The Dance

Chapter 84 Father

Matt sprinted back to the trapper shack with two paramedics in tow and a backboard. They found Lila unconscious with the babies on either side of her. The paramedics set the babies to the side and began working on Lila. She had lost a great deal of blood from the looks of the trapper shack. They wasted no time in loading her up on the board and getting her to the chopper. Matt followed with two bundles in his arms. All of them boarded the chopper and were headed to Juneau. The paramedics checked out the babies who appeared to be small but in good shape. It was Lila who was touch and go and the tension was evident all the way back to Juneau.

From Matt's vantage point in the chopper, he spotted the Integrity approaching home but with no cell phone, he couldn't reach Bam. He hoped Bam would spot the message he left on the rock before he walked into the disaster that was his trapper shack. As Bear gave his customary howl to let Matt and Lila know they were home, he received no return howl. Everyone noticed that Lila and Matt didn't appear on the beach either. Worry began to sink it. Billy pulled his binoculars out to survey the beach and spotted the fluorescent orange paint on the rock although not quite able to make out what was written on it.

As they got closer, Bam took the binoculars from Billy and read the message. He stopped the boat abruptly. "It's Lila. Something went wrong."

There was no time for discussion. Bear and Gabe pulled the skiff next to the boat and Bam jumped in it without hesitation. He could make it to Hoonah in half the time of taking the Integrity. Billy radioed the harbor master to see if he any pilots were flying to Juneau later today.

Bam had the skiff on full throttle racing to Hoonah. He beat himself up most of the way believing he should have never left her alone. Other than the words Juneau Hospital, he knew nothing of the circumstances of why they went there. He tried not to let his mind wander as his concern was to get to Hoonah and find transportation to Juneau.

Bam was met at the dock by the harbor master and a bush pilot ready to take him the forty mile flight to Juneau. He was thankful to catch a flight because catching the ferry would have only prolonged his torture.

At the hospital, Matt waited patiently in the emergency room to learn word of Lila's condition. He had hoped by now Bam had seen his message. He knew when Bam came through that door that things would be bad. Matt knew there was nothing anyone could do for Lila except let the doctors work their miracles. What had happened was unexpected and whether Bam was there or not the outcome would have been the same. He just hoped Bam would realize that since he had given the responsibility of Lila's care to him.

Several hours later, Bam burst through the emergency room doors and headed straight for the nurses' station. "My wife Lila Brown was brought in by chopper." The nurse tried to calm Bam down but his voice began to show his impatience. He demanded to know where his wife was again. Matt came up behind him and pulled him to the side.

Matt was still covered in blood and the look of horror on Bam's face was evident. "Please tell me where my wife is."

"She's in surgery right now. She's been there since we arrived. She lost a lot of blood." Matt asked him to sit down. "I'll tell you every thing but I need you to calm down first."

Bam took a seat running his hands nervously through his hair as Matt relayed the events of the day. "My babies are here? I missed the birth of my children." Bam was devastated. Not only had he not been there for Lila, he missed seeing his first child born. "Are they okay?"

"They are both fine. You'll get to see them later. Jace came first and Lily soon after. Man, you're a dad." The emotions Bam felt were tremendous pride and profound sadness at the same time.

"And Lila?" Bam asked begging to hear she was alright.

Matt shook his head. "I don't know. She's been in surgery quite awhile." Matt choked on his words. It was the hardest thing he ever had to tell his brother. "She was great, Bam. She made sure they were okay before she lost consciousness.

Bam got up and walked outside. He put his sunglasses back on to hide the tears that welled up in his eyes. He couldn't lose her now, not now. Jace and Lily needed a mother and he would have traded his soul to the devil to let her live instead of him at the very moment. Their short time together had been filled with a series of highs and lows. His plans for the future didn't include a life without her. She was his heart and his soul. Everything he did now was for her and their future.

Another hour had passed before a doctor came out and asked to speak to Mr. Brown. Both Matt and Bam jumped to their feet anxious for news of her well-being. "Which one of you is her husband?"

"I'm her husband." Bam shook the doctor's hand. "Is she okay?"

"Mr. Brown, you're a very lucky man. Your wife almost bled out. If the chopper hadn't gotten her here in time, the outcome would have been much worse."

"She's okay though right?" Bam looked for some sign of positivity.

"She's going to need a lot of rest."

"Can I see her?" Bam wanted to see for himself that she was still here but the doctor refused her any visitors.

"You can see her tomorrow. She's had a lot of trauma and is heavily sedated right now." That wasn't the response Bam was looking for. The doctor could see the disappointment in Bam's face. "How about I introduce you to your son and daughter?"

Bam followed the doctor to the nursery. The doctor asked the duty nurse to get Bam and Matt gowns and caps before allowing them to hold the babies. Bam was nervous and excited about meeting his son and daughter for the first time. The nurse handed Jace to Matt.

"Bam, this is Jace, your son." Matt carefully transferred him to Bam's arms. The feelings overwhelmed even the stoic Joshua Brown as tears streamed down his cheeks and melted into his beard. Bam sat in the nursery rocking chair peering into the small face that slept in his arms.

Matt brought Lily to him next. He introduced the baby girl. "This is Lily, your little princess." Bam now held both his son and daughter together for the first time. Lily fidgeted and wrapped her little fingers in Bam's long hair. She had already stolen his heart.

"They're beautiful." Bam kissed them softly. "Just like Lila."