Holding Onto Forever

“We should’ve come earlier,” she says. Maybe they should’ve or not. Honestly, if she hadn’t said anything I probably wouldn’t know the difference. According to one of the nurses, because of the people I’ve had here and who they are, they’ve had to change their policy around about letting multiple visitors in a room because they didn’t want my dad, uncles and Noah harassed by the families of other patients.

“How’s Los Angeles?” I ask, needing to change the subject. I don’t want her to feel bad. Her and Xander have a busy life, and while they never had children, the gym and their clientele keep them occupied.

“L.A.’s great. Your dad says you’ll be spending a lot of time there.”

“What?”

“Peyton?”

My eyes glance toward the door where my dad has walked in. He looks like his normal self with his cargo shorts, thermal long-sleeved shirt with some random band on it from another group and a beanie.

“What’s she talking about, Dad?”

“Hey, kiddo!” Xander bursts in behind my dad and rushes over to me. I brace myself for impact, but he stops in time and kisses my forehead just as Yvie did.

“Hey… someone want to tell me what’s going on?”

Xander looks from Yvie to my dad and now to my mom who is standing in the doorway before he settles his gaze back to me. “So, long story short, your body is messed up and I’m going to fix it.”

“Wh-what?” I swallow down the lump that’s forming in my throat. I know I’m damaged, but I thought… well, I’m not sure exactly what I thought. That maybe I’d wake up and everything would be a dream.

“You gotta do some extensive rehab. Lucky for you, your uncle is the best in the country.”

“My uncle is booked solid.”

He waves me off as if he’s not. “I’m always free for you, Peyton.”

“Right, back to this rehab.”

“Hi, Peyton, I’m Dr. Colby.” A woman walks in carrying a clipboard. Behind her are two nurses who are flanking my bed. “I want to say you’ve surprised everyone in the hospital with your survival and I want to apologize for my colleague’s behavior during surgery. He should’ve treated you better. With that said, because of the extent of your injuries we need to take you to surgery.”

The lump I had earlier when Xander mentioned Los Angeles, is back only now it’s ten times larger. I look at my parents for confirmation. My dad looks pissed off and my mom looks sad. “I don’t understand.”

“We need to reset your bones in your arm and leg. Flush the wounds on the right side of your body. Make sure your sutures are healing along your torso and head.”

“And I have to have surgery to do this?”

“Yes, it’s the safest way.”

“But… but…” I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence before one of the nurse’s slips the oxygen mask over my face. The heart monitor starts beeping rapidly and my mother’s face is masked with concern. Before I realize what’s happening, my bed is yanked from the wall and portable machines are set down next to me. The doctor leads the way out of the room, and my parents are on either side of me. I desperately want to hold their hands, but it’s all but impossible.

We come to a set of double doors, where Elle and Ben are standing. Ben leans down and kisses me on my forehead because it’s literally the only spot that doesn’t hurt on my body aside from having a headache.

“I’ll be the first one to sign your cast,” Elle says. I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but I could honestly do without a cast, although I have a feeling the doctor was sugarcoating my injuries. I can’t feel or move my leg. That’s not normal.

My parents are by my side through the ride down in the elevator, until we get to another set of doors. “If you’ll wait here, as soon as I’m done, I’ll be out,” the doctor says to my parents.

Mom removes my mask and kisses me on the lips. My dad opts for my cheek. He whispers, “Don’t cry, baby girl.” I hadn’t realized I was until he mentioned it.

“I’m scared.”

He cups my face and looks into my eyes. “Dr. Colby is the best. We brought her in from UCLA for you. She’s going to take care of you. Mom, Elle and I will be right here.”

“Where’s Quinn?”

“He’ll be here, I promise.” Dad doesn’t exactly answer my question. He and Mom both kiss me again and continue to tell me they love me as I’m pushed into an operating room. The staff filters around me, no one is talking or making eye contact with me. It makes me wonder if they’re upset they have to work with a doctor who isn’t on staff here. It also has me questioning how is this possible and what did my dad have to do to make this happen.