Conflicted (The Existing Series Book 2) (23 page)

S
ummer turned
into fall and fall was rapidly turning into winter, but I’d finally achieved my goal and only one month behind schedule. Things happened. Life intervened, but with the help of my family and friends, the shop was now open for business. My boss had even thrown me a party and congratulated me on my last day, which didn’t surprise me in the least. He was an amazing man to work for.

But nothing felt better than being my own boss. I’d only been open for business for two weeks and I was still trying to find a helper, but business started off to a great start.

Magdalena and Delaney had brought Grace to the shop just before closing time. We were all going to head over to Vito’s for dinner and since they were all already together, they figured it would be easier to just meet me here.

They’d gone outside shortly after arriving so Grace wasn’t cooped up in the office while I finished some paperwork for the day. There was a slight chill in the November air, but nowhere near as cold as it had been in previous years. I’d heard my phone ring time and time again but continued to ignore it so I could get these papers signed and wrap everything up for the day. After I had put my signature on the final document, I put the papers in my outbox and grabbed my coat off the back of the chair. I checked my phone but decided against calling the person back. There was no way in hell I wanted to talk to her. Not after everything that had happened. I shoved the phone back in my pocket and decided to forget about the calls for now.

My phone rang incessantly for the fourth time in a row causing my aggravation level to rise. I knew who it was, but I didn’t want to speak to said person.

Not now.

Not ever.

But I couldn’t take the numerous phone calls back to back.

I yanked the phone out of my back pocket and swiped my finger across the screen, ready to get this conversation over with.

“Yeah,” I bit out, overly annoyed that I even answered to begin with.

Tires screeching off in the distance diverted my attention. The words being spoken on the other end of the phone were only in the background. I turned my head in the direction of the loud noise, my heart instantly catching in my throat.

Magdalena, Grace, and Delaney were standing in the parking lot of my shop, all dancing around in a circle, something Grace loved to do. Their heads were all leaned back, chests rising up and down with the laughter that escaped them. Only they were in danger and hadn’t reacted just yet.

The car wasn’t stopping.

Instead, it continued to move forward.

Directly at the three people that meant the world to me.

I dropped my phone, the sound of it hitting the floor barely registered, and ran out the door, knowing in my heart of hearts that I wouldn’t make it in time. They were too far away and my legs wouldn’t get me there quick enough. No amount of adrenaline would allow my body to move faster.

My eyes remained on them as I willed my legs to move faster.

“Look out,” I screamed, pointing in the direction of the out of control car.

Magdalena noticed the car first and then they all screamed.

A death curdling scream.

One that would be forever engrained in my soul.

Delaney picked up Grace and turned her back to the car, crouching down to protect her and the unborn son that she carried. Only she should’ve moved. Not stand there waiting to be hit.

Magdalena reacted and shoved them out of the way. Both Grace and Delaney stumbled forward. Delaney lost her balance and landed on her side, protecting Grace in the process.

I diverted my attention over to Magdalena and the second I turned my head back, I saw her body being hit by the car, her side taking the brunt of the impact. Her body flew through the air and hit the ground just feet from where the car had now stopped, and her head bounced off of the ground as she landed.

I was beside Delaney and Grace seconds after Magdalena hit the ground.

Grace let out a wail and I could breathe. Crying meant she was alive.

I bent down to get closer to them and check them out. I knew not to move them, but every part of me wanted to lift Grace out of her arms and hold her.

“Are you okay, pumpkin?” I asked hoping she’d just keep crying to let me know she was okay.

“Daddy, hurt,” she mumbled through her tear-felt cries.

“You’re going to be okay, pumpkin. I need you to lay still on Delaney until we get some help here okay? Delaney,” I stated, hoping she was just remaining still because she was too afraid to move. She continued to cry, but to me it was music to my ears since it meant she was still here with me.

“I’m okay. But I think the baby’s coming, Weston,” she gritted out through her teeth. Her pain was apparent in her voice. Except I didn’t have my phone to make the call.

“Let me go and get my phone. Don’t move. I’ll be right back, okay?” I reassured as I bent down and kissed both of them on their foreheads.

Hurriedly, I ran back into the office, searching for the cell phone I was sure had the worst cracked screen. Only when I got to it, the screen had minimal damage, a small crack going from the top corners.

I dialed 911 and turned back around, running in the direction of Magdalena.

Her body still laid lifeless on the ground where it landed. There was no sign of life. No chest rising and falling that I could see. Only a shell of a person.

