Chapter Twenty-Five
Tris
“Is all of this really necessary?” I ask, as Levi has yet another doctor come in to confirm I’m medically cleared.
It’s been four hours, and I’m absolutely over it.
I’ve never liked hospitals. Not that I think anyone really does, but if I have to listen to these monitors any longer, I might actually lose my mind.
Even if this might be the nicest hospital room I’ve ever been in.
It even has its own bathroom with a shower, which both Levi and I took full advantage of, since we both reeked of smoke when we arrived.
Guess it pays to be dating the Fire Captain.
I was pretty out of it when we got here, but by the end of the first hour, I was feeling better.
I explained to Levi what happened. I was in the shower, so I didn’t notice anything was wrong right away.
But once I got out and dressed, I opened the bathroom door and smelled smoke coming from next door.
I ran outside to see the whole side of the duplex engulfed in flames, and I could hear Ellie barking inside.
As quickly as I could, I grabbed my key and unlocked the door, but when I opened it, the flames flared up even more and started spreading even more rapidly. Levi said it was a backdraft. Oxygen feeds the fire, and that’s exactly what happened, causing Ellie to hide further into the house.
I knew I couldn’t leave her there. It wasn’t even an option.
I ran in and, by some miracle, picked her up and carried her toward the door.
I was almost to the door when the ceiling decided my head looked like a great place to fall.
I threw Ellie in the direction of the door as I collapsed, hoping it’d be enough for her to escape, and that was the last thing I remembered before I started hearing the glass windows shattering.
“Just one more, please,” Levi asks, and it’s the worry in his eyes, the fear that still lingers there that has me sighing, giving in.
“Fine. One more doctor. Then I’m going home even if I have to walk there myself...” My words trail off as I realize for the first time that going home might not be possible. “Where are we going to live?”
“We’ll figure that out later. This first.” He points to the doctor at the door, and I do my very best not to groan or roll my eyes.
Finally, the doctor convinces Levi that I’m okay, and I give him a small, I-told-you-so expression.
I’ve got a slight concussion, so I need to be monitored, which I do not doubt that Levi will be doing regardless.
Still, the smoke inhalation didn’t cause enough damage to keep me here any longer, so after four hours of oxygen, my levels are great, and I’m ready to be discharged.
“Callie went back to your place and grabbed you some fresh clothes to change into. I figured you wouldn’t want to leave here in a hospital gown or put those clothes back on.” He hands me a bag filled with everything I might need.
“That was nice of her,” I say, looking through it. They’re fancier than what I would have chosen for simply leaving a hospital, but they don’t smell like flames of death, so I’ll take them.
“Yeah. She also said that most of the fire was contained to my side of the duplex, so most of your things are in perfect shape,” he adds.
“I guess that’s a relief. It’s not like I can afford to get a whole new wardrobe.
” I throw my clothes on, a sweater dress, and leggings with a pair of cute boots that match, but before we leave, there’s one more thing I’m ready to talk about, and since we’re already at the hospital, might as well rip off the bandaid.
“I need to tell you something,” I say softly, taking a seat on the side of the hospital bed.
“Mhm,” Levi hums suspiciously.
“Wait.” I narrow my eyes on him. “Someone told you.”
“The highlights, yeah,” he admits.
I roll my eyes in frustration. I wanted to be the one to tell him everything about my father’s case and what I’ve been up to, but I should have known. Secrets don’t always stay secret in a small town.
“Don’t be mad. I was only clued in after the consensus was that I was being a total idiot, and given what they told me, they were right,” he sighs.
“I’m sorry, Tris. For everything I said, for how I reacted.
I shouldn’t have tried to tell you what to do.
I should have trusted that you know what you’re doing.
I can’t say I’ll ever be a fan of your father, but you’re not him.
You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Forgive me?”
Straight to the point, but it’s everything I’ve needed to hear.
“Thank you,” I say, taking his hand. “I don’t think my father is ever going to be a fan of me ever again, so I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
A tear trails slowly down my cheek, and he softly wipes at it.
“What happened at the U.S. Attorney’s office?” he asks, slowly.
I take a deep breath and explain to Levi exactly what evidence I found, what the documents said, how the bank records have my name on them, and the cash.
Finally, I tell him what they found when they plugged in the USB.
