Page 133 of Creed

I heard a knock on the door frame because the door wasn’t shut. I turned and saw Josh and he was as white as a ghost.

“Josh, what’s wrong?” My heart sped up because I knew something was wrong.

“Axton is downstairs, and he would like to speak with us.” He walked over to help me off the floor, but my legs felt weak, and I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to hear whatever it was he had to say.

My legs finally worked, and Josh helped me downstairs and onto the sofa in the living room. It was quiet because I noticed everyone went outside to give us privacy, except my mom. Josh sat on one side of me and my mom sat on the other. Axton was sitting in a chair leaning on his elbows with his head hung low. He couldn’t even look at me.

“If you’ve got news, at least look at her.” Josh said.

Axton lifted his head and when he looked at me his eyes were bloodshot and puffy like he had been crying.

“Creed led a successful mission, but his evacuation was interrupted by a group of Isis members. They got their high value target, and Creed was able to send the intel through to General Pendleton before they lost contact. The last anyone knew Creed was injured and died as they were transporting him to a forward surgical team. For the last week he was officially listed as missing in action because they lost communication with the transport team. They had not gotten official confirmation yet.”

My entire body was shaking but I felt frozen and couldn’t even think right. My world was just ripped away from me, and I couldn’t even blink my eyes.

“I made the order not to tell you until I got confirmation.”

“Did you get confirmation?” Josh’s voice was shaky.

Axton shook his head. “I was told his transport vehicle came under fire by another Isis group. I spoke with an old buddy with Seal Team Six and he was in the other vehicle. They fought like hell, but every person that survived the attack was taken and the dead were left in the vehicle. Creed was not in that vehicle, but I was told his injuries were severe and they did have to do CPR twice to bring him back. If he was alive it wouldn’t have been for long. Another evacuation team spotted the Isis vehicle, and they attacked it.”

Axton paused then looked straight at me. “General Pendleton received the Casualty Feeder Report this afternoon and Creed was listed as critically injured. He’s in Germany and he’s alive for now, but I had to wait for the official call to confirm his status. I got that call thirty minutes ago, and Creed is only being kept alive with machines. I have to leave for Germany right away to escort him home.”

I was so confused. “If he’s that hurt why bring him home instead of waiting until its safe to travel?” My hands were shaking and the tears started.

“Because I have to respect his last wishes and sign some forms.”

I shook my head. “No, you can’t do that! I’m going with you, and I’ll be the one to make that decision.” I tried standing but it took a few tries.

“Morgan wait!” Josh stood and wrapped his arms around me. “You can’t go. Not just because of the babies, but the military has strict rules. The only reason Axton can go is because Creed gave him power of attorney and he’s listed as the emergency contact. Only spouses, biological parents, siblings, and children will be able to see him. They have to be immediate family by blood or marriage. Axton is the only one that can go.”

I fought out of Josh’s arms and Axton stood as I raced over to him. “Don’t you dare choose to stop his heart! Don’t you fucking dare!” I began pounding on his chest. “I am having his children and he better be alive when they’re born! Don’t you fucking dare!” I screamed at him as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him, hugging me so I couldn’t fight anymore. I tried but he held me too tight.

“I don’t want this responsibility, Morgan. I’d gladly give it to someone else. He’s my fucking brother, and I still need him, but I made a promise. This isn’t my decision, it’s his. He doesn’t have any brain activity, he’s already gone, Morgan!”

Josh

I had Jenny call Zoey. She also called Tanner and Patrick. I was ill, fighting my own emotions as I had to ripMorgan from Axton. She begged and pleaded with him not to kill Creed. It was the way she was saying it that broke Axton. She even made him feel the babies move by forcing his hand to feel her stomach. Eventually, she broke him, and he fell to his knees crying. Her grandparents came flying inside as Jenny held on to Axton and I held Morgan. She was still trying to get out of my arms so she could take her anger out on the wrong man.

Eventually, she became too tired to fight, so I carried her upstairs and away from Axton. When Tanner arrived, he stayed with Jenny and Morgan in her room, and I ran downstairs to Axton. He was a mess, and he had the jet waiting. Commercial air travel was limited, but he got clearance through the Secretary of Defense to take the jet up. It was the least they could do for Creed.

The rest of the Originals showed up, along with Creed’s brothers, and Zoey. It was pitiful the way Axton held on to me before he left. I knew he was going to be mind fucked for the rest if his life. Hell, we all probably were, but Axton was the worst. I couldn’t imagine standing in his shoes.

Zoey was keeping a close eye on Morgan. My sweet girl was like a zombie. Addie didn’t understand what was happening, so Melissa took her over to Stephanie’s so she could watch all four kids. It was actually Steph’s job to be the liaison between the families, the hospitals, and she would be making funeral arrangements with Creed’s family, which was pretty much us.

Creed’s brothers wanted to go with Axton, since they were biological family, but Axton wasn’t prepared for that at all. He wanted to go by himself.

Morgan made Axton make one promise. If there was any glimmer of hope he was not to sign anything. She also asked if there was a way to keep him alive long enough to bring himhome to her, that he please do it. She wanted to be the one holding his hand as he died. We all knew none of that was possible, but he gave his word anyway. She then stated if none of that was possible, he was to call her so he could hold the phone to Creed’s ear, and she could say her goodbyes.

A Job Done Wrong

Mike

I couldn’t make it out of that house fast enough. I raced to my place and packed a bag quickly before racing off to the jet.

I knew I wasn’t in a hurry, Creed wasn’t going anywhere, but I needed away from Creed’s Lake. I threw up twice once I got to the jet. She made me feel those babies and it was more than I could handle. I became the enemy, and I didn’t know how to manage my emotions.

Shit always ended up that way. The fucking military kept screwing us over time and time again. Creed might have been brilliant, but he was just a man. They sent him into Dark Shadow without a true evacuation plan. That got Bolton raped and most of my team almost killed. It was me that had to go in and save them.

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