“It hurts,” she whimpered, her sobs hitching. “I want you, Mommy. Please come.”
Tears burned in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them. “I’m coming, sweetheart. I’ll be there soon. Be brave for me, okay? Just a little longer.”
The phone shuffled again as Jason came back on the line. “She’s calming down a little, but she’s scared. I just… I thought you should know. We’re at the pediatric unit at Hoag.”
“I’m on my way,” I said quickly, hanging up.
I pressed the phone to my chest and closed my eyes, trying to breathe, but the sound of her voice—small, scared, and crying—echoed in my head.
“I’ve got to go,” I said abruptly, grabbing my bag. My movements were frantic, my mind already at the hospital with Bebe. “I’m so sorry, I just—I need to get to her.”
Will was already reaching for his keys. “I’ll drive.”
I froze, my bag clutched tightly in my hands. “You don’t have to?—”
“I’ve got you,” he said simply, his voice steady, already moving toward the door.
I stared at him for a moment, the weight of his words settling over me, grounding me. I didn’t want to argue, didn’t want to do this alone.
“Okay,” I said softly.
He opened the door, holding it for me as I stepped into his garage, and he held the door of the passenger side to let me in.
The drive to the hospital felt endless. I sat rigid in the passenger seat, clutching my phone so tightly my fingers ached. Every bump in the road seemed to stretch the distance farther, the silence pressing down on me like a weight.
Will glanced over at me, his hand reaching out to rest lightly on mine. The warmth of his touch was steady, grounding.
“You’ll be there soon,” he said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. “She’s going to see you and know everything’s okay.”
I nodded, though my throat was tight, and my chest felt like it was caving in. I didn’t say anything, couldn’t find the words, but his hand stayed on mine the rest of the way, an anchor against the storm inside me.
The fluorescent lights of the ER waiting room buzzed faintly, making the stark white walls feel colder and sharper. My eyes darted over the rows of plastic chairs until I spotted Jason near the corner. He was sitting forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped tightly, the tension etched in every line of his body.
Next to him was a woman. She sat close to him, her posture straight and calm, her short dark hair framing round brown eyes that flicked to Jason with quiet concern. One of her hands rested lightly on his, brushing his knuckles in what looked like an attempt to comfort him.
Jason looked up as I approached, his gaze meeting mine. His expression shifted. Confusion flickered briefly as his eyes flicked to Will behind me, but he quickly masked it. Jason stood, his movements tight and deliberate.
“How is she?” I asked, my words coming out sharper than I intended, my chest tightening with every second I didn’t have an answer.
“They just took her back for surgeryabout five minutes ago,” Jason said. His voice softened slightly, but the strain was still there. “The tests confirmed it’s her appendix. The doctor said the surgery is routine, but…” His words trailed off, and he glanced toward the double doors.
I nodded quickly, trying to keep my breathing steady as I pictured Bebe on an operating table, scared and without me.
Jason gestured toward the woman beside him. “This is Brooke.”
Brooke stood, smoothing her trousers as she stepped forward. “Hi,” she said, her voice even, offering her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I hesitated for a split second before shaking her hand briefly. “Hi, nice to meet you,” I said, my voice flat and distracted. I turned and gestured beside me. “And this is Will.”
Before anyone could say more, Meredith walked in through the hospital doors. She had brought coffee with her. She handed me one and hugged me. “It’s all going to be okay.” I felt so vulnerable and didn’t want to lose it in front of this Brooke woman, my ex-husband or even Will. I was feeling so guilty for not being here earlier. I just missed Bebe. I wanted to just tell her it’s okay.
Meredith could sense I was getting a bit overwhelmed.
The double doors leading to the treatment rooms swung open, and a nurse stepped into the waiting room. Her calm demeanor helped, though the clipboard in her hands made me brace myself.
“Bebe Bradford’s parents?” she asked, glancing atJason and Brooke.
Jason and I both stepped forward.
