Page 54 of Awakening
When Yanna walked into the room, it was like the whole place paused. I noticed she had that effect on everyone she crossed paths with, and she was always oblivious to it. She wore her scrubs under a crisp white coat, with a stethoscope slung around her neck and her curls pulled back. As always, her energy was calm, confident, and fine. Even I had to swallow a little extra breath.
James Sr. looked up and blinked. “You must be Dr. Layanna.”
Yanna offered that smooth, professional smile, “That’s me. I’ll be performing the surgery today, Mr. Carter.”
James Jr. straightened, clearly stunned. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath before adding, “You’re even finer in person, and if you ever get tired of being married to a world-class athlete that’s a millionaire, just let me know.”
I lightly shoved his shoulder, causing Yanna to laugh, a hint of blush touching her cheeks. “You’ll be the first on my list, cutie pie, but I’m an expensive habit to have.” She winked playfully with a hint of flirtation that almost had my baby brother drooling.
She stepped closer, unfolding a tablet and pointing to a few digital diagrams. “We’ll be doing a tricuspid valve replacement and a maze procedure. The goal is to restore normal blood flow and reduce the arrhythmia that’s causing the instability. My team and I are ready, and we’ll take great care of him.”
My mom reached over and grabbed Yanna’s hand. “Thank you. Truly.”
After she left, Dad looked at me and said, “Your doctor friend’s got an angel’s touch, and legs like a blessing.”
“James!” my mom hissed, though her smile betrayed her. We all laughed, even through the tension.
Then came the wait. Hours passed like molasses, each minute heavier than the last. At some point, a nurse appeared, her face tight with urgency.
“Are you the family of James Carter?”
We all stood instantly.
“There’s been a complication. Dr. Black and her team are doing everything they can to revive Mr. Carter. He flatlined briefly, but she’s still in there.”
My mother gasped, clutching her chest. James Jr. turned pale. Knox pulled me close, his hand gripping my shoulder tightly, and Ajaih wrapped her arms around my mother, whispering gentle reassurances.
At that moment, I felt helpless. I was plagued with confusion. Our relationship was strained after years of estrangement, but I never imagined a world where he wasn’t living, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Deep in my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed Caleb walk in, casual in a hoodie and jeans, carrying a smoothie like he didn’t just light up the damn room.
My mom blinked. “Is—Is that Caleb Black? The Caleb Black?”
JJ nearly dropped his phone. “Coach Black?! Man, I watch you every week! I know you’re taking those girls all the way to the championship!”
The tension broke. Caleb chuckled and gave them both a little nod. “Yeah, that’s me. I appreciate that vote of confidence. I just wanted to be here. I figured Mav needed backup.”
My mom straightened her blouse and smoothed her hair. “Well, baby, you can call me Michelle.”
Caleb grinned, “Pleasure’s mine, Beautiful.”
We all laughed when Caleb winked at my mom, causing her cheeks to flush.
After another hour and a half, Yanna finally emerged, wearing a look of exhaustion, though her calm demeanor never wavered.
“We revived him. He’s stable. The valve replacement and maze procedure were both successful. He’s being moved to recovery now.”
My knees buckled with relief as my mom sobbed openly, holding onto JJ as he buried his face in her shoulder. Ajaih was crying too, silently. Knox hugged me from behind, whispering, “He’s okay, baby. He made it.”
Caleb clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Come on, man. Let’s get you out for a minute. You, me, Knox, James Jr., and Ahmir gone hit up Noire. You and baby bro need to breathe.”
I looked at Yanna, who nodded.
“Go,” she said, “We’ve got him and your mom. I ordered dinner for your mom, and your dad will be moved to one of our privacy suites with all the amenities for your mom to rest comfortably tonight as well.”
I hugged and kissed Ajaih before hugging Yanna tightly and thanking her for making sure my father made it back to us.
And for the first time all day, I was able to breathe.
Noire was bathed in low amber light, the scent of cedar and rich tobacco curling through the air like incense. Noire was owned by Caleb himself. The atmosphere was smooth, masculine, and intimate, just the kind of place you could sink into and let the weight of the day melt off your shoulders.
