"Drink this."

I didn't bother opening my eyes. I knew who was in front of me and what he was holding. "Sod off, Nate."

"Haven't we done this before? Not too long ago, I was the guy being an ass and you were the one trying to make me chug some caffeine. Don't remember? Well, let me refresh your memory. It was when Lanie-"

"I remember!" I barked. With a glower I snatched the coffee cup from my best friend. "There's no need for the reminder."

I took multiple gulps of the coffee. Probably not wise since it was boiling hot, but I figured if my mouth hurt like a bitch then my chest would stop. When I heard Ryan loose it on the phone, I went mad. I wasn't even sane enough to call 9-1-1. Harper did.

Then we got here and I still haven't been able to get ahold of myself. We've been here for over three hours and the only information we've received was that they're running tests.

Tests, tests, and more test.

I was so over fucking tests. I wanted answers. I needed answers. I needed Ryan to come out of those doors and tell me that she was okay. That the baby was okay.

"Better?" Nate asked after a couple minutes.

Finally looking up at him, I met his gaze. "No. Not better. Nothing is fucking better." I ran a shaky hand over my face. "I'm losing my fucking mind, Nate. What if something's wrong or they lose the baby?"

"You can't think like that."

"Aren't you?" He looked away and I continued, "I know you have the same fears I do. We're all worried about what's going to happen. And to make matters worse, I can't help thinking about..."

Nate's expression was curious before understanding dawned on him. "You can't help thinking about you and Harper in this position if she gets pregnant."

My voice cracked. "Why is this happening to us? I know I screwed up and fucked my way threw my life with countless women and probably deserve some kind of punishment, but I can't help feel like the people I love are paying the price just for knowing me."

Nate started shaking his head before I even finished my sentence.

"Jackson, that's bullshit. You aren't the only one who has lived a promiscuous life. I'm a perfect example of that. Until I met Karma, all I cared about was getting laid. But she made me a better person. And Harper made you a better person. You and Harper don't deserve the hand you've been dealt. And Ryan and Danielle don't deserve whatever is happening now. But it's happening and we just have to deal with it. We have to deal with it and be there for each other and hope for the best. That's all we can do. Every single one of us has been handed a shit sandwich at some point in our lives. We just gotta eat it and hope it doesn't give us food poisoning."

I leaned back against the wall and shut my eyes. "You're right. I know you're right. This is all just-"

"Too much," he finished for me. "I know. It is for me, too. And Karma. Gwen. Cherise, Jamie, Lanie, Ayden, Harper...everyone. We're all here and we all have each other to lean on. No matter what happens when those test results come in, no one is alone here."

Surprisingly, I smiled at that. "When did you become so grownup?"

Nate scoffed and took the seat in front of me. "I grew up a little each time I got served one of those shit sandwiches I was talking about. When I lost Karma the first time. When my parents died. Then when I lost Karma again. I just realized I wasn't a kid anymore, Jackson." His voice dropped to a whisper. "None of us are kids anymore."

Before I could even think of a response to that, I saw Harper walking towards me from the corner of my eye. She hadn't left my side much since we got here, but Lanie needed some fresh air and asked Harper to go with her.

"Hey, princess." Her body melted into mine perfectly-just like it always did when I tugged her onto my lap. "Holding up okay?"

Her head was tucked into my neck so I couldn't see her face. "I'm okay. Just praying that they're okay. I need Danielle and that baby to be okay."

I swear...'okay' was starting to not even sound like a real word anymore.

I stroked her arm, trying to offer her comfort even though I knew it wouldn't help in this situation. "I know what you mean. I can't help thinking that-"

"Hey, guys," Lanie mumbled.

She joined the rest of us in the little section of the empty waiting room. Karma returnee from the restroom a few minutes ago and was sitting by Nate now, head on his shoulder as she chewed on her bottom lip. Aunt Gwen was sitting on the other side of Harper, stroking the rosary beads she was clutching in her hands.

Cherise and Jamie have been silent almost the whole time. Cherise was still sitting in the same chair and Jamie was standing in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window staring out at the nighttime city life.

