Page 86 of Saving His Heart

“This is something I’m supposed to do when we’re eighty, Preston. Not yet, but knowing you, you’re probably getting a kick out of this.”

Oh God, did I just say that out loud?

“It’s okay, miss. I’ve heard doctors tell loved ones it is good to talk to them. I always do.” The orderly watches me kindly.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

When I’ve got Preston changed and made him as comfortable as I can, I open the door and tell everyone he’s ready. Walking beside the bed as they roll it to the elevator and down to the sixth-floor hall, I realize we’re on the labor and delivery floor.

“Why are were down here?”

“The L&D rooms are the only ones big enough to accommodate Mr. Westbrook,” the nurse answers from behind me.

I’m about to ask another question when they roll Preston into a room three times the size of his other one. Lining three walls are chairs, all filled with the family I’ve been thrown into. All four of Preston’s brothers sit in a line. Dexter, Lanie, and Julia sit on another. Even GG is sitting quietly next to Lexi.

They all sit in comfortable clothing like they’re settling in for a long while. Red eyes give away their sadness.

Keep your shit together, Emory. They are all hurting more than you.

When my gaze lands on Sylvie, my damn breaks even as my brain is yelling at me to bottle it up.

Dexter stands and wraps me in a hug. “We don’t do anything alone in this family, Emory. I wish Preston would have realized that sooner, but we are all here for you. We always will be.”

“Ah-hem,” someone clears their throat, and I peer around Dexter’s broad shoulders to see Ben Simmons. “Emory? Knowing Preston’s wishes, I believe we should fill everyone in now that you’re all together.”

“Where’s—”

“Incoming,” I hear Trevor say from behind me. Dexter immediately moves to help him.

I watch in horror as Trevor drags in one of the most massive Christmas trees I’ve ever seen, followed by Julia’s dad holding about twenty bags overflowing with decorations.

“Trevor, you can’t have live trees in a hospital room. There are allergens and—”

“Emory, I know this is going to be the douchiest thing I ever say to you, but money allows for a lot to happen that isn’t technically allowed,” East says. “Preston wanted to make it to Christmas. I’ll pay off as many assholes as needed to bring it to him. This is where it’s okay to take off your doctor’s hat and just be his wife.”

Shocked, I back up until I’m resting on the edge of Preston’s bed once again. Someone puts Christmas music on their phone, and the entire room goes about decorating the tree whose scent has already infiltrated the room. Once it’s made beautiful, everyone goes back to their seats, allowing the music to fill the silence.

“Emory?” Ben says again.

Glancing around, I know I owe everyone here an explanation. Making eye contact one by one, I stop when I get to Ashton.

“Ash, where’s Loki?”

He doesn’t answer right away, but when he breaks eye contact to stare at his lap, I feel another pit forming in my throat.

“Ashton?” Sylvie demands.

“I … he should have arrived yesterday for the wedding. Seth can’t reach him. The last contact point they had for him is gone. An explosion of some sort is all the information I can hack from his systems. As of four hours ago, they listed him as missing in action.”

“No,” Sylvie cries, collapsing to the ground. “Dear God, please don’t take two of my boys from me today.”

I move to comfort her, but the room is faster than I am. Colton has swooped in and lifted her into the reclining chair set up in the corner as he sits and attempts to soothe her, while Dex and Easton stand by her side.

Don’t let Ben push this right now. Sylvie cannot take any more. Waiting a couple more hours so she can digest all of this heartache isn’t going to hurt anyone.

“Emory, dear. Please, please, tell us what Preston wanted. Tell us your story,” she pleads.

Halton hands her a cup of tea and wraps a blanket around her trembling frame. He looks to me and nods.