Always Have, Always Will, page 23
I look up when Sam and Billie enter the room. I don’t know how they got an extra person past security, but I’m staying no matter what.
“Hey. Cash filled us in,” Sam states.
They move closer to the bed and give Auggie a once-over. He stirs a bit and then resettles. His hand grips mine tighter, but slowly loosens. I’m sure their expressions are similar to mine.
Auggie moves his head side to side and tries to speak. “Cuore mio.” His voice is hoarse and soft.
Tears I didn’t know were threatening fall down my face. “I’m right here.” I squeeze his hand.
He repeats the term of endearment again. I reply and squeeze his hand again. The monitors start beeping, and Patricia enters the room.
“Auggie, I’m right here with Sam and Billie.”
His eyes flutter open and close again. Then they open again and remain open. “Where am I?”
I start to speak, but Patricia cuts me off.
“Mr. Morgan, you’re at Westerly Hospital. You were pulled out of a fire at Ocean Cliff by Firefighter Allison.”
I glance at her badge and note her last name is also Allison. Was it her husband or daughter or son?
“Caroline.” His hand tightens around mine, and he tries to pull me closer.
“I’m right here.” I rise slowly so he can see me fully.
“Sami? Melissa?” His voice is straining.
Patricia offers him a sip of water before answering his question. “Sami is fine and alerted the responders you and Melissa were still in the building. Melissa was pulled from the building as well.”
Auggie nods. I wonder about Melissa simply because Patricia didn’t offer any information about her actual condition.
“You should rest. The doctor will be in to discuss your test results and course of treatment in the next hour or so.”
“Thank you,” Auggie replies.
Patricia turns to Billie and Sam. “Please keep your visit short. Your brother needs rest, and there should only be two of you in here.”
“Thank you,” Billie replies.
After Patricia leaves, they move closer to the bed again.
“Hey, bro. If you wanted to see me, all you had to do was call,” Sam teases.
Auggie starts to laugh but stifles it, setting a hand on his chest.
“Sorry. Glad you’re going to be okay,” Sam adds.
Billie hasn’t really said anything, but she takes Auggie’s other hand. Auggie tugs her closer.
“I’m going to be fine, Billie.”
All she does is nod. As the two youngest, Billie and Auggie’s bond is special. The fact Billie is his half sister doesn’t even register for Auggie, exactly like it doesn’t for me and Cooper. I’m grateful for Billie. If she wasn’t assigned the dorm room next to mine, I don’t know if I would have met Auggie the very first day of school.
Knowing they need to leave, Sam asks, “Do you need anything?”
“Nothing you can do for me, but thanks.” I think more and add, “Actually, do you see a bag with his personal items?”
Sam starts to look around the room. He locates a plastic bag with some items enclosed. “Something specific you’re looking for?”
“Aside from wondering where his ID is, his laptop with his research and plans and his keys.”
Sam dumps the contents of the bag onto the table. Auggie’s keys clink on the table. “There’s no laptop. His keys, chef’s coat, and a small notepad.”
“I dropped my laptop and research off at the rental.” Auggie adds, his voice sounds like a croaking frog.
“Here, Sam. Takes these.” I extend the keys to him. “The address of the rental is 6 Daisy Blvd. There are two bedrooms. Maybe you guys should get some rest.”
“I know you won’t leave, so I won’t suggest it. I wouldn’t if I were you. Are you sure you don’t need anything? Food? Coffee?” Billie asks.
“I’m fine.”
“She won’t eat when she’s upset,” Auggie forces out.
I look over at him and push my swelling emotions down. I lift his hand to my lips and kiss it. “I’m fine. I wouldn’t eat at this time anyway. I’ll update you in the morning.” I check my watch. “Later this morning.”
Sam and Billie hug Auggie and leave the room. I half expect Cash to come back and stay with me overnight, but he doesn’t.
“Come here.” Auggie taps the other side of his bed. He scoots over to one side.
I climb into bed with him as carefully as I can. “I love you, Auggie, always have.”
“I love you, always will.”
I curl into him and close my eyes. The rise and fall of his chest under my hand eases my mind a bit, and I fall asleep.
Chapter Forty Six
August
When I wake again, Caroline is tucked into my side on this narrow bed. I don’t recall anything after getting Sami to the front door of Ocean Cliff. It’s difficult to tell what time it is since there aren’t any windows in this room. I also don’t want to move and disturb Caroline.
I didn’t even think twice about searching for Sami and Melissa. I may be on my way out, but the staff is still my responsibility. I also didn’t think about how running toward danger could affect Caroline or myself. I reacted. Considering my current condition, I would likely do it again.
“Stop thinking so hard,” Caroline mumbles against my chest. She lifts her head to look up at me when the door swings open.
Patricia and another young woman, dressed in a fire department uniform, enter the room. “Good, you’re awake.”
Caroline slowly backs off the bed, and I recenter myself.
“I came to check on you one last time before I head home, but also this is Reese. She wanted to check on you after pulling you from the building,” Patricia says.
