A Forever Family (Forever #6) (11 page)

Julia

I missed my baby and I wanted to hold him. Jake had climbed in bed with me last night and carefully held me. I was still in a lot of pain and had nightmares about the accident. I hadn’t told my dad yet about Denny. In fact, I didn’t even tell Jake. If I did, people would think I was crazy. But I wasn’t. It was real. He was real and he had spoken to me. I tried to wrap my head around the things he said about my dad. I didn’t understand, and if I told my dad, he wouldn’t understand either. For now, I planned on keeping this my little secret.

“I miss Brayden, Jake.”

“I do too, sweetheart. I’m being released today so I’ll bring him up to see you.”

My mom and dad walked into the room with Collin and Amelia following behind. My mom looked as if she’d been crying.

“Good morning, my sweet girl.” She put on a brave smile as she leaned over and kissed me.

“Good morning, Mom. Dad. Collin. Amelia.”

My dad leaned over me, placing his hand on my head. “How are you feeling, princess?”

“Not real good. I’m so tired and in pain. How’s Brayden?”

“Brayden is fine, Julia,” my mom spoke as she took hold of my hand. “Mason flew in and is taking care of him. He’s bringing him up later.”

A small smile escaped my lips. Knowing that Mason was here eased my mind.

“Hey, sis.” Collin smiled as he kissed my cheek. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I did once Jake climbed in bed with me. You’re supposed to be in California.”

“Nah. We postponed it. There’s no way I was leaving when you’re stuck in here.”

The door opened and a tall, older gentleman in a white coat and black-rimmed glasses stepped in.

“Good morning, Julia. I’m Dr. Benson and I’m a nephrologist.”

“Hi, Dr. Benson.” I introduced him to my family.

“I looked over your chart and spoke with Dr. Perry. I also got the results back of your bloodwork from this morning. Your other kidney isn’t functioning like we hoped it would. Now, it is still early, so we’re going to carefully monitor you over the next week to see if there’s any improvement.”

Tears filled my eyes and breathing became difficult.

“And if there is no improvement, doctor?” Jake spoke.

“Then you have two options: A kidney transplant or dialysis, which you’d be on the rest of your life. Considering your age, I think a transplant would be the best option. But like I said, we won’t fully know until about a week.”

“When can I go home?” I asked.

“Not for a few days. I’ll keep monitoring your bloodwork and ultrasound scans that you’ll be having. It was nice to meet you all. Take care, Julia.” And, just like that, he walked out of the room.

I lay there in shock, Jake gripping my hand tightly and trying to hold back the tears. My mom and dad staring at me with somber looks on their faces and Collin and Amelia looking down. Nobody knew what to say. This was not the news I was hoping for. Suddenly, my mom perked up and walked over to me, adjusting my pillow.

“You heard what the doctor said. It’s too early to tell anything. So we’ll just hope and pray that your kidney starts functioning correctly and we can move past everything else.”

“It’s not that simple, Mom.”

“If you would all please leave the room, I would like to talk to Julia in private,” she spoke as she shooed everyone out.

****

Ellery

I sat down on the edge of the bed and took hold of Julia’s hand. Seeing her in so much pain, not only physically but emotionally, killed me.

“I’ve been where you are, Julia. Different circumstances, but nonetheless, I’ve been there. You know about my past because we’ve talked about it before. I know you’re scared, believe me. Nobody else will understand the depths of your feelings but me. When I was going through my treatments, not knowing if it would work, I was terrified. Please don’t tell your dad this, but even he couldn’t erase the doubt in my mind. He had more faith that the treatments would work than I did. You will get through this, baby. You have so much support and so many people to lean on, and that’s exactly what I want you to do. If you need a transplant, we’ll find a donor. Believe me when I say that your dad will go to the ends of the earth to find one. If you need dialysis, then so be it. You’ll make it work. You’re a strong woman, Julia Rose, but it’s okay to be weak every now and again and I want you to know that I’m here for you when it’s just too much to handle.”

Tears fell from her eyes and she began to sob. I leaned over and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her lightly.

“It’s not fair, Mom.”

“I know it’s not, baby girl.”

