The Outsider Series

Chapter 7-2

A hand pressed against Diana’s head, and she bolted upright. She’d dozed off in a chair she’d pulled up to Jed’s bed, resting her head on the bed as she held his hand. She blinked as she sat up and then stood when she realized it was Jed’s hand touching her—Jed’s golden brown eyes watching her.

“Hi, you’re awake.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead. Diana glanced at Rodney, who was sleeping in the chair on the other side of the bed. She’d been unaware he’d returned. “Rodney,” she called out.

He opened his eyes and must have noticed something in her expression, as he jerked forward and stood up, taking Jed’s other hand. “You scared the life out of us, son. I’ll get the doctor.” Rodney hurried out of the room.

Jed was still hooked up to the respirator. He tried to move and touched the tube taped to his mouth. Just then, the doctor brushed past her. She stepped back and watched as he shone a light in Jed’s eyes. Two nurses followed. “Jed, I want you to squeeze my hand if you understand me.”

Jed squeezed his hand and then gestured to the tube down his throat.

“We’re going to take the tube out. Just give us a minute.”

Rodney put his arm around Diana as they moved back and watched as he was taken off the respirator. Jed gagged when the tube was pulled out. Then his vitals were checked by the nurse.

The doctor moved to the foot of the bed, lifted the sheet. “Jed, I want you to tell me if you feel this?” He pulled a pen from his shirt pocket and poked Jed’s instep, sliding it sharply and quickly upward.

“Yeah.” Jed’s voice was rough and gravelly as he wiggled his large foot.

Jed sought Diana out with his gaze. Her eyes burned, and her chest ached from the fears she’d been holding on to. She nodded, and her lips trembled just as he held out his hand to her. She went to him as the doctor said, “Jed, this is good news. You gave us all quite a scare. I’ll be back to check on you.” The doctor turned to Rodney and said, “He’s doing good. If his vitals stay strong, we should be able to move him from the ICU tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Diana felt the need to say.

He nodded and smiled. “You need to get some rest. Your husband still has some recovery time ahead of him, but you have a baby and a husband, and you’ll be no good to anyone if you let yourself get run down.”

“I’ll make sure she gets something to eat and some rest.” Rodney placed both hands on Diana’s shoulders and squeezed gently in support.

“See that she does.” The doctor left, and Diana leaned down and kissed Jed.

“I love you so much…. Oh, Jed.”

She rested her head on his chest as tears nearly blinded her. He pressed his hand to her wild mane of red hair and ran his fingers through the unruly waves, which had long since come free from her ponytail, and she hadn’t once tried to fix them.

“It’s okay, baby. Don’t cry. Where’s Danny?” His voice was gravelly, and just then, a nurse walked in with a cup and straw.

“I’ll get you to take a sip of water, Jed.”

Diana reached for the cup from the nurse before she could slip the straw to his lips. “I’ll give it to him.” The nurse hesitated for a minute but then smiled and handed the cup to Diana.

Jed frowned as she held it to him.

“Drink, Jed.”

He swallowed, licked his lips, and said, “What was that about?”

Diana felt her cheeks pinken. She knew she had acted territorial, and she knew Jed had seen it. “I’m just tired, and—”

“And what, Diana?”

“I didn’t want her helping you. I know it sounds silly, and it does to me now, as I say it. But you’re my husband.”

He smiled at her. “Yes, I am. Now answer me: Where’s Danny?”

“Your mom took him back to the hotel. He was tired, just like your wife here.” Rodney stood beside Diana and again rested his hand on her shoulder. “Except your wife refuses to leave you and hasn’t eaten a thing. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”

Jed narrowed his eyes. “Dad, take Diana back to the hotel. Make sure she gets something to eat, and don’t let her come back until she does. Diana, Danny needs you, and you have to look after yourself. If I could get out of this bed right now, I’d take you back there myself.”

Diana said nothing for the longest time until Jed squeezed her hand again. “Diana, I know you so well. You’re exhausted. I promise you I’m not going anywhere.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone. You scared me,” she whispered.

It was Rodney who said, “Brad’s in the waiting room. He’s been waiting to come in here and spend time with Jed.”

“Brad’s here?” Jed said in a tone that sounded a little like surprise.

“Jed, your whole family’s here. Your mom and dad, Neil, too, even Andy,” Diana muttered as Jed gazed first at her, then at his father.

“Andy left, Diana,” Rodney said. “He had to get back to his wife. But Neil’s back at the hotel now. Brad’s been here the entire time. He’s out in the waiting room.”

Something passed between father and son. “Diana, Dad will take you back to the hotel. Go with him. Dad, can you send Brad in? I want to talk to him.”

Rodney rested his palm on Diana’s shoulder. “Come on, Diana.”

She quickly leaned down and kissed Jed again. “I love you. I’ll be back soon.”

“I love you, and don’t come back until you’ve eaten and gotten some rest.” He watched her with a heavy-lidded gaze that let her know very well that he meant every word he said.

“I’m not going to argue, Jed. I’ll go back, get some rest, and be with Danny, but I’m coming right back.” She squeezed his hand and then allowed Rodney to lead her out. What she didn’t miss was the look that passed again between father and son, which her tired brain could make no sense of.

Rodney paused in the doorway and said, “I’ll send Brad in.”