Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Lachlan
“Thanks for the hook-up on the 3D ultrasound,” Forrest tells me. “Briar loved it, so did the girls.”
“Those things are bad-ass,” I tell him.
“I’m going to need that information,” Roman tells us.
“Go ahead and add it to the group text,” Maddox tells us.
“Yep,” Legend agrees. “Monroe can’t stop talking about how you can make out the baby’s features. She thinks he’s going to have your eyes,” he tells me.
“Did you see the drawing that Maggie got me for Christmas?” I ask them.
“Yeah, you showed us,” Roman tells me. “That was a great gift idea.”
“Right? I was going to hang it up in my office at the shop but decided to put it in the office in the basement at home.”
“Good choice,” Forrest tells me.
“Hey, do you and Briar have a name picked out yet?” Roman asks him. “You have a theme in your family.” He grins.
“Yeah, we’re naming her Willow.”
“Nice.” I nod my approval.
The ladies laughter catches our attention. The five of us stand here in the kitchen of Briar and Forrest’s house, staring at our women in the living room like love-sick fools. I don’t know how much time passes when Forrest clears his throat.
“Did you see the email our accountant sent?” he asks.
“No. Bad news? Good news?” I ask. The others shake their heads too.
“Good news. We almost tripled our income this year.”
“No shit?” Roman asks.
“Yep. It has to be the extra space we added for the guest artists,” Forrest explains.
“Our books have been packed,” Maddox replies. He turns to look at Legend. “Thanks, man. We couldn’t have done all of that without you.”
Legend shrugs. “I didn’t want the money. It felt dirty, but putting it into our business, investing in our future, our families, it felt right. It was my inheritance, after all. Hopefully, a few of our kids will want to work with us and carry on the Everlasting Ink tradition.”
“He has some ideas for investing, and suggested bonuses for the owners,” Forrest tells us.
“I like the sound of that,” I tell him, and the others agree.
“Daddy!” Lilly calls out as she rushes over to Roman, and he bends to lift her into his arms.
“What’s up, sweets?”
“Cookies.” She points to the island that’s covered in snacks and sweet treats.
“That’s my girl.” I hold my hand up to Lilly for a high-five, and she slaps her little hand against mine.
“Are you corrupting my daughter?” Roman mock glares at me.
I slap my hand over my chest, pretending to be offended. “I would never.” After tossing my empty root beer can in the trash, I reach for Lilly. “Come on, girlie. Let’s get you a cookie. You want a pink one?” I ask her.
“I wike pink.” She nods.
“Pink it is.” I grab a cookie and hand it to her.
“You know she’s going to get that everywhere, right?” Roman asks.
“Don’t worry about it,” Forrest tells him. “Houses are meant to be lived in. Let my niece enjoy her pink cookie.”
Lilly holds the cookie out to Forrest, who’s standing next to me, and he pretends to take a bite. Lilly giggles. Her little body shakes in my arms as if Forrest is the funniest man she’s ever known.
“Oh, Daddy, can we have a cookie too?” River asks.
“Of course you can,” Roman answers, smirking at Forrest.
“I want a green one!” Rayne announces.
“I want a yellow one,” River says.
Forrest gets to work handing them their frosted cookie color of choice, then hands them a blue one. “Take this to Aunt Monroe and tell her it’s for Kane.”
“Okay, Daddy.” The twins rush off toward the living room, and Lilly wiggles to get down. Once she’s on her feet, she races after her cousins.
“Go fish,” Brogan tells Rayne.
“I can’t believe they’re still awake,” Forrest tells me. We’re sitting in the living room, on the dining room chairs we brought in, watching our wives, well, their wives and my fiancée, play Go Fish with River and Rayne.
“This one couldn’t hang,” Legend says, stroking Kane’s back where he sleeps on his chest.
“You can take him upstairs and put him in the Pack ’N Play in our room. We set it up just in case,” Forrest tells him.
“Nah, I got him. He won’t be this little forever.”
“Yeah,” Roman agrees. “Lilly is two and a half, going on thirteen. God help me when she’s a teenager.” He chuckles.
