Unexpected 10: Lightning & Rush

Chapter 12: Lesson learned

Kay's house, minutes before....

"Hey, honey! Finally, wow! I've been really worried about you. How are you?" Annie called desperately from the other end of the line.

"Hey!" Deacon answered tiredly, "I'm exhausted! Hicks told us to stay to help out here in the hospital for now." he leaned against the wall, to give his back a quick rest

"Oh my God! Are you hurt?" she asked panicked.

"No, I'm okay. I came after Hondo brought Nichelle in. Luca met with us here, after Tan left him to get stitches on his arm. We also met with Chris and Rubio who brought Street in with a broken hand."

"Oh my! Are they ok, though?" she asked shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well..." Deacon said with a long sigh, "Luca is running around in a sling, Street has been snoring for the past hour and Nichelle was so stressed they had to sedate her."

"Oh"

"Yeah, but I gotta say: I'm worried about Hondo. Guy must be bone tired. I mean, Annie... Tan, he and I took on a whole rescue operation with hardly any body armor or gear. He helped pull out several victims that were trapped under heavy blocks of a fallen building, plus carried an elderly man with his oxygen tank! He's a walking spirit by now!" Deacon said shaking his head.

"He hasn't taken a break?" Annie asked confused.

"No, refuses to. He won't stop helping out, saying it helps him distract his mind from worrying about Nichelle."

"What happened to her?"

"Her workplace got broken in and robbed. When he found her, she had a open injury in her forehead. Doctors did a scan and did find mild head injury. Doctor wanted to administer some medication, but Hondo freaked out when the doctor said it could be harmful for the baby. Her parents arrived and they convinced him...poor guy hasn't been able to stay put for more than 5 minutes next to her without having to breath in." Deacon lamented.

"He's scared, David. Just like you were when we were expecting Lila, remember?" she paused as he smirked, "You wouldn't let me do normal stuff coz you were scared it would hurt her. Remember how heated we got when you didn't want me to go shopping with my sister because, according to you, 'it was too much walking and it would stress out the baby'?"

Deacon giggled as she told the story. "Yeah, I remember." he saying, followed by a long pause as both parents reminisced.

"Hey, so, um...listen." she said, snapping him back, "Let me get some things and swing by the hospital. The kids are with my parents, so they're ok. Had a small scare with Matthew, but he's fine."

"What happened?"

"He was hanging out with his new friends again and there was some type of explosion. Got so spooked, he asked to be brought home."

"Must've been the one in front of the courthouse."

"Yes, exactly! He said he and the others were heading to court. I wondered who got arrested, but I didn't ask. David," she paused frustrated, "I really don't like them having that kind of influence on Matthew."

"Calm down, Annie. They were probably heading to Rubio's hearing."

"Oh, that was today?"

"Yes. Listen," he paused, "Matthew and I had a long talk yesterday night. He seems convinced of what he wants and he's actually gotten more mature since he started hanging out with them. He even cleaned out his closet of old clothing and donated it to the kid's shelter. Gave them his old video game system as well."