Baby Makes Five (A Multiple Birth Book 1) (13 page)

“Okay. Are you married?”

He smiled, “no but I plan on proposing to the woman I love on Christmas morning. I know it's cliché. However, it’s her favourite holiday. I want her to look back at my proposal and remember it with fond memories.”

“That’s romantic. She’s a lucky woman.”

“I’m the one who is lucky.”

“What kind of ring did you get her?”

“Emerald just like her eyes.”

“She’s definitely lucky to have a man like you.”

“Thank you, you are doing great Vanessa,” he said trying to dislodge her foot. He can feel the pool of blood and knew he had to get her out before she lost consciousness.

“When I count to three I want you to try to pull your foot out as I lift the pedal, one, two, three pull.”

She moved her foot and screamed in agony “I can’t it hurts too much.”

“I know it does, but we need to get you out of here.” He looked around to see if he could use something to help prop the pedal when he smelled gasoline. It was time to get her out of the car, or they were both going to be blown to pieces. “Alright let's try this again just focus on me okay?” he encouraged calmly.

She nodded.

“One, two, three,” he said pulling her foot from its trap. He unbuckled her belt and helped her out of the car giving her to the outstretch hand that was next to him. He crawled out and got to his feet about to run when the car exploded the force threw him forward. He hit his head and the last thing he remembered before darkness took him were the laughing emerald-green eyes of Miah, “Miah.”

The phone rang waking her from her dream, “Lo,” she mumbled sleepily.

“Hello, is this Miah Price?” the woman on the other line asks.

“Yes, this is she.”

“Ma’am I have some bad news. I’m sorry to tell you Mr. King has been in an accident—”

That was all she heard the woman was still talking, but she didn’t hear what she was saying. Her stomach took a dive. Ash was hurt.

“Ma’am are you there?”

“Yes, yes. Is he okay what hospital is he at? When did this happen?” she fired off getting up and began dressing as fast as her pregnant stomach allowed.

“He were unconscious but stable and was taken to surgery. He’s at Mount Sinai--”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she pulled on her sneakers with shaking hands phone still pressed to her ear. She realized she was wearing two different shoes but didn’t bother changing them.

“I will see you when you get here. Please come to the emergency department.”

“Thank you,” She said hanging up waddling to Amanda’s room.

She didn’t bother knocking but walked into the room “Amanda get up, I need a ride,” she shake her friend awake.

“Where are you going, it's too early,” Amanda replied rolling onto her stomach.

“Wake up, Ash was in an accident, and I need a ride to the hospital.”

Amanda shot up in bed and looked at her, “alright are you okay, is he?” She asked pulling on the dress that was on top of the pile of dirty clothes on the floor.

“No. I don’t know. I just got the call he’s in surgery. What if he doesn’t make it what I will do?” She asked, rubbing her stomach ignoring the tears.

“He’s going to be fine Miah. He has you and the babies to make him want to fight,” her best friend said leading her out of the apartment.

“I doubt he’ll want to fight to come back to me after the way I spoke to him. He called you know, not even three hours ago, and I told him to go home. I was a bitch to him now I may not be able to tell him how sorry I am.”

“Yes you will, stay calm and think positive thoughts,” Amanda said helping her into the car. When she got into the driver’s seat, she looked at her friend and squeezed her hand reassuringly. “He will be okay. He loves you too much to leave you.”

“I don’t know about love, but you think he’ll be okay?” Miah sniffed praying that her friend was right.

“I really do,” Amanda replied.

“It seems silly now, that I left because he got another woman pregnant. I don’t care anymore; I just want him to come back to us, to come back to me.”

“He will and I still think you need to let him clear up what you heard. The man is positively in love with you. He would never do anything to jeopardize his relationship with you. You need to tell him how you feel, or you will regret it. Forget about the last three days. There is an explanation.”

“I know.”

When they arrived at the hospital, she rushed to the ER while Amanda found parking, ignoring the pain in her lower back. She took a deep breath and went to the information desk.

“Hi, I got a call about a patient who was brought in here. His name is Ashford King.”

“And you are?”

“Miah Price, I need to know what’s going on,” she said desperately.

“Come with me,” the man said looking at her protruding stomach as if he was afraid she was going to pop.

“Miah, have you heard anything?” Amanda asked rushing to her.

She nodded

“I was just taking Miss Price to the waiting room. A doctor will be there as soon as surgery is over,” the man said leading them down a corridor to an elevator that took them to the third floor.  He told them to take a seat and went to talk with the nurse at the reception desk.

“Do you have any update?” she asked as the man returned.

