I hope you are still enjoying the story. There will probably one or possibly two more chapters written in this branch of the tree. I call it a branch because every story I write leaves itself open for another part of the tale to be written.
But first of all, let me thank you, my fellow readers for your support. You all give me a reason to keep on. As long as you keep reading, I'll keep writing.
All characters are 18 or older. Thanks again for reading.
Chapter 5
The next morning, Dr. Jee came in to examine Alexia. She had recovered from the birth of her son, but was still showing side effects from the drug Katrina injected into her. They wanted to keep her one more day to treat her and make sure the poison was out of her system.
"Wait, I nursed the baby. Will the drug hurt him?" Alexia asked concerned.
Dr. Jee smiled, "Keon was perfectly safe. The agent she used attacked your nerves, and because of your unique makeup, the milk you produce is immune to the effects. Keon was never in any danger. You know, you might be able to go home in a few days, but Little Man has to stay at least another week, we want to get his weight up to six pounds. It won't take long. He has a healthy appetite and is already at 5.8 pounds. Keeping him a few more days is just a precaution." He explained.
"Wait, I have to feed him. How will he eat if I'm home?" Alexia asked, not wanting to leave her son.
Dr. Jee smiled, "Alexia, you will be released, but we both know you will be at this hospital day and night. Also, you can express milk daily for him. Listen, your son is in good hands. Don't worry."
Kwame held her hand. Soon, she calmed down. Keon was healthy, and he was not harmed. Kwame had not left her side. They were a family and they would be ok. Alexia whispered, "It'll be alright. Our baby is perfect. I can't believe him we have to leave in here for several more days." She griped. Kwame smiled. Kwame was relieved because he didn't want her released if she was not ready.
"Dr. Jee, may I go see Daddy? I need to see him. Where is momma?" Alexia asked. She was worried and needed to see for herself what was happening with her father and worried about her mom.
Where was Momma? Was she being care for? How was she handling this? Daddy never left her side, what was she thinking?
Dr. Jee explained. "He's in intensive care. They won't let you in the room, but you can see him from the hall. Alexia, I must warn you, he is critical so don't be alarmed by the equipment that you'll see being used." Alexia nodded, and Kwame pushed her to the ICU unit. At the first sight of her Dad, Alexia almost screamed. All she saw was wires, tape, and machines. Bo was covered in white and so pale. He looked so frail and weak. He no longer resembled the tall, strong man that carried her on his broad shoulders in her youth. She cried through her tears as she recalled memories of how strong and powerful her dad used to be. Kwame held her close. Right now, he was the most despised person in this pack, but Alexia was his to protect. Unless she told him to go, then he was not leaving.
Lexi was there and when she saw Alexia and Kwame, she rushed out to meet them. "He's fighting Alexia. The doctor said, he's growing stronger each day." Lexi explained.
Alexia nodded. She couldn't speak. She prayed that this time her mother was right and not just living on a hope or promise. Lexi shook, and Alexia held her mom's hand. Lexi held her daughter's hand so tightly that her hand actually hurt, but Alexia didn't care.
One of the machines began to beep, and the nurses closed the curtain. Lexi cried, and Alexia tried to comfort her. One of the nurses came out and asked the family to move to one of the private waiting rooms. Kwame guided both women from the hall. Tia joined them and assured them that the doctors and nurses were doing everything they could to help Bo. She was staying with them until they had news. Levin arrived, as did Reina. Soon, Alexia needed rest.
Time dragged on slowly. Lexi and Alexia were worried. Everyone stood with them waiting. Declan and deacon arrived and refused to leave their side. No one knew how long they waited, but it felt like an eternity.
"Alexia, let me take you back to your room." Kwame suggested. "You need to rest."
"No, Momma needs me." She protested when Lexi spoke.
"Alexia, please, go rest. I'll keep watch over your daddy, OK. I need you to get well. Go, rest." Lexi whispered to her. She still refused to go. Tia touched her arm.
Tia was right there beside her. Alexia looked at her aunt. Tia smiled. "I've got her." She whispered.
"Come on, let's go back to your room. You need to rest." Kwame suggested once again.
"Momma?" Alexia asked.
Lexi smiled and nodded, "I'm ok."
Alexia agreed to go. She looked at everyone there and told them. "Come get me as soon as you know something, promise."
Lexi smiled, "I will."
"We've got this Lexia. Deacon and I are not leaving." Declan explained.
Alexia asked to see her son, and the nurse brought Keon to the room. She held him. She cried. She prayed he had the chance to know his grandfather. Poppa would spoil him so much.
Kwame sat beside her bed, trying to comfort her as she held the baby. She yawned, "Let me get him. Try to sleep, OK." He suggested. Alexia gave the baby to him. He held him beside her as she tried to nap.
******
Earlier the next morning, Lacy and Randall were headed to Louisiana. Aunt Francine told her that Alexia had the baby and was in the hospital. Her father, Bo, was seriously ill, and Alexia needed a friend right now. She had to get to the hospital. She wanted to vanish in, but uncle Dermic said he'd prefer if she and Randall went together. Lacy and Randall were almost in Shreveport when Lacy began to cry softly. "Babe, what's wrong?"
