Sunflower

Chapter Eighteen: A Symphony of Traumatic Screams

"Paging doctor Simmons to the OR. Paging doctor Simmons to the OR." 

I gripped my knee tightly as I bounced up and down. I kept wiping the sweat off my palms on my shirt while waiting impatiently. 

"Code blue in-" 

"Kova," Clara's voice came from next to me as she walked in. 

"Mommy," I cried as she hugged me. I didn't even notice the twins anxiously standing behind her, "I'm sorry I don't know-" 

"No it's okay Coco, It's okay," She whispered. 

"Clara," A nurse said with a saddened look on her face. 

"Boys, watch your sister, I'll be right back," She handed me off to he two boys.

Maverick just looked in my eyes waiting for me to do something. He was scared to. Asher put his arm around my shoulder as I cried softly into his chest. Maverick eventually joined the hug with a tight grip on both Asher and me. 

"Kov," She said putting her hand on my back. I turned around to see even her looking scared, "Your fathers in the ICU- But only for tonight they hope."

"Why?" I asked still holding onto Asher. 

"They want to make sure he doesn't have internal bleeding or a brain bleed... So I'm warning you right now... He's been sedated." 

"What-What does that mean?" 

She took a deep breath, "It means he not awake and won't be able to respond to anything you say. He's going to have needles and many more machines then you're used to." 

Asher seemed more frightened than me at the time, "Can I see him?" 

"Course," She took my hand. We followed a nurse into a quiet ward of the hospital. Things were very quiet actually. Not many visitors were seen.

We came to the room and I stopped before entering, "It's okay Kova." 

I entered the doorway and my breath caught in my throat. I thought I could handle it. I thought I was going to be able to deal with this. But I couldn't. I couldn't bear to see my dad like this. It hurt. It physically hurt. My heart stung and ached all at the same time. 

Slowly walking closer I grabbed his hand. That's what hurt the most. When he didn't hold my hand back, "You're alright," She said putting her hand on my back.

"Mom?" 

I surprised her calling her mom a second time, "Yes Baby?" 

I looked up with my bloodshot red eyes as the led lights made my cheeks shimmer with the tears, "Why does this have to happen to us?" 

"I'm so sorry Kova-Koa," She repeated, "I'm so sorry baby." 

Two extra sets of footsteps entered the room. I turned around to see the twins. Asher put his hand clasped over his mouth to not scream, "Ash," Mom said quietly. Tears streamed down Asher's face as she hugged him back tightly. Maverick walked over to me putting an arm around my shoulder.

I was a little confused by Asher's reaction, he was almost more devastated than me. Visiting hours were over and we were forced to leave quickly, "Come here," I told Asher as I wrapped my arms around him. 

Once we stepped out of the elevator, the lobby had not one, not two, but half the Seattle police department sitting and waiting impatiently. Some in street clothes since there shifts had ended or they were hurt, some still in uniform. 

Reyes looked like he was the only one who didn't care to hold in his emotions. His father died from cancer when he was 18 and his mom was stuck in Mexico so my dad took him in instead. He was the first one to stand up and come to me. He didn't say a word just put his arms around me and cried. Mom greeted and updated everyone else. As soon as Reyes pulled away he wiped his eyes on his sweatshirt sleeve.