Disclaimer: Not mine! All the characters you recognize belong to JE, I'm just playing. While this is an AU story, it has the potential to possibly spoil or mention something from any of the books 1-18.
Author's Note: This chapter deals with a very sensitive topic, one that I haven't ever seen mentioned in fan fiction. I apologize in advance if I am incorrect with any details; I'm doing my best to make sure my facts are correct—with Anita's help. Most of my details are pulled from Wikipedia and various other sites reporting the events of that fateful day. Tissues may be needed.
I cannot believe I have more than 600 reviews. I am beyond words. Thank you all so very much! Real life was rough on me this week and I wasn't able to thank everyone individually for your reviews, so I apologize if I didn't get to you. Thanks so very much for your support!
Anita (FanFictionAficionado), I know I thank you daily, but really…YOU'RE THE BEST! Thanks for everything.
Previously:
She handed the paper to Ricardo. He nodded and said something to her before writing, "I'll get you to a doctor, then call your family & tell them you're ok."
I mouthed "Thank you!" and got up to leave. I guess I stood too fast, because the next thing I remember I was being wheeled into a hospital on a gurney. Damn, I hate hospitals.
Stephanie's POV
We stayed at Abuela's for most of the evening, taking comfort from our friends and family. Bobby kept his cell phone firmly in his hand and his eyes glued to the television screen.
CNN was becoming harder and harder to watch. They kept showing the same footage over and over, including people leaping from the upper floors of the towers, drawing gasps of shock even from Grandpa Mazur, who had remained stoic throughout the day. It was one of those unimaginable choices: jump to your death, or wait to die? I can't imagine ever being in a situation like that. And then the Catholic guilt on top of it…is it still suicide if you were minutes from death anyway? I finally had to get up and leave the room. What if my dad was one of the ones who had jumped? What if he was stuck on an upper floor—did he suffer when the towers collapsed or was his death instantaneous? Oh God…his death?
Grandma Mazur had come up to me on several occasions to make sure I was ok. She was worried about Daddy, and also about Mom, who was twelve hundred miles away and all alone. Ok, not all alone, she had Val and the baby, but I knew she had to be frantic about Daddy. As cold as she could be sometimes, there had never been a doubt in my mind that she loved Daddy, even if she didn't show it in a PDA sort of way.
Grandpa Mazur was also really worried; I could see it in his eyes. He tried to keep up a strong front, constantly saying "Frank's tough, he'll be ok". But the fact that Grandpa was growing paler by the minute had me worried about how well he was really handling the possible fate of his son-in-law, and what a negative outcome would do to his daughter.
When Alex's cell phone rang again, I was pulled from my doom and gloom thoughts and couldn't help but smile. Mari was fine and they were going to have a baby. My, what a difference nine months had made. When I met him, he was a closed-up, angry man. Since then, he had become a loving husband, an open and caring brother, and a great friend. I couldn't be happier for him…for them. I hadn't noticed the confused look on Alex's face when he looked at the screen on his phone. In fact, I barely processed what he was saying to the caller.
He came over to the dining room table where I had retreated, squatted down in front of me, and held out his cell. I smiled at him, thinking at first that it was Mari and that he had told her I knew about the baby. But then I noticed the grim set to his face, which caused me to flinch and wonder exactly why I needed to take the phone. A quick glance at the screen showed only a number for the caller, with no name.
"Hello?"
"Mija, it's Ricardo."
My eyes darted to Carlos and then to Alex before I responded. "Hi, Ricardo. Is everything alright?"
He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Everything is going to be alright."
"What do you mean 'going to be'? What's wrong?" I heard the squeak in my voice. Why was he talking to me if something was wrong? I glanced around and noticed that Grandma and Grandpa were completely still and barely breathing.
"Stephanie, when I went into the Newark police station to get Mari, I found your father."
A sob escaped my throat. If he found Daddy in Newark, then that meant he was ok, right? "He got to Newark from Manhattan with one of the police officers' wives. Apparently he had been in the South Tower and made it out only a few moments before it collapsed."
"Dear God!" I could barely breathe, and felt, as well as heard, the shakiness in my voice.
"He was alert and seemed ok, but had a pretty nasty gash on the back of his head and…" his silence was deafening.
"And what, Ricardo?"
