Chapter 30
Caleb
I lean against the door at the therapy center and watch Lenny goof off with a couple of veterans as they challenge him to an arm-wrestling match.
“You’re on!” He chuckles.
Long gone is the guy who seemed so angry at the world that he couldn’t see a palm in front of his face. Here, he found the serenity he needed. A place that offered him hope when he believed there was none left.
But then again, this place gave me that too.
This center and my Roxie, of course.
My gaze pulls away from a laughing Lenny to my love, sitting on the other side of the room talking to a teenage boy who looks as lost as I was the first time she came storming into my life.
Whatever that kid is going through, I have no doubt he’ll feel a whole lot better knowing that there is someone like Roxie willing to hear him out.
I look around the center and see so much love, so much acceptance, completely uncaring that the one story building is basically on its last leg.
A place with so much love to give should receive a bit of love back, too, don’t you think?
I start to visualize how this center would benefit from a huge makeover. I’m talking top to bottom renovations. Maybe even add another few stories to it. Maybe I could even get some sponsors to donate brand-new equipment and other essentials. As for other volunteers to create more buzz, I’m sure Nate would love to be a part of the project. Maybe Bellamy, too. Of course, I’d also need to sweet-talk someone with deep pockets to help me with the venture. Trent wouldn’t mind writing a big fat check if he knew how much this place means to my Roxie.
And if Jack ever wakes up…no… when Jack wakes up, he’ll see that my days of being a fuck-up are long behind me.
But before my mind has time to start making all sorts of grand plans for the center, my phone rings, interrupting my thought process. When I see Erin’s name flash on the screen, I immediately answer it with a smile.
“Hey, E! How is my second favorite gal doing today?”
“Shut up, Caleb! Just listen to me,” she yells, breathing heavily on the line.
“Erin? What’s wrong?”
“What part of listen to me don’t you understand?” she continues to heave on the line. “My water broke, and my contractions are all over the place. I need you to go to General Mass now. I can’t do this alone, Caleb. I just can’t.”
“Shit! Okay! Okay! I’m coming!”
“Thank you,” she tells me before hanging up the phone.
I run over to my woman like a madman and tell her, “Erin just called. Her water broke, which means the baby is on its way.”
“Oh, my god!” Roxie shouts in utter glee.
“I have to go to General Mass ASAP. Meet me there later?”
“Of course I will,” she replies, giving me a quick peck on the lips. “Now go! Hurry!”
I press another kiss on her lips because a peck just doesn’t do it for me, and then I’m off.
I arrive at the hospital fifteen minutes later, losing my goddamn mind with the receptionist telling me that no one by the name of Erin Donovan has been admitted. I’m about to call her to find out where she is, when my sister-in-law wobbles into the hospital lobby.
“The fuck, E! Why didn’t you tell me you were still at home? I could have picked you up.”
“I was a little preoccupied with having a baby, Caleb!” she shouts back, huffing and puffing.
“Right. Right.” I mumble, feeling completely out of my depth.
Fuck.
What would Jack do?
What the fuck would he do?
Well, one thing is for sure—he wouldn’t want Erin on her feet right now.
“Just sit here, E. I’ll go get some help.”
After ensuring she’s sitting down, I spring into action and scan the lobby for a wheelchair and a nurse. Once I find both, I hurry back to Erin’s side.
“So, we’re having a baby. How exciting,” the nurse says as I help Erin onto the wheelchair. “When did your water break?”
“This morning,” Erin replies, gasping for breath.
“And your contractions? How far apart are they?”
“When I left the house, they were four minutes apart, but now I feel like they’re coming more frequently. Maybe two minutes,” she confesses.
“Wow, then this baby is coming out now,” the nurse giggles while snapping her fingers over to an orderly to push Erin’s wheelchair.
“Jesus, Erin. Were you trying for a home birth or something?”
“I couldn’t leave the girls all alone. I had to wait for your mom to arrive before I could call an Uber.”
“Again, I could have helped,” I grumble, hating to see Erin in pain.
“You are helping just by being here, okay?”
I give her a nod, knowing that I wouldn’t be her first choice.
“Okay, let me show you to your room. First, these are all the forms you need to fill out regarding your insurance. Maybe daddy can do this part while mommy concentrates on her breathing.”
