Morning After (A Reynolds Security Novel) (21 page)

Chapter 23

“I need a doctor!” Ethan bellowed, rushing through the automatic doors of the emergency room. A triage nurse rushed forward to meet him and began firing questions at him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t answer any of the questions. He had no idea why Erica was unconscious. Why he couldn’t get her to wake up. Her hair was matted to her head with dried blood, he was having visions of a traumatic brain injury that she would never wake from, and that scared the shit out of him.  

Erica was rushed away and he was forced to stay behind. Not knowing what was wrong was bad enough but not knowing and not being able to see her was torture. He paced until Jace finally made him sit. Sean tried to get information but they wouldn’t tell him anything either. They cited privacy regulations until Ethan wanted to scream. When he saw Zoe rush through the doors he realized with a guilty start that he’d forgotten to call her. He looked at Jace and he nodded.

“I called her.”

“Thanks.” He watched her show something to the receptionist then a heated argument ensued. He couldn’t hear what was said, and before he could move closer it was over. The receptionist pointed at a bank of elevators. Zoe happened to glance back over her shoulder before heading that way and caught sight of him. He surged to his feet as she started toward him.

“They have moved her upstairs to the ICU.” Ethan went weak with relief that someone knew something.

“How did you get them to tell you?” He asked, following her to the elevator.

“I have a medical power of attorney.” Zoe was very matter of fact and Ethan found it somewhat reassuring.

The ICU waiting room was nicer than the ER waiting room and even better it was empty. They only had to wait a few minutes before a doctor came out. He approached Zoe but Ethan surged to his feet and met him in the center of the room.

“Is Erica all right?”

“Are you related to Ms. Sanders?”

“I am her b-boyfriend.” His voice hitched on the word and he clenched his teeth to maintain control.

“I am Zoe
Wilson, I have a medical power of attorney.”

“All right.”
The doctor glanced at Ethan.

“
It’s okay doctor, tell us how she is.”

“Ms. Sanders has been given a powerful
sedative, I understand the police found a vial at the scene. The good news is it should simply wear off without adverse effects. We’re doing blood work. She has a fractured wrist and a severely sprained ankle. She is at this moment undergoing an MRI to assess her head wound. Bottom line I think she will recover completely." The air whooshed out of his lungs and he began to shake. Jace pushed him down into a chair and he was grateful, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could’ve stood.

“Ms. Sanders, Ms. Sanders?” Erica flinched away from the voice, it wasn’t Ethan’s voice. Wasn’t Ethan here? She remembered his arms around her but now she felt cold and bereft.  She forced open her eyes and saw a man with glasses leaning over her. As soon as she opened her eyes he started flashing a light in them making her want to close them.

“I am Dr. Gonzales. Do you know what day it is?” She couldn’t remember but she took a shot.

“Friday?” He didn’t tell her if that was right, he just fired several more questions at her.

“Someone gave me something.” She mumbled; her lips felt numb.
“A drug.”

“Do you know what it was?”

“No.” Her eyes were drooping again.

“Don’t worry, we’re going to get you all patched up.”

Erica’s world was fractured, flashes of people, some of them asking her questions, some of them talking around her. Every time she managed to open her eyes she saw something different. Saw someone different. She had no concept of time.

Finally she was able to open her eyes and feel some awareness. She tried to move and found her right hand immobilized in a splint. Judging by the lump on the bed her left leg was splinted or casted. There was an IV running to her left arm. She felt her head and found stitches along the side.

“I wouldn’t let them cut your hair.” Erica looked up and found Zoe in the doorway holding a cup of coffee. “It figures the minute I step away to get some coffee you wake up.”

“Sorry.” She said tiredly. Zoe came close and took her hand in a tight grip.

“I am so glad you are okay.” Erica managed a weak smile.

“Ethan?”

“He is in the waiting room. They wouldn’t let him back. Not a relative and all that. He’s not very happy. He’s about ready to tear the place apart I think.”

“You couldn’t authorize it?”

“I probably could have…”

“Zoe!”

“I just wanted to make sure, ya know?”

“Thanks.” Erica smiled. The doctor walked in before Erica could ask the hundred questions that were invading her mind.

“Ah, Ms. Sanders; glad to see you awake.”

“I’ll just go let Ethan know you are awake.” Zoe excused herself.

“How do you feel?”

“A little like I’ve been asleep for a week but I am still tired.”

“Probably should get used to that.” The Doctor chuckled. “My wife slept through the entire first trimester.” The Doctor kept talking but Erica’s mind stalled on the word.

“Did you just say trimester?” The doctor stopped talking and looked at her.

“You didn’t know you were pregnant?”

“I’m pregnant?” Her hand slid down to her abdomen.

“We did blood work before x-rays. One of the things we tested for was pregnancy.” She struggled trying to sit up.

“I’m pregnant?” She said again.

“We did a sonogram. It is still very early; you are only about seven weeks. We were able to hear a good strong heartbeat.” Erica’s mouth dropped open and her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m pregnant.” This time it was more of a sigh as she leaned back against the bed.

“Risk of miscarriage is high in the first trimester, but this little episode doesn’t seem to have harmed the little one.”

“The little one.”
Erica whispered a sense of awe leaching through her. Deep inside she felt a warm tingling sensation. She was going to be a mother. The doctor looked at her for moment before awkwardly clearing his throat.

“Of course if it is an unwanted pregnancy, there is still time...”

“No.” She said quickly putting her hand over her abdomen in an unconscious protective gesture. “I want it, him, her.” She stammered. The doctor smiled and she could swear he looked relieved.

“How many children do you have Doctor.”

