Once everyone left the Hospital Mac headed over to talk with the doctor that worked on Jackson.
"Excuse me, Dr Franland? I'm detective Mac Taylor. I was hoping you could fill me in on Jackson's care."
"Of course detective. Follow me."
Leading Mac into a lounge he offered him a coffee before sitting down.
"I can honestly tell you detective Taylor that I have never seen any officer in my twenty five of medical work that could sustain three severe bullet wounds and hang on for almost four hours before dying. The wound to his head should have killed him instantly as the bullet lodged and shattered through out his frontal lobe. The second wound was to his stomach. The bullet traveled straight through and lodged in his lower spine. The third bullet entered his chest missing his heart and lungs. Like I said he should have arrived here DOA, but something inside this man forced him to stay alive."
"That would be my daughter. Her and Jackson were to be married tomorrow. I guess he needed to say goodbye to her and his child."
"Ah yes... MaKayla Taylor. Your daughter right?" asked the doctor.
"That's right. She's not doing to well now. They have her upstairs in labor and delivery." said Mac.
"She's not in labor is she?" asked Dr Franland.
"No. They are just keeping an eye on her for the night. It seems she's been having some cramping and she passed out shortly after saying goodbye to Jackson." said Mac.
"I'm really sorry for your daughters loss detective. I hope she can remain strong and healthy with her child. Please give her my condolences and my prayers that she heals." said Dr Franland as he left the lounge.
Mac rubbed his hands over his face before leaving the lounge. Heading back upstairs he heard his daughter yelling.
"Get the hell away from me. I'm going home. You can't force me to stay here."
Rushing into the room Mac seen the nurse trying to force MaKayla to stay down.
"Get your hands off my daughter right now." yelled Mac as he neared the bed taking his daughter into his arms.
"Daddy... please daddy. I just want to go home. I want to go home daddy." she cried.
"I'm sorry sir. I wasn't hurting her. I was ordered to take blood from her. When I tried she became upset." said the nurse.
"She just lost her fiance. Are you new here? I've never seen you before?" asked Mac.
"Yes. I'm just filling in for Jill Renolds tonight. She's out sick." said the nurse.
"Okay. Just give me a few minutes with my daughter please." said Mac.
When the nurse left the room Mac snuggled in bed with MaKayla.
"Sh... come on sweetheart. You need to calm down." cooed her dad.
"I can't daddy. I want Jackson back. I need him daddy. I don't want to raise this baby myself. I don't want it daddy. Please... I just can't cope with a child right now. I don't want to be a mother and I want to go home." cried MaKayla.
"Listen to me sweetheart. This child is a part of you and of Jackson. This is his flesh and blood inside you, growing, waiting to be born and loved by his mother." said Mac not realizing he let the sex of the child slip.
"Boy? You said he daddy. Please... no... I don't want it. Do you hear me. I don't want it." said MaKayla. "I don't want any memories of Jackson. I just want to forget. Do you understand daddy? I never want to love again."
Climbing out of her fathers arms she dressed and raced toward the nurses station.
"I want my release papers, now! I'm more then capable of knowing how to look after myself. So get them ready please."
"Yes Dr Taylor. Right away." said nurse Pam.
Mac watched his daughter with grave concern. She had done a complete 180 degree turn. The more he watched her, the more he seen himself all those years ago after 9/11.
Once MaKayla signed her own release she headed out and called a cab. Following behind her Mac said...
"Forget it young lady. You're coming home with me."
"No I'm not daddy. I'm going to see Sid. I promised to have this cross back on Jackson's neck and that's what I'm going to do. Then I have to get some sleep. I have to work the day shift tomorrow." said MaKayla acting like nothing happened.
Mac grabbed her and turned her toward him.
"You are coming with me. I will take you to see Jackson. Then we will go to your place and get you some clothes. After that you will come home with your mother and I."
"No daddy. I have Walker at home to look after. I'll be fine. Here's my cab." she said as she got in and took off.
Mac cursed under his breath. God she was stubborn just like her damn mother. The two of them were so alike in their temper. Following behind her he pulled into the parking lot and as she got out he followed her inside.
"Right after this young lady we get you home to pack. You can bring Walker with you. Understand?" said her dad with anger.
"I hate you," she said as she walked into the morgue and seen Sid standing over Jackson's body. "If you don't mind leaving. I'd like to say goodbye alone." as she looked at her dad.
...........................
After Mac and Sid left the morgue MaKayla lifted Jackson's head and placed his cross around his neck. Then lowering him she looked at his peaceful face.
Out in the hall Sid and Mac headed up to the observatory to watch.
"This isn't right Mac. I don't want any part of listening to MaKayla say goodbye. So I'm going to leave." said Sid.
"Sid!" called Mac. "I'm not doing this to be mean. I'm concerned for my daughter. Something with her isn't right. Please try and understand." said Mac.
Nodding Sid left the room.
Turning on the mic Mac listened...
"There we go Jackson. Your cross is back where it belongs. Now we need to talk. There are some things I need you to understand. I've decided not to keep our baby. I'm really sorry Jackson. I just don't want to raise a child on my own. He's a boy by the way. I know this must be hurting you allot and I'm sorry for that." said MaKayla.
As Mac listened he was floored. Never did he think his daughters heart would turn so cold and empty so quickly. She had just become him in every possible way. Thinking back to the day his Claire had died. Shutting out the world from feeling any emotion toward others or himself. Vowing never to feel love again.
Continuing to listen he heard...
"I just hope you can understand I no longer wish to care for anyone. I just want to be alone. I need you to understand Jackson. I no longer want to feel love again. Ever. For as long as I live and breathe I will never allow myself to feel love again. Not even for our child. I felt you had every right to know this. I love you Jackson. I'll always love you. I hope you don't hate me cause I no longer want to be a mother."
Lowering her lips to his she kissed him one last time without tears and without emotion. Then leaving the morgue she didn't look back. Entering the hall she seen her dad standing there.
"Did you have a good listen daddy? I know you were there. Just to let you know. I won't change my mind. Ever. You and mom are more then welcome to have the baby. All I wish is to focus on is my work. That's my life now." she said walking away.
Nearing the front desk she seen Jenson being lead down to holding. Standing in front of him she slapped his face before spitting on him.
"I hope they kill you in prison. I hope they torture your ass good." sneered MaKayla.
Watching in the shadow Jerome could see the change in MaKayla. He had been Jackson's friend since junior kindergarden. They had done everything together. Jerome also spent allot of time with MaKayla at her and Jackson's home. He could still remember Jackson telling him that if anything ever happened to him, that he was to take care of his girl and their child. Question now was... would she be willing to let him into her heart and her life? Even if only as a friend.
"Hey Jerome, ya' comin' for a beer or what?" asked Peter. "We're toasting one for Jackson."
"Yeah man, I'm comin'." said Jerome as he caught up with the boys.
tbc...
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Thanks for the review Asprine. :)
