Chapter 28
NOAH
Ilet out the groan of a lifetime as I came back into the world of the living.
Sure, there had been moments here and there where I was vaguely aware of what was going on around me. But this was the first time I’d opened my eyes for more than a few minutes since the accident.
At least, theytoldme it was an accident. The last thing I remembered before waking up in the hospital was having a very strange conversation with my daughter over lunch.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I remembered thinking of the word “love.”
A pair of nurses was at the end of the hospital bed, both regarding me with the same expression of concern.
“I’m…I’m fine,” I said. “And you can trust me on that – I’m a doctor.”
They looked at each other, then at me, as if they knew they were dealing with someone stubborn. Well, they were right on that score.
“Let me…let me see my family.”
I put my hands on the sides of the bed and tried to push myself up. But as soon as I did, the nurses rushed to each side to stop me. They didn’t get a chance though before the pain did it for them. It was horrible, sharp, stabbing pain on my side and my leg.
“Dr. McMurray,” said the one on the right. “You’re in no condition to be getting up.”
It was a classic case of the spirit being willing but the body unable.
“Fine, fine,” I said, plopping back onto the bed and letting another fresh blast of pain run through my body. “Let me guess – at least…three broken ribs, some serious bruising, and…I don’t know if that’s a full-on break in my femur, but that’s got to be at least a fracture.”
The nurses regarded one another again, this time as if they were grudgingly accepting that I was pretty close.
“Four ribs,” said one of them. “But the rest is pretty dead-on.”
“Drunk driver slammed into you,” said the other. “You’re lucky you were driving that big truck.”
“And how’s the poor SOB?”
“Bad shape,” she replied. “More broken bones. But he’s going to make it. And wake up with one hell of a hangover.”
“Anyone else hurt?” It worried me to ask this question.
One of the nurses shook her head. Relief washed through me.
“You and the van were the stars of the show. Just a few fender benders aside.”
“Thank Christ.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to work through the pain.
“I need to see my family. Where are my kids? All three of them. And my…”
I trailed off, not knowing how to refer to Sadie. Somehow, the word “baby momma” didn’t seem fitting and proper for the circumstance.
“Give us a moment.”
With that, the nurses left, and I was alone.
But not for long. The door opened and in stepped Sadie. She was the sweetest sight I could imagine, beautiful as ever, though a little tired looking. All I wanted to do was cover her in kisses.
She wasn’t alone, however. Camilla was with her. At first, I was certain I was seeing things. But the longer I looked, the more I realized it was real – they were together.