“Nelson County Emergency Department. How can I assist you?”

“Yes, there’s been an accident. One pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. She’s not moving. Two others were possibly injured when they moved out of the way. I’m not sure about the driver of the vehicle,” I answered frantically, hoping like hell that when I got to Magdalena’s side that she’d be just unconscious.

“Sir, where are you located?”

"I'm off route twenty-nine. Right beside Vito's Restaurant. I just moved into the business recently. I can't remember the address. The name on the front of the building is Corbin Auto. Please hurry," I begged as I made it to Magdalena's side.

"We'll be there as soon as we can, sir," she replied. She could've continued the conversation, but I wouldn't know. I dropped the phone the second I kneeled down beside Magdalena’s still unmoving body.

My hands shook with the fear that coursed through me. It was crazy to think how close we'd come, only for me to lose her now.

"Magdalena, sweetie. Can you hear me?" I asked, as I reached down to check her pulse.

A slow groan escaped her lips and her head tilted to the side. Her eyes flickered twice before they opened halfway. She attempted to lift her arm to touch mine, but she only got it about an inch off the ground before it dropped.

"Don't move. Help is on the way," I reassured her, grabbing her hand to hold it within my own.

"Don't let time pass you by, Weston. Choose to live, remember. Don't just exist. Live. You promised," she whispered, her breaths growing rapid as she gasped for air to enter her lungs.

Chills ran through me at the finality that her statement meant.

"You're not leaving me. Do you hear me?" I demanded as the tears I tried to hold back fell from my eyes.

A small smile formed her lips as she took a breath.

Sirens sounded off in the distance. I lifted my head and I could faintly see them coming down the hill about a mile down the road.

I looked back down at Magdalena, the smile still upon her lips.

"Live don't just exist," she whispered again, her chest falling, but not rising again.

“No!" I screamed out as I dropped her hand.

My hands immediately went to her chest to begin compressions.

I wouldn't allow her to leave me.

Not when she'd just starting living the life she'd always wanted.

A
fter the emergency
personnel arrived on the scene, everything became a blur. The tire of the driver’s car had blown and he’d lost control of the vehicle. Or so he said. I didn’t have time to focus on his excuses. I needed to focus on three of the people that mattered the most in my life. The past month had been a whirlwind, but me and Delaney had grown closer. Discussed our hopes and dreams for the future. She’d even let me be a part of the process in picking out the name for her unborn son.

And now I couldn’t get the image out of my mind of the car barreling toward them.

The EMT’s worked frantically on Magdalena until the Med Flight helicopter arrived. I loved living in Nelson County but they didn’t have an urgent care facility or a hospital that was close by. The closest was in Charlottesville. I wanted to go with her, but I had to stay with Grace and Delaney.

I called Andrew on autopilot and told him which hospital he needed to get to, leaving out how bad her situation really was. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. The EMT’s looked over Grace and said she was fine, just a bump on her head, but I still wanted a doctor to check her over.

Delaney, on the other hand, was, in fact, in labor. They loaded her in the back of the rescue squad, and I told her I’d meet her at the hospital. There wasn’t enough room for everyone in the back. I called my parents’ to meet me at the hospital and set off to follow the flashing red lights before me.

When we arrived at the hospital, they took Delaney up to the labor and delivery floor right away and I stayed in the emergency room to have Grace looked over. I wished there were three of me so that I could be with each of them, but getting Grace checked out was my top priority.

My mom arrived just as the doctor came into the room to look over Grace. He thoroughly checked her over and concluded that she may complain of a headache, but to just watched her for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours and if she started to experience dizziness or not acting like herself to bring her back in. He put a Band-Aid on her bump and then told us the nurse would be in momentarily with the discharge papers.

What felt like hours later, she finally arrived. I thought my foot would put a hole in the floor as frantically as I’d been bouncing it since the doctor had left. All I could think about was checking on Magdalena and Delaney. I’d cut my phone off since we were in the ER and they didn’t allow cell phone use. I was dying to cut it back on to see if I’d been sent word regarding either of them.

She explained the discharge instructions and had me sign the proper forms. I walked with my mom and Grace to the exit, explaining to Grace that I had to check on Delaney and that she needed to go with my mom. I kissed her on the head and thanked my mom for taking her and raced back inside. I asked the lady behind the counter which floor labor and delivery was on, and when she told me the sixth floor, I ran to the elevator. Not wanting to waste another second before I got to her.