“Nothing much, other than he hit his head and there was some bleeding. They are trying to stop it. He also fractured his right arm and had some minor burns on his back. I am sorry. I need to get back downstairs. I hope everything works out for you.”

“Thank you.”

Amanda held her hand, and they sat together in silence for what seems like an eternity before a doctor in scrubs came to them.

“Miss Price?” he asked looking at them.

“Yes,” she said trying to get up.

“Please stay seated,” he said looking at her stomach.

“How is he?” she asked holding her breath. The doctor face didn’t give anything away.

“He’s stable, but still unconscious. There was a little bleeding in his brain that’s cleared, but his brain is a little swollen.”

“What does that mean is he going to be okay?” she asked hanging onto Amanda's hand as is it was a lifeline.

The doctor nodded “he was lucky. It could have been worse. He has a concussion, and he has a few patches of first-degree burns on parts of his back. His palms are pretty cut up from the broken glass. The pain and concussion maybe the reason he is still unconscious. When he wakes, we will do a few tests, but he should make a full recovery.”

She exhaled and relaxed a little for the first time since the call.  “Thank you. How did it happen do you know?”

“There was an accident involving a drunk driver. Mr. King saved a mother and her child and was injured when their car exploded. He was the hero of the night. You should be proud of him Miss Price.”

She nodded, but she didn’t want him to be a hero. She wanted him to be alive. She knew it was selfish but looked where being a hero got him. “When can I see him?”

“As soon as he is settled into his room a nurse will come and get you. Hang in there,” he said with a kind smile and left.

“Now that you know he is going to be okay. I want you to calm down and relax. It’s not going to do anyone good if you go into labour.” Amanda said.

She nodded she wasn’t ready for the babies to come and not when Ash was lying helpless in a hospital bed.

“When they come and get you, I want you to go in there see for yourself he is fine. Spend an hour, I’ll be here waiting. That’s all I am giving you before I come and get you. You are supposed to be on bed rest, and Ash would be very disappointed if he knew you were here.”

She nodded because he had been mad at her before the accident. Maybe it was her fault; he was there.  Two weeks before Christmas and here, they were in the hospital.

When Marcia, the nurse came for her to take her to his room, Miah couldn’t help the sob that escaped her lips at the sight of him.

“He looks worse than it actually is. It’s the bandages. He will be okay Miss Price,” the kind elderly nurse said pulling out the chair near his bed for her.

“Thank you.”

“If you need anything give me a call.”

Miah nodded. Her gaze never left the man who looked battered and small in the bed. She moved closer to the bed touching the side of his face that wasn't bandaged. “You foolish man, how can you be so reckless?” she whispered as tears burned her cheeks. “I know you saved a mother and her child, that you are a hero for that, but I don’t want a hero. I want you.

“I don’t care if another woman is pregnant with your child; you still have these three who need you… I need you. So fight, because the man I love, never gives up easily. He hates failing, and you not coming back to us is a failure. I can’t lose you, Ash. I'm not sure I can do this without you.

I can’t be happy without you. You’re my happily ever after. I love you,” she stood and kissed his lips walking toward the door.

“Miah,” he croaked.

She stopped and turned rushing to his side. She looked at him. He looked as if he was still asleep. Maybe it was wishful thinking on her part. “Sleep well my love,” she whispered. She was about to leave when he shifted in the bed. He moved. “Ash can you hear me?” she asked urgently.

“Miah.”

“Yes I’m here,” she said.

“Love you,” he whispered before falling back into unconsciousness.

Had he dreamt it, was she really here? He could have sworn he had heard her voice.  He was floating towards her, happy to see her beautiful smile. He was alive. When he had been hit, he had thought he would never see her again. However, here she was smiling at him with open arms. He walked to her and embraced her holding her close to him. Everything was going to be alright.

He should have known the moment. He set eyes on her in the Bahamas that his life would change forever.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing that greeted him was the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights. He winced and swore as he moved his head.

“Take it easy,” a voice from his right said.

He turned his head to see a nurse.

“Good morning Mr. King, I’m Kate. I'll be your nurse this morning. Can I get you anything?”

“Water,” he croaked clearing his throat.

She went across to the room and poured him some water, “I’ll get the doctor.”

“Wait, do you know if  Vanessa and Cory are okay?”

“Who?” she asked confused.

“The woman from the car accident, is she and her son okay?”

“Oh yes, they only had minor bruises. You took the brunt of the impact because you were closest to the car.

He nodded, he felt as if a bus had run over him. “before you get the doctor, do you know if Miah was here?”

“I’m not sure. I just started my shift, but can check and see with the night nurse if you like.”

“Thank you, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“It’s not. I'll be back.

