His Always: Book 1 Rhodes Character Series

Chapter 16: Tate

I gather myself as I walk to the door leading out to the hallway. I open it slightly – I promised Natalie I wouldn't leave the room. I glance around for the two detectives but don't immediately see them. Eric and James are leaning on the nurses station close by. "Hey, boys," I quietly yell in their direction. Trying to get their attention without having to step outside. Both turn immediately and strut in my direction. It finally registers when I look on their face how long of a day this has been for all of us.

"I sent Madison home. She was sleeping on the floor." James utters. "She put up a hell of protest though. But she has a huge day in court tomorrow and has been staying up late every night this week." I just nod. "How is Nat feeling? Y'all need anything? I'm not leaving tonight." Eric inquires.

"I finally have her calmed down. Of course the detectives sent her into a little sass session but as long as she gets her shower tonight, I think we will be fine." I run my hands through my hair as I take a deep breath. "The detectives need to gather some physical evidence. Natalie will only comply if I do it – Have you seen them?" Eric and James both glance at each other. "Uhhh you shouldn't do that. Usually we have an independent nurse handle that for the detective. To make sure no attorney can try and throw out the physical evidence." James states confidently. "I was an admitting doctor, I can get everything they need." He continues.

I sigh. "I don't think Natalie will go for that. She is not in the negotiating mood. She already didn't want to press charges. I had to convince her just to consider." Emotion is thick in my throat. Medical school and residency trains you for a vast amount of emergency scenarios but I am starting to feel out of my element here. "Well it wouldn't hurt to ask. Let me pop in and see her." I place my hand on his chest before he enters the room. "Don't get her fired up man. I just got her calmed down. The second she wants you out – you're out." He nods.

"Eric – anything on Thomas? His apartment was trashed there was blood everywhere. I called 9-1-1. There was definitely signs of a struggle. Do you really think he did this to her?" My thought makes me realize she hasn't asked for him once yet. That's strange. Why didn't I think that was weird before? Before Eric responds, I add, "Wait, you know what? She hasn't asked for him at all since she woke up from surgery. Does that seem odd to you?" Eric looks conflicted. Actually he looks constipated – but I ignore that. He continues to look at his chart but I can see his eyes. They aren't reading anything.

"What do you know, Eric?" He swallows. I take a deep breath to try and loosen the knot that has developed again in my stomach. "I don't know what I know actually." The fuck? Now is not the time for this bullshit. I give him a look. "What does that mean Eric? I've had a long day. Speak English please."

"Well if you would let me get my thought out, I would tell you that I overheard Madison telling James to not let Thomas on the floor if he came looking for her." He mentions. My vison starts to get blurry as I process what exactly this means. I clear the congestion in my throat. Trying to swallow air to get to my lungs. "And why would him being on the floor be a problem?" I grit through my teeth. "Listen, take a breath, I don't know the full story. I only know what I overheard. We both know Thomas. I don't think he is capable of this kind of thing. They probably got into an argument before all this happened and now she doesn't want to see him. Let's not turn this into that." I audibly laugh.

"No fight, no matter how big, keeps you from your longtime girlfriend that you love, by the way, when she's be beaten so badly she loses your damn child." I mutter through my clenched teeth. "Something bad happened here Eric. I don't know what. But if she says she doesn't want him on the floor – that's what happens." I add. He puts his hand up as to insinuate a surrender. "I am not your enemy here. Whatever Natalie wants, she will get. I promise."

The door opens back up. I forgot James had went in to check on her. His hands are full of tubes and swabs. "Well, I got to go find the police officer. She's all good for a shower Tate." I blink my eyes rapidly. "Wait, you're already done. She let you swab everything?" He is already walking down the hallway but swivels around his feet and smiles. "You underestimate my charming personality boys. I'll come back up when I am done with this." He winks and turns away to continue walking down the hallway. I am actually too stunned to speak. "Okay, let me get her ready to shower then. Then we can all go to sleep. And this dreadful day will be over." As I open Natalies already cracked door, an alarm starts going off at the nurses station. "It's Nat's alarm, Tate." I rush in to find Natalie standing walking away from the bed. Well, actually, swaying away from the bed.

"Woah, Natalie what are you doing? Why didn't you call me. You need to call someone if you need to get up." She looks at me. Tears had been streaming down her face. I grab her gently and pull her into my chest. "Sweetheart, you are going to hurt yourself even more. Just let me help." She relaxes into my shirt. "I let James swab everywhere he wanted and take all these photographs. I was promised a shower." She says softly. I can see the energy draining from her body. I keep forgetting how crazy of a day this has been, especially for her.

"I saw James walk out of this room 30 seconds ago. You barely gave me time to get back in here sweets." I bend down to scoop her up. Eric pushes along her IV lines as we enter the bathroom. I sit her on the toilet and turn on the shower. "Let me wrap this IV. The nurses will have a fit with me if I get this wet." She doesn't say anything, just sticks out her arm. Eric yells from a distance, "I'll be right outside at the nurses station if you need anything." I grab some tape and her overnight bag that I packed and shut us in the bathroom. "Alright Nat, lets get you clean. I brought all the good stuff you girls love." She smiles for the first time all day.