Our Family Adventures

Comment to the readers --

For those of you that have been waiting patiently for the next chapter of this story I apologize. If you have started my new story, 'Ann's Story' then you have read the reasons behind the delay with this one and hopefully understand.

I want to thank you all for the emails and comments. You are all so very kind. I also wanted to let you know that I have figured a way to continue to write this story without bringing my folks part into the story yet. At least for this chapter and probably one more. With that said, because I had already started this chapter when the accident happened and now rearranged and added to it so to avoid the parent's part, this chapter has turned out a bit long and a bit boring. I apologize for that as well. I'm still not overly excited about continuing this story so I believe it shows in my writing. I hope you all hang in there for me and hopefully I can get back to what you have come to expect.

As always, all feedback and comments are welcome, but please, if you are just going to insult my father's memory, then just fuck off. I don't need that. Nobody does.

I hope this new chapter ties you over till the next one. In the meantime, please try reading my other story. I don't think it's half bad. But I'm a biased reader. Now on to...

Our Family Adventures

My brain scanned itself. Joyce, nurse. John's nurse. Hospital. I stood and was getting dressed as I put my phone on speaker. "Joyce listen to me. You take care of John. Sedate him if you must, but do not let him get to whoever is hurting Milla. He will hurt them bad even in the state he is in."

I noticed Nathan and Tommy were dressing as fast as Susan and me although I hadn't told them anything exactly. Just from what they were over hearing from my phone conversation they decided to come and help. I do love my boys.

"Joyce, I'm going to call an officer Stevens. Letty Stevens. I'm going to have her come to you and you tell her everything you know. Same with Sherriff Hawkins. Listen to me. Keep John away from anyone. If you can help with Milla, great, but take care of John."

"Will do Sarah, just please get here."

I hung up without explaining anything to anyone, and out the door I went with Susan right behind me. Tommy and Nathan jumped into Tommy's truck and sped away. We were right behind them in my own. I threw Susan my phone then dug in my purse for Letty's card. Finding it, I handed it to Susan. Call that number and put it on speaker.

Susan dialed the number and put my phone on speaker. Letty answered on the third ring.

Letty this is Sarah #######, You remember?"

"Never forget. Was expecting your call earlier today."

"Yeah, sorry no time to explain. Here's what's going on right this minute..."

I explained what had just transpired and that I was on my way to the hospital. I also explained to her about John and what might happen if he encountered someone trying to hurt Milla. She took what I said and hung up after assuring me she was on her way.

Next, I had Susan call Bob. She knew who I meant and called the sheriff. Bob knows John, so knows how serious this could turn out if he was to make contact. He was off duty but said he would get to the hospital as soon as possible.

Next was Adam. We got lucky there as he was only a few minutes from the hospital and turned right around and went back. That was good news.

We called the girls and again got lucky as they were at home. By the sounds of their breathing on the phone I would say they were having some fun, and we interrupted. I told them what was happening and that they were to stay home no matter what. They weren't happy but said they would.

We made it to the hospital and rushed inside. I sent Susan to check on John as I went to see what was happening with Milla. I didn't know where Nathan and Tommy were at this time.

I found Milla asleep in her room. I tried to wake her, but she wouldn't wake up. Making my way to the nurse's station I ran into Susan returning from John's room.

"How's John?" I asked her.

"Asleep, I didn't see Joyce to ask her anything, so I thought I'd come check on you and see what's going on down here. Milla?"

"Asleep as well. I have no idea what's going on. I'm on my way to the nurse's station. Come on."

We made our way there and I asked the nurse at the desk about the incident with Milla. (Makayla) She asked if I was Sarah ###### and I confirmed.

"They are waiting for you in the administrative office. Down this hall. Take a left at the T and then it's the third door on the right."

I didn't want to waste time asking her questions that she probably didn't have answers to anyway, so I took Susan by the hand and off we went to find the answers I was looking for.

When we got to the room the door was open, and we could see that it was crowded with many people. I recognized Joyce and Letty first, but didn't know the other officers or the people in suits. I knocked quietly on the door as I entered followed by Susan.

