Chapter 34
Riker was a nervous wreck. How long could a surgery be? Laura must be in a really bad way for it to take this long. And of course no doctors came out to tell him anything. Not even one word, which was starting to really piss Riker off. Didn't they know she had people out who were worried about her? That she meant everything to him and that he was going crazy in not knowing what was going on with her.
Riker just sighed.
Laura had to live or he didn't know what he would do. This was getting ridiculous, why couldn't they have at least given an update or something. It has been more than three hours and she was still in surgery.
He felt like he was about to punch a wall or something. The tension in his body was becoming too much.
He suddenly heard footsteps coming, Riker looked up. It was Ratliff.
Riker sighed,
Ratliff laughed " Sorry to be a disappointment."
" Sorry man I was just hoping that it was a doctor here to tell me that Laura was going to be alright. But so far no word, it is driving me crazy. How is Ross?" Riker asked. He kind of felt bad that he was more focused on Laura then his brother. But every one had reassured him that it was fine they knew he was worried about both of them. That Laura needed him more than Ross did at the moment.
" I don't know he is still in surgery too, I would still be up there but I think I was making things worse for you mom. I don't mean too I am just so scared out of my mind, if anything happens to him I don't know what I will do." Ratliff said as tears entered his eyes.
Riker noticed this. Was Ratliff really in love with his brother? How could he not have noticed this before? Sure he had his own drama going on but still. And Riker really wasn't sure what to think about Ratliff and Ross being together romantically. Riker was a tolerant man, he believed a person had a right to love who ever they want. And if Ratliff and Ross were in love then who is he to have a say in it? The relationship was between them and it had nothing to do with Riker. But still Ross was his little brother after all and he wanted to make sure he was happy.
" So you and Ross are a couple?" Riker asked.
Ratliff froze. In all of the chaos this morning Ratliff totally forgot that Riker didn't know that things have changed between them. That they went from best friends to lovers, and Ratliff didn't know how Riker would take it. It was just a natural reaction to kiss Ross and hold him that Ratliff didn't realize that Riker may have seen.
" It is okay if you guys are together you know? I mean I am in no position to judge on how to be in a relationship, look at how things with Laura and I turned out. Are you guys happy?" Riker asked.
Ratliff nodded. " We were, he makes me so happy like I have never felt before. I love him Riker, Ross fills a part f me that I didn't realize that was missing before. We got in a stupid fight about something that really wasn't important in the hindsight of things and we broke up. I was going to go over this morning to fix things. I didn't want to let him go. I wanted to be able to make things right."
Riker placed a hand on his shoulder. Trying to give some kind of comfort to Ratliff. It was obvious that he loved Ross. And that was all that he wanted for his brother.
" Ratliff, I have a feeling that Ross was on his way to you to make things right this morning. That was why he was with Laura I am betting. You guys will get through this. When Ross loves someone it isn't just some passing fad. He really loves and he loves you I am assuming. So have faith that everything will work out."
Ratliff nodded.
" So you are not mad about me and Him being together? It doesn't freak you out that two guys are in love with one another."
Riker rolled his eyes.
" No it doesn't. Love is love and if anyone has a problem with it that is their own insecurity shining through. You guys just focus on what you guys feel for one another."
" Thanks Riker."
" No Problems Ratliff." Riker smiled.
Then the doors opened and the surgeon came through the door.
" Laura Marano's family?" He asked. Riker shot up so fast and was in his face like no other.
" How is she doctor?" Riker asked.
" She is in recovery now, the surgery took so long because there was a lot if internal bleeding that we had to fix. But other than that Laura is lucky to have survived."
The shudder of relief went through Riker like no other. She survived and she was going to be okay.
" Thank you doctor? Can I see her now?" Riker asked
" Well I suggest give her a couple of hours.." the doctor said but then he saw the heartbroken look on his face.
" Go ahead I will take you up. Now I will say that it can't be for long, she needs her rest okay?"
Riker nodded. He would do everything that he could to make sure Laura would get everything that she needed to be okay.
" Thanks Doctor." Riker said. He then looked at Ellen. He felt bad that he basically cut her off from asking anything to the doctor. Riker blushed with embarrassment.
" Ellen I am so sorry about that…"
Ellen just laughed. " It's alright Riker, Can you just tell my daughter that I love her?"
Riker nodded and then hugged Ellen. He was just so damn happy that she came through the surgery.
