Date = 13 April
Place = San Francisco (UCSF Medical center)
POV – Aria
“Hey, Alejandro, go get your dad. We’re gonna need him,” Jackson says and Alejandro runs back up the stairs. Ilkay is now silently walking next to Mel, who’s being pushed to the gynecology department on floor 3.
“Doctor Burden, come to room 351 immediately for an emergency … doctor Burden come to room 351!”
Someone calls over the hospital intercom but it seems far away. My knees tremble and I stumble over my feet, my brain whirling; eyes burning. Unexpectedly, Sport picks me up from the ground, bridal style, as if I weigh nothing … and he carries me to room 351.
Am I crying? I wipe my face with the back of my hand. I hate Brian! No … I despise him. I slam my fists into the robot’s chest. Slap!! Hate him! Slap!! Hate him! Slap!! Hate him!
“Aria … what you doing?” Enrique’s playful gaze is centimeters from my face. I didn’t fully comprehend that I was even hitting him, nor that I’m snuggled in his arms. I turn my eyes, without moving my head, shamefully soaking in all the curious stares at my current position. But I’m not sure I’m in a state to care, and the tears flow again … I let them. I wipe the snot and tears away with the back of my hand … very unladylike and I shovel my head into his shoulder and raffish in his warmth. I need this, and I’m selflessly taking full advantage of the moment.
He puts me down on the bottom end of the bed, standing next to me while holding my hand. I’m not sure if it’s for my comfort or his or just for show … but I don’t care. It feels as if I’m going to barf from anxiety … waiting for the dreaded questions. I keep on sitting straight up; stiff like a stuffed animal … too afraid to move. It’s coming … I know it’s coming and there’s nothing I can do about it.
And what if Enrique thinks that I’m just too much trouble … and hands me over to Brian? BRIAN … I wish I never met you! But I’ve never backed away from a fight … and I’m not going to now. I’m going to do everything I can to help Enrique … eh … and the others of course.
“Okay, you can stop acting, sister,” Ilkay scorns and Mel gives an unladylike snort before she sits up straight in the bed. These guys are true mentalists. Do they ever miss a thing? I was with her and didn’t suspect she was bluffing. But then again, my state of mind is not at its best right now.
How do they do that? How can they look so collected after receiving devastating news? I mean, they’re all standing around Mel’s bed, arms folded, placid faces, and they’re not even trembling … not the slightest twitch.
And here I am having kittens, shaking worse than when I fell off the boat, barely breathing … frozen; one hand clinging to my phone, one squeezing that of the robot.
The nurses run in and out like puppets … bringing stuff, taking stuff, doing stuff, removing stuff … and I keep watching and watching and watching … like a cheap movie at the trailer park. The only thing that’s keeping me from completely going insane is the warmth of the hand in mine … as if I’m drawing strength from it.
“No, way!” A woman, that must be a doctor judging by her white coat, slams on her brakes as soon as she runs into the room. “Shit!” And then she swears. Not sure that is proper bedside manners, but I kinda like it.
“What happened this time?” She’s looking at Ilkay for the answer. He pulls up his shoulders.
“My sister likes pulling stupid stunts,” Jackson answers instead.
She starts examining Mel, who still hasn’t said a word. And after a little while of cutthroat silence in the room, she says, “The baby is fine, just a little overly busy like usual.”
She puts her stethoscope around her neck and pats Ilkay’s shoulder.
“This baby is going to give me gray hairs,” she says and then looks sternly at Mel, “Stop getting into trouble, mommy, I’m too old for this shit.”
“Me too … ” I answer quickly without thinking, earning me some wicked stares from all the brothers as well as Mel. Dr. Burden however shrugs and laughs.
“Ah, Aria, nice to finally meet you. Last time you were knocked out.” She shakes my hand and then she leaves the room, turning at the door.
“Please keep an eye on that complicated mommy,” she winks at me, and then I’m alone to face what I’ve been dreading the whole time explaining our failed deception.
Ilkay puts his hands on his hips, giving Mel a stern stare.
“Oh, don’t be such a sourpuss,” she accomplishes an angelic sweet smile … one where butter won’t dare to melt in her mouth and I realize why she’s got all the boys wrapped around her little finger … she plays the innocence card almost just as well as Leyla. She winks secretly at me, and I can only roll my eyes with a smile. Never a dull moment with these San Francisco guys.
“So, how did you find out that Logan is not our real brother?” Jackson asks right away, throwing me for a loop. How does he know it’s Logan? I stare at Mel and she stares back.
“Logan?” Ilkay asks.
“Yes, they only have Logan’s birth certificate,” Jackson explains and both brothers nod … that’s all that’s needed for them to understand it seems. Flip must be nice to have minds like that … getting stuff so easily.
“I’ve asked Alejandro to bring Deimos … his signature is on the certificate so maybe he can shed some light on this.”
Words evade me … I’m so stunned by how perfectly Jackson’s brain work … and suddenly it hits me … he knew immediately. That’s why he sent Alejandro.
Wow! I’m amazed. This psycho is fucking brilliant … crazy, but brilliant. Wonder why he struggled at school … or that’s what Mel told me once. Jackson allegedly got the worst grades in their family.
“Hi, dudes,” Alejandro strolls into the room, hugging me from behind, and then goes straight to Mel. He gives her a peck on the cheek and ruffles her hair.
“So, Sorella, if you’re looking for some Grimm affection when your lover is not here … you can just ask … no need to go to all these lengths,” he teases her, flopping down on the bed to lay next to her, taking her into his arms.
“Damion is on his way … probably somewhere over the country right now,” Alejandro continues and I’m so relieved the man is coming home at last. Mel needs him the most right now.
“Mel … are you alright?” Haley storms into the room, anxiously clutching her husband’s hand. Her face is filled with worry.
“She’s fine … the baby’s fine … everyone’s fine … it was all an act,” Jackson seems to have lost a little of his patience what’s new?
“So, what’s going on then?” Deimos asks, looking between the brothers. I turn my head down and stare at the floor. Is he involved with this somehow? Is it going to affect Mel’s relationship?
“Well, according to this,” Jackson hands the papers over, “Logan either has a different mommy or a different daddy than us.” I pull in a shocked breath … so much for being subtle about it.
“Sorry?” Haley looks at her husband with a frown. Well, at least she’s not part of the conspiracy. Alejandro sits up straight … his face filled with the same confusion as his step-mom.
“It states that Logan is not our full brother,” Enrique explains again, while Deimos stares at the test results. Haley drops into a chair.
“Logan is person D,” Jackson scuffs. Deimos quickly scans over the papers once more and then drops them on the small table, wiping his fingers through his hair.
“It’s not entirely what you think,” he mutters, “but maybe Logan should hear this too.”