“I feel like my whole life just changed in the blink of an eye and I can’t handle it. All I keep thinking about is Jake and Brayden. What if something happens to me and they’re left all alone? Brayden needs me, Mom, and so does Jake.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to you because we won’t let it. You’re alive, Julia, and that’s all that matters. We can deal with the rest. It’s time to focus on the present and not the future. You need to take things one day at a time and one step at a time.”

I wiped the tears from her face and handed her a tissue to blow her nose. “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you too, baby girl.”

The door opened and Connor cleared his throat. “Is it okay to come back in now?” he asked.

“Yes, Connor. Tell everyone they can come back in.”

I gave Julia a small smile and a wink as I gently squeezed her hand. “One day at a time, baby.”

Connor and I stayed with Julia and Jake while Collin took Amelia home and he went to the office. Someone had to be there to oversee things, even if it was only for a couple of hours.

As I went down to the coffee bar to get coffee for me and Connor, I was texting Peyton and not paying attention when I bumped into someone.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said as I looked up at the woman staring at me.

My heart started to pound fiercely and a rage crept up inside me as I stood there and stared at the woman I hated most in the world.

“Ellery,” Ashlyn spoke with nervousness.

I swallowed hard and it took every ounce of strength in my body not to punch her in the face. I won’t lie and say that it wouldn’t have given me great pleasure.

“Excuse me,” I said as I stepped to the side and began to walk away.

“Ellery, wait. I want to tell you how sorry I am about Julia’s accident.”

I stopped dead in my tracks and slowly turned around. “How do you know about that?”

“I’m a volunteer and I was here the night they brought her in. I’m sorry. It must be hard for you.”

With pursed lips and a closed fist, I stared at the woman who tried to destroy my husband and my family. “My daughter is none of your fucking business. Now I suggest you move along before I attack you like I’ve done twice before.”

“I understand,” she spoke as she looked down. “But I’m not that same woman anymore. I’ve changed. People can change.” She walked away and I let out a breath.

I closed my eyes for a moment to compose myself. I ordered two coffees and headed back to Julia’s room. Connor was under enough stress as it was and I wasn’t about to tell him about my run-in with Ashlyn.

As I was walking back to the room, I saw Mason and Brayden walking down the hallway.

“There’s my sweet boy.” I smiled.

“Aw, Elle. Thanks, baby. I love you too.” Mason grinned.

“Very funny, Mason.” I took Brayden from him as he took the coffee cups.

When we stepped inside the room, Julia’s face lit up when she saw me holding Brayden. Mason set the coffee cups down and covered his mouth as he stared at Julia.

“My little princess,” he began to sob as he raced over to her and gave her a light hug.

Connor looked at me and rolled his eyes. “So much for his spiel about staying strong.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I handed Brayden over to Jake.

Collin

A few days had passed and Julia was scheduled to come home from the hospital tomorrow. Mason moved in with Jake to help with Brayden and we all tried to get on with life as normally as possible, with the exception of my mom, who wouldn’t leave Julia’s side at the hospital.

I shut down my computer, changed into my workout clothes, and told Ethan I was leaving for the day. When I arrived at the gym, Liam was already on the treadmill.

“Hey, bro.”

“Hey, Collin. Finally escaped the madness of the office?”

“Yeah. What a day.” I smiled.

“How’s Julia doing?”

“She’s getting out tomorrow. She has an appointment with the nephrologist to go over all her test results.”

“I’m praying for her, man.”

“Thanks. She really appreciated you stopping by to see her. How did that blind date go the other night that Adam set you up with?”

He looked at me and rolled his eyes. “She was nice and all, but there was no chemistry. She was actually quite boring. I don’t know, man. I think I’m just giving up.”

“Have you tried a dating site?” I asked.

“Now you sound like Delilah. She’s been trying to get me to join one.”

“Do it. It won’t hurt. Or try that speed dating thing.”

“Nah. I’m just going to stop looking. It’s not worth it anymore. The problem is that all these women know who I am and a majority of them see dollar signs. I’ve played the field for far too long. I don’t want to play anymore. I want the real thing.”

“Hey, why don’t you take Sophie to the park? Chicks love men and their daughters.”

“She’s not my daughter.”

“I know that, but they won’t know that at first.” I chuckled. “Use her as woman bait.”

“You need to remember who you’re talking about. My niece isn’t your average five-year-old. She’d be on to me and then tell Oliver and Delilah.”