" I will, Thanks Ellen." Riker said as he followed the doctor up to recovery. His palms were getting sweaty. His heart was pumping so hard. Then they came to her room and Riker saw her. Laura was asleep and hooked up to machines and the scraps were still over her face and arms. But to Riker she never look so beautiful to him.
She survived and that was all that matters.
" Now remember it can't be long, her body suffered from a great injury. So she will need her rest." The doctor said.
Riker just nodded. He couldn't speak. His throat was full of tears that he was trying to hold back. Just seeing her like this broke his heart. She was never meant to be hurt in any way shape or form. Riker took the seat next to her bed and brought it closer. He took his hand and placed the hair that was in her face to the side. She always hated when her hair got in her face.
Riker just smiled.
" I love you Laura so much." He muttered. Just the sight of her made him speechless. He was going to make sure that something like this would never happen again. Losing her was not going to be an option.
Riker sighed.
He couldn't help but feel that this was partly his fault. If he only gave Laura more time and not moved out then she wouldn't have been coming to see him at that time of night. Then she would have never gotten hurt. It would totally serve him right if she wanted nothing more to do with him after she woke up.
No.
He couldn't let that happen. He was tired of this feeling of sorrow and regret when it came to them. He knows she loves him and he loves her without anything in this world, so why do they just make it harder by being apart. Riker knew he could have been more understanding about Laura needing some time apart. He really should have stayed and not moved out. But what could he do, he can't go back in time and fix things. The only thing that he knows he can change is the future and Riker wants to make sure that he and Laura have one.
" I am so sorry Laura, for everything that has happened. I have loved you I think even from the first second I met you. There was just something that drew me to you. And for you to have love me back? That was something that I will always appreciate and be honored. You are the only one that I want, the one that I want to be with. I know we are young and all but I don't care. I want you to be my wife one day and the mother of our children. I don't care if I never have a music career ever, as long as I get to call you mine and you call me yours, then that is all that I really need. Please baby know that you have a ton of people here that would love to see your beautiful eyes open. Just know that I may have some news for you when you get back to us. Okay?"
" I am sorry sir to interrupt but you will have to be going now." The nurse said sadly.
Riker just nodded and smiled. He turned back to Laura " I have to go now, but I will be back every day until you wake up so I can take you home." Riker said. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips. The brief sensation sent him into shock, he didn't realize how long it had been that he was able to kiss her. Tears were starting to slide down his cheek.
" I love you." Riker said as he made his way out of Laura's room.
Riker made his way downstairs to the waiting room were Rocky was waiting for him.
" She awake?" Rocky asked.
" No, she is still out." Riker said.
" Well at least she is going to be alright." Rocky said.
Riker nodded. " Hey were is Ratliff, we were talking right before the doctor came out."
" He is with Ross, Ross got out of surgery too,"
Riker signed a sigh of relief. " That is some great news."
" Yeah and if you are not the father of Maia's baby that will make a great present for Laura to wake up to." Rocky said.
" Yeah it would be. God Rocky this is going to sound harsh, but I really hope it is the case. I want to be free from Maia so bad that it isn't even funny."
" I understand."
" And if I am not? Maia is going down for trying to trick me into thinking I am the father."
Rocky rolled his eyes. " God she is such a twisted little bitch."
" Yeah she is. But I need to do something before that."
" What?" Rocky asked.
" I need to find out who did this to Laura and Ross. And when I do they are going to regret ever leaving them there to die." Riker said.
" Well count me in, I want to find out whoever did this and make them pay. And I think it would be safe enough to say that Ratliff wants in too."
Riker nodded.
" So what are you going to do now?" Rocky asked.
" I need to move back into the beach apartment. I want to be there when Laura comes home and I want to take care of her."
" Are you sure you won't move out again? Isn't this going to be your third time moving in?" Rocky asked jokingly.
Riker rolled his eyes.
" Are you going to help me or are you going to make jokes?"
" Sheesh someone is touchy."
" Come on let's go see our brother and then you are going to help me pack."
Ratliff was by Ross's side. He was never so relieved when he was told that Ross had pulled through the surgery. Just to know that Ross was going to be alright was all that Ratliff needed to hear.
Ross really was an gorgeous man. His blonde shaggy hair was a mess, but he didn't care. It was just so good to see him.
Ratliff just sighed a sigh of relief.
Ross was going to be alright and that was all that Ratliff wanted. He heard a knock on the door and Saw Riker and Rocky.
" How is he?" Riker asked.
