Chapter 17
“Why is it taking so long?” Jillian complained to Nick as they sat in the waiting room for someone to come out from the ER to give them an update on Travis.
“If I’d known I wouldn’t have been allowed back with him, I never would have let Geneva ride in the ambulance.
I’m the one with the power of attorney to sign for his medical treatment in his father’s absence. ”
“But you didn’t tell them that when we arrived and you wanted to see them,” Nick reminded her.
“No, I didn’t want them to drag her out of there. She’s trying to reestablish a relationship with Travis, it wouldn’t have looked good,” Jillian explained. “But why can’t someone come out and tell us something?”
“They’re probably running some blood tests to make sure the sedative that was used to keep him asleep hasn’t done any damage,” Nick said, trying to calm her. “If we don’t hear something soon we’ll just have to pester the front desk staff again.”
She nodded and then laid her head back against his shoulder as they sat in companionable silence. She had just closed her eyes when her cellphone rang. Fishing it from her pocket she looked at the screen. “It’s Nathan!”
She stood, walking toward the sliding doors to go outside and have some privacy. “Hello.”
“Jillian, it’s Nathan. Abby and I have just landed at Miami International. It was a hell of a trip but thank God we’re back on US soil. How is Travis?”
“He’s in the ER at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, so they can check him out,” she said. “Geneva is with him.”
“Geneva?” Nathan sounded confused. “Why is she there?”
“It’s a long story and I’ll explain once you get here. But she asked to ride with him in the ambulance, and she was instrumental in us finding him.”
There was silence on the line before he spoke again. “I’m glad to hear that. We’ll be there soon, and we can talk.”
The call ended and she went back inside. Nick’s brows were raised in question when she reached him. “Well?”
“They just landed and will be coming from the airport,” she explained. “He was surprised that Geneva was here. Maybe I was wrong to let her have time with Travis.”
“You can’t change that now,” Nick said. “Don’t worry over it. You were thinking of Travis when you made that decision. He didn’t need to meet his mother and then have her ripped away. That would have confused the kid when he’d just been rescued.”
“But will Nathan see it that way?” Jillian said.
“If he doesn’t, I’ll have a word with him and explain the situation,” Nick said. “I’ve got your back.”
She nodded and he pulled her into a hug.
“Can I get you something to drink or eat?” he asked.
“Maybe a soda,” she said.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right back.”
She sat down and watched him walk over to the bank of vending machines and put in cash to get out two drinks, bending to collect his change.
The double doors opened, and Geneva came out, her eyes and nose red as if she’d been crying. She scanned the area and spotted Jillian –waving to her as she came over.
“How’s Travis?” Jillian asked, standing up again.
“He’s fine. They’ve taken him to run tests but asked me to wait out here for a while,” she said.
Nick came over with the two bottled drinks. “Would you like one?”
Geneva shook her head, and they all sat down together. “When they get done with the testing, I think you should go back, Jillian. Travis keeps talking about you and wanting to know when you’ll be with him.”
“If you’re sure?” Jillian said.
“I am. It’s obvious that he loves you very much and why wouldn’t he, you’re his mom in his eyes.”
“I’m sorry,” Jillian said.
“Don’t be. I’m glad he’s got this relationship with you,” Geneva said. “You were always good to me before the divorce. I could bear not having Travis in my life while I struggled to get sober because I knew you were with him.”
Jillian covered her hand with her own and gave a little squeeze. “You can still have a relationship with him one day. It isn’t too late.”
“That’s up to Nathan and whether he will allow me to see him,” Geneva said.
“You can ask him,” Jillian said. “He’s on his way here from the airport. They went to Aukland for their honeymoon and bad weather kept them from getting back, before now.”
“I know, I got a call from him. He didn’t sound happy.” Geneva smiled weakly at her. “He’d learned from that Detective Simons that my parents were behind this, and he said a few harsh words, blaming me for it.”
“But you didn’t have anything to do with what they did, right?” Jillian said.
“Right. However, I don’t think Nathan believes that,” Geneva said.
“Then we’ll have to correct him,” Nick said.
“Absolutely,” Jillian agreed.
The sliding doors opened allowing Nathan and Abby to walk into the waiting room. Jillian saw them before they saw her and she stood, waving to get their attention. The couple hurried over as soon as they spotted her.
“Jillian. Geneva,” Nathan said, then he looked at Nick. “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure?”
