Author's Note:
I hope that everyone survived Christmas week. It's been an adventure here so far. Plus I got through the awkwardness of being around the in-laws. Although I am updating yet again, I did spend some time with the kiddos in the process. We went to Hershey for our yearly Christmas trip to Chocolate World (got me some Twizzlers! yum!) and although it was very hectic there we still had fun. Not a big fan of crowds though (note to self: always make it to Hershey BEFORE lunch!). Thanks to all who read the last chapter and to those who left reviews! I love hearing what you think of each chapter! Enjoy the chapter and if you have the chance, please leave a review so that I know you were here! Have a great weekend and until next time, God bless!
Chapter Twelve
It was dark by the time Joe returned to the hospital with Fenton and Laura. As they approached Nancy's room, it was eerily quiet. None of the nurses were around save for one down at the other end of the hall. The door stood open and the room was empty causing confusion among the Hardys. Fenton noticed a vase of strange looking flowers sitting next to the bed and was about to look at them when they heard a voice.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Dad," Frank replied walking into the room. Laura cried out and rushed over to her older son, embracing him the moment she could.
"What's going on, son?" Fenton asked gruffly looking around the room. It seemed as if there was nothing left in the room to identify the occupant. "Where's Nancy?"
"She's fine," he nodded with a sad smile. "We moved her down the hall because of the flowers."
As one, the family glanced over at the innocent looking vase of flowers. "The purple flowers with the berries have a nasty sting," Frank explained holding up a bandaged hand.
"Nightshade?" Laura squeaked out. She looked over at Fenton in alarm. "Why would someone send Nancy something that could kill her if she ate it?"
"I don't know, Mom," he huffed. Frank ran his fingers through his hair frustrated. "There was no card either. That's how I got this. I was checking for a card and when I touched the flowers, I had a burning sensation run up my arm. The doctor says I'll be fine but we were lucky we caught it before Nancy looked closer. Even she didn't know it was nightshade until I told her. She saw the berries and thought about eating them but I got back just in time from meeting you, Joe. I got delayed too because I bumped into the woman from the airport…literally."
"That woman was here?" Joe cried. "Did you finally get to her?"
"Unfortunately, no," his brother shook his head. "I chased her through the hospital but lost her when she burst into the parking lot. When I came back here, the flowers were here. I'm wondering if she was just a diversion to keep me away from the room but I don't know how she knew where I was at the time."
"What about the nurse who brought them in?" Fenton asked. "What did she say?"
"Nancy described her but I couldn't find the woman." Frank blew out a breath in frustration. "This is becoming more and more exasperating by the minute. I don't know what to think of it."
"Go home, Frank," his father ordered. Frank gave him a confused look.
"That's what Nancy told him earlier," Joe piped in.
"Well, she's right," Laura replied, her hands on her hips. She took in her son's gaunt features. "Frank, you look like you haven't slept in days. I would have thought you'd want to sleep knowing that you won't get any in a few weeks when the baby arrives. This isn't like you to not take care of yourself."
"I'm not leaving Nancy, Mom," he said standing his ground. "After this, what if something else happens and I'm not here? I can't take that chance."
"Then I'll stay with her tonight," his father said. "This isn't negotiable. You can take Joe downstairs to get his ribs checked out and then when your mother comes down, you can go home. Get some rest and don't worry about anything until tomorrow. Your mother and Joe can bring you back tomorrow to see Nancy. I'm sure she'll understand if you leave."
"How is she doing anyway, honey?" Laura asked sympathetically.
"Rather well, surprisingly," Frank sighed. "Mad as hell though. About the flowers that is. But she also doesn't want to be stuck in bed for the next two months. Plus she's mad at me for not telling her about the woman at the airport."
"That sounds like Nancy," Fenton laughed. He clapped a hand on his son's back and pushed him toward Joe. "What room is she in now?"
"Room 434," he pointed to his right. "It's actually bigger than this one and has a slightly better view of the park. The doctor wanted her to stay on this floor but I wanted her to be as far away from this room as possible. Hopefully no one figures out where she's at. Are you sure you want to stay, Dad? I think I can handle it."
"You're going and that's final." His father gave him a look that made Frank step back and nod in agreement.
"I'll take watch, Dad," Joe stated stepping forward. "You guys just got here and I can stay."
"You're just as bad as he is, Joe."
"And you still have to go get your ribs checked out, young man," Laura declared. She shooed her sons out of the room while walking to the door with Fenton. "I'll be along shortly but Frank, make sure your brother sees a doctor or there will be hell to pay."
Frank grinned as he took hold of Joe to escort him out of the room. Fenton chuckled watching his sons bicker as they walked toward the elevators. He could hear Frank scolding his younger brother for letting a pipsqueak like Jared to get the better of him. Shaking his head with a laugh, Fenton escorted Laura down the hall to Nancy's new room and knocked.
