Big Surprise Chapter 37
July 10th 2017 4:00 am
Ring….Ring….Ring
"Dick get the phone" Artemis said nudging a sleeping Dick with her elbow.
"Mmmm" Dick said rolling over and covering his head with his pillow.
"Ass" Artemis mumbled reaching over his body to get the annoying phone. Who the hell was calling at four in the morning, when she and Dick didn't get home until one from a mission.
"Hello" Artemis said stifling a yawn.
"Artemis it's me" her sister said through the phone.
"Jade what's going on? Do you have any idea what time it is?" Artemis asked.
"Artemis it's mom, the hospital just called me. Her heart stopped, they were able to revive her but their tests show that they don't know how long she has before it stops again. And they don't know if they'll be able to revive her again, they were barely able to do it the first time" Jade said trying to control the tears.
Artemis sat straight up "Are you there?"
"Roy and I are on our way. We dropped Lian off with Dinah and Ollie. You need to come to the hospital Artemis" Jade said.
"I'm on way" Artemis said hanging up.
"Dick wake up" Artemis yelled jumping out of the bed.
It startled Dick so much that he jumped up getting ready in a fighting stance "What's going on?" He said alert and looking around the room for danger.
"Jade called, mom's heart stopped but they were able to revive her but just barely. We need to get to the hospital" Artemis said grabbing a pair of pants.
Dick's eyes widened but he didn't say anything he quickly moved towards the dresser grabbing a pair of pants and a t-shirt. Once they were both ready the got into Dick's car speeding towards the hospital they didn't say anything as they drove to the hospital. Dick parked his car, and the two ran inside running into Jade and Roy in the hallway.
Artemis immediately went to her sister "Have you seen her yet?"
"No the doctor is talking to her now" Jade said hugging her baby sister tightly.
"What happened exactly?" Artemis asked when the two sisters pulled away.
"I don't know all I know is that the nurse called and said that mom's heart had stopped; they were able to revive her but just barely. The doctor was going to do some tests but according from what he saw it wasn't looking to good and that we should come to the hospital as soon as possible. She said she tried calling you but you didn't answer so she called me" Jade said.
"She must have called while we were on our mission, I didn't check my phone when I got home" Artemis said.
Dick wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her into his chest when the doctor came out of the room.
"I just finished all of my tests, the cancer has completely spread to her heart which is why it stopped. The cancer is weakening her heart making it work ten times harder than it should. I'm not sure we'll be able to revive it a second time. I told you mother this and she said that if her heart stops again that she does not want to be revived, and she doesn't want to be put on machines" the doctor said grimly.
"Can we see her?" Jade asked.
"She's asking for the two of you, you'll be able to stay in the room as long as you like" The doctor said.
Artemis looked up at Dick trying to hold her tears in "Come with me?" she asked hoarsely.
Dick kissed her forehead "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else babe".
Artemis took a deep breath before grabbing Dick's hand and going into the hospital bedroom.
Once her eyes laid on her mother the tears instantly started flowing down her cheeks. Paula had tubes going in and out of her all over, she had dark brown circles under her eyes and her skin was ghostly pale. Artemis let go of Dick's hand moving towards the bed.
"Hey mom" she said trying to swallow a sob.
Paula gave her a weak smile as she grabbed Artemis' hand "Oh sweetie don't cry, we all knew this was coming".
Artemis shook her head "That doesn't mean I accepted it".
"I know baby but always remember Tôi yêu bạn (I love you)" Paula said kissing her cheek.
"Tôi yêu bạn mẹ (I love you mom)" Artemis said back.
Dick smiled sadly deciding to leave the room as Jade came in joining her mom and sister on the bed. Going to the waiting room Dick found Roy sitting in one of the chairs with a cup of coffee in his hands.
"How's Jade handling it?" Dick asked sitting down next to Roy.
Roy sighed "She's trying to be strong but I can tell all she wants to do is break down, but she refuses to do it in front of anyone else. What about Artemis?"
"I think she tried being strong but the moment she saw how horrible Paula looked in that bed she gave up, and let herself be weak for once" Dick said.
"I don't know what to do for her, I don't know how to make this alright" Roy said sadly.
"I don't think there is a way" Dick said sitting back in his chair.
"Has Jade heard anything from Lawrence?" Dick asked.
"I know she talked to him about six months ago, but I have no idea if he knows about how bad Paula's condition is. You think he'll show up?" Roy asked.
"I have no idea but he probably won't be too happy when he finds out his 'baby girl' went and eloped the son of Bruce Wayne" Dick said with a little laugh.
