Authors: Jordyn Redwood
“You are looking much better,” Lilly said, crossing the room and setting the flowers on her bedside table.
Morgan's father stood and crossed the room to Dr. Reeves. He held out his hand, both in greeting and in peace offering.
“Nice to meet you, Dr. Reeves.”
“You, too. She's got to have a strong spirit to survive what happened. You and her mother must be very proud.”
“We are, absolutely.” He returned to Morgan's side and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. “I'm going to find a cup of coffee.”
She nodded her head. Lilly took the seat where her father had been. Thomas Reeves stood on the other side of the bed. “You look better than the press photo of you dangling upside down outside a building.”
“Well, you can only go up after you've been pulled out a window.”
He smiled. “Yes, I guess that's true.”
“What's happened since your announcement?”
Reeves rocked back and forth on his feet. “I'm closing down NeuroGenics. A lot of people don't know what to think. They want to be angry about what I did, but they can't be angry if they continue to fight for unfettered abortions. Honestly, people are confused.”
He looked away, appearing to study the faux Monet that was affixed to the opposite wall.
“In the end, I think much will stay the same. People are very good about justifying a position regardless of evidence. For me, it isn't about changing someone else's mind or demanding new legislation. It was ultimately what I deduced the evidence to be.”
“What will you do?” Morgan asked.
“I don't know. That's the question, isn't it? I thought I'd be broke, but many offers are pouring in. Maybe I need to retire and take care of two girls in whose place I substituted my career as a relationship. It seems I have aâ”
“Dad, let me tell her.”
Morgan turned to Lilly. “Tell me what?”
Lilly caressed her fingers over her arm. “I'm going to keep my promise and get tested to see if I can donate a kidney but it will have to wait.”
Morgan's heart thumped in her chest.
“Nathan and I are pregnant. I couldn't have a surgery like that until well after delivery.”
Morgan pressed her fingers against her tear ducts in a feeble attempt to hide her disappointment. “Lilly, that's wonderful. What a blessing. Does Nathan know?”
Lilly's eyes met hers. “Of course he knows. I told him right after he didn't die half falling out that window.”
“I know . . . that was my fault.”
Lilly shook her head against the words. “It's his job and I know it. I thought his being a negotiator would keep him out of harm's way, but I also knew he'd do everything in his power not to let another innocent life be lost again. It's a risk I understand.”
“I'm really happy for you two. I know you've been through a lot.”
“I hope this pregnancy doesn't cause you to feel like you have to stay at arm's length.”
“Lillyâ”
“It would break my heart to no endâ”
“I promise. I really do. I want to be part of this little one's life.”
“Good, because there's something else I want to ask you.” Lilly clutched her hand and pulled it to her chest. “I'd like to use Teagan as the middle name. Boy or girl. Would it be all right?”
Morgan eased her hand away from Lilly's and pulled tissue from a nearby box. Without doubt, her heart swelled with the genuineness of her sister's offer. But there was something about giving up her daughter's name. Of hearing it in another context, attached to another child. Almost as if she would lose claim to Teagan's memories being her own.
“Lilly, I just . . . ”
“I get it.” Lilly sat back and tried to hide her disappointment. “It's okay. I just wanted to ask.”
Morgan leaned her head back onto her pillow. This was her issue. Always holding on too tightly. Trying to control too much. Teagan wasn't just hers to own. Her life had touched othersâeven an aunt's who had never met her. She turned her face toward Lilly.
“No, I'd be honored. Honestly I would.”
Lilly softly clapped. “I know that I should have waited to ask until you were all better, but ER doctors are very impatient creatures.”
Thomas Reeves cleared his throat. “I shouldn't interrupt all this sisterly affection but I know we're not the only ones waiting to see you. I'll get tested as well but it may not be necessary.”
Morgan looked in Reeves's direction. Her pulse increased.
All he could do was shake his head. “Tyler's outside and will explain everything.”
A soft rap at the door. “I'm not waiting any longer.” Muffled and joyful.
Tyler rolled through the door in his wheelchair. The bullet had missed his vital structures. Even missing nerves, so eventually, once the pain of the injury healed, he'd be able to operate again. In her heart, she chose to believe Scott had intentionally placed the bullet there. Able to make his point but not take a life.
What Morgan wasn't expecting was the tall, gorgeous African American woman who pushed her husband through the door. She tried to sit up in bed, but Tyler motioned her to ease back.
“Morgan, this is Ayan.” Tyler looked back at his chaperone. “Did I pronounce that right?”
She smirked and then patted his shoulder. “Good try,” she said. “But it's not like
Ian
. It's a long
a
sound. Ay-an.”
Tyler laughed. “Right. I'll do better. I swear.” He placed his hand on Morgan's leg. “Months ago, when I found out I wasn't a match, I was just heartsick. I don't want to see you have this kind of life either.”
All of it was becoming too much. Morgan felt it in her chest, the sense of wanting to flee real life again. Why did it have to be so hard to reach out for help?
“Right after you chose to start hemodialysis, I started looking into some alternatives like paired donor exchange programs.”
“You did? Without ever saying a word?” Morgan said.
“Well, I'm not a match for you. And Ayan . . .” Tyler gave a sheepish grin.
“You got it right this time.”
“Excellent,” he continued. “Ayan is not a match for her husband, who also needs a kidney.”
