chapter twenty-eight
chapter list
chapter thirty
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"Come on, Hailey. We have to go to dinner. After that, you get to see mommy and Kevin." She clapped her hands and let Nick slide her shoes on easily.
When they got to the restaurant, Nick helped Hailey out of his car, but she slid out and hit the ground landing on her left arm. She broke into tears.
"Oh, baby, it's ok." But as he picked her up, he saw that her arm was bleeding and bent awkwardly. "Oh God." He grabbed a towel out of the car and wrapped her arm in it. He put her back into the car and quickly drove her to Orlando General.
"Mr. Carter, Hailey has a broken arm and she's lost a lot of blood. There's nothing to worry about. She'll be fine. I just want to get her a transfusion."
"But she's only 3."
"Which is why that small amount of blood matters. It won't be difficult. Do you know what blood type her mother is?"
"She's A positive. Here's my blood card."
"Ok, we'll do a quick test to make sure of Hailey's blood type, but this will make it much quicker. Thanks." Nick nodded to the doctor.
He sat down where he had been sitting and rested his head in his hands. 'I need to talk to Nikki. She needs to be here too.'
~<3~<3~<3~
"Mmm...Kevin."
"Baby"
"Kevin."
"Baby."
"No, Kevin. The phone is ringing."
"Damn it. We can let the machine get it."
"No, Hailey's not here. I'd feel better if I got answer it." He groaned and moved over.
"Hello."
"Nikki-"
"Nick, you sound horrible. Are you ok? Is Hailey ok?"
"Well, she'll be fine, but she has a broken arm."
"Are you at Orlando General?"
"Yes. Nikki, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok. You said she's going to be ok. I trust you. You love her. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt her on purpose."
~<3~<3~<3~
"Are you Cat?"
"Yes, I'm-"
"Nikki's sister."
"Yes I-"
"Right this way."
"Do you ever let anyone talk?"
"Yes, but we have to hurry. We have to get you to Nikki's house. She will be shocked to see you."
"I haven't seen her in four years. We were so close growing up. I'm still surprised that we lost contact. I miss my sister. I don't know what she looks like now. Who's she dating?"
"Dating?"
"I assume she has a boyfriend."
"It's obviously been a while since you two have talked."
"Aren't you a little nosy for a chauffeur?" She looked confused as the man opened the door for her. He tried to hold back a laugh while he walked to his door of the limo. When he sat down and the divider was up he took off his hat, sunglasses, and jacket revealing dark brown hair with red highlights, big brown eyes, and arms full of tattoos.
'She's a trip. I think I'm going to enjoy this visit.'
~<3~<3~<3~
When I got into the hospital, I saw Nick sitting in a waiting room. When he saw me he stood up and look at me, his eyes pleading.
"Nikki, she's doing good. Everything's ok. I'm so sorry. The nurse said she needs to talk to you when you get here." He pointed to a lady at the nurses' station. "The one with long blonde hair." Kevin stayed behind to talk with Nick.
I walked over to the lady. She looked up as I approached. "Mrs. Richardson?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I'm Nurse Cobb. I need to speak to you in private."
"Is something wrong with Hailey?"
"No. She's fine, but this is very important." She walked me back to a small office. "Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Carter tells us that your blood type is A positive. Is that correct?"
"Yes, I've donated blood several times. It's A positive."
"Do you know anything about the biology of blood types? How a child's blood type is affected by the parents' types."
"Yes."
"Well, Mrs. Richardson, it's biologically impossible for Hailey to be Mr. Carter's daughter."
~<3~<3~<3~
"Well, here we are, Orlando's finest hotel." He opened the door to let her out of the limo.
"Wow. When will I meet Nikki's friends who flew me here? Did they give you any messages for me?"
"Sort of, but I'm sure it will be sooner than you think." She looked confused but followed him into the hotel. He carried her bags up to her room. She took out her wallet to tip him.
"Oh, that's not necessary."
"No, it's ok. Here." She extended the 10 dollar bill.
"No, really. Can I share a secret with you?"
"Ok." He shut the door, took off his hat, sunglasses, and jacket.
"Oh my God. I don't believe it." He let out a loud laugh.
"Nice to meet you. I'm AJ."
"I know who you are. I'm Cat." They sat down and figured out the plan for her surprise visit.
"It sounds perfect, but can't you just tell me a little bit about how she's been doing?"
He shook his head. "Nope, I want to see the look on your face when she tells you everything."
"Damn." He smiled. 'This is definitely going to be a lot of fun.'
chapter twenty-eight
chapter list
chapter thirty
