyes hold mine. "Come home with me tonight."
I close my eyes, exhaling slowly. "Okay."
Ransom's lips brush mine, gentle and sweet. It's not the kind of kiss that sets my blood on fire, but rather one that wraps around me like a warm blanket. His forehead rests against mine for a moment before he takes my hand and guides me back to the waiting room.
Max looks up from his Legos, waving as John appears carrying two large shopping bags. The massive man with the jagged scar moves with surprising grace, setting everything on the low coffee table and starting to pull out take-out containers, plates, and utensils.
"I wasn't sure what to make." John's voice is gruff but kind. "So I made a bit of everything."
The containers reveal mac and cheese, chicken fingers, roasted veggies, lasagna, and what looks like homemade potato wedges. Max's eyes light up as he abandons his building project.
"This is awesome!" Max digs in with the kind of enthusiasm only a six-year-old with a bottomless pit of a stomach can.
John shuffles his feet. "Cooking's the only thing I know how to do right. Figured the kid needed to eat."
I manage a small smile. "Thank you."
My stomach turns at the thought of food, but I force myself to take a few bites of mac and cheese. It's actually delicious—creamy and perfectly seasoned. Still, swallowing each bite is work.
Nick and Bree approach, hand in hand.
"We're heading to Ransom's place," Bree says softly. "We'll get everything set up for you guys."
"You don't have to?—"
Nick cuts me off with a gentle smile. "Let us help, Blair. That's what family does."
The word "family" catches in my chest. I watch them leave, wondering what it would be like to think of these strangers as something more than just Ransom's people. Wondering what it would be like to be part of their family.
Evie's gentle hand guides me into the sterile hospital room. The steady beep of monitors fills the air.
"The IV is just giving her fluids and electrolytes." Evie points to each machine in turn. "This monitors her heart rate; this one's for blood pressure. Everything's stable now."
I nod numbly, my eyes fixed on Maggie's still form.
"Take as long as you need. I'll go get Max." Evie squeezes my shoulder before slipping out. She's kind. More than kind. Soothing. Was she born like that, or is that just a nurse thing? I don't really know, or care, but thinking about Evie is easier than letting myself look at Maggie's still form.
Finally, I gather what little emotional strength I have left and sink into the chair beside the bed, taking Maggie's limp hand in mine. Her skin feels paper-thin.
"I hate you so much right now." My voice breaks. "You promised we'd have more time. You promised you wouldn't give up."
The monitors beep steadily in response.
"And I love you. God, I love you so much it hurts." Tears splash onto our joined hands. "You're my sister in every way that matters. You can't... I'm not ready for this. Max isn't ready."
I brush her short hair back from her forehead. "Remember when we were sixteen? You told me cancer wouldn't win. You fought so hard then. Why won't you fight now?"
The door creaks open, and I quickly wipe my eyes. Max peeks in, his small face serious.
"Can I see Mommy?"
"Of course, buddy. Come here." I lift him onto my lap. "Mommy's sleeping right now. The doctors are giving her medicine to help her feel better."
Max rubs at my wet cheek, eyes so serious, then reaches out to touch her hand. "Hi, Mommy. I made you something with Legos. It's a castle, like in your favorite movie. Mia helped."
My heart clenches at his gentle tone. He's not normally gentle, and he never speaks this quietly. But he seems to know that's what Maggie needs right now. He's such an incredible kid.
"Is she gonna wake up soon?" His big eyes search my face.
"She needs lots of rest tonight. We'll come back tomorrow to see her, okay?" Please don't make me a liar. Be okay tonight, please.
Max nods, leaning forward to kiss Maggie's cheek. "Love you, Mommy. Sleep good."
We step into the hallway where Ransom waits, his hands extended toward us both. Max takes one immediately. I hesitate for just a moment before sliding my fingers into his other hand, letting his warmth anchor me as we walk away from Maggie's room.
Please hang on. I can't lose you yet.