Hey, here's chapter 19. Hope y'all like it. Read, review, and hopefully enjoy.
Reid's P.O.V
Reid had just got back from doing laps in the pool when his cell phone rang. He kept it off in the locker room and as he turned it on, it started buzzing. He just had time to register he had missed calls and texts when it went off. He recognized the number as Tyler's mother. "Hey Ms. Simms. How's it-"but he was cut off. She sounded frantic. When he finally figured out what was going on, he froze in the middle of the hall and yelled "WHAT," scaring a few girls walking down the hall behind him. He said "Ok, I'll get there as soon as I can." He hung up the phone and sprinted down the hall, out the door and across the campus to parking. He scanned the area for a second and then whipped his phone out when he saw Pogue's motorcycle. His eyes turned black and he instantly made a duplicate key to the bike. He didn't bother with a helmet as he peeled out of the lot. Tyler and Beth had been in an accident and were taken to the hospital about an hour before. Tyler had been cut up pretty bad and they were trying still getting some of the glass out. Doctor's said that Beth had hit her head and been jarred on impact, she might have a concussion and she was nonresponsive. Tyler's mother was still nearly two hours away and struck in traffic trying to get here. He wondered if anyone had called Beth's parents. The other two sons were already there. They had ridden together so Reid didn't think that Pogue would mind too much if he used his bike. Steph, Kate, and Sarah were at some out of town school function. A million and one thoughts were running through his mind, but the most prominent one surprised even him. 'Is Beth ok?'
Beth's P.O.V
Beth was confused. The last clear thing she remembered was being leaned up against Tyler's shoulder and asking if he'd rather have a boy or a girl. Then it all went fuzzy, turning into just bits and pieces. The ground coming up at them. A loud crash. Screaming at someone to get her out. Lying on the side of the road. Flashing red. After a time of nothingness, bright lights. Being inside of something that made her feel claustrophobic and started kicking and screaming again. Being hooked up to machines. Lying on something soft but not very comfortable. But something was bothering her. Or more, the absence of something. She was swimming in her own subconscious trying to figure out the answer to her unspoken riddle. And then it hit her. She had been in an accident and none of what she remembered included Tyler. Her eyes still closed she yelled "WHERE'S TYLER?!" as she tried to rip her IV's out of her arms. She had a brace on her neck and failing at the IV's, she started pulling that off. As soon as she heard velcro, there were strong hands on hers', holding them down and preventing her from pulling it off. "Shhh, it's ok. You're fine. Don't worry; you're going to be ok." She fought hard to place the voice as she tried to force her eyes open. "Beth, can you look at me?" She wanted to but her eyes were so heavy. She felt the owner of the voice lean down and whisper in her ear, "Tyler's fine. He's going to be ok too. He's been out of surgery for close to an hour now. He's in recovery." Hair was tickling her face and she was trying hard to place the voice and scent and then it came to her about the time she opened her eyes. "Reid," she breathed. He sat back up. "Yeah honey, it's me. Do you know where you are?" She knew the answer but she stayed silent. He had just called her honey. That shocked her a bit. "Beth," he said almost as a question when she didn't reply. She sighed. "I'm at the hospital. Tyler ran off the road, someone pulled us out. They brought me in an ambulance, and then they put me in the CAT scan thing. And then that's the last thing I know happened before I woke up." He smiled. "Very thorough." She gave him a half smile for a second then realized something. "What about the babies?" She looked over at Reid and he wasn't looking at her, rather he was looking at the floor. "Reid," she said. Panic was clear in her voice and she was choking up a little. He slowly let out a breath and looked her in the eye.