Nancy looked up from a book and a smile stretched across her face. "I was wondering when you two were going to show up tonight!" she said happily. Fenton and Laura each gave her a hug once they reached the bed. "It's good to see you again!"
"Good to see you too, dear," Laura cooed. She noticed the book and smirked at her. "Making up for lost time?"
Nancy laughed as she put the book on her tray, the cover up. The latest James Patterson novel glared up at them. "If it's the only thing that keeps my brain going then yeah," she shrugged. "It was from the gift shop downstairs so it was either that or watch TV all day. I can only take so much of the shows that are on anymore. Frank did say that he would bring me my tablet tomorrow so I can stream on that. Where is he anyway?"
"We're sending him home with Joe," she answered. "He looked like he needed some sleep. Has he been having trouble sleeping?"
"That's the problem," Nancy shook her head. "I don't think he's sleeping at all. Especially after David visited us a few days ago, Frank hasn't slept longer than a few hours at most. I'm glad he's going home though. As much as I love being around him, Frank's miserable when he's tired."
"I do agree with you on that," Fenton smiled. "Do you mind if I stay with you tonight though? We don't feel right you being left alone here and neither does Frank."
"If those flowers hadn't been delivered, I would have declined, Fenton," Nancy stated grimly, "but I think you're right. Something isn't right but I can't put my finger on it. I have a feeling it has nothing to do with the Winslow Theater but I don't know what else it could be. Frank said that Joe and BD caught the saboteur this afternoon so that takes Jared out of it. Has he said anything yet as to why he did it?"
"Hold on, hold on," he chuckled admiring her curiosity. "We don't know anything just yet but I'm sure Detective Hawkins will tell us something tomorrow. For right now you should get some rest and wait it out like the rest of us."
"I'm going to go check on Joe and Frank," Laura replied. She leaned over and kissed Nancy on the cheek. "You worry about yourself for now, dear. And that baby. We'll deal with the theater and everything else later. I'll be back in the morning with Frank."
"Thanks, Laura," Nancy smiled. "Hannah should be by in the morning as well so I'll see you all then."
Laura whispered something in Fenton's ear then went to the door. They both waved to her as she slipped out of the room. Fenton looked out the window and sighed. It was going to be a long night.
"Is it really that bad being stuck here with me?" Nancy asked, a sparkle in her eye.
Fenton gazed wearily at her and gave a small smile. He knew what he had to ask her next. He just hoped it didn't upset her.
"What's going on with David?"
"I don't know what you mean." Nancy gave him a quizzical look, confused that he would ask about her godfather.
"David visited a few days ago," Fenton explained. "Frank said that he seemed upset about something. It's what's been worrying Frank for the past few days. Do you know something that he doesn't?"
"No," she shook her head. "I haven't talked to David since that day. Frank is the one who's been talking to him. He called him earlier today about the woman from the airport and then again about the incident at the theater. Frank told me David was worse today than he was a couple of days ago. He even suspects that he'll show up in the coming days just to make sure everything is okay."
"And is it?"
Nancy thought for a moment, gazing out the window. She made a slight noise as she felt the baby kick and instinctively placed her hand on her belly. She was worried especially after the flowers were delivered to her. Someone was out to harm her but Nancy didn't know why.
"Nancy?"
She looked over at Fenton, her eyes watering. Just by looking at her, he could tell she was scared. It was confirmed by what she said next. "I…I don't know." Nancy looked down at her belly. "The flowers really scared me. I didn't know what plant they were and they really looked appetizing. The berries, I mean. If Frank hadn't gotten here when he did, I probably would have eaten them. Does that make me ignorant to what's going on around me?"
"No," Fenton smiled sadly. "It makes you human. If you didn't know, you didn't know. The only reason Frank knew is because he encountered them before plus the fact that we put both of them through Cub Scouts when the boys were little. They learned about nightshade then. Don't put yourself through the ringer just because you didn't know what the flowers were. That's how we learn from the encounters we have. Like Laura said, worry about yourself and the baby for now and we'll take care of the rest."
Nancy nodded then laid her head down on the pillow. She turned toward the window again, her thoughts reeling through the events of the last few days. Nancy closed her eyes, fatigue finally catching up to her. She knew she wanted to tell Fenton more but her mouth didn't want to function and her eyes remained closed.
Fenton watched and waited. He could tell that Nancy was exhausted though she it hid it very well from the others. He admired her strength but knew he shouldn't press her anymore. Her breathing became slow and steady, her hand still resting protectively on her belly. Fenton spoke her name again but no answer came. Nancy was already fast asleep.
Sighing, Fenton leaned over and kissed his daughter-in-law's forehead, turning out the light over her head in the process. Nancy never moved though she sighed deeply in her dreams. Fenton looked at his watch noticing the time was only nine in the evening. He settled back into the chair, taking Nancy's book to read though making sure he kept her place. An hour later, the book rested on his chest, his head nodding off as he slept. The only visitor to come in was a nurse who checked the machines then gently placed a blanket over Fenton. She left without a word or a response from either of the occupants of the room.