“Where is Lilly?” Maddox asks him.
“She’s conked out in the twins’ room. I was sure with all of the cookies she consumed, she’d still be wide awake to count down the New Year, but she didn’t make the call.”
“You think Lilly is going to be bad at almost three going on thirteen? Try twin girls who are five going on fifteen. Fellas, I’m going to need some help when they start dating.”
“You’re fucked, bro.” Legend laughs. “You can’t tell them no now. How do you think that’s going to work out for you?”
“If it’s to keep them safe, I have no problem telling them no.”
“Don’t worry. They’ve got four uncles who’ve got your back,” Roman tells him.
“She’ll have Kane and Sean too,” I remind him. “And who knows, Brogan, Monroe, and Emerson might all be having boys.”
“Four women.” Forrest shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “I don’t stand a chance.”
“You would have been sunk with just Briar,” I tease.
“Like you’re not.”
“Oh, I definitely am.” I have no issue letting the world know how in love I am with Maggie.
“Girls, it’s almost midnight,” Forrest tells his daughters. “Are you ready to countdown?” he asks them.
“Yeah!” they cheer, climb off their chairs from the table set up in the living room, and race toward their dad. He gives them their New Year hats and glasses, and the glow necklaces they had on earlier.
Standing, I move toward my fiancée and kneel beside her where she sits on the couch. “How you feeling, Momma?” I rest my hand on her belly. I can’t seem to stop touching her, and as her pregnancy progresses, the more that desire builds.
“Five-year-olds are about to out-party me,” she says, placing her hand over her mouth to cover her yawn.
“I know. I can’t believe they’re still going.”
“It’s the cookies,” Briar says, from where she’s sitting next to Maggie on the couch. “All that sugar.” She gives me a pointed look.
“Hey, don’t blame the man with a sweet tooth.” I chuckle.
“They’ll crash soon,” Briar says. “There’s just too much excitement right now.”
“Here we go,” Forrest calls out. “Ten, nine, eight, seven,” he starts the countdown.
Standing, I bend over the couch, slide my hand behind Maggie’s neck, and guide her lips to mine. “Three, two, one,” I whisper as our lips collide. Everything else fades away into the background. It’s just the two of us in this room together. When I pull away, I rest my forehead to hers. “Happy New Year, Mags.”
“Happy New Year.”
This year is going to be incredible. We’re so close to meeting our son, and if I have my way, Maggie will have my last name—sooner rather than later. We haven’t talked much about our wedding, just that she doesn’t want to be pregnant. Yeah, this is going to be a fantastic year.
After a quick round of celebration, we’re saying our goodbyes, as is everyone else, and heading home.
“I’m so tired,” Maggie says, climbing into bed.
“It’s been a long day. I’m not used to these late nights anymore.”
“I’m pregnant, but I know you’ve got some age on you,” she teases.
“Hush it, woman,” I say, nipping at her neck. She settles in my arms, and we quickly drift off to sleep.
I’m startled awake by a ringing phone. My eyes blink to read the clock. It’s just after four in the morning. Reaching over to the nightstand, I grab my phone, but it’s not mine. Cursing, I climb out of bed, careful not to wake Maggie as I rush to grab her phone.
“Hello?” I answer, stepping out into the hallway. It wasn’t a number that was programmed into her phone, so if this is some kind of prank or scam call, I’m going to lose my shit on them. They could have woken her up, and she’s exhausted.
“Hi, I’m trying to reach Maggie Ward,” the woman on the line says.
“She’s sleeping.”
“I’m sorry to call at this hour. My name is Amy, and I’m calling from the Ashby Memorial Hospital. We have a Doris Ward who was brought in by squad about thirty minutes ago. We have Maggie as her next of kin.”
“Yes. Is she okay?”
“Are you family?”
“Maggie is my wife.” A little white lie that doesn’t matter in this instance. My heart is pounding in my chest. “Doris suffered a heart attack. She was able to dial 911. We have her here in critical condition. Once she’s stable, we plan to transfer her to the cardiac care center in Nashville.”