He touched his head where the bandages were.  He was happy Vanessa, and Cory were okay. Now all he had to do was get discharge and go and talk to Miah. He had to clear things up and tell her how he feels. If last night had thought him, anything was that life was short. He wanted her to know how much he loves her, and he wasn’t afraid to admit it. If he gets hurt, then he’ll get right back up. He did it most of his life with his parents, then afterward with his grandmother.

He needed to call her to let her know that he was okay. He was sure the hospital called her since he had her as his emergency contact. He hoped she didn’t come here last night. She was supposed to be resting, taking things easy, so she doesn’t go into early labour. Even so, he knew her and knew that she would have come as soon as she got the call.

The nurse came back a few minutes later, “Yes. She did visit for an hour last night.”

“Thank you,” he said as he watched her leave the room. He was about to grab the phone when Donna came in. “Good morning Ash, it’s good to see you are awake. How are you feeling?”

“Like a bus ran over me.”

She smiled, “almost, but not quite. You have a concussion and a few first degree burns on your back. You were a hero last night.”

“It wasn’t my intent. I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay.”

“I know. You are a great guy, but you always hide that side of you from others. I don’t know why you do that.”

“I am no hero Donna, never wanted to be one either.  I like to keep my life private.”

“Uh huh.”

“Don’t uh huh me, I am still upset at the stunt you pull at the gala.”

“I know, but the public deserves to know. You are a great guy Ash, whether you believe it or not. It’s not going to hurt your bad-boy reputation if people know your heart isn’t as cold as you’ll like them to think.”

“There’s no arguing with you. When can I get out of here?” he asked.

“You were in an accident Ash. You need to take things easy.’

“I will when I am at home.”

“I don’t recommend going home. It would be better if you let us monitor you for another day.”

“Thanks, Donna, I know you are doing your job—”

“Yes I am, but this is your friend talking not your doctor. If you are determined to go home, at least, make sure someone is there to keep an eye on you for the next twenty-four hours.”

“I don’t need a babysitter. I am a grown, man.”

“Yes and stubborn, but even so, you should take this seriously.”

“I am, I—"

“I’ll look after him,” a small voice said from the door.

All eyes turn to her, in surprise.

“Miah, what are you doing here? You should be home resting,” he said scolding her.

She stood at the door not looking at him as if afraid to enter the room. He swore softly as he saw the tears running down her cheeks. “Please don’t cry, it's not that I am not happy to see you.  You are supposed to be on bedrest. I just want to make sure not happens to you and the babies.”

She nodded, still not looking at him.

“Why don’t you come and sit Miah,” Donna said pulling the chair out for her.

He watched as Miah looked at Donna woman and smiled her thanks. Lately, he seemed to be screwing things up left and right where she was concerned.

“Since you have someone to look after you, I don’t see why you can’t go home. Unless you don’t want to take Miah up on her offer,” Donna said with a smirk.

What other choice did he have? It wasn’t that he didn’t want Miah looking after him.  It was supposed to be the other way. He was supposed to be the one looking after her. “No, I don’t,” he said. At least, they would be under the same roof. He can keep an eye on her and clear things up.

“Good, I’ll get the nurse to clean your wounds and get you discharged. It was nice seeing you again Miah. Don’t let him push you around,” with that she was gone.

“I’m sorry,” he said looking at her.

She looked at him for the first time since she got here, “What for?”

“Everything I guess and for basically attacking you just now.”

“It’s okay. You aren’t alone. Amanda feels the same way, but I had to see you, to make sure you were okay.”

“Thanks, I was going to call you. Thanks for being here and last night.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry too, for leaving, not telling you I moved back in with Amanda and for last night."

“There is no need to be sorry; I should have told you everything. I don’t blame you. We do need to talk, but not here.”

She nodded and asked, “what were you thinking putting yourself in danger?”

He looked at her and smiled. “I didn’t think, after that driver hit me and then the other car I was on autopilot. I saved a mother and her child. You would have done the same thing.”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you would. It's what I love about you.”

She sat silently digesting his words. “You scared me last night. I thought I lost you. Don’t ever be that reckless again. I am not sure I can survive another scare.”

“I’ll try not to.”

“Don’t try, just never do anything like that again,” she sniffed.

He sat up and held her hands in his, “I am here Miah. I know it could have been worse, but I am here. I don’t have any plans to leave you and the beans anytime soon. Please don’t cry.”

“I am not crying. It's allergies."

He laughed, “you are such a bad liar, and you don’t have any allergies.”

“A gentleman would agree with me.”

“I know,” he smiled. “So you’re moving back in with me, thanks.”

“I should never have left in the first place.”

“You must be really shaken up if you are this agreeable. Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining.”

She laughed, at least, he was his old self.

