Brace Yourself
Morgan
Josh had been acting strange ever since we came up from the bunker. He was holding Addie a lot and not really hovering over me as much as being…I didn’t know the right word. Maybe affectionate and extremely accommodating would cover it.
It had been two days, and it was time to get the community back to normal. I needed to go to work and Addie to daycare. School was still out as a precaution like every other school in the country. They still had just under fifty cells to find and nobody was willing to possibly put kids in harms way. The President asked that all concerts and large events were postponed as a safety precaution as well.
I spoke with Jake, and he was shook up more than anything. He was in fact at the movie premier, but most of the injuries were in the front of the theater. He was able to escape but quite a few actors and directors were injured. He was planning a trip home to Tennessee just to get out of California. As usual, he avoided Indiana as much as possible.
Josh wasn’t happy that I was heading back to work. I thought if he had the power he would keep us in the safe little bubble we knew as home for a very long time. Unlike him, I had to get back to my life so I could occupy my brain. I couldn’t understand why it was taking so long for Creed to contact us. I had a bad feeling he would have called me right away if he were still alive.
Josh went to work with me and hadn’t left my side since the morning after we came up from the bunker. He was driving me insane. Just because I was pregnant didn’t mean I needed a full time babysitter.
I left Josh outside my classroom, then I opened the door and slid a chair out before I locked it. I was mad at him because he knew something and was keeping it from me.
I turned and saw the boys and they both looked upset. “Lay it on me.” I pulled a chair out and took a seat. The boys both looked at each other then Weston spoke up.
“We’re scared we won’t get to know Creed. We waited a really long time to meet him and what if he doesn’t get to see us as men? We’re trying really hard. We want to make this work for ourselves, our brother, our mom, and Olivia. Not to mention you and the twins.” Weston took a deep breath in a pause then his eyes met mine. “We’ll both be here when we can for the babies and even…” Weston gulped. “Little Addie. We’re their uncles and they’re important. Our brother just saved the world. Literally the entire world and everybody should know it.”
I leaned forward and squeezed both their hands. “Your brother wouldn’t want people to know. He’s a humble man and doesn’t like the spotlight. As far as being here for our kids, I think it's wonderful, but right now, you have to focus on your education and what’s coming next. Karter you have a little girl that needs you and soon your mom will need both of you. The best thing you can do for everyone is to succeed. Weston you have eight months to get all your credits to graduate so you can join the Army. With the training you’ve had here, basic training will be a breeze. Karter you have almost two years and you’ll go to the academy.”
Karter cleared his throat. “Do you think it’ll damage Olivia that I’m not there right now?”
I shook my head. “No, you’ll be there next weekend. Maybe when she gets a little bit older her mother will allow some video calls and that might help. I know it has to be hard to be away from her, but single dads have had to be every other weekend dads for years. Hopefully you’ll get more time with her as she gets older. Babies this little need their mommies for survival since she’s breast feeding and you have to go by her parents rules. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when you have babies so young. Just keep sending as much money as you can and try not to miss visits.”
Of course, I believed he should have had a bigger role in Olivia’s life, but Karter had a lot of growing up to do and he was becoming the man Olivia needed as a father. He needed to focus on his growth so he could be the daddy she needed later. It was the girls father that was making it hard for him to see Olivia, so he might as well use the time he had to create a better future for her later.
We talked and finally got back to work. Since school was out and they were caught up with their English we moved on to math.
We switched the boys to morning classes since school was out and I had homeschooling classes in the afternoon. I was incredibly proud of the boys, and they earned a lot of privileges since Creed left. They had been eating normal meals either in the community center or with us at the house, they also had full use of the amenities during their off hours. They were even permitted to go to public school since that was what they wanted, and they earned it. Our classes changed from the training center to our home after school. They still had credits to make up through a homeschooling program and were taking grade specific classes at school because they worked so hard. Creed would be proud, and I was sure when he came home he would want a true brothers relationship with them.
