Hello everyone! Sorry for the long update time, I honestly don't know where I am going with this anymore. I'll try and update quicker.
I bust the windows out your car
And no it didn't mend my broken heart
I'll probably always have these ugly scars
But right now I don't care about that part
I bust the windows out your car
-"Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan
Santa Barbara: 2019
"I'm cold." Zuri said adding a shiver for effect. Henry sighed and watched as his wife took a sweater from her arm and pulled it over Zuri's head.
"Better?" Maddie asked tapping her nose Zuri chuckled and nodded. Maddie was definitely better with Zuri, as she had been with their own son. Henry wasn't a fan of kids. He hated how whiny they were, the snot and dirtiness or how loud they could be. It had taken him months to come to terms with the information that he was going to be a father. He knew he hated kids, and he knew he did not want to hate his kid. He'd been told it was different because it would be his kid, and they'd been right. Looking over at Shawn and seeing how he'd grown made him smile.
Shawn had been small and helpless when he was born, a hole in his heart which almost killed him. Being told that his ten minute old baby boy had a hole in his heart and would need open heart surgery scared the crap out of Henry. He remembered watching from a glass window as Shawn was hooked up to machines, he remembered thinking there was no way a little baby could fight. Shawn had more than proven him wrong. A few hours later they'd been told the new addition was fighting strong and the surgery had gone successfully. The hole had been fixed but he would have to be careful with how he lived his life. He was a miracle. And watching his miracle take care of his own little miracle made him happy. He still hated children, but not his own. Them he loved.
"Shawn Spencer?" A nurse in blue scrubs asked walking into the room.
"That's me." Shawn stood up and Zuri clamped onto his leg.
"Follow me." She motioned to the open door.
"Can I go with you daddy?" Zuri looked up pleadingly.
"No. You have to stay here." Shawn tried to move but was restricted by his daughter, "Zuri!"
"NO!" Zuri yelled grabbing tighter.
"Come on now Zoo." Henry stood up and attempted pull his granddaughter away.
"No. I want to go with daddy!" Zuri screamed louder.
"Are you scared sweetheart?" The nurse asked bending down to Zuri's level. She nodded her head and rested her cheek on Shawn's leg. "Your daddy is going to be just fine. He's just getting a checkup, to make sure he's okay. He'll be back, I promise." The nurse smiled at her. Zuri loosened her grip but didn't let go.
"You pinky promise?"
"I do." The nurse held out her pinky. Zuri nodded and linked their pinkies, letting go of her dad. "You can't break it." Zuri reminded the nurse.
"I won't." The nurse smiled again and motioned for Shawn to follow her, "I have my own kids around her age." She explained at Shawn's questioning look. He nodded and followed the nurse into an examination room.
"You're here to follow up on… Asthma?" She checked the file in her hand.
"Yes." He sat onto the paper covered table.
"Why exactly?" The nurse sat down in a chair and began to type in a computer.
"I've just been having problems lately. It's harder to breathe, my chest tightens and my head pounds. Sensitivity to light and sound, I'm tired all the time…" Shawn shook his head, "It's like I'm an old guy."
"You are in your early forties Mister Spencer, problems begin to arise around this age."
"I remember being forced to sit here with my mom and dad when I was diagnosed with Asthma. I was ten and convinced I'd caught it from the all the nerds at school." Shawn smiled slowly.
"Ah yes, despite what people think Asthma isn't spread by nerd cooties. The doctor will be with you shortly." Shawn waved a hand as the young nurse left the room and shut the door behind her. Shawn stood up and walked over to the sink. He washed his hands and dried them using a paper towel from the dispenser. Shawn looked around the room and hummed. He'd been in tons of doctors' offices within the last few years, for himself and for Zuri. Shawn never understood a parent's fear of their child being sick until he'd experienced it himself.
Salem Oregon: 2015
"Please calm down," Shawn begged rocking his daughter back and forth. His barely one year old daughter ignored him completely and continued to wail. "I don't know what to do baby, you don't need to be changed or fed. Please. Just tell me what to do." Shawn held her up so their eyes were at the same height. Zuri continued to cry and waved her arms towards Shawn's face. Shawn sighed and placed her back on his chest, her head resting on his shoulder and her back being rubbed by his hand. Shawn stopped his pacing and put a hand on her forehead.
