“I’d rather have you safe at home than fighting LA traffic.”
“I understand,” she’d agreed, although she felt he was being way overprotective. However…it was sweet. Knowing he cared so much about her and the baby was endearing, so Brie decided for the time being to honor his need to protect her so fiercely.
He picked up the suitcase and was about to open the door when he suddenly stopped. Sir turned to Brie, slowly setting the suitcase back down. “Before I leave, there are two things I must do.”
He returned to her. “It’s only right I give you a proper goodbye, Mrs. Davis.” Sir fisted her hair, pulling her head back to plant an impassioned kiss on her lips.
She moaned softly in pleasure. “Thank you, Mr. Davis. I like proper goodbyes.”
Sir then got down on his knees and held her waist with both hands as he pressed his lips against her stomach. “Goodbye, little one.”
Brie’s heart melted into a puddle.
Sir stood up and looked at her tenderly. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Knowing you’re coming back in four days makes this parting so much easier.”
“I agree.” He picked up his suitcase again and opened the door, glancing back once as he waited for the elevator. Brie blew him a kiss, totally and utterly in love with the man.
When the elevator closed, she shut the door, sighing in contentment still feeling the lingering ghost of his kiss on her tummy.
“I love you, Thane,” she said out loud, smiling to herself as she went to her desk to begin the task of writing the stack of thank-you notes that were needed. She actually enjoyed the project because it allowed her to reflect on that beautiful day and each person who’d joined them to celebrate.
After several hours at it, her eyes became blurry. Deciding a break was in order, Brie headed to the bedroom to slip into her favorite PJs. Then she made her way to the kitchen to microwave a fresh bowl of popcorn.
Brie snuggled up on the couch, placing the bowl between her crossed legs. She suspected it wouldn’t be long before crossing her legs was a thing of the past and that made her smile.
Grabbing the remote, she turned on the TV wanting to indulge in an old black-and-white movie. To her delight, the cable station had just started playing Gone with the Wind. She rubbed her belly and cooed to her unborn child. “Someday you will understand the dynamic between Rhett Butler and Scarlett. He not only loves her deeply, but he knows how to love her well. I must confess I think that’s one reason I love this movie so much. Scarlett may be a strong woman, but Rhett is an equally formidable man and together they make fireworks.” Brie bent down closer to her stomach and added in a whisper, “Just like your daddy and me.”
Brie took delight in watching Scarlett’s many suitors try to win her over at the picnic. It gave her an idea, so she paused the movie and grabbed her cell phone. She called Sir, smiling when it transferred her directly to voicemail and she heard his authoritative voice asking the caller to leave a message. Since she knew he’d be flying for an extended amount of time, she thought she’d leave Sir a fun little message to greet him when he arrived at his destination.
In a playful tone she began, “So, Sir, have you ever considered roleplaying Rhett Butler? I’m watching Gone with the Wind right now and thought how fun it would be to get all dressed up in a poofy dress and let you hike my skirt up and spank my frilly ass.” She giggled as she hung up, secretly hoping he’d take her up on the suggestion.
Sir as Rhett Butler—that was all kinds of yummy.
She resumed the movie, eating up every moment, totally savoring the part where Rhett bids for Scarlett at the charity dance.
“Oh Rhett…”
She was startled when there was a knock at the door.
Brie put the movie on pause. Since she wasn’t expecting anyone, she quietly crept up to the door and looked through the peephole. To her relief she saw it was Captain and Candy. She figured Mary must have grown some balls and given Captain a call, so she unlocked the door and swung it open. “Hey, you guys! What an unexpected surprise.”
Captain’s look was grave and Candy seemed pensive as they entered.
“Don’t worry, Mary already told me what going on with her. Both Lea and I suggested she call you.”
“This isn’t about Mary,” Captain stated.
Brie grimaced, realizing she’d just put her foot in her mouth. Mary was so going to kill her. “Umm…forget I said anything.”
“Brie, I think you should sit down,” Candy suggested, leading her toward the couch.
“What’s this about? You guys are starting to scare me.”
Captain stood before her, a look of compassion on his war-scarred face. “We have some disturbing news, but I need you to focus on what I am about to say.”
Brie stopped breathing when Candy grabbed her hand, knowing it was bad.
“There has been a plane crash at LAX. Sir Davis mentioned to me that he was taking a flight to Dubai. I’ve been able to confirm he was on the flight that went down.”
Brie’s whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Brianna,” he stated firmly. “There are survivors. Although I can’t confirm if he is one of them, that is what you must focus on right now.”
“What happened?” she whispered.
“Since the plane was a non-stop flight, it had a full tank of fuel, which is why it burst into flames upon impact. From what they’ve pieced together at this point, the pilot radioed that they were experiencing a malfunction just after takeoff. They turned around attempting to land but were unsuccessful.”
Brie was tormented by the fact she hadn’t felt anything when his plane went down. Had he been calling out to her just before impact? She closed her eyes, forcing herself to focus—not allowing her mind to take her there.
“First, we need you to get dressed. Then I’ll drive you to the hospital that’s receiving survivors.”