After the boys, I met with Felicity’s girls. My classes were growing smaller since seven of them already passed their general education tests. All seven were working in the medical center as receptionists and medical assistants. Four of them decided to take college courses so they could be licensed by the state. Until then, Zoey and her nurses had to do all the shots and blood draws. The other three were looking for work outside Creed’s Lake while they worked.
We broke for lunch and Josh followed me to the community center to eat.
“I’m just saying I don’t need a babysitter.” I was complaining all the way to lunch.
“I have strict orders to stay with you at least until we get news about Creed. Plus, you’re under a lot of stress and Zoey said there’s a chance for pre-term labor with twins.” He parked the side by side and cut off the engine.
“Alright, then when I’m done for the day you can take me grocery shopping. I haven’t been since we went down to the bunker, and I have a full house to feed.” I slowly pulled myself out of my seat then waddled into the Community Center.
After lunch I went back to my classroom at the training center. I had kids of pretty much all ages to teach, then I taught music classes for both public school kids and homeschooling kids. We were preparing for a winter concert and Melissa was helping. Although it was December, we were still experiencing warmer than usual weather. We didn’t need heavy coats to go outside. A jacket or sweatshirt was really all we needed because our daytime highs were in the 60’s and nighttime low’s were in the 40’s.
Speaking of Melissa, she was juggling my crazy life and helping with Addie from time to time. She had all my video interviews set up and she was dealing with the beach house sale. We received a few offers but turned them down. I could afford to hold on to it until I got the right offer. She was also dealing with my business manager and the studio. Both of us had a lot on our plates.
When my day was over, we went grocery shopping then headed home. Melissa took Addie home to my mom and sister and she had calls to make about a few in person interviews I was expected to do over the winter. Thankfully, mom had dinner started and I could get off my feet for a little while. I was going to miss my mom. She had to get back to work the following day because her bosses were pissed. Nursing homes didn’t have the luxury of closing, and they were already understaffed.
I went upstairs to change then went to the nursery to do a little work before mom called me down for dinner. Savannah and Addie helped me put sheets on the two cribs Josh put together before we had to go underground. As Addie put books in the little bookshelf, Savannah helped me pull tags off the few outfits I bought online. We folded them and put them in the small dressers Josh also put together for me.
It didn’t take long for Addie to get bored. She ran off outside with Josh and Nikko to play. Since we had a log home there wasn’t any painting to do, so I threw in color by putting down a really soft and fuzzy rug. Josh still had to pick up the rocking chair my mother had to rock me in as a baby. Savannah and I talked about baby names and laughed when she suggest Alistair Creed III. Creed would have a fit and have it changed. The man really did hate his first name.
As I looked down at the baby clothes I imagined Creed holding two tiny babies in his strong arms. Then imagined them looking just like him as they played in the back yard as they got a little older. I imagined girls and boys because I really had no instinct as far as what I was having. I laughed to myself when I imagined Creed changing diapers.
I heard a knock on the door frame because the door wasn’t shut. I turned and saw Josh and he was as white as a ghost.
“Josh, what’s wrong?” My heart sped up because I knew something was wrong.
“Axton is downstairs, and he would like to speak with us.” He walked over to help me off the floor, but my legs felt weak, and I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to hear whatever it was he had to say.
My legs finally worked, and Josh helped me downstairs and onto the sofa in the living room. It was quiet because I noticed everyone went outside to give us privacy, except my mom. Josh sat on one side of me and my mom sat on the other. Axton was sitting in a chair leaning on his elbows with his head hung low. He couldn’t even look at me.
“If you’ve got news, at least look at her.” Josh said.
Axton lifted his head and when he looked at me his eyes were bloodshot and puffy like he had been crying.
“Creed led a successful mission, but his evacuation was interrupted by a group of Isis members. They got their high value target, and Creed was able to send the intel through to General Pendleton before they lost contact. The last anyone knew Creed was injured and died as they were transporting him to a forward surgical team. For the last week he was officially listed as missing in action because they lost communication with the transport team. They had not gotten official confirmation yet.”
My entire body was shaking but I felt frozen and couldn’t even think right. My world was just ripped away from me, and I couldn’t even blink my eyes.
