Choices (8 page)

“I don’t know yet. He’s adorable though. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I was actually nervous about getting you the puppy but when I saw him, I knew you would love him.”

“I was indecisive on puppies. I couldn’t choose one, but he is perfect.”

She felt Duke kiss the crown of her head and she smiled. This Christmas Eve was perfect. Tomorrow, both Duke and Ryan would be here in the afternoon. They were having Christmas dinner together and Paxton was thankful that she wouldn’t be alone for the holidays. Now she would never be alone with the puppy around. He would keep her company.

“What about Tucker?” Paxton asked. The name floated through her head.

“He doesn’t look like a Tucker.”

“Killer?”

“No, that’s not original.”

“Cooper?”

“Boring!” Duke teased. “What about Link?”

“Link?”

“Yeah.”

Paxton thought about it. She looked up at Duke and then back at the puppy. “I like that. Link.”

She watched Link roam the yard. She noticed that he seemed to stay close to them. If he got too far away he ran back towards them.

“Come on Link! Let’s go inside, it’s cold out here.”

Paxton saw Link perk his head up and look over at them after yelling out to him. They obviously distracted him from smelling everything in the area. “Come on! Come here!” She patted her leg.

Link came running. Paxton squatted down as Link approached. She picked him up and walked inside as Duke held the door for her. She smiled knowing this night couldn’t get any better.

NINE

Jack was roaming the house in the early hours of Christmas morning. He and Kenleigh were heading over to his parents’ house. Kenleigh’s parents were meeting them there as well. He paced in the hallway as Kenleigh emerged from the room in a pair of slacks and a red turtleneck. Her hair was held back by a red headband. It curled loosely around her shoulders and she looked amazing. He watched her bend down to put on her shoes. He noticed she decided to wear heels even though they weren’t going anywhere special.

“Enjoying your view?” Kenleigh asked.

“Most definitely.”              

Jack smirked. After his panic attack during his run he decided to focus on Kenleigh. He needed to give her a chance. It wasn’t fair if he didn’t. So far, he was enjoying the simplicity of their relationship. They had been physical several times, nothing Jack should complain about but she didn’t fit against him like Paxton did. He shook his head banning any thoughts of Paxton. He needed to get over her.

“Let’s go,” Kenleigh said walking past him.

“I feel so underdressed standing next to you.” Jack noticed that his nice pair of jeans and button up didn’t look well with Kenleigh’s outfit.

“It’s fine. Don’t get girly on me now Mr. Mercier,” she giggled as she went down a few steps and turned towards him flashing her million-dollar smile.

Jack shook his head and started towards the stairs. He noticed how easy everything was with Kenleigh. She was his best friend and now she was becoming more. He heard a faint chirp come from his room a few feet away from him. His head jerked up and stared at his door. He knew that chirp was from the phone he had hidden in his closet.

“Jack?”

He turned and looked at Kenleigh. She was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Her brow furrowed slightly.

Jack didn’t say anything and headed into his room. He stared at his closet door. Another chirp sounded. He didn’t know if he imagined it or not. He opened the door and grabbed the box. He looked at the phone and he had two new text messages, a couple missed calls.

“I thought you got rid of that phone?”

Jack looked over at Kenleigh who was standing in the doorway of the room. He could see a bit of disappointment show in her face. She crossed her arms protectively in front of her. Jack set the phone back down without looking at the messages.

“I’ll get rid of it first thing in the morning. I don’t know why I still have it.”

“You are waiting for her. She’s who you really want.”

“No Kitten,” Jack scrambled towards Kenleigh. He wrapped her in his arms.

“I’m not stupid Jack. I know how this is going to end for us. I just want to enjoy you while I have you.”

“No, no, no Kitten,” He kissed her forehead but she remained still. “I want this, I want you.”

“We’ll see.”

Jack wasn’t sure what she meant but she walked off before he asked. He left it alone. It was Christmas and they shouldn’t spend it fighting. He followed her down in silence.

