Marcus: The M Series, Book Three (20 page)

“Don't worry about it, Cramp,” Joshua said. “Toad and I will find something. Who all wants to go?”

I hear a lot of 'I dos,' but Evelyn declined.

“Evelyn–”

“No, Marcus. I'll just wait for you guys to come back and talk to her, then. Really, it’s fine.”

“All right. I'll call you after I speak to Pete and find out when she's being released. Make the arrangements and bring me some clothes.”

“All right, Marcus,” Matthew said. “I’ll take care of the flight.”

“Good. And Joshua?”

“Yeah?”

“Pay Richards before you leave. Three hundred, plus expenses.”

“Got it.”

“Pete's back, I need to talk to him.”

“Have her call Rachel soon, Marcus,” Tom called.

“Soon as possible. We'll see you when you get here.”

I heard squeals and cheers as I hit the end key.

“Pete. What's the word?”

“She's good, Marcus. I'd like to keep her that way.”

“Nothing is more important to me, Pete. How soon will you release her?”

Pete turned and looked at a nurse. “Ms. Mills? Can you look in on Ms. Hollander, check her vitals?”

“On my way, Doctor,” a small nurse said back with a nod.

“She's dehydrated and exhausted. On top of that, she's anemic. She has to rest and no stress. Can you guarantee that?”

“I can. I've already talked to her siblings and mine. Her sister and her fiancée are flying in to ride back with us; I'm renting a bus and we’ll all take care of her. I just need to get her back home, Pete.”

He gives me a long look.

“Did I mention she's a nurse and he's a doctor, specializing in trauma? So is her brother and I'm sure he'll be here, as well.”

“She'll need frequent stops and plenty of rest. And she needs to eat. I don't think she's getting enough sustenance. I'd have to see what she eats today and look at her tests in the morning. I'm thinking forty-eight hours, Marcus.”

“Good. Sooner the better.”

“Excuse me, Dr. Garza,” Mariah’s nurse says, frowning. “Ms. Hollander's vitals are normal, but she seems a little out of sorts.”

“How,” I asked.

“She doesn't know why she's here and she doesn't remember she's engaged.”

“I'll check on her. Give me a couple minutes with her, Marcus, before you come in.”

“Two minutes, Pete.”

“Fine.”

* * *

I paced the hall attempting to calm myself. She speaks fucking Spanish! How did I not know that? Finding out that all the time we were together, she was the go between with Rosa and me, made me chuckle.

“What was that, Marcus?”

“She left before she told me she was pregnant. She's pissed at me.”

“I can see that,” Pete said then frowned. “Why would she do that? Not tell you, I mean.”

“She thinks I don't want children.”

“Why does she think that? Please tell me you're not still saying you don't want kids, Marcus.”

I stayed silent.

“You told her that. She became pregnant and instead of saddling you with a responsibility you told her you didn't want, she ran off and exhausted herself carrying your twins and working when she should have been resting and taking it easy.”

“I feel like an idiot already, Pete. I don't need you making it worse.”

“You should feel that way. I can’t believe you still spout that nonsense. What kind of person becomes a pediatrician and doesn’t want children? A cold-hearted idiot, that’s who and you aren’t either of those things,” Pete said glaring at me. He shook his head when I didn’t answer. “I have to check on my other patients. I'll be back around noon. Don't go back in there without me. She needs to rest and relax. Ms. Mills? Please let me know how much of her breakfast Ms. Hollander eats and if she keeps it down.”

“Yes, doctor.”

“And make sure Dr. Cannon here does not go in her room until further notice.”

“Come on, Pete!”

“You heard her, Marcus. Just let her be for now.”

I scowled and sat outside her room, feeling lost and better able to sympathize with relatives of my patients.

“I mean it, Marcus. Stay away from her for now. We'll see how she feels about you later.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “Hey, Pete... Where can I get a razor?”

* * *

After my shave, and I've had a bite to eat, I see Pete come out of Mariah's room, laughing. He looked at me and shook his head.

“How did you manage to attract such a beautiful, charming and funny woman?”

I scowled. “What am I, an ogre? What did she say?”

“She devoured my Snickers and is craving a cheeseburger with lots of tomatoes. She's not eating the hospital food, so I think you should get her one, with cheese fries and lots of ketchup. And watermelon. And get her a salad, Marcus. She's eating horribly.”

“It's the pregnancy. She's usually much more health conscious.”

“Well... all right. Ms. Holt? Please call for a cheeseburger for Ms. Hollander, courtesy of Dr. Cannon.”

“Sure, Dr. Garza. I'll order M Burger. They're delicious and they’ll deliver fast.”

“True,” Pete nodded. “Let's take a walk, Marcus. I'll show you where a good store is and we’ll catch up while we walk. Give her some cash, in case we don't come back in time. They're pretty quick. Call my cell if I'm needed, Ms. Holt.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

* * *

I stood when these idiots finally exit Mariah's room. Only a few minutes, I told them. They were in there for over an hour.

“Marcus Alexander Cannon! You are the stupidest man on the fucking planet!”

“Watch your tone, Matthew! You are in a hospital.”

He scowled then looked over to Mariah's new nurse and smiled.

“Charlee? Where can we go to kick our brother's ass and not disturb the patients?”

She nodded her head. “The room behind you is free.”

“Thank you, Charlee. I'll be right back,” he winked at her and grabbed my arm.

As soon as the door closed, they bombarded me with questions, all at once.

“What the hell?” I shouted over them, “One at a time!”

“Did you tell Cookie you were getting your lawyers,” Ethan hissed.