The next morning Fenton awoke to find an empty bed. He looked around the room frantically just as the door opened. Turning toward the door, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Nancy walk slowly in with a nurse in tow.
"I thought you weren't supposed to be out of bed," he replied sternly.
"Oh, I just needed to get out and about," she grinned mischievously. "I hope I didn't scare you."
"No but it would have been nice to know what you were going to do, Nancy."
"I was with her the whole time," the nurse added with a smile. "We just walked down the hall and back. Dr. Morris thought she could use some exercise this morning but we didn't want to bother you, Mr. Hardy."
"It's all right," Fenton smiled. He tried to help the nurse escort Nancy to the bed but she waved them both off.
"Geez, people," she said as she lowered herself onto the bed. "I'm not helpless. I think I handle getting back into bed."
Fenton laughed and shook his head.
Once Nancy was situated, the nurse took her vitals. "Are you ready for breakfast, Mrs. Hardy?"
"Ugh, please don't call me that," Nancy rolled her eyes. "I feel blah enough as it is I don't need to feel old in the process. Mrs. Hardy is my mother-in-law. Leave it for her. And don't tell her I said that, Fenton. "
"I won't even think it," he chuckled.
"And yes, I'm ready for breakfast," she stated. The nurse nodded and left the room. "You don't have to stay, Fenton. I'll be fine."
"From the sound of it, I would have to agree," he smiled. "I don't think anyone would mess with you at the moment. But we still don't know where that woman is and you're too vulnerable at the moment if I do leave."
"Suit yourself," Nancy shrugged. Moments later the nurse returned with Nancy's breakfast. Fenton's stomach growled loudly as he watched her eat causing Nancy to stop and give him a look. "Go get breakfast, please. I couldn't stand it if you sat there starving while I ate in front of you."
"But…"
"Go!" she urged with a laugh. "Bring it back if you want. And if you happen to come across some donuts with little sprinkles on them, bring me one…or two."
"Okay, but you call for a nurse if anything happens!"
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Nancy saluted as he left the room. The moment the door closed, she let out the breath she was holding and returned to her food.
It was only a matter of minutes after Fenton left that someone knocked on her door. Nancy rolled her eyes, grumbling that she couldn't get a moments peace. After calling to the person to come in, a handsome man walked in with a sheepish smile. He had a teddy bear and flowers in his hands, stopping at the foot of Nancy's bed. It took her a moment to realize who the man was and she smiled broadly at him.
"Aaron, right?"
"Yeah," he nodded. His facial expression changed when he noticed her breakfast. He placed the teddy and flowers on the table across from her bed. "I…I'm sorry. I just dropped in unannounced and you're eating. I'll just leave these here and let you be."
"No," she stopped him. "Don't go. You're the first visitor outside my family. It would be rude of me to turn you away…as long as you don't mind me eating in front of you."
"I won't stay long then," Aaron smiled though Nancy noticed it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"What brings you by?"
"I…I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he stammered nervously. "You and your friends gave us quite a scare yesterday."
"Believe me, it took me by surprise just as much as it did you," Nancy laughed trying to take the ease off. "I have you to thank for saving our lives though. You were in the right place at the right time."
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck shyly as if he didn't want the praise. He looked up at her again, hope in his eyes. "So, are you doing okay? Oh! The flowers are for you and the bear is for the baby whenever he or she decides to come."
"Thank you, Aaron." Nancy examined the flowers from a distance, still mindful of the previous batch of flowers. "They're lovely. And I'm doing well in my opinion though my doctor thinks otherwise. He put me on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. Not something I wanted to hear but if it has to be, it has to be."
"Oh, my. Are you in any danger of…"
"Going into early labor?" she finished his question when he paused. Nancy thought she saw a flicker of annoyance in his face but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Yes, but I have faith that I'll be fine. Baby's a strong little bugger but I think he or she will stay put until we're closer to the end. I guess we just have to wait and see."
Aaron's cell phone beeped and he made a noise after looking at it. "Well, I have to get going," he stated quickly, backing out of the room. "I'm glad to see that you're okay. I guess I'll see you later."
"Bye," Nancy said though he was already out the door. She thought about the strange visit but shrugged it off thinking that Aaron was just nervous. Still, something didn't feel right about him and she looked over at the gifts he left. Nancy was about to get out of bed when Fenton walked back in, a box of Dunkin' in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.
"Did I miss anything?" he asked, noticing the bear and flowers.
"Nope," she shook her head, settling back into bed. Her eyes lingered hungrily on the bag Fenton had. He chuckled as he opened the box and handed her a donut with sprinkles on top. The two indulged on the donuts, the hospital breakfast long forgotten though Nancy's thoughts returned to the visit with Aaron. Although she felt his intentions were merely innocent, she still had this feeling that there was something more to the mysterious man.