Page 54 of Until Delilah

I needed to make it official.

As soon as I can.

Because Beck and Delilah deserve a big family.

The truck hasn’t even stopped before I throw open my door and run through the emergency room’s doors. I stop in front of a woman who looks like she’s had a long day and knows I’m going to cause her problems going by the deep frown on her face.

“My girlfriend, Delilah Williams, was brought in not long ago. I found her unconscious and unresponsive. What room is she in?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but unless you’re family I can’t give you that information.” She looks down and starts typing.

“I am family. She’s having my baby.” That should count for something, right?

“Who’s to say you’re not the one who put her in the hospital in the first place? I’m sorry, sir.”

“I have to see her. I need to be there when she wakes up,” I beg. I’ve always been calm, but in this moment, I feel like I’m close to losing my mind.

“Until she wakes up and says she wants to see you, you’ll have to wait out here. Now, if you don’t mind, there are others waiting.”

I turn to find two other people waiting for help.

“What if her parents call and give their consent?” I bargain.

“I’m sorry, sir, unless they are present, I’d have no way of knowing if whoever calls is indeed her mother or father, or not. You could have anyone call and say they’re her parents.”

Fuck.

While I understand their need to keep patients safe, they don’t need to keep her safe from me.

The fight goes out in me. “Can you let the doctors know I’m here for her?”

“Yes, I’ll let them know.” She looks behind me and calls out, “Next.”

I find an empty seat close to the doors where I know someone will come out to give information and sit. I don’t plan to move until I know how Delilah’s doing.

It doesn’t take long for my dad to find me. He silently sits beside me. My legs bounce as each minute seems like hours. Each time the doors swing open, I stand ready for news and each time it’s for some other unlucky soul sitting in the emergency room waiting with us.

Every second feels like hours. My emotions are ping-ponging inside me going from despair to anger to guilt. I should have gone with her. If I’d been by her side, nothing would have happened.

My dad holds his phone out for me to read a text that just came in from Mom. Delilah’s parents along with Ava are getting on the first available flight and will be here tomorrow.

“Thanks. I wish they were here now, so they could get us answers.” I pull out my phone to see a dozen messages and missed calls, but don’t bother to read them. What I do see is we’ve been here for well over an hour without an update. “What’s taking so long?”

“I can’t say, Son, but she’s in good hands.”

“What if it’s the baby? I tried to feel if there was any movement and felt none. What does that mean?”

“It could mean a number of things.” He claps me on the back and digs his fingers into my tense shoulder muscles. “Perhaps the baby was sleeping.”

I hear what he doesn’t say, though. Maybe the baby wasn’t moving because she’s hurt or worse.

“When I see her, I’m asking her to marry me. I can’t wait any longer. I’m done giving her time.”

“Maybe asking her first thing isn’t the smartest thing, Son. She’ll likely be out of it, and if not then in pain. Wait until she’s safe at home.”

“You think she’ll say no?” I couldn’t bear the possibility.

“Not on a normal day, but after today and whatever else she’s gone through, we don’t know what’s possible. Feel out the situation before you storm in there and demand marriage.”

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