Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series) (12 page)

He opens his mouth and although he looks apologetic he seems like the type of guy who hates having his balls handed to him. He grunts under his breath.

“I’m going to call for another paramedic but I’ll go check on him before I come back,’’ the male paramedic tells us. I want to pull him back, tell him that fucker deserves to rot.

The female paramedic holds her arms out for Imogen and I hesitate for a second before handing her over. She’s still squirming, her lungs protesting at her hoarse cries. When I found out about Imogen I knew I’d worry every second of every day. I’d be that dad that would be over protective, not letting her date and giving her a curfew. I’d be at every school play, every dance performance, and every sports day. But not once when I thought about our future did I consider feeling this kind of pain. Losing her never even registered in my head, I never prepared myself for it because it never felt like a possibility. I’d die before I let anything or anyone hurt her.

But today I failed.

I didn’t protect her.

Now she’s hurt, she’s screaming and going through God knows what and there’s nothing I can do.

Not even a week as her father and already I failed in the worst possible way.

“Can you tell us if she has any medical conditions?’’ the female paramedic asks gently, lying Immy down onto the bed.

My mind is blank. I know nothing. I know nothing about her medical conditions other than what Kennedy has told me about her birth. She hasn’t said anything about any long lasting conditions.

Looking up at the paramedic, I scrub my hands down my face before answering her, giving her everything I know. “She was born an addict. I know she had some problems after being born, but I don’t think it’s on-going. I’ve only been in her life for a short while,’’ I lie, not wanting to come across as a prick. I’m worried if I tell them I’ve only been in her life for a week that they won’t let me stay with her.

“Are you the girl’s father?’’

“Yes,’’ I nod watching her carefully for judgement, but when I see none I relax somewhat. It’s obvious I’m involved in the law and the fact I’ve just announced Immy was born an addict, I can only imagine what they are thinking.

I reach out to Imogen and straight away she wraps her hand around my finger and I smile down at her, my heart splitting wide open.

“Can I change her?’’ the woman asks and I nod my head, feeling tears fill my eyes. I could have lost her. I could have lost her and her mother in the same day. I still don’t know what’s going on with Kennedy at the hospital, no one has got in touch with me since I left and I don’t know whether that’s good or bad. Just thinking about Kennedy all alone, hurting and suffering in that hospital has my heart beating faster and causes worry to form into the pit of my stomach.

I watch as she gently undresses her, using wet wipes to clean up her body. When she starts sticking pads to her chest I make a choking sound, my throat closing up.

“I need you to hold her arm for me?’’

“What? Why?’’ I ask panicked.

“I need to get your daughter on an IV. She needs fluids,’’ she explains as she messes around with her equipment.

Taking a huge breath I grab Immy’s tiny arm in my hand, feeling sick to my stomach as she screams through the needle piercing her skin. The paramedic works quickly and fluently. When she’s done she turns to the front of the ambulance.

I turn in the same direction noticing for the first time that the other paramedic has returned.

“We’re good to go,’’ she shouts through, grabbing a few other things off the side.

“Is she going to be okay?’’ I ask her once the car starts moving.

“I’m going to leave her unclothed for the time being and wrap her up warm in a blanket. Hopefully now that she’s out of her soiled clothes and is getting some fluids inside her, she will be able to settle. She has some bruising on the side of her neck, finger marks clearly the cause. The doctors at the hospital will look over those when we arrive. Her heart rate is a little high at the moment but it’s most likely due to stress her body is under. Once we have her settled and relaxed, we will be able to tell you more. There are no other clear signs of injury, but we have the best doctors waiting on standby in the ER.’’

“Thank you,’’ I choke out, watching her move effortlessly tending to Imogen while the car moves steadily through traffic.

We’re nearing the hospital when Imogen finally falls asleep from exhaustion, her tiny hand still gripping my finger with all its might.

The closer we get the harder I pray that when I walk into that hospital, Kennedy is awake and ready to greet us. We need her. Imogen needs her.

One way or another, I’m not leaving this hospital without both of my girls in my arms. In fact, once we’re home, there is no way I’m ever letting them leave me again.