They arrived at his parent’s in complete silence. Not a word was spoken between them but they looked at each other, linked hands and put on their happy faces. Jack was nervous as they entered the house. He was ready for the onslaught of his mother’s over-the-top nonsense but the house was semi-quiet when he walked in. He half expected his mother to greet them at the door.

“Mom? Dad?” he yelled as they walked towards the living room.

He received no answer. He let go of Kenleigh’s hand and headed towards the kitchen.

“Mom?” He poked his head inside the kitchen but only Chelsea, the maid was there.

“Jack, I’m sorry but they aren’t here. It’s best if you call your mother’s cell.”

“Thanks,” Jack gave her a worried look. Chelsea was awfully quiet and a knot formed in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong.

“Jack?” Kenleigh gave him a look like she knew something was going on.

“I need to call my mother,” Jack’s voice cracked. He dialed his mother’s cell. He waited for her to pick up. He heard the fumbling of the phone as she picked up and a faint beep in the background. “Mom?”

“Sweetheart,” Nancy’s voice cracked. She sniffled. Another beep in the background.

“Where are you?”

“Bridge Regional. It’s your father. He’s had a heart attack. It’s bad Jack, real bad.”

“On my way, what room?”

“3rd floor, Room 3121.”

“See you soon,” Jack hung up the phone and immediately started walking back to the front of the house. “Let’s go Kitten. My dad is in the hospital.”

He walked out the front door not even looking back to see if she was following or not. He heard the familiar click on her heels behind him and he was comforted that he didn’t have to waste any time explaining to her. She just followed and didn’t ask questions.

He sped down the road towards the hospital on Main Street. He gripped the steering wheel. He was worried about his father even though his father was the strongest man he knew. Though they had a strained relationship, Jack still loved him. The thought of him not being here was not something Jack wanted to think about.

“He’ll be okay,” Kenleigh broke the silence. “He’s a strong man, very stubborn just like you at times.”

Jack felt the warmth of her hand on his. He was grateful he didn’t have to face this alone. He picked his hand up and looked over at Kenleigh. He brought her hand to his mouth and laid a kiss on her hand.

“Thanks.” That was all he could manage.

She smiled and peered out the window as their hands stayed clasped together. Jack turned into the parking lot fifteen minutes later and found a place relatively close. The silence continued as they made their way to the elevator bank. Jack gripped her hand as they waited by the elevators. This is not how he imagined Christmas day going. He expected a few irritations as expected with family gatherings, not a trip to the hospital. They arrived in the ICU floor. He had to check in at the nurse’s station. 

“I’m here to see my father, Jacob Mercier.”

“He’s in room 3121, its immediate family only,” she eyed Kenleigh.

“This is my fiancée, is she clear to go back?” Jack quickly said.

The nurse looked back and forth between them. Jack brought her against his hip before she finally spoke, “I suppose that’s fine.”

Jack squeezed Kenleigh’s side as they walked back there. Kenleigh walked beside him, they were back to holding hands. It was the one thing that kept him from falling apart.

They entered the room. His mother was sitting beside the bed holding his hand. She ran to Jack as soon as she saw him. He broke contact with Kenleigh and held his mother in his arms. She seemed so fragile and broken. Nothing like the woman he knew. The strong, full of life woman.

“How is he?”

“I haven’t seen the doctors in a while. They put a stent in and said he’s doing fine right now but they will see how the next twenty-four hours go.”

Jack squeezed his mother, “I’m sure he’ll pull through. He’s strong and stubborn.” He repeated the words that Kenleigh told him.

Jack offered a small smile in Kenleigh’s direction. She had sunk into a corner, letting them have their moment. He knew he lied to get her in the room but she still gave them their space they needed.

“Do the Bailyns know?” Jack asked. He knew Kenleigh would be wondering the same thing.

“Yes, I called and told them on my way here. They should be in the waiting room if you want to go down there Kenleigh.” His mother was dismissing her. He saw Kenleigh take notice of the underlying hint towards her.

“Sure thing. Is there anything I can get you Nancy?”

“Not right now. I have my boy here,” Nancy cupped his face.

