Fuck, she’s beautiful.
I open my mouth to tell her that I—
“Isaac Hayes’ family?”
A man with reddish-brown hair takes a step into the waiting area, wearing dark green scrubs.
Everyone is out of their seat, including me.I’m still clutching Summer’s hand, and thankfully she follows instead of letting go.
I don’t think I could take the steps that I do without her support.
The doctor’s eyes widen as he takes a look around at the waiting room, and at each person who rose to their feet.It’s not just us.There are a lot of the Carters in attendance, many of whom I didn’t realise had come.“All of you?”
“Yes.These are his siblings and family.I am his mother, Liza.Please, tell me my son is okay,” Mum pleads.
“I am your son’s surgeon, Doctor Marsh.As you are aware, Mr Hayes was brought in with serious injuries.”
“Isaac.His name is Isaac,” I specify.Mr Hayes seems too impersonal.It makes him sound like a patient on a check list.I hate it.He is someone’s son, brother, friend.
The doctor nods in understanding.“Isaac was brought in with serious injuries.The object penetrated his flesh through and through.The injury caused an uneasy amount of blood loss, and he was unconscious when he arrived.He has now since had a rapid infusion of fluids and blood.His vitals have stayed steadily just below normal, which is good news.He was taken straight to surgery, where we assessed and then safely removed the object.Your son is very lucky, Mrs Hayes.The object managed to miss anything vital.Another few centimetres to the right and he would have punctured his small intestines.”
“He’s okay?”Mum breathes.“He’s really okay?”
“Like with all traumas, there is always a risk of unknown complications.But I am optimistic that Mr Hayes will make a full recovery.As I said, he is very lucky.”
“He’s okay,” Luke whispers.
“He’s okay,” I repeat, sagging against him.
Mum sniffles, letting Jaxon wrap her in his arms as she addresses the doctor.“My sons, his twins, can they please go see him?”
My eyes widen at Mum.“Us?”
She forces a smile then moves closer, taking one of our hands in hers.“As much as I would love to rush up there first, I think you both need it more than me.After what I have witnessed today, I am sure Isaac will need it just as much.”
I glance at the doctor, hope filling my chest.“Can we?”
“Yes, only two at a time.It will have to be quick visits if you all want to go in,” he murmurs, glancing around.“Isaac needs his rest.”
“Where?”Luke demands softly.“Where do we go?”
“Follow me,” he answers, but then quickly glances at Mum.“If you have any questions, please have a nurse call me and I will come down and answer them for you.”
I stare at the hand still entwined with Summer’s.I can’t let go.
I glance up to find her watching me.Tears slip down her cheeks as she gives me a relieved smile.“Go!”
“I...”
I can’t let go.
Oh fuck.
I need her.I’m fucking gone for her because I’ve never needed anyone.Not like this.I am too fucking afraid to let go, to lose the sense of comfort she has given me.
My eyes meet the doctor’s.“Can she...can she come with?”
He shifts on his feet.“We can’t allow more than two people in the room as Isaac is in an intensive care unit.”