“Six.” He straightened up proudly and Erica had to smile. Her thoughts flew to Ethan and the elation she had felt a moment before sunk. Would he be upset? Would he want to be in the baby’s life?

“You have several injuries, but I would say, in all you got lucky.” The doctor reclaimed her attention. “Most concerning is that you have a serious concussion. You also have a fractured wrist and a badly sprained ankle. You are going to need to take it real easy for the next few weeks.”

“She’s not going to lift a finger, doc.” Erica looked up and saw Ethan in the doorway. He looked haggard, as if he hadn’t slept in days. The doctor looked at Ethan and then back at Erica as if seeking permission to continue Erica gave a slight nod.

“She has a severe concussion. When I say she needs to take it easy, I don’t just mean she can’t go to work. She needs to avoid activities that require concentration or thought. She needs to avoid any sort of emotional strain.”

“She will be on a physical and mental vacation doc, you have my word.” Ethan looked so serious, more than she had ever seen him. He looked fierce. 

“We will be monitoring her for a few more hours but we should be able to release her in the morning.”

“What time is it?” Erica looked for a window but there wasn’t one.

“It’s late.” Ethan murmured.

“I’ll be back to check on you a little later.” The doctor said before excusing himself. Erica looked at Ethan for a moment. He was still standing a few feet away. He hadn’t approached the side of the bed. His jaw was clenched as if he were waging an internal struggle. Several times he looked as if he were about to say something but didn’t, when he finally spoke his voice was soft.

“How do you feel?”

“Just tired.”

“Are you in pain?”

“I am pretty sure I am on pain medication.” He nodded tightly and she was struck by a sudden thought. Did he know she was pregnant, they wouldn’t tell him that would they? Of course they couldn’t. She silently admonished herself. Don’t think too much, and don’t have emotional strain. That’s what the doctor had said, yeah right, if he had wanted any chance of that happening he shouldn’t have told her she was pregnant. Now she could do nothing but think and be emotional.  

“What happened?”

“You don’t remember?”

“Only bits and pieces.”
She swallowed, licking her lips. She suddenly remembered all of the things that woman had said about Ethan. She knew it wasn’t true, but she needed to hear him say it. “I remember… that woman… Jade.” Ethan winced slightly at the name.

“If that bitch wasn’t dead I would kick her ass.” Zoe muttered reentering the room.

“She’s dead?” Erica gasped.

“She took a shot at Ethan and the cops shot her.” Zoe said as candidly as if she were talking about the weather. Ethan looked at the floor for a second, guilt crossing his features. Erica had a quick memory flash of Ethan standing in front of her holding a gun. Zoe pulled the chairs closer to the bed, and Ethan took the hint and sat down. He still looked beyond tense. It occurred to her that he hadn’t touched her at all.

“Stop trying to remember. The doctor doesn’t want you thinking.” Zoe admonished.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Chicago?” Erica suddenly remembered.

“I was. I got on a plane as soon as Jace called me.” Erica glanced at Ethan, he was still watching her, wary and tense. It was extremely unnerving.

“Are you going back?”

“Probably when you are back on your feet. Someone has to look after you.”

“I’m doing it.” Ethan interrupted. “She’ll go home with me; I will take care of her.” Zoe looked at him as if she
were prepared to argue, but he met her gaze. There seemed to be a long moment of silent conversation between the two, then Zoe nodded.

“All right.”

The trip to Ethan’s house was surprisingly fast. This meant she had to have slept at least part of the way. They had given her crutches but Ethan had lifted her from the wheel chair into his truck at the hospital and when they arrived at his house he looked fully intent on carrying her in.

“I have crutches.” She said when he opened the door.

“I know.” He said even as he slid his arms around her. He carried her as if she weighed nothing and it made the girl in her giggle with delight. He placed her on the sofa arranging her leg so it was propped up on the ottoman on pillows. Then he returned to the truck for her crutches and the bag Zoe had packed for her.

Ethan still wasn’t himself. She hadn’t seen him smile at all. His brows seemed to be pulled down in a permanent frown and it made her feel guilty. Was he angry with her? Did he think she had put herself in danger by going to the roasters alone? Was he finally fed up with all the drama he’d had to deal with because of her? The worst thought she had, but the one she couldn’t shake was, was he thinking of Jade? Had he cared for her?

“Are you hungry?” Ethan’s voice pierced her thought process and she was actually thankful because it was starting to give her a headache.

“You really don’t need to wait on me Ethan.”

“I am damn well going too!” He growled surprising her into silence. He sighed and rubbed his eyes.

“Would you like an omelet?” He asked with a little more composure. She nodded.

After they had both eaten he sat down on the other side of the sectional and turned on the TV.

“Doc said you couldn’t watch anything that would make you think.”

“Guess Jeopardy is out then.” She muttered but he didn’t laugh, he didn’t even smile.  He turned on a cooking show and dropped the remote on the sectional beside him. Erica didn’t know what to say, the air around them was awkward and tense. After a couple of minutes Ethan began to softly snore and Erica realized with a jolt that though she was tired, she had at least slept. He had likely been up all night, maybe more than one, considering she had no idea how much time had passed. She snuggled into the cushions turning slightly so she could watch him sleep. His tension seemed to ease as he relaxed into a deeper sleep. She longed to crawl over to him. To curl up with him and sleep but she didn’t. She had decisions to make.
A baby to think about.

A Baby… She flattened her hand over her abdomen. She was going to be a mother. The idea both thrilled and terrified her. What would Ethan say? She had to tell him. She would never keep something like that from him. But she remembered vividly the time he had suggested she use a morning-after pill? What if he asked her to get an abortion? She would never agree to that, but it would be really hard for her to get passed that with him.