Kenleigh nodded and headed down to the waiting room. Jack watched her go. When she was clear of the room he turned back towards his mother.

“How did you get her back here?”

“I told them that she was my fiancée.”

“Jack! You mustn’t lie! Rumors will fly!”

“Mom, I needed her. I couldn’t let her wait there alone,” he explained. His mother was back to herself for a moment.

“I suppose. Just be careful. As much as I hate it, I know Paxton is still on your mind.  I see the uncertainty in your eyes when it comes to Kenleigh. You have a choice to make but right now, let’s focus on you father.”

Jack was surprised at his mother’s comment. Despite everything going on, she almost seemed motherly which is not what he expected right now. He watched his mother sit back down and grab his father’s hand.

He sat in another chair that he pulled up to his father’s bedside and stared at him. His father looked weak, tired, and older than he was. He sat there thinking that if Paxton were here, she could explain more. Paxton could push for more info or tell them what to expect and his chances. He assumed his father’s doctor would hold back some things, giving them hope, but Paxton would tell them what they weren’t saying. She believed in preparing the families if the prognosis wasn’t good, not sugar-coating it.

TEN

Jack saw his mother drift off in her chair by his father’s bedside. He didn’t know how long he had been in there but he moved his chair back by the window. The sun was still shining so it was still Christmas day, probably getting to the middle of the afternoon. The nurses had been in and out since he arrived, checking vitals and drawing blood. They just rolled a cot in the room for his mother. He picked her up and set her in the bed. He covered her with the blanket they provided. He scribbled a note to his mother that he was needing to check on Oasis, Kenleigh and a few things at the house. He told her to call him if he woke up. Jack squeezed his father’s hand.

“I’ll be back, don’t do anything crazy while I’m gone,” Jack knew that was the only way he could phrase ‘don’t die on me’ without causing tears to form.

He looked back at his parents as he snuck out of the room. He headed to the nurses station. He gave them his cell phone number to call if anything changed while he was gone. Jack stopped by the waiting room. Only Kenleigh was in there.

“Hey,” she said jumping up and heading towards him. She pulled him into a hug.

“Hey.”

“I sent my parents away. I told them I would call with any news.”

“You should have gone too. You shouldn’t have to wait around here,” Jack released her.

“There is nowhere else I need to be right now.”

Jack smiled. “I need a distraction. I was going to head to Oasis, home, and then come back. I figured I might stop by and let Chelsea know. She cares for my parents, so she is probably worried.”

“Yeah, want some company?”

“No, I think I just need time by myself. See you at the house? You should really go rest.”

He saw Kenleigh look at him skeptically. “Okay.”

“I’ll drop you off on my way to Oasis.”

They walked out of the hospital in silence. Jack was wondering what was going through Kenleigh’s head. He hated when she was silent. She was usually talking to herself, singing, humming. She was just always cheerful. When she was silent, that’s when Jack worried. He figured she must just be trying to give him what he wants. She doesn’t want to be a distraction to him. He squeezed her hand again and she smiled over to him.

***

Jack got to Oasis and sat in the office. He knew he had nothing to do here but he wanted some privacy, he needed to be alone for what he was about to do. He pulled out his phone and dialed Duke’s number. He needed his best friend right now.

The line rang and rang. No answer. His voicemail finally picked up. He stumbled through his message but told Duke about Jacob. He said that he didn’t know how bad it really was he didn’t have a chance to talk to doctors but he just needed a friend. Jack put the phone down and just sat there in the office. He debated on what he should do. All the books were already done. Jack looked at the clock and saw that it was about four o’clock in the afternoon. It felt like it should be much later than that. He looked at his computer. No emails today. He knew nothing would be going on because of the holiday. He struggled to find his next distraction.

His phone filled the silence in the club. Duke’s name flashed across the screen.

“Hello?”

“Hey man, I’m so sorry to hear about you dad.”

“Thanks.”

“How’s he doing?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t been able to really talk to his doctors.”

“How are you holding up then?”

“Honestly?”

