Chapter 42
Forty-Two
TODD
“Please sit back sir, let us do our job,” The paramedic says as I lean over Kaiden. The events of tonight are running through my head like a bad movie. When I got that text from Ellie, saying Annie asked her to come to the club, I knew something was wrong. I didn’t expect to walk in on her ex-husband dragging her like a doll up the steps of the club. Everything else that happened after that seemed like a blur. Ellie shooting Drew in the foot, her being in labour, walking into the club to see the fire and my sister tied to a chair on the stage. Then, there was Kaiden, lying unconscious on the floor and just about alive. I use the wipes the paramedic gave me and wipe his blood off my hands. I can’t even think about Ellie right now, I can only pray she and the baby are safe and Dominic got her to the hospital in time. I know he will look after her.
“How long until we get there?” I ask in anger. My voice comes out chipped and annoyed. I’m not annoyed with the paramedic, just that I can’t lose Kaiden. Fucking hell, he has to make it.
“Not long,” he replies as he holds a hand over Kaiden’s stomach, applying pressure. The bullet went straight through, but they won’t know anything more until they get him into surgery. I’m no idiot, I can see the amount of blood he has lost. The ambulance finally stops, and I open the doors just as a doctor jumps into the ambulance with a nurse following. I glance over as they lift the bed and pull the ramp down, Kaiden is still unconscious and looking very pale. We can’t lose him, not now. He needs to meet the baby, and I seriously wouldn’t know what to do without my slightly annoying friend, who is like a brother to me. I walk behind them as they rush him into the A he agrees with me, she is the image of her mother. There are bits of Andre in her, she has his hair and maybe some of his features. But, the rest is Ellie, she’s going to be as stunning as her mother.
“I read somewhere that all babies’ eyes are blue for the first few months,” I say, and she smiles.
“So, someone has been doing their research,” she smiles up at me as she speaks. I may have been reading the baby books around the house and looking up things online. Jude has been telling me random things every time I’m at hers. My sisters are just as excited about the baby coming as I am. Well, except Cleo, but she is young and hopefully, comes around sometime.
“You read that book I gave you on babies,” Dominic laughs quietly.
“Yeah, well . . .,” I say, deciding not to say any more as I look down at the little girl in my arms. I know I’m not her biological dad, but I feel a bond to her. I know I would do anything for her, she wouldn’t even have to ask. It’s hard to look away from her, she is everything.
“I’m going to wait in the waiting area for news on Kaiden. I will call you the minute I know,” Dominic says, coming over to Ellie and whispering something to her as he kisses her cheek. I’m glad he was here with Ellie for the birth. One of us should have been. I wish we all fucking were.
“I should come as well, I want to make sure Annie and Andre are okay,” I say. I know Andre would have gotten them out, and I saw Annie running out the door, just before the paramedic shut the door to the ambulance. Andre would have brought Annie here, so I know he won’t be far behind, and he will want to meet his baby and check on Ellie.
“They will be okay, and I’ll send them up here when they come,” Dominic tells me, and I look down at Ellie who flashes us a worried look. I don’t want to leave her and our baby alone, but it’s difficult to stay here when I don’t know what’s going on with everyone else.
“I still should–” I start to say, and Dominic interrupts. I glance down at the little baby in my arms. She doesn’t know about anything that’s going on, and I know I can’t leave her right now. I look up at Ellie, who places her hand on my arm. She doesn’t need to say anything, I know she doesn’t want me to leave. I also know she’s trying to stay calm for the baby.
“You should stay with Ellie and the baby,” Dominic says, before kissing Ellie gently once more.
“You did so well, and I’m so proud of you,” he tells her, and he wipes away a tear from her cheek. He walks to the door and stops.
“Did you come up with a name for her?” he asks Ellie, and she shakes her head. We’ve been making a list at home and texting each other ideas for a name for weeks. We came up with ten names that we all liked, and then Ellie said she would choose when she’s here. It’s hard to pick a name for someone you haven’t met before.
“Yes, but I’m not telling anyone until Kaiden can hear it,” she says firmly, and Dominic nods, his worried gaze hitting mine. If that’s not a reason to wake up, then I don’t know what is.