"He can't hear anything, Mija."
I sat frozen. Can't hear anything?
"When he stood up he collapsed. We got him to St. Michael's, which was the closest hospital, and he's regained consciousness. The doctors are checking him out right now, and I'm sure he'll be fine, but I wanted to call you with what we know so far."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Stephanie, I haven't called your mother yet. I know she'll want to know and, of course, be here with him. I wasn't sure how well she would take the news coming from me, or if you would want to be the one to call her. Or…I could drive to Trenton and tell her, but that would delay her getting here by more than two hours."
"No no, I'll call my mom. But is there any way you could stay with Daddy until she gets there?" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Grandpa Mazur sit down. The fact that Ricardo was going to be waiting with Daddy meant he was alive. I could feel the relief in the room.
"Of course, Mija. Mari and I will wait here with him."
"Oh. I forgot Mari was with you. Should you just get her home so she can rest?"
"She claims she's fine and that she spent the entire day at the police station. Should I be worried about something, Mija?"
"Ummm…no. I just know she's been traveling a lot and it was an emotional day for everyone. I thought she might want to rest." I grimaced. I'm such a terrible liar!
"I'll keep an eye on her, but I think we'll be fine to wait for your mother."
"Thank you! I really appreciate it, Ricardo."
"That's what family is for, Mija."
I smiled as we said goodbye and disconnected. I heaved a deep sigh; I didn't want to be the one to tell my mother about Daddy. Carlos wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "Is everything ok?"
Nodding, I said, "It's going to be. Your dad found mine at the Newark police station. He has a nasty gash on his head and he passed out, but they took him to the hospital." Taking a deep breath, I had to swallow a few times in an attempt to clear the lump in my throat before saying, "He can't hear anything, though."
"It could just be a temporary side effect from a concussion," Bobby said. That was the first thing he had said in hours.
"Thanks, Bobby. I hope you're right." I sighed and turned back to Carlos. "I need to call my mom. She's gonna freak out."
"She'll be happy he's alive, Steph." I nodded. I knew he was right, but I still dreaded having to tell my mom that Daddy was in the hospital.
"Do you want me to call Helen?" Grandma Mazur asked me.
"No, it's alright, I'll do it. But Grandpa, you look like you aren't feeling well. Do you need something?"
"Something to drink would be good," he said weakly.
Grandma Mazur and Abuela rushed to the kitchen to get him something as I picked up the phone and dialed my parents' house. It rang for a really long time before someone picked up.
"Plum residence," a male voice said. It took me a second to realize it was Joe.
"Joe, it's Stephanie."
"Hey Steph. We haven't heard anything yet."
"Where's my mom?"
"She's lying down on the couch. She had a minor panic attack when a police car stopped in front of the house earlier. She practically passed out before she realized it was just Eddie stopping by to drop off something from Shirley. We tried to get her to go upstairs and get some rest, but she refuses."
"Is she alright?"
"She's a mess, Steph. And Val's a mess too. She's been crying all day, and the baby's been fussy. I just got Angie down upstairs and Val is in the living room keeping an eye on your mom."
"Can you have Val and Mom come to the phone and put it on speaker?"
"What's up, Steph? Everything ok?"
"Yes. I have news about Daddy."
I heard Joe yell for my mom and Valerie, and moments later my mom was asking, "You've heard something? How could you know more than me when you're over a thousand miles away?"
"Do you remember Carlos' cousin's wife, Mari? Well, she was in Newark today. She missed her plane, the one that went down in Pennsylvania, because she lost her wallet and couldn't get on the plane without ID."
"Sweet Jesus!" I heard through the phone. I could visualize my mother crossing herself at Val's outburst.
"Anyway, she went to the Newark police station to try and get some temporary ID, and then everything happened. To make a long story short, Carlos' dad went to go pick her up and when he got there, he found Daddy."
"Oh my God!" my mother shouted. "Is he ok?"
"Well, yes and no. He barely escaped the South Tower collapsing and he has a nasty gash on his head as a result. But they took him to a hospital and the doctors are checking on him now."
"Oh, thank you Lord. I need to go to the hospital right now."
"There's one more thing, Mom," I interrupted before she could disconnect.
"What? What is it?"