Candy guided Brie down the hallway to help her change while Captain started making phone calls.
“He’s alive, Brie. I’m sure of it…” Candy said encouragingly.
Brie nodded, in too much shock to speak.
Candy was gentle but efficient getting Brie redressed, tossing her pajamas on the bed as she marched Brie out of the room. “We’re ready, Captain.”
He looked at Brie somberly. “I know this is hard—the not knowing—but you must be strong. There is no point entertaining what-if’s until you know the truth of the situation. Even then, no matter what the news, Sir Davis would expect you to be courageous for the health of the baby.”
Brie only nodded, glancing briefly down at her small belly. The thought of the baby losing his father was too overwhelming, and the tears began to fall.
“Don’t, Mrs. Davis. We know nothing right now. It serves no purpose to weep about the unknown.”
She wiped away her tears and closed her eyes until she had control over her emotions again. She understood the reality of what she must do, even though every cell in her body wanted to run away.
Opening her eyes again, Brie stated simply, “Sir needs me.”
“Yes, he does, Mrs. Davis,” Captain agreed.
Brie straightened her stance, pushing back her shoulders as she waited for the elevator. Captain was right; it was foolish to worry about what might be when Sir was lying in the hospital, needing her by his side.
She was eternally grateful for Captain once they made it to their destination. The lobby of the hospital was pure mayhem, with first-responders, concerned family members and the press milling about. It took his dogged determination and forthright spirit to get the answers they needed to begin the search to see if Sir was among the living.
“It appears that there are two men brought in who match Sir Davis’ approximate age,” Captain explained.
Brie held her breath as she was escorted to the first room. The chaos of the hospital only added to her building anxiety. The attendant told her as they walked down the hallway, “We have two types
of patients from this crash—burn victims and blunt trauma victims due to the back end separating from the plane upon contact.”
Brie was the only allowed into the first hospital room after scrubbing down and donning protective clothing. She walked in to find a man covered in a plastic tent to protect him from infection due to his extensive burns. Brie approached cautiously, quelling the need to cry out when she saw just how extensive the burns really were. The man’s face was blackened and unrecognizable, no hair left after contacting the intense heat of the jet fuel.
“Look at other parts of his body. See if there are any distinguishing marks you recognize,” the attendant advised her.
Tears ran down Brie’s face as she looked the poor man over. His hands had been burned as well. Only his chest seemed free from the effects of the fire. Brie drew closer, praying she would not find what she was looking for…
She sucked in her breath when she noted his chest was free of the brand. Thank God… Brie felt almost guilty for feeling relieved it was not Sir, knowing that some other family would have to bear the pain of this tragedy.
In a bare whisper she informed the attendant that it was not her husband, but she put her gloved hand on the plastic and said a single prayer. “Mercy…”
Brie was taken out of the room, where she removed her gloves, booties and gown. A nurse took them from her, a look of empathy in her green eyes.
Brie was escorted to a different floor, down a long corridor. “Just as before, you will need to look for distinguishing marks. This patient is suffering from major brain trauma.”
She walked into the room with extreme trepidation. Either this patient was Sir or her husband was among the dead. She walked up to the bed hesitantly, hoping with everything in her that she would find it was Sir, despite the man’s serious condition. His body was covered in tubes and bandages, making it impossible to see his face or chest. It left her little to go by, but she studied his left hand. Not only did it lack her ring, it was small and thin—not the hand of her Master.
Brie could not hold back the sob that escaped her lips. “It’s not him.”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie only shook her head as she left the room, all hope lost.
Captain took her into his stiff but protective embrace. “Our job is not done until we find him, Mrs. Davis.”
She nodded, even though the thought of going to the morgue terrified her.
Captain guided Brie into Candy’s arms, stating, “Let me talk to the staff before we leave.”
Candy squeezed Brie tightly, saying nothing.
It was a relief to her, because there was nothing to be said—her world had imploded in the blink of an eye.
Captain came back shortly, taking Brie by the arm and leading her out of the chaos and pain of the hospital. But Brie understood he was taking her from a place of life and hope to a place of death.
“I can’t…” Brie whimpered.
“You will,” Captain insisted. “He deserves no less.”
Brie slumped in the seat, numb to the core of her being as he drove them ever closer to the death of her soul. She pressed her head against the window, wishing she could disappear.
Captain’s phone rang but his words were muffled and far away as she retreated further into herself.
“Mrs. Davis…Mrs. Davis!” he repeated more loudly, shaking her to get her attention.
Brie turned her head to him listlessly, resentful he was forcing her back into reality.
“There were a handful of survivors that were transported to a different hospital. We are heading there now.”
Brie’s lip trembled, not trusting she’d heard him correctly. “More survivors?”
“Yes,” Candy answered excitedly. “Captain says there was a second group of survivors found farther from the crash site. They were ejected when the back of the plane split in two.”
Hope.
Even though it invited more pain, Brie held on to the belief Sir was there. She sat up, wiping her face clean of tears. She didn’t want him to know she’d given up on him being alive.
There was much less activity as they made their way through the lobby of the new hospital. Only a handful of survivors had been sent there and the press had yet to descend on the place.