Reid's P.O.V (Earlier that day)
Reid made it to the hospital in about twenty minutes even though it was about a forty-five minute drive under any other circumstances. He parked and ran inside to the front desk. The lady manning the computer and phone looked like she might be twenty one, if that. She looked a little startled by his appearance and even though he had had a crazed look in his eye, she put on a flirty smile. "How may I help you today sir?" He practically shouted "Simms! Tyler Simms and Beth Shaufner!" She looked a little taken aback, but then brushed it off. "Just one moment," she said as she bent over the keyboard, almost begging him to look down her shirt. He rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation as she typed away on the board. She finally looked up at him and said "Mr. Simms is in the E.R. for surgery but should be out in recovery in about ten minutes. He'll be in room…" she paused as she scanned the screen. "Ah yes, room 202. Anything else?" He slammed his hands on the counter. "YES GOD DAMMIT! IF YOU WOULD STOP FLIRTING WITH ME AND DO YOUR FUCKING JOB THEN YOU'D KNOW THAT I ALSO ASKED ABOUT BEHT SHAUFNER! LILIYAN ELIZABETH SHAUFNER! WHERE IS BETH!" The other people who were in the room, who previously went unnoticed to him, were now all staring at him like he was a bit insane. The desk attendant's eyes went wide and then she started typing on the keyboard again. This time she quietly said "Ms. Shaufner is in room 324. Take the elevator up to the 2nd floor for him, the 3rd for her. Is there anything I forgot?" He started off to the elevator and lifted his hand in a kind of wave without looking back and said rather smartly "No, thank you for everything." He punched the button to the elevator and he stepped inside when they opened without even waiting for anyone to get out. Luckily it was just two girls who looked like they might have been sixteen but had the body shape of grown women and they were very proud of them. They were both wearing little miniskirts and one was wearing a tank top, the other a halter. They had on way too much make up and they both had their hair straightened and bangs swept to one side. He slapped the three and waited. He turned to them. "Did either of you need to get off?" They both started giggling and the taller of the two stepped up to him and said in what she obviously thought was a seductive voice, "Not until you got in here, now I think its kind of necessary." He faced forward and rolled his eyes. He wondered what was with the chicks at this hospital. "Oh yes, and why is that," he asked. Her other friend stepped up beside him, practically standing so she was plastered to his side. "Well, a friend of ours is here, and we think you could help cheer us up," she said batting her eyelashes at him. As the elevator dinged, he turned to face them. "Ladies, I've got a bit of useful information for you." He stepped backwards through the doors as he heard them open. The girl who had spoken first stuck her hand out to catch the door. "Yeah, what would that be?" He leaned in and stage whispered "Guys don't really like skanks." He took the girls hand off the door and as they closed, he said "They just like to use them and throw them out like leftovers." He almost laughed at the faces the girls were making, rather angry and embarrassed, but as the doors closed, he remembered why he was here. He took his phone out as he walked down the hall checking numbers once in a while. He called Caleb and he answered on the first ring. "Reid, where the hell have you been. We've been trying to call you." Reid smirked. "Well, if you'd let me talk, then I'd be able to tell you that I'm here and I'm checking on Beth since Tyler's still in the E.R." Caleb replied "Oh, well he'll be in room-." "202, already cussed the front desk out and learned this for myself." Caleb sighed. "Figures. Oh well, I just wanted to let you know, Beth still hasn't woken up yet. Her family's on the way." "Ok," said Reid. "Alright," replied Caleb. Reid shook his head and hung the phone up. He walked a little further until he reached room 324. He slowly opened the door. It wasn't very bright, just one lamp on next to the bed. Reid took one look at Beth and had to look away and swallow the lump that formed in his throat. She had a slit in her forehead and there was blood in her hair. He walked over, pulled a chair next to her bed, and sat down. He took her hand in his and started rubbing circles on her hand as he knew she liked Tyler to do. He propped up on the rail by her head and watched her for a while. He looked up a few minutes later when there was a knock on the door and hastily wiped away a few tears he hadn't remembered letting fall. He stood up as a man wearing glasses and scrubs walked in. "Oh, hello. I'm John and I'll be Ms. Shaufner's attending nurse this evening. May I ask your name and relation?" "I'm Reid Simms. I'm her fiancé's brother. The rest of her family are on the way." "My goodness," John said looking a little skeptical, but not in a mean way, just playfully curious. "Mr. Simms sure has a lot of brothers. And none of you look a thing alike if you don't mind my saying." Reid smirked. "So, Ms. Shaufner's condition is stable. We've given her morphine for the pain. She should be ok and make a full recovery." Reid nodded and then asked, "She's pregnant. Have you done anything to see if the baby's ok?" John said "Well I'm sorry, but I can't really discuss this with anyone but the mother and father." Reid immediately said "I am the father." John looked up at him over his glasses. "Really, because I was under the impression that a Mr.