Joyce and Letty stepped over to us and hugged me first. I introduced Susan to Letty as Joyce hugged Susan then Letty hugged Susan as well. I found the whole thing sort of awkward as I just wanted to know what was happening with Milla and John.

I looked around the room settling my eyes on Joyce as she was the one that called me.

"So, what happened. We just came from John's and Milla's rooms and they were both sound asleep.

Joyce looked down at first but then back up to meet my eyes. "I'm so sorry Sarah. It looks as if I jumped the gun, and I called you prematurely."

"What? What do you mean? Was someone trying to get to Milla or not and is she and John, okay? You said John was hurt. Somebody needs to be explaining what's going on and I mean right now."

This time some guy in a suit stepped over to me and offered his hand. "Hi, Mrs. #####, I'm Scott #####, I am the Hospital administrator here and that's exactly what we were working on when you arrived. It seems that there has been a misunderstanding and a couple of my nurses got carried away and jumped to some conclusions. Trust me when I tell you that they will be dealt with."

I turned back to Joyce as again she was the one that called me and something in me just said that I could trust her. "Joyce, tell me what happened."

Joyce started to speak but was cut off by the administrator guy. I turned to him and interrupted him in return. "I asked Joyce to tell me what happened. Your name is Scott. I'll call you by your name when I need to hear from you. Right now, Joyce is going to be talking."

Joyce's face was flushed red, but she began her story again. "Like I said Sarah, I'm sorry I called. I panicked. I was in a room when I heard someone fall and yell out. I went to check, and it was John. He had somehow gotten out of bed, which ripped his IV and tubes out, and was laying in the hallway. He was crawling away from his room. I tried to help him, but he pushed me away saying he had to go help Milla, that someone was trying to take her. There were others coming to help so I rushed to see what was going on with Milla. As I headed her way, I saw that she was running down the hallway towards me." Joyce turned to another nurse in the room that I didn't know. Motioning to her. "This is Claire. She is Milla's nurse on duty tonight. She was right behind Milla when I ran into her in the hallway. I'll let her tell you what she knows."

I looked at Claire and extended my hand to introduce myself personally to her. She shook it and without any other words she began her part. "Like Joyce said, I was taking care of Milla tonight when suddenly Milla came running out of her room and up to the station yelling that 'he was here trying to take her, please help.' It didn't make any sense to me, so I tried to get her to calm down and tell me what was going on, but she was frantic and just kept saying the same thing. That 'he was trying to take her.' I didn't know what to think so I was going to try and escort her back to bed when she fled down the hall and that's where we ran into Joyce who was heading this way to find out what was going on. I explained to Joyce what was happening, and she quickly explained who Milla was and what she had been through. I asked for help and some orderlies came to help Milla. We sedated her and got her back into bed. We did look all over her room and elsewhere. Even the restrooms and closets, but we didn't find anyone hiding out or anyone that wasn't allowed to be where he or she was. I'm so sorry, but I really think Milla just had a bad dream and panicked."."

I turned to Joyce again. "And John?"

"John was also sedated and returned to bed. He's been re-administered his IV and necessary tubes and whatnot. He will have to have the cast on his leg replaced after x-rays tomorrow to see if any more damage has been done to the leg. He was also complaining that his back was hurting terribly, but other than that he should be okay."

I nodded but asked her. "So, before you knew that no one was found around that was supposedly trying to take Milla, you called me and Susan to let us know what you 'thought' was going on?"

Joyce looked nervous and looked away for a minute. Before she could answer me, the administrator spoke up again. "Yes Mrs. #####, I am aware of the personal phone call made to you by one of my staff and she will be disciplined for said actions. I do apologize..."

I had heard enough out of this suit and cut him off. "You will do no such thing, and I better not hear of anything after the fact later either. Joyce or anyone else will not be disciplined for anything as they did nothing wrong. I and Susan here gave Joyce our personal phone numbers just for emergencies like this. She was just doing as I had asked. I'm sorry that Milla had a bad dream or whatever and this became a situation, but if you had been put through what that girl has in her life over the last couple of days, I bet you would be having worse than dreams and be laying in your bed crying and sucking your thumb. I want no one and I repeat, no one to be disciplined. I will take Milla home as soon as the doctor says she can be released and get her the help she needs. I'm sorry this has become a situation in your hospital, but Joyce and Claire have done nothing wrong."