Duke didn’t reply. Jack knew that of course he would want the honest answer. “I’m holding it together. I figured if Paxton was here she could ease my fears.”

Silence on the other end. “Should I tell her?” Duke asked.

“No, I made my decision remember? I don’t need to lead her on.”

“I think that you are second-guessing your decision by the tone in your voice.”

Jack was surprised that Duke heard that. He figured after all this time, Duke wouldn’t know him as well. Jack didn’t know how to respond to him.

“Jack, come on man. I think you need your friends in your corner right now. I know Paxton would want to be there for you right now.”

“Don’t tell her. I’ll be fine. My dad will be fine.”

“I know Jacob is a fighter, but you never know. I’m not going to lie to you Jack. It doesn’t sound like he is doing well.”

Jack rubbed his face, “I know.”

“I can’t fly out to see you but you keep me updated. I need to get back to the family before they come looking for me. Text or call if you need to talk and make sure you keep me updated,” Duke reiterated.

“I will. Thanks Duke. I know I haven’t been the best friend since Ella’s passing.”

“Like I said when I was there, I will be here if you need me man. I’m glad you reached out to me.”

“Yeah…”

“Later.” Duke hung up.

Jack sighed. Duke was a good friend, he just wished that he could return the favor to Duke. Jack stuck Duke in a hard place, choosing between his friends. He shouldn’t ask him to keep things from Paxton but he didn’t want to give Paxton false hope, especially after what Duke told him. Jack decided it was time to go back to the hospital. He texted Kenleigh letting her know but first he wanted to stop by the house to see if Chelsea was still there. Jack climbed into his car and noticed the chill in the air. The temperature was steadily dropping. He turned the heater up in his car. He headed out towards his parents’ house. Jack hope that Chelsea took the day off to be with her parents after he left for the hospital. She was in her early twenties and she applied for the maid position his mother posted about a year ago. She had become part of the family over the last six months. His mother adored her, so he could see her hanging around to find out a status update.

He arrived at his parent’s house and it looked oddly cold and empty. Jack walked in and heard the echo of his footsteps in the foyer.  He walked back to the kitchen where he usually found Chelsea cleaning something. She wasn’t there. He headed up the stairs to the second floor. Jack figured she may be cleaning up there since the house was empty. He checked each of the rooms on the second floor and knew that she must have gone home for the day.

Jack went back down to the office at the end of the hallway on the second floor. He found his mother’s contact book and found Chelsea’s number nestled in there at the bottom. He gave her a quick call to update her. He told her to take tomorrow off as well and he would keep in touch as they got updates. She sent her well wishes to him and with that Jack hung up the phone. He decided to head back to the hospital now. There wasn’t anything left for him to do except be with his family now.

Jack arrived at the hospital. It was quiet in the halls due to the holidays. He went to the third floor and walked down the hallway to his father’s room. Something was wrong as people were flying up and down the hallway. Some patient must be critical for that kind of commotion. Then he noticed that they were running in and out of his father’s room. As he got closer he saw his mother standing outside of the room looking in. Tears were falling down her face but she wasn’t making a scene.

“Mom?” Jack’s voice was filled will concern as he looked at his mother and pulled her into his arms. He turned his head and looked into the room. The fluttering around slowed down and machines were being turned off.

“He’s gone,” was all his mother could manage.

Jack held her tight. This was not how he envisioned his father going out. A tear formed in his eye. He couldn’t believe his father passed.

“What happened?” Jack turned his attention to the doctor that just walked out of the room.

“His heart gave out on him. There was too much damage to the heart muscle. It was something we couldn’t see in the operating room. Due to the weakened muscle, his heart ruptured.”

Jack didn’t know how that was possible. His father was not weak. Jack had just started getting into a good place with this father and now that he’s gone, he didn’t know how he felt about it. He used to hate his father and everything he stood for but now that he felt guilty for hating him all those years.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Let me know if you have any other questions.” His doctor turned and walked away.

Jack consoled his mother still pondering over how he felt that his father was gone. He needed to call Kenleigh. Jack needed her right now because they would need to start notifying people.