-." He checked his clipboard. "A Mr. Perry was the father." Reid smirked again. "There's been debate. But time lines suggest it was me." John just shook his head and said "Whoever her babies' father is, he has need for concern." Reid cocked his head. "Did you say babies?" John answered "Yes. Didn't the daddy know this?" Reid said "We have communication issues. Go on." John looked at his chart and said "Well, trauma like this to fetuses so early along is very dangerous to them. There is a rather high likelihood that she will at least one of them. Ultrasounds show they are both still alive but one's heart beat seems to be much more faint then the other. If she were going to lose one, it will most likely be this one. Or, she could carry them both to full term and give birth to totally healthy children. She didn't seem to suffer to much physical damage, just where her head hit the door but there was no glass damage. It is really quite a miracle she didn't get cut any worse then she did. And this is good because she was still in her seat when she was found meaning even though she was jerked a bit at the impact, she didn't move too much as it rolled. So right now there's about a 40/60% survival/death chance. However, they will probably recover as she does. She will need to come in to get a check up in a week's time after discharge. For now all we can do is just monitor them as closely as possible and hope for the best." Reid looked down and said "Thank you," then moved out of the way as John checked her blood pressure, temperature, and called out her name. "Beth, can you hear me. I want you to squeeze my hand if you can hear me talking." She gave his fingers a faint squeeze. "Beth, can you open your eyes for me?" She did for about a second. "Where am I she slurred out?" John answered "Your at the hospital sweetie." She looked at him and nodded then her eyes closed. "Beth. Are you still awake," John asked. She didn't respond and Reid asked with concern "What does that mean? Is she ok?" John nodded and said "Yes, she's probably still just a little groggy from the morphine. But she is doing very well. She will probably wake up soon and then be able to go home tomorrow afternoon once her doctor has seen her for herself." Reid nodded as John walked out of the room and then his cell buzzed. It was a text from Pogue that read 'Tyler is out. The doctor said he will be waking up in just a couple minutes.' Reid looked at the text, then back down at Beth. He decided she wasn't waking up anytime soon so he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, then the cheek, right next to but not touching her lips. "I love you Beth," he whispered as he walked out into the hallway.
Tyler's P.O.V.
"Why does my face hurt," were the first words out of Tyler's mouth. That made the other three sons crack a smile. Reid answered "You were in a car accident you dumbass." Tyler looked confused for a second and then said "Oh, well that makes sense. Where's Beth?" Caleb answered "She's one floor above. The nurse says she is going to be fine and she'll be able to go home tomorrow after her doctor checks her out. She is going to recover pretty quickly." Tyler nodded his head a little. "What happened?" This time Pogue spoke. "A car came over the hill you guys were on. He was on the wrong side of the road. Cops said he was wasted. You swerved off the road and rolled. You landed in the ditch. He just ran onto the shoulder and hit his brakes. He called the police and when they came, they arrested him right away. You got most of the damage. When the windshield shattered, most of the glass just hit you. Beth just hit her head. You have anything to do with that," he asked. Tyler said "Yeah. But she's ok and that's all that matters. How are the babies?" Caleb answered. "She still has both of them. The doctor said that trauma this early on will seriously affect their development, but she could still have two totally healthy full term children. But right now, there's about a 60% chance that she'll lose one." Tyler had paled and was looking up at the ceiling. Reid nodded for the other two to go in the hall for a minute. They moved out the door and Reid sat down in one of the chairs. "Ty, you ok?" Tyler took a deep breath and said "This is going to kill her. Does she know," he asked looking at Reid. He shook his head and Tyler said "Ok." He sighed. "God, I should have done more. I was focused on keeping her safe, and I didn't pay as much attention to them as I should have. This is all my fault. I'm such an idiot." Reid looked up at him and said "Tyler, you did all you could. Instead of trying to protect yourself, you automatically put her first. You made sure of that. She should have died in that crash but she didn't. Caleb got a picture of it on his phone; her side took a lot of the hit. She should have been crushed. But, because of you, she wasn't. Don't beat yourself up over that. It's more than any of us probably would have done. You threw self preservation out the window. Not many people can do that in those situations. So don't you go talking about not doing enough." Tyler looked a little shocked at his speech. He gave Reid a slight smile. "You ok there?" Reid took a deep breath. "Yeah, I just, I don't." He couldn't quite get the sentence out then he spit it all out. "I was scared man. When I heard what happened, I was seriously afraid." He looked at Tyler for a second. "You tell anybody I said that, I'll deny it then kill you in your sleep." Tyler laughed. "I'd never dream of it." The smile left his face though. "I don't know what I'm gonna do for Beth though. I don't know when I'm going to be able to get out of here and I know she'll ask soon. I can't let her hear that alone though." He seemed to be starting to get upset so Reid said "Do you want me to do it. Like call her nurse in if she asks and I'll stay with her?" Tyler thought about for a minute then he nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess so. It's the best thing in this situation. Thanks man." Reid nodded and said "Her nurse said she should be waking up soon. She's doing really well and she even woke up for a little bit while I was in there. I was going to go back and sit with her, that is unless you want me to stay in here." Tyler shook his no and said "Go ahead. Let me know when she wakes up." "Alright man. Take it easy," Reid replied then headed back to Beth's room.