"Alexia has done so much for everyone else. She never ask for anything. Her parents are her world. Do you know she found a cure for dementia? The government won't approve it, but she did the research and developed the medicine herself that can help her mother. She didn't even want to leave her parents in the first place. But the University would fund her research. That's why we were in Bridgeport. If he dies, Alexia will lose the one person that means the world to her." Lacy sobbed.
Randall pulled her into his arms. He nodded. He was right there in Bridgeport with them. He watched Alexia work and knew Lacy spoke the truth. He had one job and that job was to watch over these two women as their guardian. Alexia was more than just a friend to him, she was the reason he found Lacy. When Lacy came to guard her, Randall fell hard. He failed them though. He was supposed to watch out for them and he allowed them to come in harm's way. One day, he'd tell Lacy his true mission, his failure, his shame, but for now she needed him to simply be there for her and Alexia. Randall sighed, "She has us. She has her son. She has her Mom. From what you've told me, she even has a husband. She will not be alone, Lacy. She won't be alone." Randall whispered.
"Randall, she can't lose her father. Her parents are her world." Lacy cried for her friend anyway. She knew how devastating the death of a parent could be. Soon they were at the hospital, and Randall and Lacy went to see their friend.
Alexia was so happy to see Lacy and Randall. So much had happened. Then the nurse brought Keon in. Lacy held her Godson with such reverence that Randall was in awe.
Lacy was born to be a mother.
He felt anger at the demon that had taken this gift from them.
Kwame looked at him and could see that he was struggling with something. Lacy and alexia didn't need to be upset anymore. Kwame stood as Lacy held his son, smiling. "Randall, come with me. Let's let the ladies talk," Kwame suggested.
"He ruined her. She can't have a child. We will never hold our own son or daughter." Randall vented. "Your son is amazing, but my Lacy deserves a chance to be a mom. She'd be the perfect mom." Randall sat, clearly despondent.
Kwame was silent. "There are children all over the world that needs parents. Just because you can't birth a child does not mean you can't raise a child. I know, because my parents died when I was a babe, and fates gave me the greatest Mom that ever lived." He whispered.
Randall paused. He smiled, "You are right. If it's in his will, we will become parents one day." The men bantered back and forth about how the women would definitely spoil Keon.
Alpha Lakota walked in. "Kwame, Alpha Ryelle called. He was checking in. He hated he had to fly out earlier, and wanted you to know that you can contact them anytime you need to. Listen, tell Alexia that I'll be by to check on her soon, ok."
Kwame was stunned, "Thank you, Alpha. I will." Lakota returned to ICU. He was worried about Bo. He should had done something before now. He should have insisted that Lexi and Bo allow them to change them. Yet he knew, Bo was human and he did not have the right to order him to do anything. Lakota closed his eyes, and prayed. When Bo recovered, he prayed he would agree to the change for both him and Lexi.
The Doctor came out and Lexi rushed over to them. "Bo is improving. He actually woke up when I called his name. He asked for Lexi." The doctor smiled. "His heart is responding to the medicine and starting to keep rhythm on its own. We're weaning him off of the machines and if all goes well, he can move to a private room in a few days."
"Thank Luna" Lakota gasped and Lexi hugged him.
Bo was not leaving her. He was going to stay. He was not trying to go.
Lexi cried as Lakota held her close.
"I have to tell Alexia. She's worried. I have to tell her." Lexi stated excitedly and she headed straight for her daughter's room. Lakota sent the news to Levin, Reina, and Margaret.
Lexi came rushing down the hall. "Kwame, Kwame, Bo woke up. He woke up." She cried. Kwame hugged her and they rushed back to ICU. Bo's heart was growing stronger. Randall and Kwame waited and watched as Lexi had a chance to go sit with Bo for a few minutes. Randall was awed at the love this woman had for her husband. He smiled. Bo would recover. He somehow knew that he would.
Lexi could not wait to tell Alexia. Bo was not going to leave them after all. He was staying right here.
Soon, Kwame and Randall returned to the room and shared the great news with Alexia and Lacy. Alexia was so relieved. Her father would be alright now. She had to do more to help him. He could not care for mom by himself.
Lacy was relieved. "Look, I'm going to ask Uncle Dermic and Aunt Francine if I can come satay for a while. I can help you look after them."
Alexia smiled, "Really, I'd love that, but Lacy you must take care of yourself. You can't keep stopping your life for me. What about Randall? He may not want to live in a wolf pack."
Lacy stopped. Alexia was right. She had to convince her uncle to let her claim her mate, or she had to walk away from her family.
Alexia caught her hand. "Listen, I know you're here for me, but I need you to know that I'm here for you as well. Lacy, if you need me, I'm there."
Lexi listened, and after hearing Alexia address her friend she knew she was making the best choice. Lexi stopped by her daughter's room and the two cried tears of joy. Lexi said something that made Alexia pause. "I know what I must do now. You don't have to worry about me anymore."