Roy smiled "No he won't be".
"You think we should go check on them?" Dick asked.
"No we should let them be alone for a little while" Roy said standing up to get a refill on his coffee.
Dick sighed leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. He felt useless right now; there was nothing he could do to save Paula, or to make Artemis feel better again. He didn't like this feeling at least not when it came to Artemis. He didn't even know what to say to her, he lost his parents in a flash, not slowly over time. He watched them die in front of them but not like this, this was pure torture, he wasn't sure if Artemis or even himself would ever be able to get over loosing Paula like this.
Roy set his hand on Dick's shoulder "Let's go check on our girls" he said softly.
Dick nodded his head following his friend down the hallway. They entered the room to see Jade and Artemis sitting on each side of Paula with their arms wrapped around each other. Dick and Roy each went to their wives sides setting their hands on their shoulders trying their best to give the women they loved comfort and strength. Eventually Dick and Roy moved to the foot of the bed and shared different stories with the three Nyguen women.
Four hours later Dick, Artemis, Roy, and Jade sat a table in the hospital cafeteria while Paula slept.
"Have you heard anything from dad?" Artemis asked Jade.
Jade shook her head "It's been about six months since I've spoken to him, I never said anything about mom being sick. But he always seems to find a way to figure things out. I'm actually surprised he hasn't showed up yet to ruin everything".
"Spoke to soon little girl, here I am" Lawrence Crock said smiling at them.
Artemis immediately tensed and Jade's face immediately turned as hard as stone.
"I guess you two are my son in-laws, unfortunately we haven't had the pleasure to meet, but from what I gather you're both the adopted sons of very rich men" Lawrence said grinning.
Dick stood up offering Lawrence his hand "Richard Grayson, it's nice to meet you Mr. Crock".
Lawrence smirked tightly gripping Dick's hand "I would like to say the same but since you secretly married my daughter without my permission I can't" he said glaring at Dick as he squeezed his hand trying to break it.
"I swear to god dad if you break my husband's hand I will break yours" Artemis said standing up and glaring at her dad.
Lawrence's glare moved from Dick to Artemis but he reluctantly let go of Dick's hand his glare quickly moving to Roy.
"Aren't you going to introduce yourself boy" he said to Roy.
Roy laughed "I might be the adopted son of Oliver Queen but that does not mean I have to use my manners to introduce myself to you, especially since it seems that you've already done your research on me".
Jade laughed "God I love you".
"Watch it boy, you have no idea who I am and what I'm capable of" Lawrence said.
Roy matched his glare "Actually I do you're a worthless piece of shit who thinks he's a father, and you have no idea what I'm capable of".
"I don't think I've ever been more attracted to you" Jade said grabbing his face and kissing him hard on the mouth.
"What are you doing here?" Artemis asked trying to ignore her sister and brother in-law making out like two teenagers.
"I came to see Paula and my daughters" Lawrence said acting like he was concerned.
"Like you care, when mom got hurt and went to prison you let her take the fall you didn't even try to help her. You've never cared, you left Jade and I to fend for ourselves. Why are you really here?" Artemis asked again.
"I came because I need help, someone took something important from me and I need help getting it back" Lawrence said gruffly.
"I left that life, and I'm never going back, I have a family that I need to think about, so don't even bother" Jade said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Don't look at me, I'm sure as hell aint gonna help you" Artemis said still glaring at her father.
"If your only here to try and get Artemis and Jade's help you should just leave, they aren't going to help you, they are here to be with their mother" Dick said.
"Don't talk to me like that pretty boy, I'll knock every single one of your teeth out" Lawrence said stepping closer to Dick.
"I'd love to see you try" Dick said not backing down, he had enough of Lawrence already and didn't want him hurting Artemis any more than he already had.
Lawrence growled throwing a punch at Dick but Dick blocked it grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back "Being the son of a millionaire you have to learn self-defense, and I know exactly who you are Sportsmaster, but you don't scare me. I think it's time you leave" Dick said letting go of his arm and shoving him forward.
Lawrence turned around trying to act tough but you could see in his eyes that he was a little scared of Dick "This isn't over" he huffed out before storming off down the hallway.
Dick wrapped his arms around Artemis pulling her into his chest and kissing the top of her head "Come on let's go see your mom" he said intertwining their fingers.
"I love you" Artemis said looking into his deep blue eyes.
Dick smiled kissing the tip of her nose "I love you to Mrs. Grayson".