Logan

163. You're My Daughter

Everything came to a halt when Alex left the table, we ate and occasionally talked about movies we watched and the on-flight entertainment. Any questions I still had about Captain Ripley were left unanswered. Before I could pay Ember took care of the bill, and we had a small spat about who pays for the bill but we laughed. I actually saw Ember smile longer than two seconds.

I felt a pit in my stomach when my phone rang, the woman asking, "Hello, is this Natalie Koughlin?"

"This is she." I took a breath.

"Thomas is out of surgery and he's been recovering, we will be taking him to the ICU shortly, he's sustained a major injury, but they were able to get the bleeding under control. He will have to stay for a couple more days, but there's no reason he won't make a full recovery. His doctor will discuss further appointments or treatments with you."

I let out a sniffle, a breath of relief, "He's going to be okay?" I cried, Jax tucked us all into a hug and I said, "Thank you, thank you," I hung up and we all just laughed and cried, Jax holding all of us.

"He's going to be okay," Jax repeated. We piled into the truck and Jax sat in the back, while I sat up front with Ember.

"Are you ready?" He asked. I shook my head.

"No, I need him to say it out loud. If he's been waiting 26 years to tell me the truth, it better be good. I mean, I'm relieved he's okay, but I'm also-"

"Mad? Pissed off?" Jax asked.

"Yeah." I say, "You don't really get over things thinking you could've had a dad."

Everyone was quiet, Jax spoke again, "Natalie, whatever he says, whatever happens, just-try not to blame him for everything, for how things ended up. You still have a dad. That's more than I can say for us."

Ember snapped, "Jax Taylor Larson, that is not our place. You know better."

"No," I put my hand on Ember's arm, "It's okay, they just want to defend their uncle. You all want what's best for him."

I looked back at Jax who just looked at me, "Jax, I grew up with a father who didn't always love me. Love was a transaction, and I don't know how you grew up. But I'm glad you had Thomas. Just, let me figure things out for myself."

I heard my phone beep for the fifth time since leaving the restaurant, all texts from Alex.

A: Are you okay?

A: Natalie talk to me.

A: You're mad at me.

N: And say what?

N: I'm not mad at you. Working at Marlin's is better for your mental health right now.

A: Are you coming home tonight?

N: No.

A: Where are you staying?

A: with them?

A: Desmond's? Aeron's? Wren's?

N: What is that even supposed to mean, Alex?

N: I'm staying at Ripley's house.

N: at hospital now. I'll text back later.

I turned my phone volume down and tucked it back into my bag. We walked up to the desk and knowing it was after 9, we had to wait for someone.

"I'm sorry, I can't let you in, visiting hours only. You can come back at 7am."

I shook my head, "No, I just spoke with someone, they said we could come and see him once he was out of recovery."

The nurse looked at the clipboard on her desk, then back at the computer, "I don't have your name, miss, just come back at visiting hours."