We got off the treadmill and grabbed some weights. I hated seeing my friend in such a dating funk.

“You’ll meet her someday. Just like I met Amelia; by accident and by chance.” After lifting a few more weights, we called it a night.

On my way home, I stopped by the hospital to see Julia. Walking into her room, I found myself surprised that she was alone.

“Hey, sis.” I gave her a kiss.

“Hey, little brother.”

“Where is everyone?”

“Mom and Dad just left with Brayden and Jake went to get some coffee. Hailey stopped by earlier.”

“That was nice of her. Was she okay?”

“She seemed to be.”

I sat down in the chair next to her bed. “Since it’s just you and me, tell me how you’re really doing?”

Her lips formed a small smile, but the sadness in her eyes was still there. “I’m scared.”

I took hold of her hand. “Listen, if you need a kidney, I’m giving you one of mine.”

“Thanks, Collin, but no. I would never ask you to do that.”

“You don’t have to ask because I’m doing it anyway regardless of what you say. I’m your brother, so I have to be a perfect match, right?”

“I’m not sure. I would think so.”

“Then it’s settled. It’s not fair that I have two kidneys and you have one. That way, if I give you one of mine, then we’ll both be known as the Black siblings who only have one kidney.”

She laughed. “You’re a dork.”

“I know.” I winked. “I have to get home to my wife.” I leaned over and kissed her goodbye. “One more night here, sis. Tomorrow, you’ll be home where you belong with your husband and baby.”

“Bye, little brother. I love you ten times over.”

“Bye, sis. I love you more twenty times over.” I winked.

****

The next morning, I sat down to a great breakfast that Amelia made before heading to the office.

“You know. I’m getting used to this whole breakfast thing in the morning. It’s kind of nice. Maybe you should just stay home and not work.”

She glared at me. “Why? So I could cook your breakfast every morning?”

“Yeah. Something like that,” I said with a wide grin.

She threw a piece of bacon at me before sipping her coffee. “If you want a homemade breakfast every morning, then maybe you should hire a maid.”

I shrugged. “I could, but it wouldn’t be as good. You give your breakfasts a sexy little touch.”

She rolled her eyes and I chuckled. “I have no response to that, Mr. Black.”

I looked at my watch and got up from my chair. “I have to go, babe. I’m interviewing drivers this morning.” I bent over and gave her lips a soft kiss. “Damn, you taste good.”

“I taste like bacon.”

“And I love bacon.” I winked as I headed to the door.

I arrived at the office and Ethan followed me in with a cup of coffee.

“Thanks, Ethan. What time is my first interview?”

He glanced at his watch. “In about fifteen minutes.”

“Great. Is my dad in yet?”

“Yes, and he’s not in a very chipper mood.”

I frowned. “Hmm. Okay.” I got up from my desk and headed to his office. I lightly knocked on the door, and when I opened it, he was standing with his hands in his pockets, staring out the window.

“Dad?”

“Yes, Collin.”

“What’s wrong?”

He turned around and I could see the sadness displayed across his face. “Today is the day we get the news about Julia.”

I slowly walked over to the front of his desk. “I know. But we have it figured out.”

“What do you have figured out?”

“If Julia needs a kidney, I’m giving her one of mine.”

“It just doesn’t work like that, son.”

“I know, but I’m her brother and we’re made up of the same genetics, so I have to be a match.”

“I’m proud of you, son, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I’m going to be heading to the hospital soon.”

“I should go too, Dad.”

“I need you here, Collin. But I will call you when we find out anything.”

“Thanks. I have to go. I’m interviewing drivers.”

The corners of his mouth slightly curved up. “Good luck with that.”

I interviewed six people and none of them measured up to my expectations. Hell, what were my expectations anyway? I was looking for another Denny and when the applicants weren’t measuring up, it was way too easy to dismiss them. Was I even being fair? Hell if I knew.

I started to worry about Julia and I was surprised that I hadn’t heard anything yet. Just as I was about to call Amelia, my phone rang.

“Hey, Dad. Did you hear anything?”

There was complete silence for a few moments.

“Dad?”

“It’s not good news, son. Your sister needs you right now.”

“I’m on my way.” My heart sank and nervousness settled inside of me.