Scott sat down in his seat as I'm sure he wasn't used to being talked to in the manner I had just spoken to him and especially in front of his subordinates. I hoped that wouldn't come back to bite them or myself in the ass.

This time I turned to Letty. "Have the police done a sweep of the grounds for anyone that matches Milla's stepdad's description?"

"We have and turned up nothing. I'm sorry Sarah, but I must agree with Claire on this. Milla probably just had a bad dream. It's not uncommon after what she's been through."

I nodded that I agreed, which I did, but something still just didn't sit right with me. "What about the stepbrother? Did you guys look for him as well?"

"No need. He's in custody. He may not have made it to you to physically attack you last night, but he still attempted. Plus, there are witnesses that are willing to testify that he was one of the ones that set the fire to the Nailery. Along with the fact that he knew there were people inside, that's attempted murder. He will be going away for quite a while."

"Witnesses?"

Letty removed a small notebook from her pocket and flipped a few pages till she came to the one she wanted. "Yeah, a Crystal #####, a Cindy ###### and a Bian ######. They all claim they saw the stepbrother, along with two others that are unknown, light the fire while Milla was locked in the restroom and others were still trying to get out of the building. Not to mention the people in the other two businesses on either side of the Nailery. I think it will be an open and shut case myself. No need to worry about him any longer."

This was good news, but it didn't escape me that yeah, Crystal #####,, said she saw him and the others lighting the fire, but the story was that Bian and Cindy were in the back when the fire was lit and they wouldn't have been able to witness it. I needed to ask them and Kim about that, but for now I decided to keep my mouth shut.

I stepped over to Scott's desk and noticed a form on his desk that at the top read, 'Notice of Disciplinary Action', it had Joyce's name at the top. I reached down and picked it up, crumbling it as I did so in my hand while looking Scott straight in his eyes. "So, are we done here?"

He looked away nodding his head. I turned around to Claire. "Thank you so much for taking care of Milla. Hopefully the Doctor will release her tomorrow, and she can come home."

Claire looked over at Scott as she said to me. "You're welcome. Just doing my job ma'am."

I then turned to Joyce and Letty. "Walk with me please."

The three of us and Susan left the room together. Joyce was the first to speak up. "Thank you for standing up for us back there, but I'm sure I will still get a write up for calling you. I really don't even know how he knew. It must have been one of those snooty little bitches that's always kissing Scott's ass to get ahead. Regardless, thank you."

I took her by her hand. "No need to thank me, you did nothing wrong. I totally appreciated the call. I'm just sorry that it has caused you so much trouble when there was really no need."

Joyce squeezed my hand. "I wouldn't say there was no need. Regardless, even if it all turns out to be that Milla had a dream or not, John still fell and hurt himself, and that's something you should know about."

"True. So, tell me. How is he really? You said he was complaining about his back hurting. Originally, we heard that his back was broken, but then he said it wasn't. I realize now that I haven't heard from the doctor himself of which it is."

Joyce was nodding as I was talking as she already knew what I was going to say or ask. "Yes, originally the doctor thought John's back was broken from the accident. After further testing it was shown that it was from a past injury or injuries and is getting worse over time. It looks as if he had broken his back or at least damaged some vertebra, and they never healed properly and just keep taking a beating such as this new accident. So yes, his back is broken by medical standards, but apparently it wasn't from the accident. The doctor says he should have surgery to put some plates and screws in, but John says he now has enough of those in his leg, so he isn't going to. Quite the stubborn man you have their Sarah." Joyce suddenly looked around me remembering Susan on my other side and quickly added. "You too Susan."

Susan smiled and nodded her head that she agreed one hundred percent. I looked at Letty who had a look of confusion on her face. I just chucked to myself.

We all made it back to Joyce's station where she excused herself to go make her rounds. I turned to Letty now. "So, tell me what you really think."