Brie was told there was only one man fitting Sir’s description from the crash. The man was in critical but stable condition. Brie walked toward the room, knowing her fate lay on the other side of the door—either blessed relief or complete desolation.
The nurse opened it for her, guiding Brie inside but staying in the doorway as Brie approached the bed.
The first thing Brie noticed was the dark hair jutting out from the white bandages covering his forehead. The sheer abundance of bandages and wires, as well as the breathing tube keeping him alive were frightening, but when her gaze fell onto his hand and she saw the dark band on his finger she broke out in hysterical laughter. “You’re alive!”
Brie began kissing Sir on every exposed piece of flesh, the ache of hope bursting through her darkness.
The nurse came over to stop her frenzied kisses. “Mrs. Davis, are you positive this is Thane Davis?”
“Yes!” She moved closer, looking at Sir’s serene expression covered in tubes and wires and suddenly felt a cold chill.
He looked exactly like his mother. Had the wretch come back from the dead to exact her unwarranted vengeance on her son?
Brie shook off the feeling of déjà vu, determined that his fate would not be the same.
“I will get the doctor so she can fill you in on his current condition,” the nurse stated.
Brie threw her arms around her and cried tearfully, “Thank you.”
The woman smiled when Brie let go. “I’m grateful you have been reunited with your husband, Mrs. Davis.”
“I lost hope after visiting the other hospital. I was heading to the morgue when we got the call to come here.”
The nurse only nodded, keeping her emotions in check. Brie understood that the staff would be facing the devastation of many families who would not be so lucky. “Can my friends come in?”
“I’m sorry, only close family are allowed in Intensive Care.”
It forced Brie to leave Sir’s side so she could inform her friends about the wondrous news. She took his limp hand in hers and kissed it tenderly. “I’ll be right back, Sir.”
She found Captain and Candy in the waiting room and quietly shared the happy news, acutely aware that other families were there hoping to find their loved ones but would not be as fortunate.
“How is he, Brie?” Candy asked.
“He’s in critical condition, but alive. The doctor is coming to speak with me so I have to hurry back.”
“But he is stable,” Captain stated, wanting to confirm.
She looked at him gratefully. “Yes, Captain. I want to thank you for bringing me here…” Her voice failed her for a moment. She swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Thank you for giving me my world back.”
In a spontaneous gesture of joy, she kissed his scarred cheek. It was unorthodox and against his protocol, but she could not stop herself.
He cleared his throat. “As I said before, Mrs. Davis, it is never wise to concern ourselves with what-ifs. I’m relieved Sir Davis survived, but now you must concentrate on his recovery.”
“Yes…” she smiled, nodding happily as tears of relief rolled down her cheeks.
He looked down at her stomach for emphasis, “Your child needs his father to be well.”
Brie caressed her tummy lovingly. “Yes.”
“Brie, is there anyone you want me to call while you talk to the doctor?” Candy offered.
Brie handed Candy her phone. “Please call my parents, and the Reynolds. That’s all for now—until I learn more. But if either Lea or Mary call, you have my permission to answer and tell them what’s happened.”
She was almost out the door when she suddenly remembered Tono. She felt a prickling down her sp
ine when she recalled their last conversation. Had he foreseen this?
“If Tono Nosaka calls, please let him know Sir is alive and I am fine.”
Brie didn’t want to contemplate how Tono could have known, because it would lead her into questions of whether or not she could have done something to prevent what happened. The what-ifs would have to wait. Right now, she needed to concentrate solely on Sir’s health and recovery.
When Brie returned she found the nurse still waiting with him. “The doctor was just here, but said she would return.”
Brie wrung her hands anxiously. “I’m sorry I missed her. I needed to let my family know he’s alive.”
The nurse put her hand on Brie’s arm. “Dr. Hessen understands. When dealing with the wounded, she believes it is her duty to care not only for her patient, but the loved ones as well.”
Brie felt the tears threaten again and took a deep breath. She moved back to Sir’s side. Nothing had changed. His heartbeat was unusually slow but steady, the look on his face calm and unconcerned even though his body was a mass of bandages, tubes, wires and a large cast on his leg.
Dr. Hessen returned a few minutes later. The woman looked to be of Indian descent. She wore a kind but tense smile on her lips when she addressed Brie. “It is good to meet you, Mrs. Davis. We were hoping his family would come soon.”
“How is he?”
The doctor pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “The news is grave, but he is stable at the moment. Mr. Davis has severe head trauma, several broken ribs, and a shattered femur. The ribs and the leg will heal with time, but the head injury is concerning.”
“What’s being done for him?”
“We are closely monitoring Mr. Davis. It’s important we relieve any bleeding or swelling of the brain. The injury to his skull is our number one concern right now.”
“What can I do?” Brie pleaded, needing a task to focus on.
Dr. Hessen smiled. “Keep talking to him, Mrs. Davis, and if you are so inclined, ask friends and family members to pray. At this moment, we must rely on time and the human body’s power to heal.”
Brie frowned, looking back at Sir. “I wonder what happened. How did he survive when others did not?”