I turned my phone on in the elevator and once it was fully powered on the vibrating began. I had numerous voicemails and several missed texts. I opened the ones from Andrew first, explaining that he was going to the waiting room and that Magdalena was in surgery to repair the damage. He didn’t specify what damage, just that they brought her back to life and he just had to wait to hear from the doctor.

I clicked on the voicemail button and pressed play. Message after message was left from Mackenzie’s mom telling me I had to call her. That it was imperative that she speak with me. The final one she seemed frantic and told me that I needed to come to the hospital. The very one I was already at.

I couldn’t deal with any of that right now. Delaney was my main focus. She was all alone. In labor. And without me. I promised her I’d be there for her and get her through this. And I felt like I failed. But all of these events were out of my control.

I got off the elevator and walked over to the secure door. I picked up the phone and told the lady who I was there to see. Instead of getting buzzed in, a nurse met me at the door. She opened the door but didn’t move out of the way.

“Delaney Winters was brought in. I’m here to see her, please?” I said in an urgent tone, hoping this lady would move.

“There were some complications. Ms. Winters was sent in for an emergency C-section. Are you family?”

“No ma’am, I’m not,” I admitted, knowing I wouldn’t get any more information now. “I’m the only person she’s got here, though,” I added.

“Head to the waiting room. I’ll have the doctor come out and update you when he’s done,”’ she said and shut the door behind her.

With my head down and my shoulders drooped, I walked down to the waiting area. The chairs didn’t seem inviting, but I plopped down and got as comfortable as I could. The time was going to drag by, and I wouldn’t feel settled until I knew Delaney, the baby, and Magdalena were okay.

I leaned my head back against the wall and shut my eyes, praying, pleading with God to save them all and let them live a full and healthy life. I’d take their place if I could, but for now, praying was all I could do while I waited.

A hand shaking my shoulder caused me to jump up out of the chair and stand up. I rubbed my hand over my face and looked around, noticing Andrew was a few feet away from me.

“How’s Magdalena?” I asked through a yawn.

“Still in surgery. I told the nurse that I was coming here to check on another friend that was brought in from the accident. They know where to find me if they need me. How’s Delaney? Why aren’t you back there with her?” he fired off, wanting information just as bad as I wanted to receive it. His eyes showed the stress of the day and his dress shirt was half tucked in and half pulled out from his pants.

“I got up here as fast as I could after they checked on Grace. Only when I got here they wouldn’t let me back. The nurse told me they’d taken her for a C-section and since I wasn’t family, I’d have to wait here to find out anything. I’m going crazy. She was fine when I left her, just in pain from contractions. I don’t understand what could’ve happened within that small amount of time.”

“I’ll join you if that‘s okay. Waiting by myself is driving me crazy. My parents’ and brothers can’t get here until later, and we might as well suffer in silence together until we get the news,” he said as he sat down in the chair that I was just in.

I sat down beside him and put my elbows on my knees, resting my head in my hands. I didn’t know what I’d do if they didn’t make it. Her and this baby had become an integral part in mine and Grace’s lives. They couldn’t leave us. Not now. Not ever. I felt the same way about Magdalena. I couldn’t lose her friendship. Andrew couldn’t lose his wife. But most importantly Liam couldn’t lose his mother.

I shook my head. All I could think about was death always occurred in threes. What if death had decided that all three would happen at once. That I would lose them all before we’d all began our lives together. Months with all of us together wasn’t enough. Years wouldn’t be enough. But I just didn’t want to lose anyone. We could get through an ailment, but I wasn’t sure I’d survive death.

Heels clicking on the floor gained my attention and I looked up, noticing Mackenzie’s mom had walked into the waiting room. With all the chaos, I’d completely forgotten to call her back. Not that I needed to speak with the family who’d just vanished out of my daughter’s life. I took in her appearance as she continued to make her way toward me. She looked tired. Like she’d aged since I last saw her arguing with Mackenzie at the courthouse. She also had a wad of tissues in her hand and her eyes were swollen and red from crying.

“Weston, I’ve tried calling several times. When you were there for a second and then gone after you answered the phone, I kept calling hoping to get a response. After you hadn’t returned my calls, I resorted to calling your mother. She told me I could find you here. I don’t know if you listened to my messages, but there’s something I need to tell you that you should’ve known all along,” she said as she slid a chair from the wall over to sit in front of me.

“I got the message that you were here, but I’ve been a little busy which is why I hadn’t called you back,” I spit out trying to remain cordial.

