Love Life & Circumstance (24 page)

Ten missed calls and five messages.  What the hell? His stomach lurched. Hope. He hit speed dial for voice mail while running out the door. The first message turned his world upside down.

“
Seth, you don’t know me. I work with Elijah, construction foreman. There’s been an accident. I found your number in Eli’s phone.  I know he’d want me to call
…” The rest of the message was obscured by the scream of an ambulance siren.  The next started as he gunned the engine and roared out of his driveway.

“Seth, it’s Rhett. Listen, Eli’s been hurt. I don’t know the details. He’s been taken to the Medical Center. Call me.
” Another similar message from Rhett, a call from the realtor and then Kris.

“Why aren’t you answering your damn phone? Get your ass to the hospital. You’re boyfriend’s fallen off of a roof.”

The last message played as Northview High School flashed past followed quickly by McDonald’s and K-Mart. When the stoplight at the Circle flashed red, Seth debated running it. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel as he sat through the cycle of lights. His foot leveled the accelerator when his light flashed green.  Thankfully, the Dothan City Police seemed to be on break as he sped around the Circle, dodging under a few yellow lights in his haste to get to Elijah.

Later, he would swear he took the turn onto Main Street on two wheels. He claimed the first empty space in the ER parking lot and tore out on foot across the cement for the sliding glass doors. Winded, he crashed into Rhett who’d obviously seen him coming. Strong hands clamped around his arms.

“What happened? Where’s Elijah?” Déjà vu skated an icy finger down his spine as his head whipped frantically between Kris and Rhett.

“He’s in the back.” Seth’s gaze rotated to his left. A large black man stood in jeans, tee shirt, and work boots. He grasped a hard hat in his hand. “We were shorthanded today, and he offered to help out.  Somebody left loose shingles on the roof. The angle was too steep and Eli couldn’t stop himself. He fell two and half stories and landed on his side. The side of his head caught a board on the ground. He lost consciousness. Scared the shit out of all of us.”

Seth felt the blood drain from his face. His knees went weak. Elijah hurt? It couldn’t be true. Elijah was strength and vitality, larger than life. Rhett’s hands disappeared, and Kris’s face filled his vision. “He’s gunna be okay, Seth. He was awake when they brought him in here.”

Seth nodded and shoved away the panic hovering at the edge of his mind. He swallowed several times and tried to make his tongue work. “I need…Eli. Need to see him.” Shoving past their friends, Seth approached the desk. “I’m here for Elijah Deacon.” He spoke to the nurse behind the counter.

“Are you immediate family, sir?” The question caught Seth by surprise, but it shouldn’t have.  He swallowed hard knowing three pairs of ears listened intently behind him.

“Yes. He’s my fiancé.” The nurse glanced up, a frown on her face.

“I’m sorry, sir. Immediate family only is allowed into the ER. You’re welcome to have a seat in the waiting area.” The nurse turned away to pull a chart, effectively dismissing Seth.

“Miss. You must have misunderstood. We are getting married. He’s my fiancé. I want to see him and make sure he’s okay.” Seth heard the pleading in his own voice.

“Sir, please don’t make me call security.” The déjà vu returned full force, and his fingers curled into fists. Before his temper got the better of him, he was yanked backward. Kris and Seth crowded the counter demanding to know why Seth wasn’t allowed to see Elijah. Warm fingers closed around his wrist and tugged. Seth turned his head to see Bubba pulling him toward the ER doors. A visitor’s badge was pressed into his hand. As they reached the sealed doors, one of them popped open.

“In you go,” Bubba drawled before shoving Seth through the opening.

“Third room on the left,” said the male nurse just inside the door. His white smile flashed against caramel colored skin. “Got ya a sexy one in there, go see about him.” Seth’s eyes widened in understanding.

“Thank you,” he murmured low and hurried to the room indicated. The white curtain slid aside noiselessly. On the bed, Elijah lay still, eyes closed. He dominated the standard issue examining table, his broad shoulders leaving little room for movement. Booted feet hung off the end of the bed.  Seth’s eyes traveled up again. Dried blood stained the side of Eli’s face. The tee shirt he’d donned that morning lay in shreds, split down the middle to expose the lightly furred chest Seth loved to be held against.  The rise and fall of shallow breaths kept Seth from losing his mind.

As if sensing Seth’s regard, Elijah’s electric blue eyes flipped open. “Heyyyyy.” The slight slur worried Seth, and he hurried forward to grasp Elijah’s hand.