Holy panthers, my head hurts. What is going on? What is that noise? I open my eyes with a struggle. They feel heavy like they’re somehow glued together. Inside I’m panicking, wondering why I don’t feel like I have control over my body. I lift my hand but that too feels heavy. My eyes water behind my eyelids. My tears seem to make it easier for me to open my eyes and when I do I’m taken aback when I find I’m lying in a hospital bed, tubes sticking from my arms and hands.

My head becomes too heavy to move anymore, and I look up at the dull, cream ceiling wondering why I’m here. What did I do? Loads of scenarios run through my head, but none are making any sense to me.  My imagination is running wild with awful explanations but the headache pounding in my head is stopping anything real to form.

That’s when the pain begins to register. At first it’s just the pounding in my head, like someone has a hammer on the inside trying to smash their way out. My leg, chest, hell my whole body is throbbing in excruciating pain. Touching my hand to my head I feel a bandage wrapped around me and I begin to panic. Needing to get up, I twist and turn in the bed, cries of pain leaving my mouth.

Even though my body is about to give up, I’m not. I need answers. Just when I’m about to open my mouth, to scream, the door opens to a girl I recognise walks through. She must hear the sound that escapes my mouth because her head snaps up and she gasps. She’s looking at me with a mix of horror and concern.

In a panic I open my mouth to plead for answers. But in a blinding assault everything comes flooding back painfully.

Imogen.

Mel had called me. There was a break-in. Then Imogen was taken. Does anyone know? Has Mel called the police? Do they have her? Oh no! What if she’s still out there and nobody knows? A strangled cry leaves my mouth.

I throw the covers off me, ignoring the pain that assaults my bruised, aching body. Any other time I’d feel ashamed, embarrassed, knowing
she
is seeing me at my most vulnerable. It’s not a feeling I’m accustomed too. Especially with someone who dislikes me.

Sitting up feels like a chore, a painful, miserable chore. The gown they’ve dressed me in has an open back and I feel the breeze hitting my bare skin causing me to shiver. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to my daughter. Even if I have to wander these halls or the streets dressed in only this.

“Hey, Kennedy, it’s me. Do you remember me? It’s Denny, Evan’s sister,’’ the girl says sweetly and I look up to find tears in her eyes. Why is she crying? Has something happened to Imogen? Does she know something?

“You need... You need to help me. Imogen... I need to find Imogen,’’ I cry. The pain in my throat feeling so raw, so painful, that it’s beyond any sore throat I’ve suffered in the past.

“Calm down, Kennedy. Come on, get back into bed. You need to rest. I know about Imogen. Evan is going to get your daughter back, I promise,’’ she says with conviction, her voice stern and full of promise.

“Why are you here?’’ I ask deflated. I do as I’m told, lying back down in bed. The look in her eyes leaves no room for argument and there’s no way I have the strength to fight with her. Not when I need to save my strength for Imogen. She will need me.

“Lexi, Evan’s next door neighbour, called me. She’s outside. She didn’t think you’d want her in here but she hasn’t left. She’s worried about you,’’ Denny tells me. Lexi? Outside? And Denny is here. What the fudge have I woken up to. None of this feels real. Not Denny, not Lexi and not being in hospital.

“Is this real or am I dreaming?’’ I ask her seriously. She giggles just as the door opens.

“Is there any signs of her wake...Oh, hey, I’ll wait outside,’’ Lexi murmurs quietly, her face flushed.

“Lexi?’’ I call out, wondering what she’s doing here. Does she know about Imogen or where Evan is?

“Hey,’’ she calls back walking over to me slowly. She looks tired and worried and her concern shocks me after what she pulled with Evan. But I know if anyone has answers, she will.

“Where’s Evan?’’ I ask, tears in my voice.

“He’s gone to get your girl,’’ she says giving me a small smile.

“He’s found her?’’ I ask, my heart picking up hope.

“I’m not sure. When I left he was adamant she was at Damon’s mother’s house,’’ she tells me honestly.