“I made the order not to tell you until I got confirmation.”
“Did you get confirmation?” Josh’s voice was shaky.
Axton shook his head. “I was told his transport vehicle came under fire by another Isis group. I spoke with an old buddy with Seal Team Six and he was in the other vehicle. They fought like hell, but every person that survived the attack was taken and the dead were left in the vehicle. Creed was not in that vehicle, but I was told his injuries were severe and they did have to do CPR twice to bring him back. If he was alive it wouldn’t have been for long. Another evacuation team spotted the Isis vehicle, and they attacked it.”
Axton paused then looked straight at me. “General Pendleton received the Casualty Feeder Report this afternoon and Creed was listed as critically injured. He’s in Germany and he’s alive for now, but I had to wait for the official call to confirm his status. I got that call thirty minutes ago, and Creed is only being kept alive with machines. I have to leave for Germany right away to escort him home.”
I was so confused. “If he’s that hurt why bring him home instead of waiting until its safe to travel?” My hands were shaking and the tears started.
“Because I have to respect his last wishes and sign some forms.”
I shook my head. “No, you can’t do that! I’m going with you, and I’ll be the one to make that decision.” I tried standing but it took a few tries.
“Morgan wait!” Josh stood and wrapped his arms around me. “You can’t go. Not just because of the babies, but the military has strict rules. The only reason Axton can go is because Creed gave him power of attorney and he’s listed as the emergency contact. Only spouses, biological parents, siblings, and children will be able to see him. They have to be immediate family by blood or marriage. Axton is the only one that can go.”
I fought out of Josh’s arms and Axton stood as I raced over to him. “Don’t you dare choose to stop his heart! Don’t you fucking dare!” I began pounding on his chest. “I am having his children and he better be alive when they’re born! Don’t you fucking dare!” I screamed at him as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him, hugging me so I couldn’t fight anymore. I tried but he held me too tight.
“I don’t want this responsibility, Morgan. I’d gladly give it to someone else. He’s my fucking brother, and I still need him, but I made a promise. This isn’t my decision, it’s his. He doesn’t have any brain activity, he’s already gone, Morgan!”
Josh
I had Jenny call Zoey. She also called Tanner and Patrick. I was ill, fighting my own emotions as I had to rip Morgan from Axton. She begged and pleaded with him not to kill Creed. It was the way she was saying it that broke Axton. She even made him feel the babies move by forcing his hand to feel her stomach. Eventually, she broke him, and he fell to his knees crying. Her grandparents came flying inside as Jenny held on to Axton and I held Morgan. She was still trying to get out of my arms so she could take her anger out on the wrong man.
Eventually, she became too tired to fight, so I carried her upstairs and away from Axton. When Tanner arrived, he stayed with Jenny and Morgan in her room, and I ran downstairs to Axton. He was a mess, and he had the jet waiting. Commercial air travel was limited, but he got clearance through the Secretary of Defense to take the jet up. It was the least they could do for Creed.
The rest of the Originals showed up, along with Creed’s brothers, and Zoey. It was pitiful the way Axton held on to me before he left. I knew he was going to be mind fucked for the rest if his life. Hell, we all probably were, but Axton was the worst. I couldn’t imagine standing in his shoes.
Zoey was keeping a close eye on Morgan. My sweet girl was like a zombie. Addie didn’t understand what was happening, so Melissa took her over to Stephanie’s so she could watch all four kids. It was actually Steph’s job to be the liaison between the families, the hospitals, and she would be making funeral arrangements with Creed’s family, which was pretty much us.
Creed’s brothers wanted to go with Axton, since they were biological family, but Axton wasn’t prepared for that at all. He wanted to go by himself.
Morgan made Axton make one promise. If there was any glimmer of hope he was not to sign anything. She also asked if there was a way to keep him alive long enough to bring him home to her, that he please do it. She wanted to be the one holding his hand as he died. We all knew none of that was possible, but he gave his word anyway. She then stated if none of that was possible, he was to call her so he could hold the phone to Creed’s ear, and she could say her goodbyes.