“Hi yourself. Heard you tried to play Superman. You should have called me; I’d have brought your cape and tights. You’d look damned sexy in all that tight latex.”

Eli chuckled, and then groaned. “Damn that hurts. Cracked ribs according to the x-rays.”

“But, they’ll mend?” Seth had to ask, and his shoulders sagged in relief when Eli nodded. “There’s blood on your face.” He reached up to run his thumb over the crimson stain.

“Hit my noggin on a piece of wood.” Elijah tried to turn his head, but gasped in pain.

“Be still.” Seth admonished and moved so he could see a long gash just beneath Eli’s temple. Blood welled sluggishly and ran into Elijah’s hair. Seth caught his bottom lip between his teeth and squeezed Elijah’s hand.

“It’s gunna need stitches.” Eli slurred, drawing Seth’s gaze back to his face.  Worry ate at Seth at the dazed look in Elijah’s eyes.

“Are you okay, babe?” The question popped free. Seth couldn’t help it. Elijah seemed sluggish and his speech wasn’t just right.

“Yeah, except there are two of you…” Eli’s words cut off as he rolled to his side. “Sick…”

One handed, Seth grabbed at the garbage can and slid it beneath Eli’s head as he vomited. Helpless, he clutched Elijah’s hand as the man’s stomach purged. As soon as Elijah collapsed back against the mattress, Seth hit the nurse call button. Despite his tan, Elijah was pale and his breathing a bit rapid. While waiting for the nurse, Seth released Elijah’s hand and crossed to the sink to wet some paper towels. Back at the bedside, he carefully wiped Elijah’s face and then his mouth. The soiled towel went into the garbage before Seth turned his attention to the blood still staining Elijah’s face. He couldn’t stop the trembling in his hand as he worked.

When the curtain finally swung open, Seth spun around his emotions in turmoil. “He just threw up, he has double vision and his speech is slurred. Has he had a CAT scan or an MRI? He fell off a damned house; he has to have a concussion.”

“Seth.” Elijah’s voice stopped his words, and when his large hand slid into Seth’s and twined their fingers, they soothed the roiling sensation in his stomach.

“I’m sorry,” Seth apologized. “It’s too soon after…please; I need to make sure he’s okay.”

“He’s had both scans, and I’ll let the doctor know he’s thrown up. He’ll probably be admitted since he’s having problems. I’ll be right back.” The nurse checked the garbage can, Elijah’s wound, and then flicked the curtain back into place when she left. Seth kept his back to Elijah as the damned tears threatened. The fingers wound around his clenched tighter.

“No tears. Seth, I’m ok. Just banged up. How’s our girl?”

Seth took a deep, but shaky breath. “I, ah, I haven’t been up to see her yet. I was out with Rocky. When I got back, I had a few missed calls.”

“Come here.” It wasn’t a request and Seth immediately responded. He propped a hip on the bed and drew Elijah’s hand into his lap.

Elijah’s eyes closed. “Just need you beside me.” He mumbled.

“I’m here. Not going anywhere.” Seth said.

“Sleepy.”

“Eli, baby, don’t think you’re supposed to sleep.” Seth leaned forward and pressed his lips hard against Eli’s mouth. “You gotta stay with me.”

It took another hour of sweet talk and demands, but Seth kept Elijah awake until the nurses came to move him upstairs to a room. Given the severity of his concussion, the doctor ordered observation until the nausea, double vision and slurred speech abated. As the transfer was being made from ER to hospital room, Seth ventured to the nursery. To his delight, Hope’s pediatrician stood at the side of her crib when he arrived.

“Good evening Mr. Jacobs, is Mr. Deacon with you? I have some rather exciting news.” The good doctor said as he grasped Seth’s hand and shook it.

“Well, he’s here, but umm, he had an accident today and he’s been admitted.” Seth crossed to the crib and scooped Hope up in his arms. He needed to feel her solid and safe in his embrace after the hour he’d spent with Elijah. “Hello precious one. How’s our sweet girl?”

“Dear Heavens, is he okay?”

Seth glanced up at the doctor and tucked Hope in close against his body. “He’s got a concussion which caused some issues. They’re keeping him for observation. He asked about Hope so I thought I’d run up and make sure she was okay.” Seth answered looking back down at his niece for a second before returning his gaze to the doctor. “You have news?”