“So no one gets what they need?” Lilly asked.
Tyler shook his head. “No, everyone gets what they need. Ayan is a
match for you, and I'm one for her husband. She's agreed to donate one of her kidneys to you, and I'll do the same for her husband.”
Morgan wanted to crawl out of the bed and embrace the woman with all her might.
Ayan smiled warmly. “Once you and your husband are well enough for surgery, we'll get you off this machine.”
Late Morning, Monday, October 15
M
ORGAN NEARLY DIED OF
happiness when she saw Seth walk through the door of her hospital room. His eyes were bright. The quirky lopsided smile he always wore when he was nervous started shining the minute he stepped inside.
Walking a few paces in front of his mother, he neared her bedside, leaned over, and hugged her so tight she could barely breathe.
Lisa stepped forward to pull him back. “Seth, you'll crush her. She just got a new kidney a few days ago. Give her some space.”
He stepped back and patted his chest. “I got my own shocker now because of that weird heart rhythm they found.”
Morgan smiled. “I heard that.”
“It does freak me out a little bit to think about having a defibrillator in my chest. But I'd rather have that than be put on ice like Han Solo again.”
“Yes, that's probably something to consider,” Morgan said. “You look awesome. Do you remember much?”
He glanced back at his mother. She nodded her head with approval. Conflict roiled in his eyes as he faced Morgan again. “I saw someone. I need to talk to you about it.”
“What do you mean?” Morgan asked.
It looked like he wanted to curl up and die more than he wanted to share what was on his mind.
“Mom?”
“All right, I'll let the two of you chat.” Lisa gave him an awkward side hug and stepped from the room.
Morgan looked at Seth questioningly, surprised Lisa would agree to leave the two of them alone. But then, she guessed her sister-in-law shared her choice where Seth's life was concerned. Lisa had been much softer with her after the hostage situation ended.
“Seth, really, what is it?” Morgan asked, searching his eyes.
He pulled up a chair and sat down. “Do kids ever talk with you about dying. What happens after . . . if they come back?”
“You mean a near-death experience?”
“Right. Seeing Jesus and angels and stuff like that.”
Morgan exhaled through loose lips. “Not really. But once they're better, they don't stay very long in the ICU. I don't get to find out what happens after they leave.”
Seth clutched his hands together. “Aunt Morgan, I'm only asking you this because you're a nurse and you almost died with all that blood loss. Did you see anything?”
Morgan ached with his distress. “Seth, I never died. I was just really sick. My heart never stopped like yours did.”
“I saw you.”
“When?”
“At the ball park.”
“Yes, Tyler and I were there.”
He shook his head. “No, I
saw
you trying to save me. I was floating above you looking down. I saw Mom crying.”
Seth turned away from her and Morgan reached for his hand. “It's okay, Seth. I'm sure you're still trying to process what happened to you.”
“After that was everything weird you hear about. The tunnel. The bright light.” He shifted uneasily. “There was someone waiting for me.” There was a look in his eyes Morgan had never experienced before. Sadness and joy. He whispered, “Teagan.”
Morgan felt a rush of air flood her lungs. “What?”
“Aunt Morgan, I promise it's true. I'm not making it up. She was there. An older girl, but I knew with everything in me that it was her.”
Morgan began to shake.
Seth reached for her water. “Oh, man. Please, I don't know what to do when girls cry.”
She laughed as she took the water from him. “It's okay, Seth. These are happy tears.”
He looked at her, his eyes boring into her spirit. “Teagan's okay. She's so happy. She's waiting for you, but she said there are more kids for you to take care of.”
Morgan nodded through her tears. “Thank you, Seth. Thanks for telling me.”
“If it's okayâdon't tell my mom. I'll tell her, I promise. I'm just not ready yet. She still tears up half the time when she looks at me.”
“Okay, as long as you promise me you will someday.”
He crossed his heart. “Promise.”
“Soon.” Morgan tweaked his nose like she used to when he was a few years younger.
“I know.” He swatted her hand away. “You know I'm too old for that. Always was.”
“I know.”
One Year Later
M
ORGAN PULLED THE FRAMED
picture away from her chest, placed it on the stack of pink tissue paper, and folded the thin sheets over Teagan's image. The knock at the door caused her to quickly brush the tears from her cheeks.
Perhaps it's better this way
.
Like ripping off a Band-Aid.
She set the wrapped photo in the box and put the flaps in place.
“It's open!” she called.
Nathan eased inside with baby Samantha Teagan Long in his arms. A happy, healthy four-month-old with Lilly's black hair but Nathan's softer blue eyes. “Need help up here? Sam is offering her assistance.” He took her hand and waved it. The infant cooed.
“Well, she's a little late. I just finished with the last box.” Morgan grabbed a roll of tape and began to secure the top. “Where is everyone?”
“Tyler and Lilly left to grab some food. I offered to stay back and keep track of this little one. Plus, I wanted to talk to you.”
Getting to know Nathan over the last year had been a true blessing, but there was always something that unnerved Morgan about him. His ability to get to the heart of any matter in mere seconds. That gazing stare but helpful face. It was no wonder people found it so easy to open up to him. What could he want to discuss?
Because all the gunmen died during the siege, there weren't any trials to suffer through. Dylan Worthy had been positively linked in more ways than one to Zoe Martin's murder and police were looking at several other cases.