I knew this had to be extra hard for them. Jamie and her mum went through hell when she was going through her chemo and radiation. Hospitals weren't their favorite place.

Hospitals weren't any of ours, either.

Christ. None of us had much luck in life as far as nearly or actually losing a family member. Or getting lost overseas while in the army and coming close to knocking on death's door themselves.

When were we going to catch a bloody break? When were we going to be the lucky ones? I wasn't askking to win the lottery or something like that. I just wanted what was left of our inner circle to remain healthy and alive. To have babies-healthy babies that would grow up and talk back to us.

That's all we wanted.

Ryan burst through the double doors suddenly looking like hell and utterly ruined. His hair was sticking up in all directions from running his hands trough it. Just like mine was and the guys. His eyes were red-rimmed.

Just like...all of ours.

We all jumped to our feet when we saw him. Everyone asking what they desperately wanted to know.

"Is she okay?"
"What about the baby..."
"Why does your face look like that, Ry?"
"What did the bloody doctor say?"

And they went on and on. My brother eventually put his hands up to quiet us.

"Please, you guys. I know you're all worried and I can't...fuck. I'm so glad you're all here." He heaved a great breath before he got to the important stuff. "She's fine. They both are. Danielle passed out because of her blood pressure spiking."

"What made it happen?" Nate asked.

"Even though it's rare, the doctor said it can happen to pregnant women. She said that sometimes their heart rate increases and then their BP rises. That can make them pass out. It can be from the hormones."

Karma pulled out a tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes. Tears of happiness this time no doubt. "What can she do to keep it from happening again? What can we do to help?"

Ryan pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket. "The doctor gave me two copies of this. It's basically a list of things to help keep this from happening again." He handed one to me. "Do you mind making a copy for everyone?"

"Of course," I replied and reached for the paper.

I was dying to know what was on it, but now wasn't the time so I just folded it and slid it in my pocket.

"As for tonight," Ryan continued, "they want to keep her overnight just for observation."

"Would you like me to go by your place and get a change of clothes for you guys?" Harper asked. "Or some of us can sit with her if you wanna go home and shower."

"I'm not leaving her here." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. "But I would appreciate a change of clothes for both of us, and Danielle asked if you could bring her a few comfort things? She said you would know what she meant."

Harper took the keys with a sad smile. "Of course. Jackson and I will go right away."

Hugs were exchanged between Ryan and every single person here before they made their way to the exit. I asked Gwen if she wanted to come with us to Ryan's, but she said Nate was going to give her a ride home to my place.

"Thanks for everything, Jay. I don't know what I would have done if..."

I pulled my brother in for a tight hug. His body was flush against mine from shoulders to toes. We weren't really the mushy type, but this was much needed on both sides.

"Stop that, Ry. Harper's the one who saved the day. I'm just glad I called you beforehand. And I'm glad both of your girls are okay."

Harper was next and she wrapped her arms around my brother's neck. "We were so worried. I promise we'll be quick and be back here in now time."

"Please take your time," he drawled. "The last thing we need is for you two to speed and get into an accident. No more accidents or hospital visits for anyone."

"Agreed," I interjected before taking Harper by the hand. "Ready, princess?"

"I'm ready."

We walked in silence, hand-in-hand, to the parking garage. She slid into the passenger seat while I got behind the wheel. I had the keys in my hand but I didn't start the car just yet. As if she knew what I was thinking, Harper reached over and squeezed mine.

"They're fine, Jackson. And...and we will be fine. I promise."

I squeezed my eyes tight at her words. Not even fighting back the tears anymore. "You can't promise something like that, princess. You don't know what's going to happen. For them, or for us."

When I looked over at her, there wasn't tears streaming down her face like mine. Only fierce determination.

"I can promise that, Jackson. Because I refuse to have it any other way."

I prayed she was right. About all of it.

***

I promised not to make you wait long for this one! Hope you enjoyed it. Also there's a new chapter of Heartstrings from Mate's POV coming out tomorrow!

🖤