“Well, ordinarily I’d tell the parents first,” As Seth’s back went rigid, the pediatrician held up a placating hand. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t …ahh…I didn’t mean to imply anything.” The man stopped speaking and shook his head. “How about I take my foot outta my mouth and put it back on the floor. Hope’s reached the required weight to go home. All of her tests are positive.  She’ll need further checkups and constant vigilance on her benchmarks, but I’ll be releasing her within the next couple of days.”

The tears he’d held back in the ER filled Seth’s eyes and overflowed. Unable to speak past the lump lodged in his throat, he nodded and leaned down to rest his lips against the soft red down on Hope’s head. She was going home. She’d cleared all of the hurtles in her path, and she was going home. A heavy hand fell on his shoulder. “I’ll leave you with her for a moment.”

It took a minute or two and a squirming Hope for Seth to compose himself.  After mopping his face with his sleeve, he stepped into the hall to see the doctor behind the nurse’s desk making notes in a chart.

“Thank you, for everything.” He started.

“No thanks are needed, Mr. Jacobs. Just take care of that sweet little girl, and I’ll be a happy doc.” He laughed. “Oh and pay the bill when it comes in the mail.” He winked, rubbed a hand over Hope’s head and returned to the chart.

“Can I take her down to see her dad?” Seth asked. He wanted Eli to know his daughter was coming home.

Glancing up, the pediatrician smiled and nodded. “I think we can arrange that. She’ll have to travel in the bassinet, hospital rules.”

“That’s fine.” Seth quickly agreed and re-entered her room, placing her in the bassinet. A loud wail of protest erupted. “After she eats.”

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Outside of Elijah’s door, Seth knocked and waited. A gruff and irritated voice answered.

“That damn well better be you, Seth Jacobs, since you had them admit me.” The peevish comment made Seth grin harder. He shoved the door open.

“It’s me handsome, and I brought a visitor.” Seth rounded the small corner of the en suite bathroom.  As before, Elijah’s massive frame dwarfed the hospital bed. Tucked neatly beneath the pristine white sheets with his hands behind his head, Elijah glowered. “Hmmm, so I have a grumpy patient do I? I think your visitor will cheer you up.”

“You get that sexy ass up here on the bed with me; that’s all the cheer I need.” Elijah growled. A gasp came from behind Seth. He turned his head to see the young nurse flushed bright red.

“Sorry about that, he’s usually not so cantankerous.” Seth reached for the bassinet. He knew Elijah still couldn’t see it. “I’ll call you when we’re done.” He waited for the young woman to leave before backing into the room and pulling Hope’s layette with him. The scowl on Eli’s face immediately disappeared.

Seth slid an arm under Hope and brought her up against his chest.  “Mind if we join you?” He asked.

In answer, Eli edged to the side of the bed and groaned, a hand rising to rest lightly against his wrapped ribs.  “Get over here and take my mind off these aches and pains.”

“First, how many of me do you see?” Seth waited as Eli squinted at him.

“One.”

Seth shook his head and laughed. “Liar. You best get comfortable in that bed.”

“I will when you get your ass over here with me.”

 Kicking off his shoes, Seth quickly joined him in the small space, lying on his side. He placed Hope on Elijah’s chest above the white swath of bandages.  “Guess what, Daddy. We have news.” Seth looked up to meet Eli’s gaze. “Our little Hope is going home in the next couple of days.”

The other man’s beautiful blue eyes widened. “You wouldn’t tease an injured man would you?” Seth heard the quiver in Eli’s voice and knew well the rush of emotions working their way through his lover. Elijah’s large hand shook when he lifted it to stroke his thumb down Hope’s cheek.

“Oh, so now you’re injured?” Seth teased. “I thought ya said you were just banged up a bit.”

“She’s really going home?” Elijah asked. Seth nodded and grinned.

“When I went up to see her, the pediatrician was there. He said all of her tests results were back. She’s good to go.” The hand resting on Hope’s diapered bottom lifted to cup the back of Seth’s head. Slowly, he was drawn forward until his mouth met Eli’s firm lips.

“Makin’ out in front of the baby? Geez, who said you two could be parents?” Kris’s smart mouth broke them apart, both of them sporting a wide grin.

“Damn bro, I think you may be the sexiest new mom I’ve ever seen.” Rhett added his own two cents.

Seth waited for his damnable jealousy to hit, but it didn’t come. In his heart, he knew Elijah loved him. He felt it every time the man looked at him. He leaned down again and captured Elijah’s mouth in a soul stirring kiss. “I have to agree with Rhett. Damned sexy,” he said when he lifted his head.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~