“I’m not the father. I’m the uncle, but yeah, I can fill these out,” I reply.
“Good. Now, let’s be on our way. It’s going to be one hell of an exciting day,” the nurse says, skipping down the hall. “Do you know the baby’s gender?”
“No. I wanted it to be a surprise,” Erin grumbles, white-knuckling the handlebars of the wheelchair.
“How exciting!”
Erin throws the nurse her meanest glower and pulls me by the lapel so she can whisper in my ear, “I swear to God, if she says the word exciting one more time, I’m going to bite her.”
I can’t help but laugh, imagining sweet-like-apple-pie Erin taking a big chunk out of the nurse for being too chipper.
When we finally reach her room and wheel Erin in, I pick her up from the wheelchair and settle her on the bed.
“Okay, now that you’re settled, I’ll get a doctor,” the nurse says before skipping out of the room with the orderly.
“Out of all the nurses you could have found…” Erin says after the nurse is out of earshot.
“Don’t worry about her. Just try to control your breathing, okay? Do you need me to bring you some ice chips or something?”
She shakes her head and replies, “No. Just stay here with me, okay?”
“Of course,” I respond, holding her hand and pressing a kiss on her knuckles. “You got this, E. You hear me?”
She chews on her lip and nods, not looking as confident as usual.
“I really wish he was here.”
“I know, E. I know.” I press a kiss on her sweaty forehead.
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to do this without him,” she croaks, her voice filled with unshed tears.
“But you will. You’ve been kicking ass and taking names all on your own for the past six months. Jack would be so fucking proud of you, E. So very fucking proud.”
“Yeah?” She lets one tear fall.
“Yes, E. You’re a fighter. Just like him. You know why? Because you’re a mother-fucking-Donovan! That’s why. So you got this in the bag. Do you believe me?”
“I do.” She smiles weakly. “Or at least I’m really trying to. I think I’d like those ice chips now.”
“You got it, E.” I press another kiss on her temple and search the hall for some ice chips.
When I return, a doctor and two nurses are already there, moving about the room with practiced efficiency, preparing for the arrival of the newest member of our family. I don’t dare look at the doctor—with his head under a sheet, between Erin’s thighs—and instead hurry to stand by her side.
“I’m afraid that you are too far into labor to administer an epidural,” the doctor says from under the sheet.
“I changed my mind. I can’t do this,” Erin says in a panic, sweat pouring down her face.
“Well, we are doing this. This baby is coming out, whether you’re ready for it or not,” the doctor states with resolve.
“Hasn’t even been born yet, and this kid already thinks he’s in charge. Stubborn just like his father,” Erin curses.
“Or maybe the kid takes after its mother,” I joke, holding her hand.
Erin lets out a little chuckle but then tightens her grip on my hand as another contraction wracks through her body. I can see the pain etched on her face, but she’s fighting through it, strong and determined.
As the minutes begin to stretch into an hour, I can see the exhaustion starting to creep into Erin’s eyes. She’s been laboring for what seems like an eternity, but she’s not giving up.
“You’re doing great, E. Fucking incredible even. Just keep doing what you’re doing, okay?”
I wipe the sweat from her brow and offer her more words of encouragement, telling her how amazing she is and how proud I am of her. She cracks a tired little smile, but it lights up her face none the same.
After what seems like an eternity, the doctor finally informs that the baby’s head is emerging.
“I’m going to need you to give me one big push!” the doctor orders.
“You’re so close now, E. Just one more push.”
“I can’t. I’m so tired. I’m so tired,” she says.
“I know you are. I know. Just one more push. Just one more, and you’ll get to see your baby.”
Gripping my hand, Erin lets out a high-pitched scream as she pushes with all her might. Her baby’s cries instantly fill the room, and tears well up in my eyes at the sight of this new life, this precious little miracle.
“Congratulations! It’s a boy!”
“Oh, my god! It’s a boy! Did you hear that, E? You have a baby boy?!”
Happy tears stream down her face as I jump with excitement.
“Would you like to have the honor of cutting the umbilical cord?”
I shake my head.
“His father should have the privilege. Not me.”
