Page 63 of The Wedding Driver
“I’m here for you. Whatever you need me to do.”
“You might not like this part, but if it’s possible, I want to bring her home with me.”
She palmed his cheek. “Of course you do. And you’re going to sit by her side right to the end. I’d expect nothing less.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I know this is asking a lot, especially since you haven’t always agreed with how I handle Victoria.”
“I’ve only wanted to be there for you.” She smiled. “And that’s what I’m going to do.” She knew they would weather whatever happened next because they had each other.
* * *
Foster rested one hand gently over Victoria’s pale wrist while he gripped Tonya’s with his other.
Victoria’s parents stood on the opposing side, staring at their daughter while she breathed on her own. She could survive for a few more days, but the doctors said it wouldn’t be long. They had her doped up, so she’d be comfortable. There was no reason for her to suffer. All her organs were failing. It wasn’t the infection that had killed her—although that had been her final nail in the coffin.
The doctors had removed the breathing tube and taken Victoria off all the machines.
“Let me go see what’s going on with the discharge papers and where that wheelchair is,” Tonya said softly.
“Thank you.” Foster leaned over and kissed her temple. He jumped when someone pulled the curtain back.
“I wanted to check on everyone and see if there was something I could do.” Kathy stepped into the room. “I know this is a difficult time and if I can be of service, I’m happy to help.”
Foster stiffened his spine. It was as if history was repeating itself. He swallowed the bile that had bubbled up from his gut. A flash of seven years ago burned in his mind. He could see Kathy stepping into the hospital morgue after he’d said his final goodbye to his precious Lisa. Victor and Denise hadn’t known who Kathy was at the time, and he thought she’d have enough respect for him—and them—to keep it that way.
Unfortunately, Kathy had another agenda. She went in as if she were a concerned medical professional and then dropped the bomb, nearly destroying his already tense relationship with Victor and Denise.
“This is no place for you.” Victor stepped to the edge of the bed. He puffed out his chest. “You aren’t welcome. Please leave.”
Tonya caught Foster’s gaze. Her nose crinkled like it did when she was puzzled. He’d told her some of what had gone down with Kathy. The restraining order. The harassment he’d endured because she wouldn’t let him go. The possible miscarriage. But there was so much more he’d left out. Perhaps he shouldn’t have. He loved Tonya, and keeping secrets wasn’t a good way to start a relationship.
“I’m a nurse practitioner in this hospital. It’s my job.” Kathy folded her arms across her chest like a toddler digging her heels in, preparing for the argument. “I only want to offer my guidance.”
“You’re not medically responsible for our daughter,” Victor said.
“And you don’t have any say in her care.” Kathy arched a brow. “Foster does and he wants—”
“No, I don’t.” Foster had enough. He wasn’t going to stand there and let Kathy manipulate the situation like he’d done in the past. “There is no reason for you to be here other than to hurt us. To hurt me. Worse, to hurt Victoria, which is just sick and cruel.” He curled his fingers around Kathy’s biceps and guided her into the hallway. “I will call security, and I don’t think you want me to do that in the hospital you work at.”
Tonya followed. Foster wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but he wasn’t about to tell her to leave.
“I’m only trying to help you.” Kathy yanked her arm free. “I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to make this transition easier, especially when you’re taking her home. You shouldn’t be doing that when she is so far along in the end-of-life process.”
“This is none of your business and you are so full of shit and I can see it in your eyes. You’re enjoying this.” He raked his hand across the top of his head. He shouldn’t have said that in front of Tonya, but it was time to end this insanity. One thing that bothered him about Kathy after his daughter died was that she never seemed to care about his loss. She only focused on the fact they could start a life together.
Something he couldn’t even consider. Wouldn’t consider.
“I can’t believe you would think that of me. I don’t understand why you always think the worst of me when all I’ve ever done is love and care for you. I still do, although sometimes I wish I didn’t, but those feelings don’t disappear when I’ve never had the chance to truly deal with our loss because you won’t give me the chance.”
“You’re like a broken record with this.”
“I have a question,” Tonya said. “Does this have to do with the baby you claim you lost?”
“You’ve even got her brainwashed.” Kathy pointed at Tonya.
“I just learned of this in the pharmacy a little bit ago and I don’t appreciate the implication I can’t think for myself. You don’t even know me,” Tonya said. “This family is going through a lot right now and we don’t need you coming in here with your drama, bringing up the past, with all your bullshit. Leave us alone.”
Kathy sneered. “Fine. I’ll leavehimalone, but only if you hear what I have to say.” She stepped between him and the door, tilting her chin toward the ceiling. “Ever since Lisa died, you’ve treated me as if I’m the enemy. You’ve never given me the opportunity to express my emotions about what happened.”