“I’m Nick Bardou with the Brotherhood Protectors, and the Lone Wolf Agency,” Nick stood and extended his hand.
“One of Kenneally’s boys?” Nathan said.
“That’s right.”
“How’s that old man doing?” Nathan asked.
“Married and living in Louisiana,” Nick said.
“Wonders never cease,” Nathan said. “This is my bride, Abby.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Nick said, nodding to her.
“Nice to meet you,” Abby said. “How’s our boy?”
Geneva stiffened beside Jillian at Abby’s words. The woman had never referred to Travis that way before, but maybe she felt she had a right now that she was married to his father.
“He’s having a few tests run,” Jillian explained. “We’ll be able to see him as soon as they finish.”
“Let’s go check on that progress,” Nathan said. “Don’t go away.”
The couple went to the nurses’ stand. While they were gone, Geneva stood and turned to Nick and Jillian. “Maybe I should leave?”
“No. You heard Nathan, he wants everyone to stay here,” Jillian said.
“I don’t belong,” Geneva said.
“You are family, so you do,” Jillian said finding she meant it.
When had her feelings toward Geneva shifted?
Was it when Travis said he remembered the woman that was his estranged mother?
She had to admit it made her heart melt at his recollection.
Or was it when Abby tried to show her position as the new wife just now?
Jillian had always liked her, but she thought that was cruel under the circumstances.
The double doors opened, and a nurse pushed a yawning Travis in a wheelchair into the waiting area. “McGinty family?” the nurse called.
They all rushed forward to be updated on him. The nurse was surprised to see so many eager faces.
“Dad!” Travis called. “Look at me, I get to ride in the wheelchair.”
“I see that,” Nathan said, placing a hand on Travis’ head and ruffling his hair. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do but first let me talk with the nurse.”
“We’re admitting him and moving him upstairs for observation tonight. The attending doctor feels it’s wise under the circumstances, and he’s ordered more testing,” the nurse explained.
“Is that necessary?” Nathan asked.
The nurse stepped from behind the wheelchair and moved closer to him, speaking softly.
“Your son has no recollection of anything that happened to him possibly because of the drug he was given. We are trying to determine if he is suffering from any other memory loss or not. All he wants to talk about is his trip to the zoo. Maybe because that’s the last thing he remembers. ”
Nathan nodded. “I see. But otherwise, he’s fine?”
“Physically, yes,” the nurse replied.
“Of course, do admit him,” Nathan consented. “I’m glad to know he was unharmed otherwise.”
“There was no sign of any physical abuse if that is what you are asking.” The nurse raised her eyebrows and Jillian nodded with her understanding. No sign of molestation and she held back her tears of relief.
“I’d hope not since we know who was behind his abduction.” Nathan frowned and glanced over at Geneva.
“He’s hungry since he hadn’t eaten yet today, so we’ve ordered him a tray to be delivered to his room.” She looked at Geneva and asked, “You said no special diet, right, ma’am?”
“That’s right,” Geneva said, giving her son a broad smile.
The nurse stepped back behind the wheelchair. “If you will follow me, we’ll get him settled in.”
They all followed the nurse to the bank of elevators and when the doors opened, she rolled Travis inside.
Jillian found the ride up uncomfortably silent, and she saw it was a mutual consensus on the other’s faces.
When the doors opened, Geneva bolted off and stood to the side waiting for everyone else to disembark.
Deciding to give the family a moment alone, Jillian allowed everyone else to go to the room ahead of her and Nick. But Travis noticed and he looked around at her, holding out his hand. “Coming, Jilly?”
“Sure,” she said and hurried the best she could to catch up to him and to take his hand.
Everyone waited in the hallway while the nurse got Travis situated in his bed before going into the room.
“How was your flight?” Jillian asked.
“Long and uneventful,” Abby said. “I think it seemed longer because we were so anxious to get back. We had to make several connecting flights just to get here, but our travel agent was able to make it happen for us.”
“I’m sure,” Nick chimed in.
Nathan, who had been quiet so far, motioned for Jillian to come over to where he stood. “Can you tell me why Geneva was part of finding Travis?”
“She wasn’t until the very end after she turned her parents in,” Jillian explained. “We thought at first she had to be behind his abduction. Detective Simons even questioned her.”
“But how did she end up riding in the ambulance with him to the hospital?” Nathan asked. “You had power of attorney in my absence to provide medical care. Not her.”