“It’s okay, Caleb. You did good today. Jack would have been so proud of you. Now cut the damn cord so the doctor can give me my baby.” Erin smiles, exhausted.
I cut the cord, still marveling at the little miracle I just witnessed.
The doctor hands Erin her baby boy, happy tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Hi there. I’m your mommy.”
My vision blurs as I watch Erin holding the new addition to the Donovan clan.
“And this right here is your uncle Caleb. You’re going to love him.”
“He’s perfect, Erin.” I can’t help but weep, pressing a tender kiss on his tiny hand.
“He really is, isn’t he?” Her eyes sparkle at me through all her exhaustion.
“Congratulations.” The doctor smiles. “Have you decided on the name so we can add it to his chart?”
“His name is Jack Donovan Junior. Just like his daddy,” she coos. “Isn’t that right, little Jackie?”
My heart breaks at the name she chose, but at the same time, I couldn’t picture him having any other.
Once the mother and newborn are fast asleep, I walk over to the elevator and go up to the fifth floor to give my brother the news.
“Hey, big brother. Guess what? You have a new baby boy. And… he’s fucking perfect.” I squeeze his hand. “I… I wish you could have been there. I wish… fuck, Jack… I wish for so many things.” I sob since crying my eyes out seems to be the new norm for me. “You were right. Life is more than just parties and hockey games. After what I just saw… fuck… I get it now. Some things in this life are bigger than applause or accolades. God, Jack. I wish you could see him. He’s so fucking tiny. So beautiful. Erin named him after you. Jackie Junior. God. Fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever missed you more than today. You should have been there, Jack. You. Not me. I… just.” As I’m about to cry my fill, I feel his hand squeezing mine.
“Jack?” I whisper, wiping the tears from my eyes. “Jack, can you hear me?”
I stare at his face, his eyelids still sealed shut.
“Squeeze my hand if you can hear me, Jack.”
My heart stops when I feel his grip tightening on mine.
“HELP! SOMEONE HELP!” I shout, unwilling to let go of his hand.
“Jack, squeeze my hand again. If you can hear me, if you can understand me, please squeeze my hand again.”
And when he does, I kick myself off the chair and hover over him.
“Is everything alright in here?” a nurse asks when he enters the room.
“It’s my brother. He just squeezed my hand,” I hurriedly explain.
“That’s completely normal behavior for coma patients. It’s just his muscles spasming,” the nurse disregards, starting to walk out of the room again.
“Listen, fucker! I’ve been coming here every day for the past six months. And this has never happened. Call a doctor. Call whoever you need to, but help my brother!”
The nurse looks at me with pity in his eyes, and I have half a mind to punch that look off his face so he can take me seriously.
“Better listen to my kid brother. He gets belligerent when he doesn’t get his way,” I hear Jack say behind me.
“JACK!! You’re awake?!!”
“Shh, shithead. I have the worst headache known to man. Can you bring the volume down a notch,” he says, struggling to open his eyes. “And what’s with all the light in here?”
“I… I’ll get a doctor,” the nurse says in alarm before turning the lights off and rushing out of the room.
“Yeah, you do that.” I laugh, staring at my brother’s face.
“Are you crying?” Jack asks, confused by the tears streaming down my cheeks.
“You better fucking believe it! I’m so fucking happy to see you,” I sob before hugging him with all my strength.
“First, I wake up to you crying, and now you’re hugging me? Did somebody die or something?” Jack mumbles, still confused. “And where the hell are we anyway?”
“We’re at the hospital. Don’t you remember?” I ask once I release him from my bear hug.
“Remember what?” but just as he asks that question, his memory starts coming back to him in waves.
“Shit. We totaled Nichols’s car, didn’t we?”
“Actually, you totaled it. You were the one driving.”
“Great, now you’re going to tell me I owe you a car.” He rolls his eyes at me, and I swear it’s the second-best thing I’ve seen all day.
“You don’t owe me anything, Jack. I… owe you everything.”
He continues to stare at me with that confused expression on his face, coaxing me to tell him everything that has happened in the last six months. From the night of the accident to me being suspended from the team. Meeting the love of my life and winning the Stanley Cup. His wife giving birth to their baby boy, Jack, just a couple of hours ago.