“Mackenzie shouldn’t have run the way she did. She shouldn’t have signed over her rights. She should’ve explained and given you a choice. Only she made her mind up and there wasn’t anything I could do to stop her. A few months before she left, she found out she was sick. That she had cancer in her lymph nodes. She tried chemo but it made her so deathly ill that it did more harm than good. She tried a few other treatment options, but she just kept getting sicker and sicker. She didn’t want you and Grace to remember her wasting away. She wanted you both to remember her healthy and happy. That’s why she left. That’s why you never received an explanation. She knew that if you found out how sick she was that you’d stand by her and never let her go. She wanted you to be happy. To find happiness for Grace. I don’t condone it, but I do understand it,” she said as the tears she’d tried to hold back began to fall.

I couldn’t say anything due to the shock. And the anger. And the pain. It was all beginning to become too much. On top of everything else from today, I didn’t need this news brought to my attention.

“The only reason I’m telling you this is because we brought Mackenzie here this morning because she was having trouble breathing. We could hear the fluid in her lungs with each breath she took. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, but she didn’t make it. She signed a DNR and there was nothing we could do to stop them from not saving her life when she stopped breathing. I know this is all a shock to you and I know you need time to process it, but don’t hate my daughter. She did what she thought was right in order to protect you two from the pain. When you’re ready, I have a package to give to you that she put together for when this time came. I’m sorry for your loss, Weston. For Grace’s loss. I’d love to see her sometime. I know I don’t deserve to, but I promised Mackenzie I wouldn’t see her while she was sick so she could get used to her mother not being around. Just think about it. I’ll contact you regarding the service arrangements,” she said before she patted my knee and then stood and walked away.

My mind was still numb as she left the room.

Mackenzie.

The girl I’d loved since high school.

Was dead.

Gone.

And I didn’t know how to feel about it all.

How I’d eventually have to tell my daughter her mommy wasn’t here anymore because she was with the angels.

God, everything was such a mess right now.

I put my head back in my hands, and I felt Andrew pat my back to offer his support.

Moments later, two sets of footsteps entered the room.

I felt like I was spiraling down the rabbit hole.

Waiting to hit rock bottom.

I’d already suffered one blow.

I couldn’t handle suffering yet another.

Andrew and I both stood to greet the doctors as they entered the room.

My heart felt like it would explode out of my chest as I waited for them to speak.

Waited for them to give the news.

The doctor for Magdalena spoke first and I heard Andrew hold his breath as he gave the update on his wife.

“Mrs. DeLuca has a long road ahead of her. Her hip is broken and she has a fractured leg. There’s swelling on the brain from where she hit her head and we won’t know the lasting effects, if there are any, until the swelling goes down. She’s heavily sedated at the moment and she’s not out of the woods, but alive. She’s in recovery right now. Once she’s moved to a room, I’ll let you know so you can sit with her. I’ll warn you though. She’s going to be in and out of consciousness for a while,” the doctor said. Andrew thanked him and he nodded his head as he turned and walked away.

I looked over to the other doctor. My heart rate slowed with the news that Magdalena was alive, but not fully because I hadn’t gotten the news about Delaney and the baby.

“I’m sorry it took so long to come and get you word on Ms. Winters. She’s in her own room now resting. The C-section was needed due to the baby’s heart rate dropping drastically. We didn’t want to take any chances, so we thought it best to deliver him. We had some trouble getting the bleeding to stop once the baby was delivered, but now all of that’s under control and she’s resting comfortably. She had a bouncing baby boy weighing in at five pounds ten and a half ounces. He’s in the nursery if you’d like to see him. She’s in room 615 if you’d like to sit with her. Congratulations,” he said as he held out his hand for me to shake.

I took his hand and shook it frantically. I couldn’t contain my happiness at the fact that her, the baby, and Magdalena were all okay. I’d process my feelings about Mackenzie later.

“They’re all going to be okay, man,” I said as I wiped the few tears that had escaped.

“Yes, they will be. You go and see that baby and Delaney. I’m going to wait until I can sit with my wife. I’ll keep you updated. Thanks for everything you did before the paramedics arrived. I know you performed CPR until they got there. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for your part in keeping her alive,” he said as he walked toward the door.

“No need to thank me. I just did what came naturally to me. I’ll keep you updated. Text me when she’s awake,” I said as I followed him out. He turned left and I turned right, going in the direction of the nursery. I just had to see the precious baby that both her and Trenton created. This baby already held a special place in my heart, and if she’d let me, I’d stand by them both so we could build our life and family together.