Vera

Chapter 42

Vera

Two rhythmic beeps is the first thing I'm aware of. The one you hear when you're in the hospital. I've always hated the sound. I always found it so agitating, but today I am relieved to hear. It means not only am I alive, Santiago is too.

I don't remember much after I found Santi holding Silas with Cade bleeding out on the floor 5 feet away. I remember Santi looked exhausted, like he was about to go to sleep. And I know that's never a good idea when you're injured. I recall making him get up and go downstairs with me, just trying to think of things that force him to stay awake. We got downstairs and two cars sped into the driveway. It was Jasper, Cam, and Matteo.

I don't know what they said it's all a blur, but I know when they tried to take Santi and I to the hospital, Santi wouldn't let Silas or I ride in a separate car. He was scared something like last time would happen, that if he took his eyes off us he'd never see us again. That's the last thing I remember which matches up with the hand holding onto mine.

My eyes flutter open, straining against the harsh hospital lights. My brain feels foggy and my retinas scream for me to close my eyes again, but I have to see Silas and Santi. Once my eyes adjust to the lights, I see Silas sitting at my feet coloring. I turn my head to my right and—in his own bed, asleep—is Santiago. A bandage is wrapped around his head, brown, messy hair peeks out from the top and sides. I scan his body for any other bandages indicating injuries but find none. For him to be asleep he has a pretty good grasp on my hand.

"Mama," Si drops his crayons on his dinosaur coloring book, carefully crawls up to me, and wraps his little arms around my neck. He's being very gentle and quiet which surprises me.

"Hi, my sweet boy," I rub his back while still keeping a hold of Santi's hand. He pulls away and makes sure he's not on any of my I.Vs before he lays by my side. "Why are you whispering? And where are your Aunt and Uncle's?" I ask giving him a kiss on his untamed hair.

"Because Mimi said you and daddy have a percussion, so I have to be gentle and quiet so y'all can rest. Uncle Cam is in the bathroom and everyone else are getting food." My heart squeezes at how sure he is that we have 'percussions'. I'm going to break the day he isn't this little anymore.

"Okay, and you don't have to be that quiet. We're gonna be okay. Has daddy woken up yet?" He shakes his head with a small pout on his face.

"He will soon, get your coloring book and show me what you've done so far."

...

A couple hours later, everyone is hanging out in the hospital room. Because of money and Mila's connections we got a hospital suite that is big enough for everyone to hangout out comfortably. It still feels and looks like a hospital, but it's better. Santiago woke up an hour ago. He wanted to get out of bed and put Silas and I in a bone crushing huge, but I was able to talk him into resting.

We're all sitting around and talking when Santi and Matteo's mom, Stella, arrives. In her swarm of warmth, concern, comfort, and Spanish as always.

"Oh, my babies. I came as soon as I heard. Are you both okay? Where is the doctor? Are you hurting? Are all of my babies good?" She goes around, hugging each one of us, but she holds Santi and I more gently. (Pretend that's in Spanish Google Translate doesn't wanna work for me)

"Mama, we're okay. I promise. Can you come here," Stella walks from my bed to Santi's. When she reaches his bed, he holds onto her hand softly. Worry wrinkles mark her face. I've never seen Stella look her age, but right now it seems to have caught up with her as she waits for what Santi is going to say.