“Pleasure to meet you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. My dad, also known as Captain, while I’m at work, told me you never forget your first save. I wanted to check you personally, not merely take the information from your nurse, who happens to be my mom.”
I stifle a laugh. “I appreciate your visit as well as your mom not kicking my extra siblings out of here last night.”
“Family is important. I could tell your bond was strong, especially after the agitation when she wasn’t here.” Patricia points to Caroline.
“Thank you. My siblings would have heeded your request to leave begrudgingly.”
“Dr. Johansson will be in to give you an update and likely get you out of here by this afternoon.”
“Thank you both so much,” Caroline says. She returns to the side of my bed and fills my water after Patricia and her daughter leave my room
“Thanks,” I whisper. My voice sounds a bit better but not near normal by any means.
The door opens again. This time it’s my doctor and the day shift nurse. If I had to guess, it’s near seven in the morning.
“Glad to see you awake, Mr. Morgan. I have reviewed all your tests from last night. Your case is moderate. After another round of bloodwork, and if your oxygen levels stay steady and the test results improve from last night, you can go home this afternoon. However, from the information provided by your family, you live in New York. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Johansson replies, “Given the severity of your case, I would recommend you refrain from flying for at least a week.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll likely have some medications and breathing treatments to take with you.”
“Thank you, Doctor”
“I’ll have your day nurse, Sylvia, send up some food for the both of you.”
I nod, and Sylvia checks my vitals, calling out the results to Dr. Johannsson.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Sylvia inputs information into the computer and talks to me for a few minutes before asking if I would like additional visitors.
“Who is here?”
“There is a Mr. Warren Morgan and Ms. Eloise MacGregor in the waiting room.”
“Yes, my father and his girlfriend. They can come in.”
Sylvia indicates she’ll allow them in and leaves the room.
Caroline moves beside me with a warm, wet washcloth. She pulls the oxygen tube from my nose and washes my face and neck. After a soft kiss, she pulls away.
“I would really like to kiss you properly,” I mumble.
“I want to examine you from head to toe first.” Her tone is serious and still worried.
“Come back here, please.”
She drops off the cloth and returns to my side.
“I’m going to be fine. I may not be able to run a bunch of miles for a little while, but eventually I’ll be all healed up. You aren’t going to get rid of me so easily.”
“I never want to get rid of you.”
“Good.” I slide my hand along her jaw, drawing her closer. I kiss her softly again.
My father and Eloise knock on the door before entering.
“Son, how are you?” he asks as he steps closer.
“I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming. How did you know I was here?”
Eloise and Caroline are quietly chatting near the door.
“It was pure coincidence. I called Cash to set up a time to meet my granddaughters in person, and he indicated he was here with you.”
I nod. It makes sense. Collectively, we have made great strides in our relationship with our father. Caroline and Eloise approach the bed together.
“Auggie, nice to see you again. I would have preferred it to be a different setting.”
“You and me both, Eloise. Thank you for coming.”
She nods and moves closer to my father. His arm settles around her lower back. Not once did I ever see any affection pass between my parents. I’m happy for them. Either she’s nervous or doesn’t like hospitals. Can’t say I like them myself.
“How much longer will you be here?” My father asks.
“Hopefully, they’ll discharge me this afternoon.”
“Good. Where will you go when you’re released?”
It’s a new concept sharing my plans with my parents. It feels good to know I can trust my father again. “Caroline and I haven’t discussed it yet. I need to pack up the rental and then likely to Maine. What did you decide about meeting Josie and Julianna?”
“We’re going to fly back with Cash and stay at the Union Bluff for a few days.”
“Then I should see you there.” I nod. Perhaps we should put together a family dinner while we’re all there.
“We won’t keep you. I hope to see you both before we go back to the city.”
“Nice to see you again, Eloise. Mr. Morgan,” Caroline says politely before hugging Eloise.
“I think it’s time for you to call me Warren, Caroline.”
She smiles and nods politely. “Hopefully, we’ll see you soon, Mr—Warren.”
My father laughs and hugs Caroline. I hear him say something to her, but I can’t make out the words. They leave, and Sylvia enters immediately thereafter.
“Here is some food for a late breakfast/early lunch, take your pick. The test results came back, and you’ll be out of here this afternoon. Also, the waiting room is full of people itching to see you. Can I send them all back?”
“I’m going to guess: two guys who look like me, a tiny blonde, and another man fawning over said blonde?”
Sylvia laughs. “Your siblings and brother-in-law, I presume?”
“Yes, they can come in.”
“You might want to hold off on the hospital food. They have bags of stuff.” Sylvia checks my vitals again and removes the supplemental oxygen in my nose.”
“Thank you.”
My siblings and Peter enter the room and set down a huge bag of bagels and the necessary cream cheese and other toppings. Cash sets a duffle type bag on the chair in the corner. Caroline prepares a bagel for me while they check me over and joke. While I eat slowly, we discuss next steps.
“Did you find his ID at the rental?” Caroline asks.
“Not exactly. It was on the floor in his car.” Sam shares. “His laptop was on the island along with a stack of papers.”
“What’s your status?” Cash asks, stuffing his mouth with half of a bagel.