“Damn right, I did. She doesn't want me, fine. The lawyers can work out when I can see the boys.”

They all shook their heads and one by one I got a smack or a punch somewhere on my body. Now I knew how it felt to be Matthew. I grabbed my arm and rubbed.

“What the hell is wrong with you people? Shit... that last one really hurt.”

Alissa walked up to me, pointing. “Good! I'd do it again you...you... burro!”

“What?” I looked outside the room and beckoned to Pete. “What the hell is a burro,” I asked, closing the door behind him.

He chuckled. “A jackass.”

I scowled at Alissa while the rest of them patted her back.

“She's a keeper, Ethan!” Joshua laughed. “I really like her!”

I scowled at him then looked at Alissa. “Why am I a jackass?”

Pete and Alissa spoke in Spanish and she gestured whenever she spoke while glaring at me.

“You did tell her you were getting lawyers, Marcus,” Pete finally says in English.

“Yeah, so I can see my boys. And?”

Monica pointed a finger in my chest while giving me an 'I want to kick your ass and don't think I can't do it' expression.

“Well, burro,” Monica snarled. “She thinks you're going to take her babies from her.”

I know I paled. “What? She doesn't... She can't. I'd never...”

“Yes, she does, Cramp. She called Thomas and Rachel after you snapped this morning. Then Rachel called Mother,” Matthew chuckles. “Boy, are you in trouble!”

“That's not what I meant,” I said, quietly.

“Okay, listen.” Nathan blew out an exasperated breath. “We're gonna tell you, like we told her. Talk to each other! Shit... the two of you... it's like hair-pulling madness!”

“Your kids are going to be cement,” Mandy mocked. “Good luck with that!”

They all thought that was funny.

“You made her cry, Marcus,” Tom informed when they calmed. “At least twice.”

“And once with me,” Pete said from behind me.

“Look, I really didn't mean it that way. I just want to be able to see my sons since she doesn't want to be with me anymore.”

“Who said she didn't want you, Marcus,” Lisa asked.

“I didn't hear that... anyone else,” Monica queried.

'No' is murmured around the room.

I pulled out the engagement ring from my pocket. “She gave it back again, after I slipped on her hand last night.”

They went silent then I heard, “Mariah left her family, everyone she loves, because she was pregnant by a man who convincingly told her on numerous occasions he didn't want children. To me, that screams 'I love you so much that I'm going to disappear just to keep from hurting you more than I ever thought possible.' I seriously doubt that kind of love would just dissipate in only six months, Marcus.”

Everyone turned and stared at Matthew.

“What,” he asked, genuinely confused. “No one else sees that?”

“Am I drunk again? Did anyone else hear that come out of
his
mouth?”

“No, Marcus, I heard it, too. Loud and clear,” Pete chuckled. “You've grown, huh, Matthew?”

“No, he hasn't,” everyone murmured at the same time and laughed.

Joshua scoffed. “Once again, Cramp, you fucked up, so you're going to have to fix it. And soon. We all want Mariah near when our nephews come; more so do the mothers AND the fathers. Try getting back into California without Mariah.”

“Shit. I cannot believe she thinks I want to take our babies from her.” I shook my head at the floor at my ever-showing stupidity again. “All right. Get out of here so I can think on how to fix this.”

“Good,” Nathan said, nodding. “Let's go to Morton's, everybody; I could use a good steak.”

After the others left, Pete moved to my side.

“I'll lift the ban if you promise to behave, Marcus. Do not upset her again.”

“I won't, Pete. I just need to talk to her.”

“Yeah, you do. Fine.” He opened the door. “Dr. Cannon's ban is lifted. He can see Ms. Hollander, if it's okay with her.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Pete widened the door open. “Come on, Marcus. Go to her.”

I walked to her door and tried to think of what to say to her.

“SHIT,” she yelled and I bolted into the room. I didn't see her so I look in the bathroom.

“What happened? What's wrong?”

She startled then frowned, looking at me like she's wondering why I look different.

“N-nothing, I dropped the soap and got winded trying to pick it up,” Mariah said, realizing I shaved off the beard. I get an ill-controlled smile. Yeah, baby... I shaved it off for you.

“What are you trying to do, Mariah?”

“I wanted a shower.”

“Why didn't you ask for help,” I asked as I picked up the dropped bar of soap.

“I wanted to do it on my own.”

Still so stubborn and it still turned me on. I reached around her and turned the water on and checked to make sure it's the temperature she likes.

“Need anything else?”

“No.”

I released a heavy sigh as she attempts to unravel the string on the gown and can't untie the knot. I untied it and watched her again. She reaches to get the socks off. The first was a struggle but she got it off, but the other one was going to give her trouble. I crossed my arms and waited, thinking she'll ask me for help. She didn't.

“You have to be the stubbornest person on the planet,” I muttered. I squatted and lifted her leg. She was wearing the anklet I gave her. I tightened my grip when she tried to pull her leg back.

“You kept this on this whole time,” I asked, hoping she’d say yes.

She looked away and didn't answer.

“Mariah. Please answer me.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

Suddenly the sink was more interesting than me.

“Why, Mariah?”

“Because I still love you. I never stopped.”

I looked at her leg as a huge grin spread over my face.

“Are you sure,” I asked as I pulled off the sock.

“Yes.”

It's a whisper, but good enough. I rose and captured her gaze. We stared at each other for a moment. I touched her belly.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“You don't want children. I didn't want to force this on you when you made it crystal clear you didn't want it. I felt really bad I got pregnant and I didn't want you think I did on purpose to trap you.”

I wanted to scoff. She had me trapped the day I met her.