43. Blair
43
BLAIR
I shift in the uncomfortable hospital chair, watching Maggie's chest rise and fall. Max curls against her side, his comic book forgotten as he dozes. The steady beep of monitors fills the silence. None of us wanted to wake her up, so we're just waiting, keeping vigil.
"Her electrolytes are improving," Evie whispers, checking the chart. Her scrubs rustle as she moves around the bed. "The new medication seems to be helping."
I nod, grateful for her expertise. There's something comforting about Evie's presence—her no-nonsense attitude reminds me of my dad.
Colton stands by the window, his large frame casting shadows across the floor. He catches my eye and smiles. "Evie's the best. You're in good hands."
I nod because, yeah, she's pretty great. They all are. "They don't need you downstairs?" I ask her. Pretty sure Ransom said she works in the ER.
"I'm on break. I'll go back down later."
"I guess you don't really have to work since you're married to that guy, but you're still here." I don't ask her why she works. It's clear she's good at her job and that she loves it. Thankfully, she understands the question I'm really asking. She's at work on a Sunday.
The nurses that took care of Dad worked long hours, and their shifts were all over the map. I can't really imagine that kind of life. My job is a Monday to Friday, sometimes Saturday thing. I never work on Sundays. Well, not unless I want to. I like to go in and tinker with Dad's truck or work on other things. It's peaceful in the early mornings, before the rest of the town's up. And admittedly, I've gone to the garage more than I normally do the last few months. I've needed the escape.
So if she doesn't have to work like that, all those strange hours, then why does she?
"I love it. Helping people in the worst moments of their lives is a privilege." Her lips purse as she studies Maggie. "I've been thinking of making a change. I'd like to get on a more regular schedule or maybe do something else with my time. But this feeling? Like I'm helping? I don't want to give it up completely."
I glance over at her husband, who's watching her with warm eyes. The man's a goner over her. Of course he is; he married her. But I've seen a lot of married people who don't look at each other like that. Some hate each other, yeah, but some of them have a softer, more comfortable love. What Colton and Evie have doesn't look like that. There's comfort there, yes, and familiarity. But the fire simmering below the surface is what interests me. I haven't seen that before—not in real life, anyway. They look like they're on the verge of fucking.
I've never really been jealous of relationships. Sometimes I felt left behind, but more because people around me were coupling up and having kids, and I started getting left out of the conversations. But I never met anyone that made me feel like I was on fire. Even the way I felt for Ransom back then wasn't this. It was softer, more innocent.
My mind drifts to last night, fragments floating through the fog of too much whiskey. Ransom's arms around me, strong and sure as he carried me to bed. The way his muscles flexed against my side, his heartbeat steady under my ear. I know physical strength isn't the measure of a person, but his strength is really fucking appealing. It makes me feel like I can lean on him, physically and emotionally, and either way, he's got me.
And the way I feel about him? It's definitely not soft and innocent.
I glance at Ransom, who's leaning against the wall. He meets my gaze, and I quickly look away, heat rising to my cheeks.
I shift in my chair, trying not to think about this morning, but the memory floods back anyway. Waking up with my head on Ransom's chest, his arm wrapped around me. The steady rise and fall of his breathing. For a moment, I'd forgotten where I was, forgotten the years between us.
His t-shirt had ridden up in the night, exposing a strip of skin above his waistband. My fingers had itched to touch him there, to trace the lines of muscle I could see. But I'd stayed still, not wanting to break the spell. I didn’t want him to wake up, and pull away. Or to get all awkward. But like he felt me awake, he tightened his arm around my back.
"Morning," he'd mumbled, voice rough with sleep. His fingers had trailed up and down my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
I'd wanted to bolt. To run and hide from the intensity of feeling his body against mine after so many years. But I'd also wanted to burrow closer, to breathe him in and never leave.
"Hi," I'd whispered back, my voice small in the quiet room.
We'd laid there for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, neither of us willing to move first. The awkwardness had crept in slowly—where should I put my hands? Should I look at him? What were we supposed to say?
But underneath that awkwardness was something else. Something that felt like coming home after a long time away. Like finding a piece of yourself you didn't know was missing.
His thumb had brushed my shoulder, and I'd finally lifted my head to look at him. His hair was messed up, sticking out at odd angles. A light stubble covered his jaw. He'd looked younger somehow, softer.
"How's your head?" he'd asked with a grin.
"I'm totally fine. Why are there bells ringing?"
His lips twitched. "There's no bells, Baby. I don't think you're 'fine.'"