When the doctor on duty arrives with a nurse and a wheelchair in tow, Jack is all up to date and, by the look in his eyes, back to his old self.
“Good evening, Mr. Donovan. So glad to finally meet you.”
“Save introductions for later, Doc. I got more pressing things to do than wasting time talking to you,” he says assertively. “Caleb, help me up.”
I rush to his side and lift him up from the bed, pulling his arm over my shoulder so he can keep his balance.
“Actually, I wouldn’t recommend doing that just yet. Not until we’ve run some tests,” the doctor reprimands, but Jack isn’t having any of it.
“Listen here, Doc,” Jack replies, pulling at his white coat. “My beautiful wife is downstairs with our newborn, and like hell, I’m going to stay in bed for another minute just for the benefit of it. If you want to stop me, then go ahead and try. I fucking dare you.”
The mad look in my brother’s eyes is enough to have the doctor and the nurse hesitate while I help him sit in the wheelchair.
“Didn’t you hear my brother? Get out of the fucking way!”
Stunned, they both step aside while I wheel my brother into the elevator. But as we ride down to the second floor, I can’t help but hug him again.
“Another hug?” He chuckles, amused. “Did you hit your head or something?”
“Kind of, yeah.” I laugh. “Just fucking love you, that’s all.”
He grows silent, staring at the door.
“I love you too, asshole. Always have. Always will.”
My vision blurs again with a fresh batch of tears, but as the elevator’s doors swing open, I wipe them away, get inside, and wheel Jack to Erin’s room as fast as possible when we reach the second floor.
“I can take it from here,” Jack says, wanting to wheel himself into the room on his own. I stand back and watch Jack’s eyes grow misty as he stares into his wife’s face, his baby boy lying in the bassinet beside her.
“Hey beautiful,” Jack coos before pressing a tender kiss on Erin’s lips.
“Jack?” Erin whispers in exhaustion, forcing her eyes to slowly flutter open.
“Hi,” he coos while gently caressing Erin’s cheek.
“Hi,” she sobs when she realizes it’s Jack, right there at her side. “Are you really here? Am I dreaming?” she asks, cupping his face in her hands.
“I’m really here, beautiful. Sorry you had to do this all on your own.”
“That’s okay,” she laughs, happy tears streaming down her face. “You were busy. Caleb helped.”
“He did, huh?” he says, flashing me a smile.
“He’s grown up since you went MIA on us.”
“So I’m starting to see. Guess I have a lot to catch up,” he says, lost in his wife’s eyes.
“Doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re home now.” Erin smiles widely. “Have you met your son?”
“I was hoping you might introduce me to him,” he smiles, his voice starting to grow heavy with emotions.
“I’ll give you guys a minute,” I say before giving them a moment of privacy.
“Caleb?” Jack calls out as I take a step, ready to leave.
“Yeah?”
“You did good. I’m proud of you.”
I nod, not even making an effort to hide my tears anymore.
“Just glad to have you back, Jack. Really fucking glad.”
“So am I, brother,” he says, looking at his wife and son. “So am I.”
I walk back into the corridor and lean against the wall, slipping down on it until I’m sitting on the floor, hugging my knees and bawling my eyes out.
It’s only when I feel her, my Roxie, wrap her arm around me that I lift my head off my knees.
“What’s wrong? Is Erin okay? Is the baby okay?” she asks, filled with worry.
“Both Erin and the baby are fine. They’re better than fine.”
“Then why are you crying?” She looks at me, confused.
“These are happy tears, love. My heart is full. So fucking full.”
I know she can’t understand why, and I’m still too overwhelmed with Jack being up on his feet to be able to explain it to her.
Instead, I stand up and kiss her, pouring all the happiness I feel at this moment into that one kiss.
“What was that for?” she says breathlessly, her cheek flushed.
“I just love you, that’s all.”
“I love you too, Caleb.” Her amber eyes sparkle up at me.
“Good. Because there’s someone I would like you to meet.”
She nods as I lace my fingers with hers.
When we walk side by side into Erin’s room, Jack is lying beside Erin on her bed while their baby lies in his arms.
“Roxie, meet my nephew, Jackie, and his father, my brother Jack. Jack, this is Roxanne, your future sister-in-law.”