Still covering one year old Lily with her body; Becky was scared to move even though her mother hadn't attacked in a while. Lily cried hard causing her whole body to shake in fear breaking Becky's heart in two. Hearing footsteps coming near Becky waited for the hitting and kicking to start again, and not a hand on her shoulder.
"Becky, what happen?" Joe asked looking down at his best friend.
"Mama was here. She found us. I told her to leave." Becky said as she sat up still clutching Lily to her and the tears escaped her eyes silently.
"We need to get you two to the hospital." Joe said as he helped her up and led her out to the car.
Opening the car door Joe helped Becky in and buckled her in. Shutting the door Joe ran to his side getting in. He had left it open; after seeing the front door wide open to the house.
"She wanted Lily, but I said no." Becky said rocking back and forth.
"I know you'd never let anyone take Lily." Joe said cause this hadn't been the first attack.
"She said I'd never get away with taking her daughter." Becky said as Lily had somehow fallen asleep.
"I'm going to protect you. No more sitting on the side lines." Joe said keeping one hand on the wheel and resting the other on Becky's knee.
Reaching the ER Joe got out and went getting Becky and Lily. Walking in Joe handed his keys off to a valet and went straight to the front desk.
"What happened?" Nurse Brigs asked coming around.
"Becky's mom attacked her. She has legal custody of her baby sister Lily and her mom is a druggie flipping out." Joe said in a low voice so no one would hear.
"Come on, sweetie." Nurse Brigs said as she wanted to get the young woman and child to an examining room.
"Joe." Becky said clinging to Joe desperately.
"He can come too." Nurse Brigs said leading them all to examine room #4.
"Can I make a call cause it won't be long before paparazzi come?" Joe said wishing at that moment he was normal.
"Tell me who to call and the doctor will be right in." Nurse Brigs said holding her hand out.
"Big Rob," Joe said handing over his phone.
Not long passed before a doctor Emory came in looking Lily over first to her protest. Then Joe took Lily as Dr. Emory looked Becky over and bandage her left arm and her abdomen which took the most damage. More than anything Joe wanted to make sure this never happened again.
"I want to take her for a cat scan to make sure there is no concussion." Dr. Emory said as he had Becky lay back on the bed.
"Becky, I'll take good care of Lily. We'll see you when you get back." Joe said kissing her forehead.
"Okay," Becky said know she had to make sure she was okay. Watching Nurses come in and wheel Becky away Joe held Lily close. After Becky had been gone for about an hour; Joe saw his mother followed by his father, and his brothers come in the room.
"Where's Becky?" Denise asked worry written all over her face.
"They took her down to make sure she didn't have a concussion," Joe said bouncing a
fussy Lily who had been upset for some time now.
"The cops are out looking for Tracey right now." Denise said as that woman's name was fowl in her mouth.
"How bad is it outside?" Joe asked changing the subject.
"Big Rob is right outside the door. Our security team is holding off paparazzi and worried fans." Paul said patting his son on the shoulder trying to comfort him.
"Becky has been gone a while. Kevin, could you go see if you can find anything out?" Joe asked with pleading in his eyes.
"Sure." Kevin said leaving the room.
"I don't have anything for Lily. We left." Joe said, feeling that Lily's diaper had become wet.
"I'll go find some help with that." Denise said as she kissed her son's forehead and left.
"I'm going to make a statement to the press who is here by now." Paul said knowing Joe was in no shape to do so himself and left as well.
"If you say you're going somewhere I'm going to lose it. I need at least one person here with me." Joe said pacing the floor.
"I won't go anywhere. Take a deep breath cause Lily needs you right now," Nick said standing in Joe's way stopping him.
"Right…." Joe said taking a deep breath, but not feeling better.
Time passed slowly for Joe as he waited for news of any kind. When his mom got back Joe changed Lily's diaper and fed her with his mom's help. Soon after that his dad came back which left everyone accounted for except Kevin who was yet to return. Going on four hours since he had seen Becky; Kevin walked in the room looking grim.
"Kevin." Joe said looking to his big brother.
"They found swelling on her brain, and she's in surgery right now. To give her a fighting chance they have to relieve the pressure quickly. There is another three hours before she's in recovery, and then they'll move her to a room. A nurse will be by soon to take us to a private waiting room." Kevin said looking at Joe.
"She was fine." Joe said in a whisper not wanting to wake Lily.
"Sometimes this can happen quickly or over days. The doctor said this is the best time to catch it." Kevin said repeating what he had been told.
Hearing a light knock a young woman in a candy striper's uniform, "I'm sorry to interrupt I'm Taylor. I'm supposed to show you to the private waiting room. Please can you follow me." Taylor said smiling warmly.
Reluctantly Joe went first followed by his family and Big Rob going down one hall after another. When Taylor stopped she opened the door to a nice waiting room with food, cots, books, large couch, and other things. Swallowing hard Joe didn't have a good feeling like they were trying to soften the blow. Lying down on the couch Joe watched Lily sleep on his chest. Quietly in her sleep she blew bubbles; Joe never thought he'd feel this much for someone.
Joe wanted to protect Lily from everything bad, and tell her that everything was going to be okay for her sake as well as his own. Every minute that passed Joe knew it couldn't be good for Becky. His best friend was fighting for her life and all he would do was whisper prayers from his lips to God's ears. There was so much she still had to do like raising Lily to be strong, independent, driven, loving, and kind all the things she was. Feeling exhausted Joe knew he needed to nap as long as Lily did or he'd be no good to anyone let alone Lily or Becky.
Feeling a gentle hand on his shoulder Joe thought it was Becky. Opening his eyes he found his mother standing over him in tears. Sitting up Joe looked around to see everyone in tears except for a tall man who was in a suit and a nurse Joe didn't know at all.
"Mom" Joe said looking at her questioningly.
"Becky died. She started bleeding internally, and they couldn't find where it was coming from in time" Denise said in tears.
"What's going to happen to Lily?" Joe asked as tear fell down his face silently.
"This man here is Becky's lawyer. Becky left Lily to you. You need to sign some papers to make it legal." Denise said as she sat down by her son.
"Let's get it done." Joe said as he handed Lily to his mom.
"I'm Daniel Burk. Sign where all the tabs are." Daniel said coming over and handing the papers and pen to Joe. Carefully Joe signed by every tab and then he checked and rechecked he didn't miss one.
"Can I see Becky?" Joe asked looking at the Nurse. She nodded staying silent and Joe followed her. Reaching the room Joe went in alone and pulled back the cover. Becky looked so pasty white. Letting the sobs come from his lips Joe put his head to hers.
"I wish this was some joke cause I need you. Lily needs you. What do I know about little girls? You were ten when I met you. My diapering skills are shaking at best. How am I going to know what's wrong when she cries for no reason. What about the talk? Am I supposed to tell her that? Dating, I haven't even thought about that. I love you. You're my world," Joe rambled on and on through the tears.
Gently Joe put his lips to hers still slightly warm, but he knew that she was gone. All that was left was the shell of the woman he had loved more than anything. In the end even he couldn't keep her safe. Standing up again Joe pulled the cover back over Becky sniffling now stead of sobbing. Wiping the tears away Joe knew he had to be strong because he had someone counting on him. He was responsible for another human being that needed him to be there now.