Until Autumn

The paramedics hardly get past them to open the doors, and when they do, the sounds of June’s cries fill the ambulance parking bay as she screams for her daddy. Asher’s inside the fucking ambulance in no time.

The paramedics go for the gurney, and with Asher right by her side holding her hand, they get her down to the pavement, where the rest of the brothers instantly begin to crowd around.

I try to go for June but there are too many of these fuckers around to even get a look in. I find myself pausing when movement inside the back of the ambulance catches my attention. November stands awkwardly, struggling to get out of the ambulance as she cradles her newborn baby, but it’s the woman beside her who takes my breath away.

Autumn was the nurse at the park, the woman who stayed with November while she panicked over her injured baby.

Everything inside of my chest clenches. The last two weeks have been ridiculously busy with work that I’ve hardly even had time to go over those ‘Policy & Procedure’ folders with her, but I’ve done everything that I possibly could to make the time. I would have liked to spend more time with her, maybe somewhere away from the hospital, but it just hasn’t happened yet. But I’ll be doing something about that as soon as I can.

I’ve seen her watching me over the past week and a half since she kissed me like it was her last day on earth, and each time those hazel eyes fall on me, I see nothing but confusion. She has no idea where we stand with each other, and if I’m honest, neither do I. But one thing I know for certain, I won’t be letting that go on much longer. I need to have her in my life, and the need to call her mine is the only thing I seem to be able to think about.

Autumn finally gets November safely out of the ambulance before jumping down herself and instantly making her way over to me, clearly realizing that I’ll be in charge of this little situation.

“Hey,” she says, nervously biting down on her lip. “I didn’t realize that you’d be taking this one.”

I shrug my shoulders, taking in the short booty shorts and black tank that hug her body just right. “When Asher called, I couldn't say no. What are we looking at?”

“From what I could tell, she landed on her arm when she fell from the pirate ship.”

My brows furrow. “Pirate ship?”

“Play equipment,” she clarifies. “She was right at the top when her foot slipped. I’m no doctor, and I don’t have X-ray vision, but from what I’ve seen over the past five years, she’ll more than likely need surgery to reset it.”

“Shit,” I sigh, glancing over at November, who has tears in her eyes. “Did you mention that to November?”

She nods. “I hinted at it. I wanted to give her time to prepare.”

“Okay, good,” I say, walking over to the group of men crowded around my patient, only to find there’s no way in to actually get a good look at her.

I’m just about to start shoving bodies out of my way when my Aunt Susan steps in with a tone that has all four of my cousins spinning around in fear. “You boys may be all grown now, but I won’t hesitate to lay you over my knee and spank those asses of yours if you don’t move out of Thorne’s way and let him take care of my grandbaby.”

The guys instantly step away, and I’m greeted by the sweetest little girl who’s putting on a very brave face as her bottom lip quivers. Asher remains right by her side, holding her hand and squeezing it tight. “How are you feeling?” I ask her. “I hear you had a little bit of a fall.”

She nods, and her lip quivers just that little bit more.

“Can I take a look?”

“It hurts,” she cries.

“I know,” I tell her. “But I’m going to make it all better, and maybe after that, we can convince your daddy to buy you the bunny rabbit you’ve always wanted.”

Her whole face lights up as she looks up at her father with big, excited eyes, and I see the exact moment he realizes that he has no choice but to cave to her every desire. “Yeah, sweet girl. Anything you want. Why don’t you start thinking of some names while Uncle Thorne checks out your arm.”

She smiles wide and allows me to get close, while Asher glares, shaking his head. November chuckles, the change of atmosphere doing wonders for her panicked mind. “You’re screwed,” she tells Asher. “We’re going to have a full-on farm at our place if she milks this.”

“You’re telling me,” he grumbles, glancing over at his wife only to quickly flick his gaze back to the empty ambulance, his brows drawn low and his eyes full of worry. “Where are the kids?” he questions, quickly looking around the massive group surrounding us. “I thought they were at the park with you?”