Chapter 32: Reality Hurts

The moment I woke up, I knew hours had passed. I sat up quickly, scanning the room. The apartment was unsettlingly silent. I reached for my phone and checked the time. It was three in the afternoon.

A wave of nausea hit me again, but this time it wasn’t from the pregnancy. A sense of dread filled me from head to toe. I rushed to Brennan’s bedroom and office, calling out his name.

No response.

I dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail. Had he changed his mind? Had he left me?

My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and I didn’t know what to do or who to call for help.

I dialed Belle, but her voicemail picked up.

“Belle, it’s Grace. I fell asleep on the couch. I just woke up, and Brennan still isn’t home. His phone is going straight to voicemail. I don’t know what to do.”

“Damn it!” I yelled, slamming my phone down on the table.

I rushed to the room, slipped on my shoes, grabbed my purse and a coat, and picked up my phone again before heading to the door.

I opened it, only to find Anna from the front desk and two police officers. Anna looked distressed, and that was all it took for me to stumble backward.

I shook my head, looking at the police officers. A house visit meant something bad had happened.

“No,” I whispered, tears already streaming down my face.

“Grace,” Anna said, her hand reaching for mine. “Brennan is at the hospital.”

~At the hospital.~ I processed her words. She wasn’t speaking about him in the past tense. Maybe he was okay.

One of the police officers placed their hand on Anna’s shoulder. “Anna says you’re Brennan’s girlfriend.”

I nodded. “I am. Is he okay?”

“He was in an accident earlier today. He was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver wasn’t paying attention. He’s in critical condition. His phone was damaged, but we were able to track his residence.”

“He’s alive?” I whispered, feeling a mix of terror and relief. Critical condition wasn’t safe, but it was better than the alternative.

“Yes. We can give you a ride to the hospital.”

“Yes. Please.”

I felt numb as I followed Anna and the police officers out the door. They were talking, but I barely registered their words.

The elevator felt crowded even though there were only four of us. I took a deep breath, feeling the stress gnawing at my insides.

I needed to call his parents, but first I needed more information.

When the elevator doors opened, the rush of cool air was a welcome relief, however brief.

Anna returned to the front desk, and I followed the officers. She called out something, but I was too dazed to hear her.

The ride to the hospital felt longer than it should have. We were only a few minutes away, but every red light seemed to be against us.

Finally, the officers pulled into a parking spot outside the hospital, and without waiting for them, I ran into the building. I reached the reception desk and quickly explained my situation.

A few minutes later, I was led through a maze of corridors until an orderly guided me to a waiting room outside the OR.

I pulled out my phone, and saw a text from Belle.

Belle

I missed your call. Everything okay?

I dialed her number and waited for her to pick up. After three rings, her worried voice filled my ear.

“He was in an accident. I’m at the hospital.”

“I’ll be there soon. Send me your location.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I ended the call and sent Belle my location.

I scrolled through my contacts. I’d saved Brennan’s parents’ numbers when they’d visited. I never thought I’d actually need them, especially not like this.

I was about to call Jaq when the door opened and a tall man with blue eyes matching his scrubs walked in.

“The police said you’re Brennan’s partner.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“I’m Dr. Hart. Brennan needed emergency surgery to stop a brain bleed. He’s also suffered multiple fractures and a collapsed lung. We have him in a medically induced coma, and he’ll be in it for a few days.

“He’s in recovery, but you’ll be able to see him soon.” He paused, looking around the empty room. “You’re alone?”

“His family lives out of state. I have a friend on the way,” I managed to say.

“Okay, well, I’ll have a nurse come get you when you can go in.”

I nodded and bit my lip. “Is he going to be okay?”

Dr. Hart’s expression softened, his blue eyes seemed to lose some of their brightness, and he pursed his lips.

“The next few days will be crucial for his recovery. I can’t make any promises, but he’s here and he’s fighting.”

Dr. Hart left, and I shook my head. I knew he was just trying to be comforting. He didn’t know any more than I did.

I looked at my contact list again and hit the call button next to Jaq’s name. I didn’t know what time it was, but I hoped it wasn’t too late.

“Grace!” Jaq exclaimed. “I was wondering when I’d hear from you two. How are you doing?”

Jaq sounded so cheerful. I could hear the happiness in her voice, even though I couldn’t see her.

The thought of shattering her world made me feel awful, but I had no choice.

I opened my mouth to speak, but instead of words, I started to cry.

“Grace?” Jaq’s voice changed instantly. “Is it the baby?”

“No,” I whispered. “Brennan.”

“Brennan?” She gasped. “What about him?”

I drew in a shaky breath, forcing down the wave of emotion threatening to spill over. She needed to hear the truth, without my feelings muddying the waters.

“He was in an accident. A car hit him. He’s in the hospital now. In a coma. I’m so sorry, Jaq. I’m really sorry.”

The moment the words tumbled out, I heard her sharp intake of breath, followed by a choked sob. I could make out her muffled voice as she relayed the news to Sam.

“We’ll get on a plane.” Jaq sniffled. “I’ll ring the kids and they can pick us up. Grace, we’ll be there soon.”

“Okay,” I responded quietly. “I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I just wish we weren’t so far away. We love you both, sweetheart. See you soon.”

Jaq hung up before I could say anything else. Her voice had cracked towards the end, and I knew she was trying to spare me from hearing her break down.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. I’d run from Brennan, squandered precious time we could have spent together. And for what?

I rested my forehead on my knees, and unable to hold back any longer, I let out a series of ragged sobs.

Eventually, I felt a pair of arms encircle me. I prayed that this was all just a vivid, cruel dream and opened my eyes, only to be confronted with the harsh reality once again.

Belle was here.

“Oh, babe,” she murmured.

This was really happening.

~Fuck.~