Chapter 26: The fallen

Liam: Willow

Liam's voice sounds frantic as he calls out my name. I wake in a panic to find I am alone in the darkness of the hotel in Seattle still. I blindly reach for my phone. Laim hasn't returned any of my calls or texts since yesterday. Fear seeps in as I clutch my stomach. But I have no time to react when sickness strikes. In between heaves I text Liam but still nothing. I text Kevin asking if we can leave as soon as possible. With out hesitation he calls the pilot and texts me back.

Kevin: With in the hour.

Luckily with a full cup of tea and some crackers I manage to make it through the hour flight. Kevin asked only once what was wrong. A bad dream and a gut feeling was all I could tell him. But he spared no looks of judgment. He made sure I got home and stayed long enough to make sure I was going to be alright.

Willow: You've done more than enough already Kevin. Thank you as always.

Kevin; It's no trouble Willow, I can stick around incase you need a ride somewhere.

Willow: I'll be fine.

I give him an assuring hug and watch as he drives away.

Liam: Willow

It happens again. I wake in a panic to the sound of Liam's frantic voice. It's dark but I can see the flickering of the flames in the fire place in our living room. Somehow I had drifted off to sleep on the couch with Loki. Loki jumps up and meows in protest that I disturbed him from his blissful sleep. The sound of Next to me grows louder. I scramble to find my phone.

Willow: Liam

Noah: Willow its Noah.

Chills rip through my body as if I had just fallen into ice water. My lungs fill with dread. My hands tremble as tears threaten my eyes.

Noah: Willow are you there.

Willow: yes.

Noah: There's been an accident.

My entire world comes crashing down all around me. I've been here before and yet there is nothing that can prepare you for getting your heart ripped from your chest. Frozen like a deer caught in headlights I can barely register what Noah is saying. Suddenly my front door flies open. Tom rushes in with Kevin right behind. The same sad concerning look he had on his face two year ago. I feel like I'm in a dream state. Half awake half still in a dream. The next hour flashes like I'm trapped in a room with a strobe light. I remember Kevin driving while Tom holds be in the back seat. Walking down a crowded hall way through a hospital. Noah and Liv surround me in a hug as they lead me into a private room. Tom sets me down and stays beside me while Liv sits to my other side of me, with Ash sleeping in his car seat at her feet. His sweet little angel kiss smiles draws my attention from the chaotic noise of multiple voices talking at once.

A strange voice cuts through all the ruckus bringing much needed silence. I look up to see an older grey haired man in scrubs.

Dr: Mrs. O'Bryan?

I think I nod.

Dr: I'm Dr. Schultz. Your husband sufferd from some swelling of the brain, a dislocated shoulder, several fractured ribs, a punctured kidney and a broken tibia. We eased the swelling in the brain, put his shoulder back in place, the ribs will heal on their own in time. The internal bleeding from the punctured kidney was mended. They are casting his leg now and will move him to intensive care shortly. Do you have any questions.

Willow: He's ok.

Dr: Schultz: In all things considered. Yes. The most critical of his injuries is the swelling of the brain. Right now we used medicine and cool compressions. In some cases if the swelling doesn't go down we have to release it by other means. In many cases the patient falls into a coma. Only time will tell.

Willow: When can I see him.

Dr: Schultz: Soon. We'll have someone come for you once he's settled.

As the Dr. walks out the room begins to spin. black spots impair my vision as ringing screams through my ears. I feel my legs give out. I don't fully lose conscience and my body doesn't hit the floor. Before I know it, Kevin has me in his arms guiding me back into one of the seats.

Kevin: Can someone get her a water and something eat.

He barks an order and Tom replies as he runs out the door. Kevin grabs me by my shoulders keeping me stable.

Kevin: Willow, when is the last time you ate.

I shook my head not really knowing the answer. The past two days I have spent most of my time throwing up. I've nibbled on a few cracker here and there and drank some tea. But? It all hits me. Like the aftermath of a bad car accident that has you in slow motion then suddenly throws you back into the real world.

The tears flood like a broken water damn. Kevin pulls me forward into his chest and just holds me through my moment of weakness.

Tom returns with a bottle of water and a granola bar. I take the water but wave off the granola bar. Kevin takes it from Tom and holds it out to me with a stern look as I sip some water.

Kevin: We were all there for Liam when he was losing his shit waiting to know if you were ok, like we're here for you now. But you need to eat and keep your strength.

He even goes as far as opening the wrapper making me feel like a kid being scolded. I take the granola bar and manage a bite.

Liv: Willow I know this is a lot to deal with but is there something else going on? Are you sick?