“So why did you leave?”

She sighed. “I was going to wait until you come back to ask about what I heard. Then I received a text with a picture of you entering a woman's home and…well, I thought…” she shrugged not finishing.

“Who was the text from?” he asked.

“I don’t know; the person said a concerned friend.”

He nodded in thought. He doubted the person was concerned for her well-being. They had accomplished what they had set out to do, make her doubt him.

“I should get dressed. Bruce will be here to pick us up any minute,” he said sitting up.

“Would you like me to call the nurse to help you get dressed?” she asked looking at the door.

He laughed, “no I am a big boy. Thank you though.”

“Would you like me to leave, keep a look out for Bruce?” she asked nervously as the sheet fell on the ground in front of her.

“No, not unless you are uncomfortable watching me dress,” he replied amused.

She looked at him and quickly looked away. Clearing her throat, “Of course not, why would I be?”

He watched her throat bob up and down as she sat straight on the chair fiddling with her jacket zipper. He smiled so she wasn’t as immune as she’ll like him to think.  He grabbed his pants and pulled it on. He was about to pull his shirt on when a wicked thought occurred to him. “Can you help me with my shirt?” he groaned, “my arms hurt, and I don’t want to disturb the dressings on my back,” he lied.

She looked at the door then him and nodded. He handed her the shirt as she approached him.

“Thank you, Miah.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said helping him into the shirt. She was about to move away when his hand stopped her.

“Do you mind helping with the buttons?” he asked holding up bandaged hands.

She nodded and started with the button at his throat, making her way down to the last one. “What, does he think I am made of stone?” she mumbled softly happy to have done the last button.

“Is something wrong?” he asked innocently.

“No,” she said unconsciously tucking the tails of his shirt into his pants. He groaned, and she stopped her hands still at the waist of his pants.

She looked at him, “sorry—”

He replied by taking her lips. She sighed and melted into him as far as her stomach would allow.  He tightened his arms around her softly nibbling her lips before deepening the kiss. He had to control the shot of desire that zapped through him, reminding himself that sex was off limits. He devoured her mouth. It's been months since he kissed her like this.

His hands moved to cup her full breasts as much as his bandage allows. She moaned in pleasure, tightly holding onto the front of his shirt. He lifted her onto the bed and moved between her legs.

There were a knock and the door, and the both pulled away from each other breathing fast. He looked at the door to see an embarrassed Bruce standing there. “Hello Bruce, thank you for coming.

“Morning sir, Miss Miah, it's good to see you.

“Thank you, Bruce,” she said still not looking at Ash.

“ I just wanted to let you know I was here. I’ll wait outside.” Bruce said closing the door.

“I guess that’s our cue to leave. Are you okay?” he asked concern.

“Yes,” she said clearing her throat. “Let’s go,” she got off the bed and waddled out the door head held high.

He stood in the room for a minute. He touched his lips, and a smile spread across his face. “She loves me,” he said leaving to catch up with her and Bruce.

They rode home in silence. He caught her taking glances at him when she thought he wasn’t watching. His day was beginning to look brighter.

***

Miah was out of the car before it came to a complete stop. She walked to the house like the devil was on her heels and made it safely to her room before she slowed down. She headed for the washroom and washed her heated face before collapsing on the bed. She closed her eyes, touching her lips replaying the kiss in her head.

Had they ever kissed like that before? She didn’t think so. The kiss had been different, more intense than they had ever shared. It was more passionate as if there was something added to it.  There was an urgency hunger in the way he greedily took her lips.  She groaned at the wet well forming between her thighs. She had forgotten where she was and would have let him took her there if Bruce hadn’t interrupted even though she wasn’t supposed to have sex.

She was still hot and needed some release but knew a cold shower was her only answer. She sat up and pulled her sweater over her head. She might as well get it over with and see if he has settled in okay. She was about to take her skirt off when there was a knock on her door.

“Miah, can I come in?” Ash asked at her door.

She looked at the sweater she had thrown on the ground. She didn’t feel like picking it up, the camisole she was wearing will have to do. She walked to the door and opened it letting him in. She walked back to the bed and sat. “Did you need something?” she asked watching as he stood in front of her.

“That’s a loaded question don’t you think?” he asked running a hand through his hair. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You ran in here as if …about the kiss. I am not sorry I kissed you. If that’s why you ran off—”

“It’s not. I am not sorry either Ash. Look at us. I am huge, and you are all banged up. We still have things to sort out and the kiss.The kiss was amazing. It blew me away.”

He grinned, “it was pretty hot, and as you being huge, you're not. You are beautiful Miah. You’re glowing. How can I not be in love with you?" He stopped realizing what he had said.