The tension had broken then, and we'd both laughed. Just like that, the awkwardness had dissolved into something comfortable and familiar.
I push the memory away, focusing back on Maggie's hospital room. But I can still feel the phantom warmth of his body next to mine, still smell his cologne on my skin.
"Blair?" Maggie's voice is weak but clear, snapping me back to the room. Her blue eyes are locked on mine as her hand drifts to the top of Max's head. She didn't look over, but she knows he's there. That's a super mom thing.
"I'm here." I lean forward, taking her hand. "How are you feeling?" She’s awake. Thank fuck. The tight band around my back gets a little bit looser.
"Like I got hit by a truck." She manages a small smile. "But better than yesterday."
Max stirs, blinking sleepily. "Mommy?"
"Hey, buddy." Maggie runs her fingers through his hair.
Evie checks another reading. "Your numbers are definitely improving. The new medication cocktail is doing its job."
"I'm sorry I scared you, Max." Maggie's voice cracks. "Mommy just got a little tired."
Max climbs onto his knees, careful not to jostle the bed. "You were on the floor. You fell down." His lower lip trembles.
"I know, baby. But look—I'm okay now." She tugs him closer, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Her eyes drift closed, but not before I see the pain and devastation in them.
Ransom clears his throat. "Maggie, I wanted to introduce you to my brother Colton and his wife Evie. She's one of the nurses here."
"Nice to meet you both." Maggie's smile is weak but genuine. Her eyes find mine, narrowing. "Blair McKenna, I told you not to bring me to the hospital."
I guess we’re doing this. I shove the sleeves of my t-shirt up and cross my arms. "Yeah? Well, next time, don't pass out on me."
"I would've been fine?—"
"You weren't fine." My voice comes out sharper than intended.
Evie breaks the tension, moving to Colton's side. Her hands pat down his pockets while he tries to squirm away.
"Woman, what are you doing?"
"Looking for—aha!" She pulls his wallet from his back pocket, fishing out some bills. Standing on tiptoe, she plants a quick kiss on his lips. "Max, want to come check out the vending machines with me? They have a killer selection of chocolate bars."
Max looks at Maggie, uncertainty written across his face.
"Go ahead, sweetie." Maggie nods. "Maybe bring me back something good?"
"Okay!" Max hops off the bed, taking Evie's outstretched hand.
Colton follows them out, muttering something about being violated, leaving Ransom and me alone with Maggie.
The moment Max is out of earshot, Maggie's expression darkens. "You promised me, Blair. You promised no hospitals."
"That promise went out the window when I found you unconscious." My hands shake as I grip the metal rail of her bed. "What was I supposed to do? Let you die right there on the floor?"
"Yes! That's exactly what you were supposed to do." Tears streak down her pale cheeks. "We talked about this. I don't want to spend my last days hooked up to machines."
"Last days?" My voice cracks. "Is that what you think this is? You choosing where to die?"
"That's exactly what this is."
"No." I shake my head hard. "No, you don't get to do this. Not like this."
"Blair—"
"Have you even thought about Max?" The words explode out of me. "What it would do to him, finding you dead in the house? That's the memory you want him to have? Every time he walks into that living room, he'd see you there, lifeless on the floor."
"Don't—"
"No, you need to hear this." Tears blur my vision. "That house is supposed to be filled with memories of movie nights and birthday parties and you teaching him to bake cookies. Not..." My voice breaks. "Not this. I can't do this, Mags. I can't watch you give up."
Warm hands settle on my shoulders. Ransom. I hadn't even noticed him move behind me. I let myself lean against him, drawing strength from him.
"You're being selfish." I swipe at my eyes. "And I get it, I do. You're tired of fighting. But Max needs his mother."
"He has you," Maggie whispers.
"I'm not you!" The words tear from my throat. "I'm not his mom. I can't replace you."
"Blair." Ransom's grip tightens, steadying me, helping me rein my shit in.
"I'm sorry." Maggie's voice wavers. "I didn't think... I just wanted it to be peaceful."
"There's nothing peaceful about finding your body." My shoulders shake under Ransom's hands. "Please, Mags. Please don't make me do that."
"I called it in," Ransom's deep voice cuts through my tears. "Blair and Max were too upset. And Maggie, you're not dying. Not yet. Your electrolytes were way off, which is why you felt so awful. That's preventable."
I turn to face him, his hands come up to cup my cheeks, just for a second. Then he drops his hands and focuses on the most stubborn woman in the world.
