2

John

Layla was at home when I got the call about her brother. I raced to the house to find my woman distraught. She was crying hard. “Nate’s been shot,” she sobbed running into my arms.

“Let’s get to the hospital.” I carried her out to the car and buckled her in. Jason was learning more about what happened while we were on our way. The woman who did it was already in police custody. This should be an open and shut case especially because I was going to do everything I could to make sure of that. My woman sat beside me a complete and utter mess. I couldn’t do anything to make it better. The hospital was teeming with news reporters, but Jason met me there along with Jessica and Nate’s guard, Henry. They rushed us through and into the waiting room for surgery. Jessica was sitting there in a heap of tears. She looked up at us and Layla ran to her side. The ladies hugged and cried for what seemed like forever.

About twenty minutes later I was sitting with Layla on my lap as we waited for someone to tell us something. “I can’t lose him too,” she cried.

“You’re not going to, love. Your brother is a hardheaded ass. He’s going to be just fine,” I said. “Baby, didn’t you tell me about the time he fell from rock climbing, and you didn’t think he’d make it? But he pulled through. He’s a strong SOB. He’s going to make it.”

“Yeah, and he promised never to try something so dangerous again. This shouldn’t be a high-risk job. I want him back. I need to say I’m sorry. I love him.”

One of Nate’s surgeons came up to us. “You’re Mr. Hendricks’s family, correct?”

“Yes, we are. How is he?” Jessica asked before Layla caught her breath enough to ask.

“He made it through surgery. There’s a lot of swelling on the brain, so we put him in a medically induced coma.”

Jessica stood there rocking on her heels as she listened to the doctor. I had my arms around Layla, holding her to me so she didn’t faint. “Can we see him?” Jessica asked. I understood where she was coming from. Nate was her version of my Layla. They meant so much to us that anything that could happen scared us to death.

“I’m sorry, but not at the moment. We want to give him some rest. His body has been through a great deal.”

“So when can we see him?” I asked.

“Just give it a few hours, please.”

Once we finally got to see him the girls were falling around him. I held Layla with my hand on her belly, reminding her that we needed to stay strong for the baby inside her. We weren’t there for long before they were kicking us out for the night. Jessica didn’t want to leave, but she had to. Layla squeezed my hand, catching my attention, then gave me a nod. I returned it, kissed her, then let her hand go. A second later Jessica was over my shoulder and on the way to the car. Before we came out to the main lobby area she begged us to let her down. I grabbed both women’s hands and walked out with Jason and Henry leading us to the safety of our cars.

Layla tucked Jessica into a spare bedroom before coming to me for the comfort she needed. I ran a bath for her, letting her soak away the headache she was getting. We had a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I thought it was best for her to go. “My love, do you want some Tylenol? I read that’s one of the few things you can take.”

“Please, John,” she sobbed.

“Love, you need to stop crying. I know it’s hard right now, but you’re not doing your brother any good. He’s going to pull through.” I held her before turning off the water. Her bloodshot eyes met mine and I just ached to take away her sadness.

“I know I’m only going to feel awful in the morning, but the more I think about it the more I cry.” I helped her undress and get into the tub. “This does feel good.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m truly sorry, Layla. I’m here for you.” I bent down and kissed her lips before letting her continue with her bath. I checked on her every ten minutes until about forty-five minutes later when she was ready to get out. Grabbing some fluffy pink towels she’d picked out this week, I wrapped them around her.

“Please hold me, John,” she begged, pressing her towel covered body against me.

“Always,” I answered, because it was a given. I never wanted to go a day without us sleeping in the same bed.

~~~~

There was no news on her brother in the morning, so we dropped Jessica off and headed to our appointment.

“Hello, Mr. Moriarty, Ms. Hendricks. I heard about your brother and I’m truly sorry. Perhaps we can have some good news amidst the pain?”

“I could really use some.”

“Good. Well, I have your records from your last visit in New York. The bloodwork is normal and there’s no signs of cancer.” I looked at her wondering if that was normal.

“Since my mother died so young, I like to have routine bloodwork and well, I needed it for the baby too.”

“I was just wondering. Don’t mind me. This is all a learning experience for me.”

“Well, Dad, you’re at the perfect visit. Today is the ultrasound to see if you’re having a little boy or girl. You both want to know, right?”

“Yes. I need to know if I have to take gun lessons or not.”

Layla got ready, taking off her clothes and slipping on a hospital gown. Her little bump seemed to be larger today. Once she was ready the doctor squirted some jelly on her lower belly. Immediately the images started to appear on the screen. We were only getting the black and white one today because of the last-minute appointment, but within a few minutes, I didn’t need to be told what we were having. That baby was missing an integral part of what my son should have.

“We have a little princess,” the doctor cheered.

Layla’s eyes looked to mine, a bit nervous. Most men wanted boys, but I just wanted my little family to be healthy.

“Yes, and I can’t wait to hold her,” I said, kissing Layla on her lips. “Thank you for making me a daddy. I love you.”

“I love you,” she said with a lump in her throat.