Rubble: Devil's Rose #12

Chapter 18: Nicholas Frasier

"Hey, sunshine," I mumble, using a soft rub on Alice's back to begin to awaken her, "we landed."

She groans awake but doesn't say much while I get her off the plane and into her mother's arms. They hug tight, tears pouring out of their eyes. Alice steps back into my embrace, forgetting that Major is even heard to witness it when it is her brother's turn for a much-needed momma hug. 

Violet and Erin also hug each other, saving me for last. I've met Erin quite a few times. I mean, I served in the military with her son, of course, I have. 

But never in such a difficult circumstance. It's very different to see someone in this type of situation, and I'm so glad that it's not awkward as fuck for me to be here. 

I don't want to add another burden to the Owens family. They are already dealing with so much that I would honestly find a way home if it was too weird having me here as well. Except, it doesn't seem like it'll be much of a problem.

Alice and Major go into the hospital room, and Violet and I get the medical details as well as financial so that none of the Owens have to deal with that part of it. 

Violet and I agree to split the bill whatever it may come out to be after an intense discussion of both wanting to pitch in. Her grandmother when she passed a couple of years ago seemed to have left quite a big amount of money for Violet, which I didn't know about until just now. 

I knew she was rich, not only from her family but from her own endeavors, I just didn't know how rich. She only works at Vellichor because she wants to apparently, not because she needs to.

Cliff is going to be fine, which we figured out pretty soon. He's got some broken bones, bruising, swelling, and the other good stuff but no brain injuries or internal bleeding or anything to the point of surgery. 

He's on a bunch of pain meds, but he's going to be just fine. The four of us are going to stay the rest of the week pretty much to hang out and help get their parents hooked up with whatever they need while Cliff goes through the healing process. 

I think it's a good choice to be around for the next six days just to make sure that everything's going okay before heading back to Texas. It will also be enough time for Alice to see that her dad is going to heal and that she'll be able to relax and feel good about heading home. 

I've given Alpha and Tank off of the information that I know, so that they can relay it to everyone else and make changes for scheduling that they need to do, like run shifts.

With Cliff spending another night in for observation, the rest of us head to Major and Alice's childhood home. Erin takes Alice and Major in her car so that they can have a family discussion, and I think that's entirely reasonable. 

Although I do want to be around Alice and be there for her, I do understand that there are some conversations that I shouldn't be a part of. I know I'll get the information later. 

It's not like Alice is going to hide it from me if it's something she wants to tell me. But being in the car with Violet is a whole different beast.

"I know that you and Alice are having sexual relations?"

"Sexual relations? That's a crazy fucking way to put it," I joke, trying to ease whatever she is about to say next.

"I don't care, and I don't think Major would care. I don't think he's noticing too much. The only reason I bring it up is because of Alice. I'm not going to threaten you to treat her right because I don't need to, but she's putting her heart on her sleeve for you. I just want you to know that."