Letty looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Truthfully, I don't know. Like I said, we looked everywhere and came up empty. Maybe it was just a dream, but after dealing with what we found in that house after you guys left, and what has come to light since then of what type of people we are dealing with, I wouldn't put it past someone to try and take Milla from here."

I knew Letty couldn't tell me details of the case or situation, so I didn't bother asking. "Well, thank you so much for answering when I called and for responding. I do totally appreciate your effort." I leaned into Letty for a hug, and she hugged me back firmly. I was surprised by the firmness and how long she held the hug before breaking it.

Letty turned to go but stopped short while turning back to Susan and me. "I do have a question if you don't mind."

I suspected what it was, so I smiled as I said. "Go ahead and ask."

"When Joyce said that you have a stubborn man Sarah, why did she finish that up with, 'you do to Susan'?

Susan and I both looked at one another smiling and laughing a bit. "Because Susan is John's wife as well. And so is Kim that you met last night. I'll explain it all to you another time. Maybe over coffee or something, if you would like."

Letty was now smiling big. "I would like that very much. Thank you. Be sure to give me a call. By the way. I'll be around all night. I want to check in with Milla when she is awake to see if she can remember anything."

"Thank you. Maybe we'll see you again tonight. I don't think I'll be going anywhere but here all night after all this."

We parted and Susan and I went into John's room even though it was well past visiting hours. He was still asleep, so we headed out. Outside his room I stopped to ask Susan. "What's your plans now for the rest of the night?"

"Not sure. I rode with you. Have you seen Adam and the guys anywhere."

I thought for a moment. "No come to think of it. Adam was just a block from here when we called. He should have been here. I have no idea, and I wonder where Tommy and Nathan could have gotten too. I saw Tommy's truck when we pulled in."

I thought for a second and asked Susan. "Would you have a problem sitting here for a while incase John wakes up. I know we may not be able to see him, but if Joyce is around, she may let us for just a minute. I'll go sit with Milla and see if she wakes up."

"Surething Baby. I'll be right here." I watched as Susan took up residency in an unoccupied chair not too far from John's room. It really wasn't a chair for visitors, but I knew it would take an act of God for her to give it up. I left and made my way to Milla's room still wondering what was going on with the guys.

Milla was still sleeping as well when I got to her room. Unlike ICU rooms I could stay inside her room while waiting so I made myself as comfortable as I could and tried to nap. The sleep never came.

"MOM!" I heard as I felt the shake on my arm. "You sleeping?" Adam asked me.

"No, wanting too but can't or maybe I dosed off some. I didn't hear you come in. Why are you yelling anyway?"

"I got him mom. I got him!"

"What? You got who?"

"I got Milla's stepdad. I caught the fucker and now he's going to get to take a cat ride."

'Whoa, slow down Adam. What do you mean you caught him, and 'got' him. And forget the whole cat ride thing. Explain to me how you 'got' him.

Adam looked perturbed like I had just disappointed him. He sighed and then said. "I turned around as soon as you called. I was only a block or so away. I had stuck around after you and Susan, and the girls left to talk with Milla who woke up shortly after everyone left."

My head was hurting and trying to process everything, but it didn't get by me that he said Milla woke up after everyone left. I interrupted him. "Wait, Milla was still asleep when you or whoever sent that picture of Ashley's face with her tongue out near Milla's vagina?"

Adam now looked a bit nervous but answered me. Yeah, we were just goofing off and took the picture to send to dad. Probably in bad taste, but it was funny at the time and doubt Milla would really care."

I thought for a moment, and he was right, Milla probably wouldn't care, but that was beside the point. "Okay well, you and they need to make sure she knows that you guys did that and if she is upset make sure you apologize, all of you apologize to her. She's been through hell and doesn't need to be taken advantage of like that."

The realization hit Adam's face, and I could tell that he was now genuinely sorry, so I let it go. "Now finish your story."

"As I was pulling back into the hospital parking lot there was a car speeding out of the lot and I noticed the driver looked a lot like the guy from last night that you said was Milla's stepdad. I didn't stop and come inside. I turned around and followed him."

"YOU DID WHAT?" I was shocked and of course concerned. "Adam, no, that's not what I wanted. I wanted you to..."