"Ricardo said Daddy couldn't hear anything. I'm hoping it's just a side effect from the head trauma, but I wanted you to be prepared."
"He's alive. That's all I care about. Now I need to go!"
"Mrs. Plum, you shouldn't drive. You haven't eaten anything all day and you're exhausted."
"I'm going, Joseph!" I agreed with Joe, but I wasn't about to argue with my mother at this point. I knew better.
"And I won't stop you, but at least let me drive you. Val, if you want to come too, I can call my mother to come sit with Angie."
"I have some stored milk in the fridge, I'll just change out of my pajamas and I'll be ready."
"Steph, I'm going to hang up now so I can call my mom. We'll call you later, ok?"
"Thanks, Joe. Do you know where St. Michaels is in Newark?"
"Sure, it's real close to the Newark police station. I'll get them there, don't worry."
"Great. And Mom?"
"Yes, baby."
"Give Daddy a big hug from me, ok? And tell him I love him." The tears were falling down my face unchecked. I was so relieved that he was alive, but wanted more than anything to be there with him.
As I hung up the phone, Carlos held me and I cried into his shoulder. I don't know how long I sat there, but when I composed myself and looked up into his face, I couldn't help but smile. My dad was going to be ok. Carlos gave me a gentle, loving kiss and I relaxed back into him.
Glancing around the room, I noticed that Bobby was missing. I sat up and looked into Carlos' eyes. "Where's Bobby?"
With a sad smile, he said, "He left, Babe. I know he's happy that your dad is ok, but he still hasn't heard anything about his uncle."
How selfish of me! He must be so angry that I was just rubbing my good news in his face while he was still suffering, not knowing anything.
As if he was reading my thoughts, Carlos cupped my cheek in his hand and shook his head as he said, "Babe. No one blames you for being happy that your father is alive, not even Bobby. He just needed a little time alone, ok?"
I nodded my head, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. God, please let Bobby's uncle be alive!
Bobby's POV
I felt so lost! A world without my Uncle Thomas …well, I was trying not to think about it. As I drove back to the apartment from Les's Abuela's house, I felt the anger building inside me. I wanted to find the motherfuckers responsible and strangle them with my bare hands.
My Uncle Tommy had played such a vital role in helping me become the man I am today. He took me to my first Knicks game when I was six. I remember him carrying me on his shoulders down to the court after the game to meet a couple of the players. I can still see the smile on my face when he introduced me to Patrick Ewing! How Uncle Tommy knew him, I have no idea, but when Ewing handed me a ball and taught me to dunk, I thought nothing could beat that moment. That day launched my love for basketball.
Growing up, I spent every summer with Uncle Tommy and Aunt Chelsea. They couldn't have children so they treated me like I was their own child. And I loved it! When Dad was being too hard on me, or Mom was being overbearing, I went to them for a little bit of sanity. I guess the best part about being the aunt and uncle instead of the parent was that they could be "cool".
Shortly before my high school graduation, Aunt Chelsea had a major health scare. She found out she had breast cancer, but thankfully it was caught early and she's been in remission for about a year. But Mom wanted to be closer to her only sister, so she and Dad relocated from Miami to New York. I wanted to go with them, but Uncle Tommy and Aunt Chelsea convinced me not to give up my full basketball scholarship to the University of Miami, so I stayed.
Mom and Dad kept their house here so they could come and visit, especially during basketball season. Aunt Chelsea and Uncle Tommy came to as many games as possible too. We spent holidays, when basketball wasn't in season, in New York; in fact, I had just spent Labor Day weekend there with them, since Coach gave us the weekend off.
And now, to think that might have been my last visit with Uncle Tommy? It was too much to bear. There were so many things I didn't get to tell him. I didn't get to thank him for the impact he had on my life, for being one of my biggest supporters and helping me realize that I wanted to become a doctor. Uncle Tommy worked as an attorney on the 85th floor of the South Tower, representing women and children who were victims of domestic violence. He had chosen this specialty because of his traumatic childhood. His parents divorced when he was little because his father was physically abusive, but the court awarded joint custody anyway. The beatings continued until he was old enough to be able to avoid his father's brutality. He said he never wanted anyone to go through what he did, and dedicated his career to that cause.