“We’ll be right there,” I tell her. I don’t wait for her to give me more information. I end the call and swallow back my own emotions as I prepare to wake Maggie and give her this news.
My feet feel as though they’re full of lead as I make my way back into the bedroom. Easing myself down to the side of the bed, I watch her sleep. I know that I’m about to break her heart. Grandma Doris is everything to her.
“Maggie, baby, I need you to wake up for me,” I say, rubbing her shoulder. She stirs, but doesn’t wake. “Baby, I need you to wake up,” I say again, this time louder, shaking her shoulder.
Her eyes blink open. “Lachlan? What’s wrong?”
“We have to go.”
“Go? Where?” she asks, confused. She moves to sit up, and I help her. “What’s going on? What time is it?”
“It’s just after four,” I tell her, reaching over and turning the bedside lamp on.
“What are you doing up? What’s wrong?” she asks.
I swallow hard. “It’s Grandma Doris. She’s in the hospital.”
Her face goes ghostly white. “W—What?”
“The hospital just called your phone. I answered. She was brought in by squad. We have to go.”
“Squad? Is she?—?”
“She had a heart attack. She called 911, and they’re waiting until she’s stable to transfer her to a cardiac unit in Nashville.”
“No.” She shakes her head as tears race down her cheeks. “No. Lachlan, no.” She sobs.
I pull her into my arms and hug her tightly. “We need to go to her,” I tell her. I wish I could tell her that everything is going to be okay, that Doris is going to be okay, but the nurse didn’t exactly give me that hope. Her voice sounded grim and uncertain, and I refuse to give Maggie false hope. “Come on. I’ll help you get dressed.”
I assist her in moving to the edge of the bed before going off to find her some clothes. I grab a pair of leggings and one of my sweatshirts, as well as some socks, and rush back to the bed to help her change clothes. When she moves to the bathroom to handle business and brush her teeth, I quickly slide into some sweats and a sweatshirt. I pick up both of our phones and meet her at the bathroom door.
“I need my phone.”
“I have it.” I hold it up to show her. She nods and allows me to lead her out of our room. I help her with her shoes, then slip into mine, make sure I have my wallet, and we rush out the door. “I should have started the truck,” I say, cranking up the heat, hoping that it warms up soon.
“It’s okay,” she says meekly.
Reaching over, I take her hand in mine. “We’ll be there soon,” I tell her. She squeezes back but doesn’t reply. All I can hear are her quiet sobs as she stares out the window.
Luckily, when we arrive, we are able to find a close parking spot. Hand in hand, we make our way to the reception desk. “Hi, we’re here for Doris Ward,” I tell the lady at the desk.
“And you are?”
“This is my wife, her granddaughter. She’s Doris’s next of kin.” Maggie doesn’t even flinch or look my way when I refer to her as my wife.
“One moment.” She stands and walks away. A few minutes later, a nurse is calling us back. We follow her down the hall to trauma room three.
“She’s weak and needs her rest. We’re waiting to see if her numbers stabilize to determine if we can transfer her or have to admit her here.”
“Thank you,” I tell the nurse.
We push inside, and Maggie’s choked sob has me swallowing hard. “Grandma,” she cries as she moves to the side of the bed. Doris tries to open her eyes. It takes her a few moments, but she finally does it.
“My sweet Maggie,” she says, her voice is hoarse and weak.
“What do you need?” Maggie asks her.
“Sweetheart, I’m just old,” she says, giving her a half smile.
“Hey, Doris,” I say, coming to stand behind Maggie. I place my hands on her shoulders, letting her know that I’m here. “You’re looking beautiful as ever,” I tell her.
“Oh phooey.” She coughs, and I immediately regret my words when I see her struggling. “Such a charmer.” She looks at Maggie, then back at me. “You taking care of my girl?” she asks. There is something in her eyes as she studies me that has me choking up.
“Always.” I feel as though this is more than just a “yes, I’m taking care of her,” and more of an “I’ll always take care of her.”
“Good. I like knowing she’s in good hands.”
“Grandma, I love you.” Maggie’s voice cracks.
