Chapter 23
Dad stayed with me at the hospital, ever my constant guardian and of course my little love. Betty and Lottie decided to go home late in the evening once they were satisfied my contractions had stopped, and Alexa and I fell asleep reading stories to each other.
I wake with a knot of unease tightening my chest noting the sunrise cresting and have an awful sense of foreboding lingering in the forefront of my mind. Despite the quiet hum of the hospital room and Alexa sleeping soundly beside me, I can’t shake the feeling that something is amiss with Alexander.
I look around the room and when I don’t find Dad, it only makes me more concerned because now I’m really worried, somethings not right, Dad would never leave me unattended. My heart is racing as I reach for my cell on the nightstand, my fingers trembling as I dial Alexander’s number, desperate for reassurance, I know he’s stateside and hope he answers. I stroke Alexa’s soft curls to help me try to calm but each unanswered ring feels like an eternity and has my anxiety mounting.
I look up as Dad enters the room, his expression grave yet composed and end the call because I have a feeling Dad has the answers I need. He takes a seat beside my bed, gently taking my hand in his and kisses the top of my hand.
“Where were you?” I question my voice shaky.
“Lily,” he begins.
“No, please no.” I breathe out as a sob escapes, tears instantly falling from my eyes.
Dad continues, his voice soft but tinged with concern, “I need to tell you something. Alexander... he’s been injured. Lily, you need to breathe for me sweet girl.”
“I-I, no, no, no h-he can’t he’s com–”
“He’s alive, Lily, he’s in surgery right now,”
“Okay, b-but how b-bad is he?” I manage to push past my lips.
“Doc is doing everything he can and you know he’s the best, we just have to stay strong and calm.”
Dad pauses, giving me a moment to process the news, his eyes reflecting both worry and reassurance.
“Alexander is strong, the strongest man I know and Doc assured me it was just a scratch and that he will pull through this, trust in Doc, Alexander will be right beside you soon enough.”
Alexa stirs beside me and I calm my breathing and continue stroking her hair, hoping she remains asleep, I don’t want her upset. I’m barely keeping it together so I take long deep breaths before I speak.
“Do you know what happened? What about the rest of the team? Where are they? Is anyone else hurt?” I whisper.
Dad smiles awkwardly and I know there’s more, I won’t handle it if anyone else is hurt or worse.
“Everyone else is good, relax.” Dad says before looking down.
I breathe out another long breath but there’s something Dad is holding back; I can feel it.
“Dad, I know there’s more please tell me.”
He raises his head and his eyes can’t lie, “The mission they went on was to capture Rob.”
My eyes widen is shock but I nod in understanding.
“They entered the location and were in complete darkness, using only night vision which gives very limited sight. Alexander heard a female cry and followed the sound, when he entered the room, he found a young girl and was protecting her when he was injured.”
My heart pounds in my chest, a strong feeling of dread washes over me like an icy wave. Every instinct tells me that Dad is about to tell me something cataclysmic.
“The little girl is about four-years-old, she wasn’t injured in the raid but we suspect she is Caroline’s child.” Dad informs me.
I gasp out loud this time, I couldn’t hold it back and Alexa wakes, “Mommy, is it my bwothaws? Awe you, okay?” She asks trying to sit up.
“No, Lovebug, the babies are safe I promise let me raise the bed, hold on tight.”
Alexa giggles as I raise the back of the bed to a fully seated position, when I hear her laughter, it lessens the tightness in my chest hearing her happy.
“Mawning, Mommy, Mawning Pa. I needs to go do wee’s, be wight back.” Alexa hops off the bed and rushes to the bathroom.
“So, where’s the little girl, and how do you know she’s Caroline’s?” I whisper.
Dad exhales heavily, “She’s safe in Tiny’s arms, we’re having the room next door set up and they’ll be sorted soon and in regard to knowing we don’t for certain but she looks exactly like you both, I haven’t personally laid eyes on her but the boys say Doc is confident and will run the tests when he’s finished in surgery.”
“Wow, I… wha–” My breathing quickens and I feel devastation overcome me.
“You need to relax sweetheart please, I do not want your contractions starting again, whether Braxton Hicks or not. We’ve got the situation under control and you must remain calm.” Dad implores.
“Did the boys say whether she looked physically okay?” I question because I’m worried that she may have been suffering harm and it’s a daunting, unimaginable thought.
“Jackson said that she didn’t have visual evidence of abuse just that she is small and pale, they suspect she may not have ever seen the light of day because she was being kept underground.”
“Underground?” I gasp, tears spill over and I wipe them quickly, I don’t want Alexa seeing the evidence of my unease.
“Rob had set up camp in the old distillery rooms deep underground in the prohibition tunnels on the ‘Helmsley Estate’, it appeared as if they had been living there a long time.”
“So, this little girl may not have even been allowed to run and play and be a kid. Dad, I need to see her, I need to make sure she’s okay.” My voice sounds desperate even to my own ears.