"Woah, shit!" I shouted as I swerved out of the way of oncoming traffic. I quickly pulled to the side of the road, trying to calm my breathing. The tears I'd been holding at bay all day finally started to fall. I cried, harder than I've ever cried in my life, for several long minutes. I couldn't seem to catch my breath as the scenes from the television flew through my mind. He got out. He had to have gotten out. Maybe he didn't go back inside? Please God…
Stephanie's POV
When Carlos and I walked back into our apartment the living room was dark, but could see that there was somebody on the couch. I glanced over my shoulder and looked at Carlos, who nodded slightly and then headed down the hall to our bedroom. Moving towards the couch, I whispered, "Bobby?"
I heard a sniffle and a sigh before he glanced up. Carlos had turned on the light in the hall and it was filtering through to the living room, allowing me to make out the tear streaks on Bobby's cheeks.
"Any word?"
Shaking his head, he said, "God, I can't lose him Steph. He's like a second dad to me." Nodding, I sat down and gently wrapped my arms around him. He laid his head on my shoulder and cried. I couldn't help but join him. I cried for him, for his family, and for all the families that were having to spend the night not knowing if their loved ones were alive or not. Silently, I thanked God that my dad had survived and that Mari was safe. And then I pleaded for the safety of Bobby's uncle, squeezing him tighter as I implored God to spare him. We sat there for a long time, crying on each other's shoulders, before he pulled back with a whispered, "Thank you".
"Have you called your aunt again?"
"Yeah, I called her when I got here. Momma and Dad are with her, but she hasn't heard anything. The last she knew he called her from outside the South Tower, but told her they said it was safe to go back inside. He had been working on a big case, and he was going to head back up to his office. The plane hit his tower about ten minutes later."
"There's always a chance he stopped in the lobby to talk to someone before going up, so that when the tower was hit he could have gotten out," I offered.
"God, I hope so. So have you heard from your Mom yet? Has the doctor said anything about your Dad's hearing?"
Shaking my head, I answered, "No. I don't expect to hear from her before morning. By the time she arrives at the hospital and sees my Dad, it will be late. Plus, she won't want to leave his side, and with the trouble they're having with cell service, she would have to find a pay phone to call me like Ricardo did. Val might call though."
"Let me know how he's doing, ok? I'm genuinely happy for you that he's ok."
"Thanks, Bobby." I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before standing to go find Carlos. I found him lying on our bed.
Tilting his head toward the living room, he asked, "He ok?"
"I think so. He's upset, rightfully so. He hasn't heard anything so there's still hope."
Nodding, Carlos said, "I've met his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Chelsea a couple of times. They're good people. I really hope he made it out and just hasn't been able to reach his wife yet."
"Me too," I said, climbing in next to him. Carlos wrapped me tightly in his arms, allowing me to soak up his strength.
"I'm glad your dad is ok, Babe." I nodded, unable to speak because of the lump in my throat. Hot tears burned my eyes, and I wasn't able to stop them from falling down my cheeks.
"Carlos…please… help me forget this horrible day, even for just a little while," I begged, punctuating my request with a desperate kiss on his warm lips.
I felt him respond momentarily before he pulled back and asked tenderly, "Are you sure, Babe?"
"Please, Carlos." With further words unnecessary, Carlos brought his lips back to mine. Ever so slowly, he removed my clothes and then his own. We kissed languidly for several long minutes, Carlos gently stroking my breasts and then my thighs before he allowed his fingers to dip into my wet folds. His lips caught my gasp of pleasure as his fingers began thrusting in and out of me, while his thumb kept firm pressure on my clit. In mere moments I was bucking against his hand.
As I caught my breath, he whispered, "I love you, Stephanie. More than I thought possible. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you." I stopped his words with a forceful kiss of my own, which he deepened before turning me onto my back and positioning his length at my center, slowly guiding himself inside. I was still tight, and he hissed as he sheathed himself fully, pulling a moan of pleasure from me. Cupping his face in my hands, I pulled him back to me for a passionate kiss, which I hoped conveyed everything I was feeling. We moved slowly together for what felt like hours before we both climaxed. Carlos fell onto me and then quickly rolled, pulling me with him. Still joined physically, we lay there for several long minutes, knowing that our brief respite from reality would soon be over.
TBC…
Author's Note: I would love to know your thoughts on this chapter.