Ratliff just sighed.
" He is asleep, the doctor tells me that I have to leave soon, but I don't give a shit I am not leaving him." Ratliff said.
Riker smirked.
" I know how that goes, I don't want to leave Laura but I have to do something before she comes home."
" What's that?"
" I am going to move back into the beach apartment. After what happened, I don't want to be away from her for a second. And I want to make sure she is taken care off."
" Lucky, I wish Ross would live with me. I don't want to be away from him any longer than possible." Ratliff said.
" Well why don't you ask him if he wants to move in with you., Or You can move in with us? In fact to be honest with you Ratliff I wish you would, no offense but the building we live in is dump. I think it would be better if you moved in with us."
" What about room? Isn't there only three bedroom?" Ratliff asked.
Rocky rolled his eyes. " Duh I figure we can share a room, I never told you this before but I just want to tap that ass of yours Ratliff." Rocky said.
Ratliff snickered.
" Rocky stop hitting on my boyfriend will you, other wise I am going to have to kick your ass." Ross said groggy.
All three of them turned and smile din relief when Ross opened his eyes.
" Ross!" Ratliff cried out as he leaned and kissed him.
" Nice to see your awake bro." Riker said.
" Yeah it is, and no worries, Ratliff isn't my type." Rocky said.
Ross snickered. " Ouch I shouldn't have done that."
" Be careful, did you need anything, water chips anything?" Ratliff asked.
" I just need you." Ross whispered.
" You had me so scared babe." Ratliff whispered as he placed a kiss on Ross's lips.
Rocky gagged.
Riker slapped him upside the head.
" Be nice bro.."
Rocky rolled his eyes.
" Hey Ross it really is great to see your awake." Riker said,
Ross smiled. " It is great to be awake."
Rocky smiled. It was great to see Ross was alive and awaked, And despite his jokes he was really happy to see Ratliff and Ross together.
" So Ross I know you just woke up and I don't want to pressure you. But do you know who did this to you and Laura?"
" How is Laura?" Ross asked urgently.
" She's fine, she is still sleeping but she is expected to make a full recovery." Riker answered.
" That's good, I still cant believe this happened." Ross said.
" I know. But Ross can you answer Riker , do you know who it was that did this?" Ratliff asked.
" It was Maia."
Riker's blood went cold. " Can you say that again?"
" I saw her face as I hit the windshield and it was her. It was Maia and she had this grin on her face . It sent chills just thinking about this." Ross said.
Rocky just looked at Riker. Rocky knew that Maia was a cruel and a bitch. But to be an attempted murderer? That was just way too sick.
" Riker, are you there?" Rocky asked.
Ever since Ross said that Maia was the one who ran them down, Riker just shut down. He had known that Maia was twisted inside, but to almost kill Laura and Ross? That was beyond evil. Riker was pissed. She had messed with his family for the last time. Maia Mitchell was going to pay for everything that she has ever pulled.
" I will be back." Riker said as she stormed out. Rocky afraid of what Riker was going to do followed him.
" Riker." Rocky called out.
Riker didn't pay attention to rocky. He has a stone cold expression on his face. Enough was enough. Who the hell did she think she was to come and try and kill the woman he loved and his brother. Was she that broken of a person that she was unfeeling and thought that with Laura out of the way that he would be her's?
Riker wanted to puke, in fact he stopped on the side of the building and puked. The stress and uncovering that Maia did this made Riker ill.
He really hoped that he wasn't the father of that baby, because to be tied to her was pure hell now.
" RIKER! Will you stop?" Rocky called out. Riker finally turned.
' What are you doing Rocky?" Riker asked.
" The question is what the hell are you doing? Are you really going to confront Maia? What are you going to do? We need to get the police in for this. I want her to pay for what she has done. And if we try and do it ourselves there is a chance she could get away with everything just because we decided to get justice on our own. Come on, let's call the police and let them take care of it. There is no way she can get away with this, We have her and she is going to answer for all that she has pulled."
Riker sighed.
Rocky was right. If he tried to take and confront Maia who knew what else was going to happen. Maia has proven that she is really unstable, and Riker didn't want to take a chance on her getting away with it. If Maia was going to get what was coming to her, then they had to be careful.
Riker growled. He was really tired of this bitch that thought it was alright to cause so much trouble for everyone in his family. Started with Ross, Then Rocky and now Laura.
" You're right Rocky, Let's call the police. Maia Mitchell has messed with all of us for the very last time."