Dad frowned as he gave Mom a pointed glance. "Your mother spotted Gavin in baggage claim . . . from clear across the room."
Ignoring him, Mom cooed at her granddaughter. I stifled a laugh. Yeah, like Kellan, Gavin stood out in a crowd.
As it grew late into the evening, I thought about the concert going on, and all the fans who would be disheartened that Kellan and the D-Bags weren't playing. But they couldn't play without their lead singer, and he was in no shape to be on stage. I was a little surprised that Sienna hadn't played up her distress over the accident by rescheduling the show. Everything about what she'd done today was surprising me.
I think my mom wanted to stay by Kellan's side all night, baby Gibson in hand, but I could see how tired she was, and I made the D-Bags take her and Dad back to the hotel. She promised to come back first thing in the morning. I didn't doubt she would.
Collecting her daughter from Mom, Anna asked me, "Are you coming with us back to the hotel?" I could tell from her tone of voice that she already knew my answer. I shook my head. No, I wasn't leaving Kellan's side. They'd have to drag me outside to get me to leave.
Justin and the D-Bags headed out with Anna and our parents. Gavin and his children went with them. The room felt a little bigger with everyone's energy gone, but the level of love inside it didn't lower at all. I gazed at Kellan for long minutes, just wanting time to stand still. Eyes heavy with drugs, pain, and sleep, Kellan stared right back at me. Then his face contorted into a strange expression. "Crap," he whispered. "I have to pee." He looked over to the bathroom and sighed, like it was so far away it may as well have been in another country.
Chuckling at him, I kissed his cheek. "I could help you?"
He pursed his lips. "Uh, no, I got it. I can do this." He let out a low, steady exhale. "The nurse said I should get up and move around anyway."
He leaned forward to stand and I placed my hands on his back in support. "She said tomorrow you should."
Kellan bit his lip as he tried to suppress a groan. It didn't work, and he let out a low rumble of pain. "It's just a couple of hours shy of tomorrow," he said through clenched teeth.
As he uncovered himself from the sheets, I hurried around to the other side of the bed, bringing the IV stand with me. Once he stood up, he gasped and clenched at the pole for support. I held it still so he wouldn't fall over. Pale and looking a little ill, he glanced out the window. His mouth dropped open as he got a clear view of the sea of candlelight in the darkness. "Oh my God, Kiera. They're still here."
Patting his hand on the pole, I urged him forward. "Of course they are."
Kellan seemed to forget about his pain until he took a step. Then he groaned and gingerly held his stomach. Feeling bad that I couldn't do anything for him, I merely held the bathroom door open. His face was tight as he passed by me. "Thanks."
Before I closed the door behind him, I couldn't help but check out the toned sections of skin showing between the ties along the back of his gown. Only Kellan Kyle could make a hospital gown sexy. Kellan started to chuckle when he noticed me watching; he instantly grimaced. "Stop making me laugh and close the door."
Letting out a hearty laugh, since he couldn't, I did what he asked. While I waited for him and hoped he didn't get light-headed and pass out, I meandered over to the window to watch the crowd of well-wishers. They were stretched along the sidewalk across from the hospital, almost as far as I could see; it really was an impressive sight.
A short knock followed by a polite voice disrupted my thoughts. "Mrs. Kyle, I'm sorry to bother you. It's after hours, but your brother is here?"
I turned to see the night nurse poking her head through the partially open door. I kept my face purposely neutral. Brother? I didn't have a brother. The nurse looked behind her, then back at me. "Normally, I'd make him wait until morning, but he says he flew across the country to see you?"
She looked at me skeptically, like she was sure the person behind her was not who he claimed to be. And she was right; he wasn't who he said he was. I let the surprise I felt show on my face. "Denny? Denny's here?"
The nurse seemed relieved and opened the door a bit wider. "I'll let him come in, but just for a few minutes, okay?"
I nodded, still absolutely stunned that he'd come all this way. The nurse stepped back and made a motion with her hand while opening the door wide with her other one. Denny stepped into the room, looking worn and weary. Abby followed a step behind him. Even more surprise trickled through me at seeing Denny's fiancee.
Respectfully, Denny turned to the nurse and told her, "Thank you for your help, Renae." For the millionth time today, I was shocked; he'd said that without any trace of an accent. Nothing.
Once she was gone, Denny turned back to me. I must have still looked shocked, because he started laughing. His accent back in place, he told me, "I couldn't be your brother if I didn't sound like you, and I wanted to make sure they let me in." My favorite grin formed on his lips. "And faking an American accent is not easy. I was positive she was going to see right through me."
Giggling, I rushed over to him and tossed my arms around him. "I can't believe you're here."
Sighing, Denny held me tight. "I'm only sorry I'm late."
The bathroom door swung open as Denny and I pulled apart. Kellan had a small smile on his face that fell when he noticed Denny. The same shock I'd felt flitted over Kellan's features as he wobbled a bit. He didn't seem angry, just massively surprised. Tilting his head, he asked, "Are you a figment of my pain meds? Or are you really standing right in front of me?"
"I'm really here. It's good to see you in one piece, mate." Smiling, Denny walked over and gave Kellan a quick hug. It was pretty easy to see that Kellan was quickly losing strength.
As Denny helped him get back into bed, Kellan looked between Denny and Abby and stammered, "You're here? You both came all the way over here? For me?"
Once Kellan was lying down, Denny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, we came here for you." He glanced at Abby, then turned back to Kellan. "It scared the piss outta me, when I found out you were hurt. All I could think was that . . ." Swallowing, Denny looked away.