“I should be getting out of here this afternoon. I need to pack up the rental and get to the condo for now.”
“We already did,” Billie informs me.
I raise an eyebrow at them. “Did what?”
“We packed your stuff,” Billie states, proud of herself.
I’m not surprised. It’ll be easier for me and Caroline now that it’s done. “Do you have space for my car on the plane?”
“Yes, but you can’t fly yet. Caroline is going to have to drive you to Maine,” Sam adds.
“We brought you some fresh clothes. Sorry, Caroline, you didn’t have any clothes at the rental.”
“It’s fine. No need to worry about me right now.”
Dr. Johannsen and Sylvia enter the room and break up the party.
“The sooner your company leaves, the sooner you can leave,” Sylvia announces
“I’ll text you when we leave and keep you updated when we get to the condo. We’ll worry about the rest tomorrow or the next day,” Caroline assures my siblings.
They have no reason to be worried. She will dote on me more than necessary. I wouldn’t recommend hanging out in a smoke-filled building, but I won’t say no to a little extra TLC from Caroline for the rest of my life.
“We’re leaving. Dad and Eloise are going to join us on the flight back home. Please let us know when you’re settled,” Sam requests before following everyone except Caroline out the door.
“I will,” Caroline assures him, retaking her spot beside me.
I don’t miss the smiles pasted on their faces at seeing us together acting like a couple and not just friends. I have to admit, I love it myself.
Dr. Johannsson looks at my chart once again before speaking. “You can go home as soon as you’re ready. Here is a list of discharge instructions and prescriptions. The supplies for your respiratory exercises are in this bag as well. You need to do them three times a day for the next two weeks. Your primary care doctor can assess you further at that point. Any questions?”
“No, thank you.”
“Good luck to you.” He nods and leaves my room.
“Once you’re dressed and ready, push the call button and I’ll give you a wheelchair ride out of here,” Sylvia says.
“Thank you, Sylvia.”
Once she leaves the room, I throw the sheet and blanket aside and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Caroline hurries to my side.
“Slow down.” She sets clothes on the bed from the bag Cash delivered.
“Can you untie this?” I turn my back to her.
I hear a soft giggle.
“What is so funny?” Then I realize the lower half is likely untied. “You weren’t expecting that?”
“No, I wasn’t. Can’t say I’m disappointed.” She unties the top of the gown and then the middle. Her hands slide around my waist, flattening against me. I feel her relax the tiniest bit. With a sigh, she presses a kiss between my shoulder blades and slides her hands down my sides before backing away.
“Let’s get going so we can climb into the comfy bed at the condo and sleep until tomorrow.”
“Deal.” Less than an hour later, Caroline pulls onto the highway bound for Maine.
Chapter Forty Seven
Caroline
The entire ride to Maine, my fingers are intertwined with Auggie’s. Right now, I don’t plan on letting him out of my sight anytime soon. Aside from his injury, which I can use as an excuse, I’m nervous something else will happen if he’s alone. It isn’t logical. I realize, and eventually it will fade, but for now I’m not letting go.
I exit the highway and turn toward York Beach. Auggie has been in and out the entire ride. So much so he hasn’t been able to answer the flood of texts from his siblings, Colette, Sami, and the rest of the Ocean Cliff staff. There may even be a voice mail from Gordon.
I park in the designated spot and nudge Auggie. “Hey, we’re here.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice is still hoarse but improving.
“Don’t be. Let’s get you upstairs, and I’ll come back down for our stuff.”
He lifts my hand to his lips. I round the car and open his door. We walk at a decent pace to the elevator and ride upstairs. I settle him on the couch.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t do anything crazy.”
“Like what?”
I wave him off and make three trips with our baggage. After locking the door, I notice Auggie is no longer on the couch.
I hear the water running and hurry into the bathroom. Sweet mercy! Even with the steam on the glass, I see the outline of Auggie’s body. I strip off my clothes and pull open the enclosure.
“You should have waited,” I scold him.
“I’m fine. Dr. Johannsson didn’t give me any restrictions other than rest for a few days, no running for at least a week and only a few miles, and the breathing treatments. I can handle taking a shower by myself.”
“It’s… I was so scared. We just… and you….”
Auggie reaches forward, tugging me against his hot skin. “I never intended on getting stuck in the building. When I stepped into the dining room, there was no smoke. By the time I got Sami out of the ladies’ room, the room was filled with dark, billowing smoke.”
“As awful as this is going to sound, next time, which I hope there isn’t one, please leave the building. No heroic thoughts or actions. Leave the building.”
“It doesn’t sound like that at all. It sounds honest and as if you might like me a little bit.” Auggie’s tone is laced with levity.
“There is nothing funny about this, August. I could have lost you. I can’t handle it if something happens to you.”
He slides his hand up, tilting my chin skyward so I’m looking into his eyes. “Caroline, the last thing I ever intended was to cause you pain. I’ll never do that on purpose. I love you with everything I am. I can only imagine how it felt to get the call I was at the hospital. I promise, no more heroic actions unless a family member is involved.” Auggie kisses me hard at first and then softens against my mouth.