I gasp. My worry in the car about Damon had been right. That break-in was a set up, a trap to get my girl. But how did he know she’d be at Mel’s? It’s not like Mel and I go out and party together. All I know is, if she’s with that monster she isn’t safe.

His words repeat over and over in my head, the promise he made to sell Imogen and my vision becomes blurry.

I try to get up again knowing what Damon plans to do to her. He said he’d sell her. He only cares about getting his lousy three grand back. Three grand he willingly gave a drug addict in the first place. He doesn’t care what my baby will be going through. That he’s ruining her life or mine, that he’s destroying two innocent people’s lives.

“Hey, he’ll find her. He loves you, Kennedy, he loves you both. He won’t stop until he finds her,’’ she tells me and I can hear the sincerity in her voice. She doesn’t look sad by it, only sure of it.

“He’s going to sell her,’’ I cry out, the pain in my body becoming too much. Denny helps lay me back down, but my body remains stiff, and my tears remain to flow down my face.

“Who, Evan?’’ Denny asks confused.

“No. My sister was into some bad stuff. The man she owed money to came over to my house and beat me. He threatened to take Imogen and sell her.’’

“Oh, God,’’ Denny cries, covering her mouth. “You’ve been going through so much. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I was being stubborn and stupid. I never meant any of the things I said. None of it was even really about you. My stupid jealousy took over. I just miss my brother,’’ she admits and I reach out and take her hand.

“It’s fine. I understood where you were coming from. I just didn’t want you to fight with each other because of me,’’ I tell her, feeling my eyes water. “He loves you.’’

“I know. I just wish I dealt with everything that day a lot differently. Being a mom has changed me in so many ways, but I guess, deep down, I’ve still got that childishness in me. I’ve got a lot to learn,’’ she admits sadly.

“You were being an overprotective sister,’’ I smile, but it wobbles as more tears fall free. “I’m sorry too, for springing all that stuff on you without warning.’’

“Since we’re all on the apology train, I want to say sorry too, Kennedy. What I did was uncalled for, but mostly, I’m sorry because I was in the wrong. I saw him happy and I suppose it got to me because I couldn’t find
my
happy. Deep down I knew I’d never find it with him, but when I noticed he had it, I believed I could have that with him too. It was wrong of me. I’m just sorry I hurt you. You’ve done nothing but be kind to me, whereas, if I was you, I would have slammed the door in my face by now,’’ she laughs, but it’s forced, the smile not reaching her eyes.

I remember all the times she’d pass judgement when I would open the door. The look she would get in her eyes. Not once did I think she was jealous of the situation. I only saw her jealous of my relationship with Evan.

Knowing she got naked in front of Evan still angers me somewhat. But seeing Lexi now has me realising I’ve not really met the real her. She looks sincerely worried for my wellbeing and seems like a genuine person. Maybe if I hadn’t come along she and Evan might have worked something out. The thought causes a sharp pain in my heart. Thinking of him with another woman makes me feel sick. But the thought he’d be better off without me has crossed my mind more than once since Lexi walked into the room.

“Please, don’t. I can’t handle anymore. Sometimes I think everyone would have been better off without me turning up,’’ I cry, feeling sorry for myself. Imogen’s life is ruined and Evan’s will be destroyed if he doesn’t get her back, and mine? Mine was doomed the second I got that call telling me that she was missing. The only reason Evan is even interested in me is because of Imogen. Without her there is no doubt he’d be with someone else right now. He would never look twice at a lowlife like me.

My feelings for Evan have grown over the week and with each day they have only grown stronger. Deep down I know if it wasn’t for Imogen we wouldn’t be together.

Denny must see the doubt written on my face because she tightens her hand around mine.

“No. Don’t do that. I thought Mason was only with me because of Hope, but I was wrong. So fucking wrong,’’ she sighs, smiling wistfully. “He loved me for me; Hope was just an added bonus. Evan loves you. He’s never brought a girl home to meet us before... Ever. Not even at school. Don’t let your head take you there, Kennedy. I might not know you, but from what Nan has said, you’re the best thing since sliced bread,’’ she giggles winking at me.

