Learning to Live, Again

Chapter Sixteen

Caleb

I rushed into the hospital with Heath and Dean in my arms. They weren't very happy at being jostled about, but they seemed to understand that something important was happening. The doors to the waiting room slammed open as I burst through them. I set Heath and Dean in two seats, barely sparing enough time to tell them to stay put.

I ran to the counter. Everyone's eyes were on me, but I didn't care. "My girlfriend, is she here?"

"Who's your girlfriend," the lady behind the counter asked, her voice clearly showing her annoyance at me bursting in here.

"Niamh Harvey, is she here? They said they found her. Where is she? Is she okay?"

"Listen," the woman snapped, "one question at a time and patience. You're not the only person in here with family that are dying. Besides, you're not considered immediate family. Maybe if you two were married, but not until then, so get out of my face, and go sit down."

I ground my teeth together and stalked away from her, my hands balled into fists. When I turned around, Heath and Dean were gone. Before I could panic, I spotted them in the corner talking to someone who had their head bowed. I walked over, ready to apologize to the man for the boys bothering him, but as I got closer, I realized who it was.

Corbin sat hunched over in the waiting room chair, pulling worriedly at his hair. He looked a mess when his eyes met mine. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was the epitome of torture. Tears were still streaming from his eyes, down his face, and onto his sweat stained shirt.

"I killed her," he sobbed. "She's going to die because of me."

I took a step towards him, unsure of what to say. "What do you mean you 'killed her'?"

Corbin shook his head. "Addaline and I were heading home from the hospital, and we were fighting. I wasn't paying attention to the road. I-I hit her going 60 miles per hour. They don't know if she's going to live. Oh my god. What have I done?"

Before I could say anything, Beth walked into the room. When she saw me, she rushed into my arm, sobbing. "Oh Caleb, they say it doesn't look good. She has so many broken bones and lacerations that they don't think she's going to make it, and if she does, she's going to have brain damage."

She pulled out of my arms a little, and when she saw Corbin, she shoved me out of the way. "You," she snarled. "This is all your fault. Why did you have to hit her," she started screaming. "Why? How could you? How dare you? My baby is in the hospital because of you. If she dies, you can kiss your weekly visits goodbye. You will never see Heath again. I promise you that." The security guards tried to stop her, but before they could, she slapped Corbin across the face.

Of of the security guards made his way back to us. "Listen," he began, "why don't you two take the children and get out of here? I'm sure you want to be here when your friend wakes up, but if that woman's screams are any indication, it won't happen for a while, if ever."

"It's my fault," Corbin sobbed. "How can I leave her?"

The guard sighed. "Listen, I hate to do this to you, but you're not immediate family, either of you. So, do as I asked. I will not be nice enough to repeat myself."

If I hadn't been suspended for fighting with Jeremy and so I could have time to mourn, I would have been able to show the man my badge and be able to stay. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, so I gather the boys up and struggled with Corbin a few seconds before he stood up and began to follow us.

When we got to the car, I had to fight with Rudolph to move so I could buckle the boys in, and then his tail hit them the entire way home. By the time we were at Niamh's house, the boys were exhausted and cranky, and Corbin had just finished crying. Corbin offered to get the dog while I grabbed the boys and I thanked him. I quickly put the boys to bed, and when I came back out, Corbin was passed out on the couch.

Without realizing what I was doing, I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of bourbon. Soon I was three glasses in and sitting in the corner holding back tears and clutching the phone, waiting for somebody, anybody, to call with information on Niamh.

I can't believe she's alive.