"The doctors can manage your symptoms better. You don't have to feel like death warmed over all the time." His jaw tightens. "The cancer's still there, but we can make you more comfortable."
Maggie's fingers twist in the hospital blanket. "Really?"
"Really." He moves closer to her bed. "So stop being stubborn and let us help you."
"Where exactly am I?" Maggie glances around the private room. "This doesn't look anything like County."
"You're in the city," Ransom says. "Private floor."
"I can't afford?—"
"Stop being an ass." Ransom cuts her off. "Money isn't an issue."
"But—"
"No buts." He perches on the edge of her bed. "Focus on getting better. Everything else is handled."
"How's Max doing?" Maggie's voice softens, changing the subject.
"He's okay." I find my voice again. "Scared, but okay. Evie's great with him."
"Where did you stay last night?"
Heat creeps up my neck. "At Ransom's place. The penthouse."
"Of course you did." Maggie's lips twitch. "Did Max like it?"
"He and Mia—that's Colton and Evie's daughter—they hit it off right away." I smile, remembering their instant connection. "They built a blanket fort in the living room and we watched a movie."
"Good." Maggie's eyes drift closed. "That's good."
"Get some rest," Ransom says quietly. "I'll take Max and we'll go do something fun for a few hours and come back later."
"Promise you won't let them do anything crazy?" Her words slur slightly. "No expensive treatments..."
"I promise we won't do anything without talking to you first." Ransom squeezes her hand. "Sleep now."
I watch her breathing even out, tears pricking my eyes again. It's mostly anger. I am not okay with her fucking plan. I am not okay with her quitting. Ransom's arm slides around my waist, pulling me against his side and guiding me out of the room.
In the hallway, I pace back and forth, my boots squeaking on the polished floor. "I can't believe she was just going to..." My hands clench into fists.
"I get it." Ransom's voice is low, gentle. "But we caught it in time."
"She was going to just give up. Let herself die on that floor." My voice cracks. "Who does that?"
"Someone who's tired of fighting."
"Well, I'm tired of watching people I love die." The words burst out before I can stop them.
Colton and Evie round the corner, Max between them. Evie's eyes narrow at my expression.
"We need to get out of here for a while," Ransom says. "Do something fun."
"The science center's great," Evie suggests. "They have this new exhibit about space that Max might like."
"Oh man, can we go?" Colton bounces on his toes. "They've got that cool thing where you can make your own tornado."
"You want to go to the science center?" Evie raises an eyebrow at her husband.
"Hell yeah. And Mia loves that place." Colton's already pulling out his phone. "Let me text the others."
"Others?" I glance at Ransom who winces and turns to Colton.
"Don't." Colton holds up a hand. "Jonas will kill me if we don't invite him. And if Jonas comes, Janey has to come. And if Janey comes?—"
"The whole family will show up," Ransom finishes, running a hand through his hair, giving me an apologetic look.
Colton's phone buzzes repeatedly. "Yeah, they're all in. Meeting us there in an hour."
"I'm so sorry," Ransom murmurs close to my ear. "This happens a lot."
I shrug. "Why are you apologizing?"
His lips twitch. "Give it a few hours. You'll understand."
"Can we get ice cream after?" Max tugs on my sleeve.
"Sure, buddy." I run my fingers through his too long hair. "But first, want to see some cool space stuff?"
"Yeah! And make some tornadoes! Should I say bye to Mommy?"
"Definitely. She's asleep, but you can go in and give her a kiss. We'll come back later when she’s awake to visit some more."
Max and I slip into Maggie's room, his small hand clutching mine. He tiptoes to her bedside, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. She doesn't stir, and her breathing remains steady and deep.
"Bye, Mommy," he whispers.
Evie follows us in, closing the door softly behind her. She gestures me into the corner while Max lingers by his mom's bed.
"The science center's perfect for kids his age," she says in hushed tones. "And trust me, having the whole crew there? Max won't have time to worry about anything else."
I cross my arms, studying her face. "Why do I feel like you're not telling me something?"
Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Let's just say our family outings tend to be... memorable."
"Memorable how?"
"You'll see." She pats my arm. "Just enjoy it. Sometimes chaos is exactly what you need."
I narrow my eyes at her cryptic response, but she just smiles and turns to Max.
"Ready to see some awesome space stuff, buddy?"
Max nods eagerly, taking one last look at Maggie before joining us at the door. I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking into something bigger than a simple trip to the science center, but Evie's right about one thing—Max needs the distraction. And maybe, if I'm honest with myself, so do I.