“I love you, too, dear. I’m so proud of you, Maggie. Of the woman you’ve become, of the man you’ve chosen to share your life with. I know you’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“And you’ll be an amazing great-grandmother,” Maggie says.
“Honey, I don’t know that I’ll get to meet him,” Doris says, closing her eyes. “Not from here,” she rasps.
Fuck.
“No, Grandma. No, don’t say that,” Maggie cries.
“My dear girl, I’m old. I’ve lived such a good life. You’ve brought me so much joy. So much love,” Doris says. She opens her eyes and looks between the two of us. “I love you both.”
Leaning over the bed, I place a kiss on her cheek. “Love you too,” I tell her. My lip quivers as I try like hell to fight the tears that are threatening to fall. I need to be strong for Maggie.
“You should let her rest,” the nurse says as she quietly enters the room.
“I’m not leaving her,” Maggie says, wiping at her cheeks.
“Can we stay?” I ask the nurse.
She looks at Maggie, then at her pregnant belly. “You can stay. Just let her rest.”
“We will. I promise,” I tell the nurse.
She checks Doris’s vitals, and then she slips out as quietly as she entered.
“Tell me what you need, Mags,” I whisper, pulling the extra chair over to sit next to her. I’d rather her be in my arms, but I know getting her to let go of Doris’s hand even for a second is out of the question.
“I need her to be okay. She’s it, Lachlan. I have no family left. I can’t lose her. She’s all I have left.” She sobs, and I lean over and hug her as best as I can.
I want to remind her that she’s not alone. That I am her family, that our son, my parents, and our friends are her family, but I know that now is not the right time. Instead, I hold her as she cries, and eventually, exhaustion takes over and she drifts off to sleep.
With my hand that’s not holding her, I text my parents and the group chat, letting the guys know what’s going on. We need them. I know that we can lean on them and that they will be here for whatever we need. I’m out of my depth here. I don’t know what to do to make this better for her.
Eventually, I too drift off to sleep, only to be woken not long after to the sound of beeping. Maggie jolts awake as the room fills with doctors and nurses.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” Maggie cries.
I manage to lead her to the corner of the room, so we are out of the way to let the doctors and nurses take care of her. “Let’s step outside, just right outside the door,” I suggest, but she refuses.
“No. No. I can’t leave her. I won’t leave her.”
So, instead, I stand with my arms wrapped tightly around her while we watch the medical staff do their jobs. Finally, after I don’t know how much time has passed, the physician looks up at the clock on the wall and makes the call.
“Time of death, seven eighteen,” the doctor says. He then steps toward us and bows his head. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” He drops those words, and then quietly leaves the room.
Maggie wails as her grief takes hold of her.
The room clears out, and I guide her to a chair by the bed, and sit down, pulling her onto my lap. She cries, her body shaking from her grief, and I let my silent tears fall. Tears for an amazing woman, who helped shape the love of my life, and for my future wife who is heartbroken. I don’t have the words she needs, and all I know to do is to hold her. Hug her tightly, and tell her that I’m here.
An hour later, I’m finally able to convince her to leave the room. She’s a shell of herself as we walk out to the waiting room. My own tears fall unchecked when I see my parents, all the guys, and Brogan in the waiting room.
“The wives would have been here, but they’re home with the kids,” Roman says.
“Maggie.” Mom’s voice cracks as she pulls Maggie into her arms. I watch as Maggie grips my mom so tightly, I’m sure she’s struggling to breathe.
My dad, the guys, and Brogan, all hug me and then take their turn with Maggie. I pull her back into my arms as soon as Brogan sets her free.
“Thank you for being here,” I tell them. I knew they would be a pillar of support, but I didn’t expect them all to show up. “I’m going to take Maggie home so we can get some rest,” I tell them. “I’ll call you all later.”
“Of course, get some sleep. I’ll make some dinner and bring it over later. I’ll give you all a few hours to get some rest.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Thank you,” Maggie whispers. “All of you.”
I turn and lead her out to my truck. She’s quiet on the drive home, and while we get ready for bed. I pull her into my arms, and she cries herself to sleep. It’s not until her breathing has evened out that I let myself do the same.