Page 79 of Just Desserts

It took me another half hour to finally get there and figure out which floor they were on. When I got to the waiting room I was shocked at the familiar faces there. Isla's mom was sitting with Alyssa's parents who looked absolutely devastated. I stood there for a moment, unsure if I should talk to them. All I cared about was Isla, I didn't want to deal with confrontation or getting waylaid by her family.

Before I could make a decision Bennett came stalking through the doors that guarded the patient rooms. He looked disheveled without his jacket and his bowtie hanging open as if he had torn it off. I was horrified at the blood splashed across his white tuxedo shirt and stained into the skin of his forearms. I must have made some sort of noise because all eyes swung to me before Bennett could reach Isla's family.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I just wanted to make sure Isla is okay. Please just tell me.." I was cut off as Myles fist connected with my face, causing my head to whip back.

I stumbled before collapsing in a heap on the floor. Blood started gushing from my nose and it took a minute for the ringing in my ears to fade enough that I could hear the voices surrounding me.

There was a swarm of people over me after I hit the ground. I was brought into an examination room so they could reset my nose and stop the bleeding. Once treated, I left to try and get some information on Isla. I stopped short to find two police officers waiting for me as soon as I exited. With nothing gainedfrom this trip other than a broken nose, I was then dragged to the police station to give a statement regarding the horror show that is my life.

Chapter 56

Isla

"Well that was an eventful night. You would think they'd at least give me the good drugs while I'm here but apparently quaaludes are no longer in vogue." I couldn't help the laugh that escaped but it ended shortly when I took in the sight of Grams.

The usually larger than life, vibrant woman looked so frail in the hospital bed. Wires and IVs webbed around her. It was another punch to the gut, at how close to danger everyone came tonight. I couldn't let myself think about Wes yet, couldn't even begin to think about a world where he didn't make it out of here okay. As if sensing my distress, Grams called me over.

"My darling girl, I can see you questioning yourself. Your cousin is a strong man, he is going to pull through this, I know these things. And you, my dear, are just as strong, I know you feel as if you failed but you protected me tonight. You protected your aunt and uncle when you stood between them and Alyssa's knife.

“None of us know how we're going to react in a situation like this, and I thank the heavens most of us will never have to experience it but you did magnificent Isla. We gotta dust off our knees and lick our wounds but I expect all of us to be in fighting form soon enough." Tears streamed down my eyes as Grams clutched my hand, Sarah at my side.

"Now Sarah, I recognize my overnight bag over there. Did you bring it here to rob me of my belongings? You know, add insult to injury?" I laughed at Sarah's outrage as she stood up, pointing her finger at Grams.

"Listen up old lady, you have to spend the night here and I happen to have your silk pajamas, a sleep mask and extra blanket for you, but that means you gotta cut the lip service."

"Oh my darling, Sarah, my other granddaughter. You are a goddess, a gift from the above, now Isla shoo. Get away so I can tell Sarah how much I adore her." We laughed at her theatrics but I did give up my spot so Sarah could sit close to Grams and get a proper hug in.

I gave them space to talk as I went and unpacked Grams' bag, pulling out the pajamas for her to change into. We helped Grams get changed then tucked her back into bed with the blanket Sarah had stolen from the hotel. Once she was settled, there was a knock on my door and we were greeted by Myles, a smile warming his familiar face as he saw Grams up and alert.

"Myles! Come here sonny." She demanded and I smiled at the wariness on his face.

Once he was sitting on the bed she grabbed his hand and whispered in his ear. She pulled back, patting his cheek before laying back onto her pillows. I was surprised to see tears in Myles eyes but he quickly blinked them away.

"I promise." He said to Grams then kissed her on the forehead. Before I could ask what that was about Myles carefully grabbed my elbow.

"The doctor is on his way out to give an update on Wes." I jumped at the news and without a word turned on my feet to race towards the waiting room. Myles managed to keepup with me and we both came to a sliding stop as a doctor approached my family. My aunt and uncle stood up as the doctor joined the group.

"Family of Wesley Chambers?" We all nodded waiting for the news.

"Mr. Chambers was stabbed in the lower abdomen but he was lucky. The knife missed any major arteries and veins but it did nick the small intestines. We were able to surgically repair the damage but we will need to keep him in the hospital for up to a week to monitor the surgical incision and make sure the anastomosis is intact."

There was a collective sigh of relief among the family and I couldn't help the tears that came barreling through at the news he was going to be alright. In the background I could hear as my family asked the doctor additional questions but I couldn't focus on what they were saying. Myles wrapped me into his arms, rubbing my back and letting me cry all over him.

All of my nerves and emotions felt raw and exposed, I had no barriers to protect myself from the overload of sensations. I had Myles though, in his arms I felt safe to let it all out. I felt safe to cry for the man who was like a brother to me, who risked his life for me. Crying for the girl I thought of like a sister, who hated me so deeply she would harm all of us like this. Crying for all of the pain this brought to the people I loved.

Finally the sobs slowed and I lifted my head from Myles chest. He swiped at my face gently, but still didn't say anything. I pushed to my toes to press a kiss to his face, reassuring myself that he was real and safe, silently thanking him for saving me from the maelstrom of emotions threatening to tear me apart. I pulled away and returned to standing flat on my feet, but still keeping my body close to Myles, resting my head on his chest. I turned to face my family as they thanked the doctor.

"A nurse will come out and let you know as soon as we have him settled in his room, then you can go and see him. He's been heavily sedated so I can't guarantee when he will wake up fully, it may not be for several hours." We murmured our thanks and then slumped back down into our respective chairs.

"Do you want me to take you back to Grams’ room?" Myles asked.

"Yeah, let me give them an update. I can hang out there until they get Wes settled." I nodded against his chest.

He pressed a kiss to my hair then stepped away, escorting me back to Grams room. We both came to a quick stop as we entered the room to find Sarah and Grams sitting together wearing those spa face masks that looked like paper cutouts. It made them look comically ghoulish in what was already a dreary situation. I couldn't help the laugh that came out of me, the joy at seeing Grams okay and the depth of my love and friendship for the two women.

"I got a five pack, Myles you want one?" Sarah waved the packet of face masks in front of him and a full belly laugh left me. Myles rolled his eyes indulgently at Sarah as he guided me to the open chair next to Grams bed.

"I'm going to leave while I still can, we just got some good news about Wes. I'll let Isla fill you in. call me if you need anything," He said, giving me a quick kiss before backing out of the room, eyeing Sarah warily.

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