“We will soon sweetheart, but at the moment she’s sedated and Doc will assess her first before she comes around. It’s important to get the testing done so as not to stress her out further and then we’ll have more answers, Lily.”
“I just…” It’s unfathomable to me.
“I have a feeling all will be okay, she’s in the best hands and Tiny won’t let anything happen to her and Caroline is a sweet girl, I think she will take the news better than we expect. I see it, she has a lot of you in her, it’s really starting to show and she has come a long way since you have been back with her.” Dad offers me a proud smile.
“That poor sweet baby,” I say holding back my tears, I really don’t want Alexa seeing me cry, she’ll only ask questions.
“I’m worried how Caroline will take this news; I don’t want this to break her.”
“I know sweetheart, the team agreed to wait till we know for certain before we approach Caroline and I agree with their decision. She will believe it easier if there is proof, but that aside the boys are pretty confident.”
I have to agree that telling my sister about a child she never knew survived will be a monumental moment, one that could potentially have devastating consequences. I’ll trust that Doc will know how to approach the delicate situation and can approach it in the right way so my sister doesn’t freak out. But I am grappling with the revelation Caroline has a little girl, the mix of emotions swirling inside of me is of uncertainty, but also a glimmer of hope.
“Okay, you’re right, I know you’re right, this news is just so shocking, and I can’t imagine how Caroline will feel, but her meeting with Alexa was effortless, amazing really, for all that she’s endured over the years.” Dad gives me a smile and nods.
“Dad, I know that telling Alexa about Alexander’s surgery will cause unnecessary worry so I’m going to keep it between us for now.”
I’m determined to protect our daughter’s tender heart for as long as I can, children should be allowed to be worry free and happy.
“I think that’s a good idea, Alexander will pull through sweetheart, and knowing him as soon as he wakes in recovery he’ll get up and walk in here like nothing happened.” I giggle-hiccup because I know that’s exactly what he’d try to do.
‘Alexa, you haven’t fallen in, have you?’ Dad yells out.
The door opens and Alexa strides over and stops in front of Dad with her little hands on her hips.
“I loves you, Pa, but sometimes a little lady needs to be discwete, and washing my hands is vewy impowtant.”
I giggle because Alexa is just that, a little lady but she also gives it to these men and I love that she has both manners and the right amount of sass.
“Duly noted, Princess. Pa was just being funny to make you smile.” Dad says smiling cheekily.
Alexa relaxes her stance and steps in and hugs him, “Me too, Pa, I loves you.”
We all laugh, and sometimes that’s all you need is a good laugh to warm your heart. I can feel it, the feeling of doom and tightening in my chest has eased and I just know Alexander is going to be alright.
My consciousness and senses gradually return as the haze of anesthesia leaves my body. With each passing moment, clarity creeps back into my mind accompanied by… a dull ache and I remember why I’m here, fuck.
I blink my eyes open, squinting against the harsh hospital lights, and take a couple of deep breaths. I feel the restriction of bandages wrapped around my torso, the gentle beeping of machines and the soft murmur of voices, which has my gaze drifting to the figures moving about the room but there’s only one man I want to see.
“Doc.” I shout as I try sitting up, fuck me, that hurts.
“You’re okay, Mr. Harrington, settle back, you’re okay, you’re in the hospital.” A female nurse stresses, I know she has my health in mind but she has no idea that I’m not one to lay back to recover.
“Where’s Doc? Get him here now.” I boom.
“I’m here, Chief, stop scaring the lovely staff and lay the hell down will you, I don’t want to have to redo your damn stitches.”
“I’m good Doc, do what you have to do to get me on my feet.” I stress.
“Shit, Chief I didn’t even get a chance to take a piss before your big ass woke up.” Doc says chuckling.
“I have to get to my family, Doc.” I breathe out.
“Davies is with Lily and Alexa and only Lily knows you were in surgery, they’re okay and waiting for you in your room.”
“Okay, good, now let me up so I can see my girls, I need to hold them.”
Doc shakes his head, “Can you give me five mikes so I can relieve myself first.”
“Five mikes Doc, hurry your ass up.” I rouse him.
I love the man, he’s a fucking whizz with a scalpel and has the neatest stitches that leave hardly a scar and none of my family would be here if it wasn’t for him. I’m thinking I’ll buy him that fancy Glenfiddich Grand Couronne 26 year old scotch whisky, I saw him googling the night he swiped the hospital Chief’s bottle. It’s the next one up and he whistled when he saw the price.
My mind is spinning as my memories of last night come flooding back, I can’t believe there was a child, who has been through God only knows what, at least I know she’s safe in Tiny’s arms, he’s not going to let Caroline’s little girl go.
But damn it all to hell, it makes me vibrate with anger because this little girl is about Alexa’s age. One things for certain, I’m going to finish Trickle off with the most excruciating death, this is his last day on this earth and I’m going to enjoy sending him to hell.