"Shit!" He yelled causing Zuri to scream in an uproar. Shawn rushed forward to grab his keys, wallet and a pre-packed baby bag for Zuri. He bounded from the house, leaving the door shut but unlocked. He quickly fastened Zuri into her seat and jumped into the car. He sped all the way to his destination not knowing where else to go. Once there he grabbed what he needed and picked his daughter up carefully. Zuri had stopped screaming hysterically but was still crying. Shawn hummed to her and knocked softly on the door in front of him.
"I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry." Shawn patted Zuri's back as the door opened, "I don't know what to do. I- please. Just help me."
"Come inside before you both freeze," The figure stepped aside and let Shawn in.
"Please I don't know what do, she won't stop and she's running a fever. Please Abigail, help me." Abigail nodded and took Zuri from Shawn.
Santa Barbara: 2019
"Thank you." Shawn smiled at the doctor buttoning up his shirt.
"Just be careful Mister Spencer. Come back if any symptoms emerge." Shawn nodded and hopped off the table; he nodded back in thanks and walked from the room and into the hallway.
"Daddy!" Zuri jumped into his arms.
"Hi baby." Shawn hugged her to him. Zuri's arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed his cheek.
"Are you okay daddy?"
"I'm fine baby girl." Shawn kissed her temple and was met by his parents at the front desk.
"What'd the doctor say?" Henry asked shouldering Zuri's backpack.
"Nothing much, just that the dry weather and stress are what's causing the attacks. She told me to relax, take my medication and come back in a few days." Both parents nodded and stood quietly while Shawn made another appointment. The family walked from the office and into the hallway, Zuri pressed the elevators button and looked up at the ceiling.
"How tall is it daddy?" She reached her arm up.
"Too tall for you to touch." Shawn chuckled walking into the open shaft.
"Will I ever be able to touch it?" She looked around and smiled at Henry.
"Maybe one day Zoo." Henry accepted Maddie's hand and they waited for the elevators doors to open. Once they dinged the family stepped out and Shawn pushed open the large glass door. They piled into Shawn's rental car, Henry and Shawn up front with the two girls in the back seat.
"Daddy where's my dolly?" Zuri looked around the car looking for her.
"Right here." Maddie held up the white doll which Zuri grabbed happily.
"Thank you grandma." Zuri stroked the dolls hair and looked out the window. Maddie nodded and looked out the other window. Shawn glanced back at Zuri then to the cars in front of him.
"Grandpa?" Zuri mumbled.
"Yes?" Henry responded.
"Is that car supposed to be doing that?" Henry turned around and looked to where Zuri was pointing. A black SUV was hurtling their way, the car was rocking from side to side. "Shawn!" Henry yelled. Shawn twisted the wheel as the car screeched and the SUV passed by them, slamming into a store front window. Shawn slammed down on the brakes. The airbags went off and Shawn heard Zuri cry out as her seat was jerked and her shoulder was stopped roughly by the seatbelt. Shawn was thrown back into his seat by the pressure from the airbag. He couldn't think to move once the car had stopped.
Henry had however jumped into action. After a brief struggle with the airbag he was out of the car and helping Maddie out her door. He made sure she was leaning against the car before rushing to Zuri's side. Henry opened her door and carefully unbuckled her. When Zuri was picked up she gripped his shoulder and was crying.
"Shawn get out of the car. I think the other driver is dead."
Shawn slowly got out of the car and rested his hands on the roof of the vehicle. The stores window had been shattered glass was scattered throughout the road. A body laid motionless ten feet from Shawn. He took a step forward but had to stop when his legs began to wobble. He leaned heavily against the car's hood and waited as the ambulance arrived, followed by squad cars baring the SBPD logo.
Hope you liked this somewhat short chapter. Oh and looky there, Abigail. Yes, they very SAME Abigail who broke Shawn's heart. She's in this story too.
Also, I like to start off each chapter with a song, however I'm having trouble trying to find some. Please review with any song titles and or lyrics and I'll check them out. If I like it and use it, I'll give you a shout out!