“Thank you,’’ I croak out, before turning to Lexi. “And thank you. For coming here, and staying,’’ I tell her, then a thought occurs to me. “How did you know I was here?’’ I ask Denny.

“Lexi called me. I had stayed at Evan’s for a while last year and Lexi cleaned the house up before I arrived. She still had my number in her contacts. My nan is on her way too. She got stuck on some bridge. The river has overflowed or something, so she was waiting for everyone to turn back around before she could. She called twenty minutes ago telling me she was on her way.’’

“I don’t deserve any of you,’’ I tell her just as the door opens again.

A man I don’t know walks in, followed by another who I know is Mason. No one could forget that face. He’s still as handsome as when I first saw him. I remember Evan telling me he had four brothers, but looking to the man standing in front of him I know he isn’t one of them. He has sandy blonde hair is messy and unkempt. He’s larger than Mason but only by so much. He also carries himself with importance, a confidence you don’t see in many people. He also has a lethal energy surrounding him. Something tells me you don’t want to get on the wrong side of him. From the look on Lexi’s face when he walks closer, I’d say she wouldn’t care what side she got on. I have to stifle a giggle. I mean, how inappropriate would it be if I burst out laughing right now. My daughter is gone, Evan is gone, and I have no idea what the sugar is going on.

“Hey, I’m Aaron. I’m Evan’s old partner?’’ the man in front introduces himself. I look up at him and nod, biting my lip. It must be the drugs they’ve got me on because I can’t help the next thing that slips from my mouth.

“I didn’t know he was gay,’’ I mutter out loud. When I realise I’ve said it out loud, I begin to giggle. I giggle so hard that it begins to hurt my sides. My giggles turn into laughter, high, hysterical laughter.

One minute I’m laughing, laughing so hard that everything around me disappears. Then they become sobs. The first one that breaks is painful and it echoes around the now silent hospital cubical.

Denny takes me in her arms, letting me sob into her chest. “I need her back,’’ I cry, my emotions all over the place. I try to get myself together. Being in this state is not going to help anyone.

“I meant work partner,’’ I hear Aaron mutter before hearing Lexi giggle.

“Where is he?’’ I ask turning my head, still sniffling. I don’t move, keeping myself locked in Denny’s arms, needing her comfort.

Mason walks around the bed looking between us and when he looks back up to Denny, his eyes go soft.

That’s so sweet,
I think when he reaches her, leaning over to kiss her forehead. If only I had Evan here. Even better, Imogen. My heart is breaking having neither here with me. I need them. I’ll always need them.

“He’s downstairs getting Imogen checked over,’’ Aaron states and I must not have heard him right, so I sit up better, wincing when the pain becomes too much. My leg hurts the most. I only have to turn my head and a pain radiates down my leg, all the way down to my toes.

“I’m sorry, but could you repeat that, slowly,’’ I tell him, looking at his mouth, making sure I don’t miss a word.

“He’s downstairs getting Imogen checked over,’’ he says and his lips twitch looking at my immobile state.

“Oh my gosh,’’ I cry out, my hands flying to my mouth. “Is she okay? Where was she? Is she hurt? Is she going to be okay? Tell me?’’ I yell at him, feeling hysterical, causing a nurse to come running in.

“What’s going on in here?’’ she asks sternly, eyeing the men in the room warily.

“We’re good,’’ Aaron tells her winking before turning back to me. “She’s fine. She just needs to wait for the doctor to give her the okay to leave before he can come up. He wants to come up and see you but he doesn’t want to leave Imogen. I offered to watch over her but he nearly knocked me out,’’ he teases.

The nurse walks over and starts checking the machines out. I think I’m in shock because there’s nothing I can say. She’s been found. She’s safe. She’s okay. Evan is safe. My heart beats rapidly and the machine next to me starts beeping like mad. The nurse walks over and says something, but my mind is on one thing.

My daughter.

My daughter is safe.

“Miss, I need you to calm down.’’

“She’s safe. She’s safe,’’ I cry and Denny hugs me. I sob into her shoulder just as the door opens again.