I look over at my best friend and place a hand over hers attempting a half smile.

Willow: I'm sorry I know I haven't much of a friend lately.

Liv: WHAT. Nooo. Willow you have been through so much and now this. That's not what I'm getting at. I may not know the full story about what happened in New York and that is up to you to tell me if you ever decide to. You have always been there for me. I just want to be there for you in any way that I can.

Willow: I'm fine, and I promise I will tell you everything soon.

She pulls me into a half hug.

Sometime later an older nurse named Betty wearing a Betty Boop scrub top, with her blond hair pulled up in a loose bun enters. Everyone stands. Kevin helps me stand on my still shaky legs. The nurse glances around at all the eyes fixed on her and she smile softly.

Betty: Mrs: O'Bryan.

Willow: Yes.

Betty: I can take you to your husband now.

Willow: Thank you.

Kevin secures my arm around his and walks me out to follow the nurse. Once out side the ICU room the nurse turns to Kevin.

Betty: I'm afraid I can only allow Mrs. O'Bryan in.

He grunts at her like a caveman.

Willow: It's ok Kevin. I got this. You guys should all go home. I'll give you an update tomorrow on how he's doing.

Kevin: While we all care for Liam I know he'll be ok it's you I'm concerned about. Beside It's a personal body guards job to guard.

Willow: But you're not on the clock.

He gives me a pointed look and nudges me to go inside.

Kevin: I'll be out here if you need anything.

I enter the dim litted room. The familiar sounds of machines beeping and lights flickering take me back to Valhalla. My heart beats rapped in my chest as I take in the sight of my Liam lying unconscious. His left leg sticking out of the sheet in a cast. I.V's going everywhere. There's no tube which means he's breathing on his own. He has a huge blue pillowy looking thing cradling his head. I walk around to the side with the least amount of lines. A wrap my hands around his large warm fingers and weep. I give his dry lips a soft kiss before having to sit.

Willow: Oh Liam.

Sometime later Dr.Schultz comes in to examine Liam and give me an update on his condition. Betty comes in shortly after with some water and a cup of apple sauce.

Betty: Your body guard informed me you've been sick lately. Apple sauce was oddly something I always craved and settled well when I had an upset stomach.

Willow: Thank you.

Just before leaving she turns back.

Betty: They can hear us. Sometimes it helps guid them back.

I nod and squeeze Liam's hand. I was beginning to feel queasy again and decided to give the apple sauce a try. To my surprise Betty was right. I felt a little better after word.

Taking Bettys other advice I told Liam about most of everything that happened in Seattle. After sometime I asked Betty if she would allow everyone else to come see him so they could all go home. Noah and Liv came in to say a few parting words. Noah took me into a hug.

Noah: We'll be back in the morning.

Liv: Let me know if you need me to bring you anything.

Tom came in a minute later to say a few words before taking me into a hug.

Tom: With everything you've been through I know you'll get through this. You're tougher than any of the guys I've worked beside including Kevin.

Kevin chuckles from the door way.

Willow: Thank you for always being there for me Tom. And you always have.

Tom: And I always will.

I follow him out into the hall and give Kevin a look.

Kevin: Someone needs to stay behind and take care of you.

Willow: I'm not going to argue.

I walk back in the room and Kevin follows. He leans over and whispers something to Liam before heading for the door.

Willow: Kevin

He stops and turns as I take a few steps forward.

Willow: You know you've been like a father to me and I can't thank you enough for everything you've done and continue to do. I just wanted to let know that. And to let you know I'll be alright. I know you worry but you don't have to. I know why you don't talk about her.

His eyes meet mine with a sadness I know too well.

Willow: I know the story you told Liam about Ellie was to help him. And why you always shy from the truth and never show pictures of her.

Kevin: I couldn't tell you.

Willow: That she took her life.

His eyes watered as he looked away from me.

Kevin: I couldn't tell you why.

Willow: You can tell me now. You know of all people I can understand. The guilt I feel. The blame I put on my self for Pages death will never go away. That's just apart of being a parent.

He glanced down at me again.

Kevin: She felt so ashamed. She thought I would look at her different, treat her different. How could the daughter of a cop get rapped. But it wasn't just the shame I caused her. It was when she found out she was pregnant with his child that she took her life.

I throw my arms around his neck holding his head in my shoulder while he cried. A thought crossed my mind about the tests I've taken. The last one was false. Could the first one have been too? No Dr. Lynn ran two more tests before Liam and I became intimate again to be 100% sure and they all came back negative.

Kevin rubbed his sleeve crossed his face.

Kevin: I know you're not my Ellie but I do still worry about you. You've kinda grown on me kid.