Chapter Thirty

 

Jerik stopped in the doorway. Graceful and perfect Medora hunched her upper body over the unrecognizable form in the hospital bed. All that Jerik could feel was relief. She was fine. He barely noted her seductive dress and mile long legs, merely that she breathed and her heart beat, healthy and strong. He could smell a cocktail of grief and wonder. He could only guess what was going on.

Then all hell broke loose, and staff came out of nowhere to attend to the patient. Medora backed away, looking around for someone, anyone, to guide her. Look here, Medora. Look at me.

She turned and saw him, and her large eyes were filled with unshed tears. The woman would not crack. He held his hands out to her, mimicking what she had done for him so many times. When she crashed into him, he felt love boil up and over the brim of his heart. It overflowed them both.

“Don’t be mad at me,” she said with beseeching eyes.

He murmured he could never be.

“We’re going to be Caterina’s parents,” she whispered with shining eyes.

Jerik’s heart slowed to a steady drip. He recalled the little girl. I’m watching Callie breathe. I do believe the angels are coming to get her now.

“The Martins?”

Medora shook her head no, and tears streamed down her face. “They were in a horrible accident. Mr. Martin died at the scene. Mrs. Martin passed away just now. Caterina is fighting for her life in the ICU.”

Jerik felt a burning rage in his heart. This wasn’t right. Such tragedies…Jerik squeezed his fiancée to his chest and held her head against his slow heartbeat. “She will live. We will be her parents.” He had to say it out loud to make it real.

“We need to see her,” Medora said, tears gone and a steadiness in her voice. “Now.”

He nodded and turned to the nurse who had led him back. “We need to see Caterina Martin immediately.”

“Sir,” the man protested.

“We’re her parents.” Jerik’s expression brooked no argument. “As of a few seconds ago.” His grim expression wasn’t lost on the nurse who nodded his assent. He led them to the next room over.

Jerik watched Medora hustle to Caterina’s bedside. He could barely see her blonde curls through the gauze and tubing. All the machines seemed to be working overtime. Medora whispered to another nurse and showed her the bear. The nurse nodded, and Medora placed it on Caterina’s pillow. She brushed back blonde tendrils and murmured soft words. Jerik could hear them, even though she whispered. The angels are coming to help you, Caterina. They’re going to make you all better, and you’re going to come home with Jeron and I. We will love you forever, little darling. This is my bear. He will watch over you until we return.

Medora kissed Caterina’s brow and walked back to him. She only stumbled once, then jutted her chin out and resumed her perfect posture.

Jerik couldn’t see his Medora like this. Barely hanging on by a thread. He glanced back at Caterina and the medical machines. Met one of the nurse’s gazes and raised his brow. The nurse frowned and gave a little shake of his head. She wasn’t going to make it.

He sprung into action. “Come with me, Medora.” He held her hand as they rushed back to the stairwell. He made a portal to the waiting room below.

Sharkur and Rosela were in a standoff, and Medora’s father stood aside with a strange expression on his face.

“Sharkur,” Jerik barked. “I need you.”

Sharkur dipped his head to the scowling Rosela and turned to Jerik. “I am at your service.”

“Call your contact in the Council. The one you have all the dirt on. I want Krinar medical technology in this hospital right now,” he growled. “Everyone in this damn hospital. Call it a Day of Goodwill or some bullshit. I want healings on a massive scale within 24 hours.”

“But?”

“I’ll not be accused of favoritism toward my new daughter,” Jerik spit out and Sharkur blanched.

“Consider it done, my friend.”

Jerik wiped his eyes and slumped.

Medora pinched him in the side. “What?”

She held her hand to his ear and whispered. “We’re in public. Don’t let anyone see you break. Wait until you’re in private, my love.”

Jerik let a smile slide across his face, and he kissed her cheek. He whispered back. “Thank you. And now I understand you a little better.”

Medora gave him a small smile and nodded. “Finishing school. Among other things.”

“Let’s get Caterina’s rooms ready,” Jerik said. “And be somewhere private for a little while.”

“Yes.”

Jerik would never tire of looking into her honest and open face. They left gawking patients in their popping wake.