Page 90 of Slashes in the Snow
Hawk nods forcefully. “And just so you know, no matter what happens with Ky,” he speaks with so much anguish on his face, “you’ll always have someone to turn to. Anyone of us, all of us. We’ll be here if you need us.”
It’s the most heartwarming and heartbreaking sentiment I have ever been offered.
“Thank you.” I fight to smile.
Hawk leans back in his seat looking like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
Gerard sneaks his arm behind me and flicks Hawk in the ear.
“Ouch! What'd ya do that for, Gambit?” He covers the side of his head.
“You’re always causing trouble,” Gerard scolds.
A doctor enters the waiting room, cutting away any small distraction from the dire situation.
“I’m looking for the family of Ky Parish.” A tall woman with a low bun and glasses announces, and she is rushed by half the room. She looks a little overwhelmed by all the men crowding around her. I know that feeling. That was me a month ago.
“Back off.” Gerard moves through the throng. “Let the doctor breathe, you bunch of animals.” He stands face to face with the doctor. “I’m his father.”
I creep up behind Gerard, peeking out behind his broad body.
“It was touch and go there for a while. He lost a lot of blood and needed a transfusion,” she explains clinically. “It is a miracle the bullet didn’t hit any major organs.”
“So he’s okay?” Gerard asks hopefully.
“He’s stable, and resting, but he’ll need to stay here a few days for observation. There’s still a concern for internal bleeding.”
I breathe a small, thankful sigh of relief. Truthfully, I breathe for the first time since Ky passed out.
“Can we see him?” Breaker asks.
“Only immediate family while he’s in the ICU.”
“Well, that’s horseshit,” Bone communicates his dissatisfaction with that response.
“Sorry. Hospital rules.” She pushes her glasses up her nose matter-of-factly.
“You can follow me if you’d like, Mr. Parish.”
“C’mon, Kira.” Gerard places his hand behind my back.
“And she is?” the doctor inquires.
“She’s his stepsister. They’re very close,” Gerard informs her, keeping a straight face.
The whole room breaks out into a fit of laughter, even Gerard and me. The doctor clearly doesn’t get the inside joke, but it’s obvious something’s up. She eyes Gerard and me speculatively, then turns on her heel. “This way.”
As we follow the doctor through several sets of double doors and past the inner workings of the hospital, I begin to feel lighter and lighter. All the worry and stress from the past twenty-four hours lessens with each step closer I get to Ky.
“Stay as long as you’d like, just please keep your voices down for the other patients.” She stops in front of a closed curtain. The ICU does not provide much privacy. There are lines of beds down several corridors off a main hallway with machines, glowing and beeping everywhere, and nurses coming and going in every direction.
“Thank you.” Gerard clears away his emotions. He’s a professional at keeping it together. “We appreciate everything you’ve done.”
She nods. “It’s what I’m here for. If you need anything, ring the bell.”
“We’ll do that.” Gerard pushes the curtain aside, and I get my first glimpse of Ky. My knees go weak from the sight of him. He’s bandaged and sleeping, with an IV in his hand and monitors stuck all over his chest.
“Do you think he’s cold?” The blanket only reaches his lower torso.