Realizing this moment had nothing to do with me, I stayed against the wall and tried to be inconspicuous. Abby moved beside me and gave me a soft smile as she patted my hand. I could tell by the look on her face that she was silently acknowledging all of the pain I'd gone through today, and offering me her support and friendship. I clasped her hand, grateful, and then the both of us turned to watch our fiances.
When Denny could continue, he told Kellan, "We used to be close. We used to be like brothers. And if you died . . . it would be like a part of my family had died. And I don't think you realize that." His eyes returned to Kellan's. "I hate the idea of you dying without knowing how much I . . ." Closing his mouth, he sniffed, then said, "I don't know, I feel like, maybe I haven't been the greatest friend to you."
"Denny-"
Kellan tried to interrupt him, but Denny wouldn't let him."I knew what was going on, Kellan, with you and your dad, and I didn't say anything to anybody. I didn't help you like I should have."
"You were a kid," Kellan muttered.
"So were you," he retorted. "And when I moved away, I didn't keep in touch like I promised." Clearly angry at himself, Denny shook his head. "You needed me, and I wasn't there for you. And I'm really sorry. That was pretty shitty of me."
"Are you kidding?" Incredulous, Kellan pointed over at me. "I slept with your girlfriend . . . repeatedly." I flinched, and Abby squeezed my hand a little tighter.
Denny frowned. "Well, that was pretty shitty of you." A sad smile darkened his features. "But I left you alone in hell . . . and I almost think that was worse." He stuck his hand out to Kellan. "I know we've already put the past behind us, and I know we're friends, but I want you to know, without a doubt in your head, that we're still brothers. You understand me?"
Kellan still seemed shocked to his core, but he nodded and shook Denny's hand. "Yeah, yeah, okay."
Chapter 28: I Do
My mom was the first one to return to the hospital the next morning-bright and early the next morning. I was still sleeping on a chair in the corner of the room when she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Here, honey," she whispered.
Groggily opening my eyes, I noticed the steaming cup of liquid she was holding and smiled. Coffee. And the good kind too-it was in a paper cup from an espresso stand, not a Styrofoam one from a vending machine. God, I loved my mom. "Thank you."
Mom leaned against the windowsill, sipping her own cup of coffee, as she watched Kellan sleeping. Then her eyes drifted over to Denny, asleep in a chair on the other side of Kellan's bed. I'd called Evan last night and asked him to return to the hospital to take Denny and Abby to the hotel the band was staying at the night before, but after making sure that Abby was settled, Denny had decided to stay with Kellan. Maybe seeing that a crucial moment was happening, the nurse on duty had let him.
Mom's long brown hair was pulled back into a springy ponytail, giving me a full view of her expression. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, though. As I took a sip of my creamy caffeinated treat, I considered how odd it must seem to her to have my ex here. An ex I had cheated on with Kellan.
After another quiet moment of contemplation, Mom turned to me. Pointing at Denny with her pinky finger, she asked, "He really loves you, doesn't he?"
She seemed concerned, like somehow he was a threat to Kellan. I loved that she felt protective of my husband. My lips creeping into a smile, I shook my head. "No, he loves Kellan. He came here for him." My smile grew as I watched both boys sleeping. "He told Kellan they were still brothers . . . even after everything."
Mom's eyes widened as she took another sip of coffee. "That is a very forgiving friend that you both have. I hope you and Kellan realize how rare that is."
I nodded, my eyes stinging. I did. We did. And we'd never do anything to hurt him again.
The boys slept for another hour; we'd all been up late talking, and they had still been whispering when I drifted off to sleep. I think Kellan would have slept longer, but a nurse arrived to check on him and woke him up. The nurse asked him how he was feeling, how his pain was, if he was hungry, if he'd gotten up, if he'd gone to the bathroom; all the personal stuff that nurses don't seem to mind asking in mixed company. Kellan didn't seem embarrassed as he sleepily answered her, though. He actually seemed content.
Gavin, his children, and my father arrived at the hospital while Kellan was eating a watery-looking omelet for breakfast; it was the first thing I'd seen him eat since the accident. When Dad and Gavin walked into the room, they were having a lively discussion about the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds. I couldn't stop grinning as the two men went back and forth about which baseball team was better. No topic bonded my father faster to someone than sports. And my parents becoming friends with Kellan's parent was a very good thing.
Abby, Anna, and the D-Bags showed up with Justin mid-morning. That was still on the early side for the band members, and most of them were yawning when they raised their hands in greeting. Gibson wasn't in the room two seconds before Mom stole the bundle of pink out of Griffin's arms. He frowned at Mom, but he let his daughter go. Tossing an arm around me, Anna laughed and said, "No one else is going to get to hold her the entire time Mom's visiting."
I watched Mom rock Gibson as a thought struck me. "How long are you staying, Mom? I mean, Thanksgiving is coming up. Aren't you expecting company back home?"
Her eyes never leaving her granddaughter, Mom shook her head. "We canceled. We're staying here for Thanksgiving." She finally peeked up at me. "We'll fly back when Kellan is well enough to leave with you." She turned her smile to him. "Family sticks together."
I wasn't too surprised by Mom's news, but it was wonderful to hear. Hopeful, I looked over at Gavin. He pointed over at Riley playing a video game and Hailey flipping through a gossip magazine. The photo of Kellan and I kissing in the graveyard was on the cover. "The kids are on break from school, and I already told work there was a family emergency and that I wasn't coming back until Monday." His warm smile outshone his son's. "You're stuck with me until then."