A payment ledger, emails ignoring safety warnings, and one recorded phone call confirming the bribe from Mr. Arias.
It was all on there and more. There was so much evidence my father thought he could use as blackmail, but in the end, it sealed his fate.
“With all things considered, I won’t be charged, which is good.
They are going to offer my father a plea deal, thanks to the restitution money for all the families and the evidence that will help take down everyone else involved.
However, he will still have to serve around fifteen years in prison.
” Another tear falls down my cheek, but this time I wipe at it harshly.
“I don’t even know why I’m crying. This is what I wanted. He needs to take accountability for what he’s done, and without this, he may have still been found guilty and had to do thirty to life anyway, so really I did him a favor.”
I look up from my seat on the bed and find Levi’s steady gaze, grounding me.
“He’s still your father. I’m sorry he’s not the one you deserved.”
My throat constricts at his words, and I fight back the tears that fill my eyes.
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “Thanks.”
I’m about to tell Levi, let’s get out of here, when the sound of rapid footsteps growing louder catches my attention, and Rory appears in the doorway.
“Bitch!” she cries out and jumps onto the bed, practically tackling me with a hug as a sob escapes her.
“Brat,” I say, the word never sounding more like a term of endearment.
I try to pull back, but Rory’s grip doesn’t loosen, and her body trembles in my arms.
“Oh, honey,” I say softly, hugging her tighter. “I’m okay. I promise.”
Slowly, she pulls back, and I drop my arms. Her big blue eyes look like saucers, and they're tinged red, looking me over for any sign that what I’m saying might not be true.
“I can’t lose anyone else that I love,” she sniffles, and the tears that were in my eyes before return, but this time I let them fall.
I forget sometimes because Rory is only twenty-two, how much she has already been through. How strong she has been because she’s had to be. But right now, she looks every bit the little sister that she’s become to me.
I wrap my arms again around her and softly rub her back. “I’m not that easy to get rid of.”
I feel her chuckle and take a deep breath as she slowly nods her head against my chest.
“Okay, good,” she says before pulling away and wiping the tears from her face. “The doctors finally told us it would be okay to come in and visit you. I sort of ran, but everyone else should be here shortly.”
“Everyone else?” I echo, confused, but she doesn’t get the chance to answer me as everyone starts to fill the room.
Even Ellie.
“How?” I ask Tom.
“Told them she’s a service dog.” He shrugs.
Ellie jumps onto the bed and collapses her head into my lap, the trembling in her body slowly stilling as I run my hand over her.
“What are you all doing here?” I ask, still not understanding. “Did someone else get hurt? Where’s Billy?” I ask, searching through the group.
“Sorry, right, here.” He pops his head in the doorway before stepping in with everyone else. “But that’s kind of cool, you were worried about me.”
I smirk and raise my brow at him. Levi smiles at me as I take in everyone who fills the room. Rory, Ainsley, Chief, Billy, Mark, Callie, Sunny, Tom, Della, Caiden, Emma, and—
“Blake is parked outside,” Emma says softly, noticing as I search for him. “He’s not ready to come into a hospital yet.”
I nod, completely understanding that.
“We’re all here for you, darlin,” Ainsley explains.
I frown at them, and a ripple of chuckles moves around the room.
“I don’t understand,” I say slowly.
“Tris,” Callie says softly, a small smirk on her face. “This is what it looks like to have real friends, family. The kind that cares and shows up for you.”
“I didn’t think you guys even liked me,” I mumble, one eyebrow lifting in surprise.
Rory and Ainsley laugh, and when I narrow my eyes at them, it only makes them laugh harder.
“Trust me, we didn’t,” Emma chimes in. “But it looks like you finally figured out how to rebuild, and in the process, you’ve become a part of this crazy crew.”
“Well, shit.” The words slip out of me in surprised delight. “I mean, thank you, guys. And I’m sorry that Friendsgiving was ruined. I know everyone worked really hard on everything,” I say, then remember. “Except Mark, of course.”
I grin, and everyone laughs.
“Hey!” Mark exclaims, but even he smiles with his shoulders shaking as he laughs.
“So, we sort of have a surprise for you,” Ainsley says, stepping forward, finally coming in for the hug I know she’s wanted since she walked in.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she whispers into my hair, pulling back with watery eyes.
“Me too.” I squeeze her hand. “Now, what is this surprise?”