Reid's P.O.V. (Present time)
"Umm, I think we ought to let the nurse explain it." He reached over her and hit the call button. "Re-Reid? Why can't you do it? What's wrong?" She sounded close to tears. He sat back down and ran a hand over her forehead into her hair. "It's ok honey. It's all going to be fine." About that time, John walked in again. "Ah, I see you're awake again. How are you feeling?" She answered "I'm fine." "That's a good sign. No pain?" She shook her head no. "Umm, I do have a question though. I'm pregnant. Are the babies alright?" He looked at her and then said "I want you to listen to all of this before you get upset. Don't get freaked out right away." Reid pulled is chair right next to her bed and held her hand which surprised her, but she didn't pull away. He rubbed circles on her palm as she listened with glistening eyes as John explained the situation to her. After he was finished he said "I'm sorry. We'll do all we can," and left the room. Beth was staring at the ceiling but Reid could tell she was crying. "Beth," he asked in a small voice. She slowly looked at him and he stood up immediately to cradle her. The tears streaming were ceaseless. Her eyes were red and getting puffy. She was making a noise like she was choking. "It's ok. Shhh, it's going to be ok. Beth, please don't cry. Listen to me. I'm not going to let anything happen to them. Tyler won't let that happen. It's going to be ok." He rested his head on hers. A few minutes later she said thickly, "I'm ok." He pulled back and sat back down in the chair. "I believe you. They're going to be ok." She seemed like she was saying this more to convince herself than actually talking to him. "How's Tyler doing?" "He's doing good. He might be her a little bit longer than you though. He should still be awake though. You could call one of the other two and they'd let you talk to him." She looked at him. "I thought you couldn't have cell phones in the hospital?" He smirked. "Shows how little you know. You cant have them in certain areas. They just say that you can't have them anywhere so you don't use them in the wrong place. Plus they have pretty crappy reception here anyways so most people don't use them. So do you want to talk to him?" She nodded her head yes and he pulled his cell out. He had one bar and he smirked. "See, told you so." The phone dialed and he handed it to her. When someone answered she said "Hello?" He immediately heard chatter on the other end of the phone. She let him ramble for a minute then said "Pogue, Pogue. I'm fine. Don't worry. Can I talk to Tyler?" There were a couple moments silence and then Beth breathed out her relief in one word. "Tyler." Reid stood up as she said "I'm fine. I don't hurt so much, just a little headache. I'll be ok though. How are you doing?" He answered and then she started to say something but Reid said "Hey, I'm going to run and grab something to eat. Do either of you want something?" Beth asked Tyler and he apparently said no because she said "Where are you going?" He sighed. "Is there something you would like?" She thought for a second. "I want an Arby's roast beef melt without the red sauce and curly fries with cheese to dip them in please." He looked at her for a second then heard laughter from Tyler as Reid started laughing as well. "Jesus. Hungry much?" She looked at him with a slightly incredulous look and said "I'm not going to eat it all. But that sounds so good right now. Please Reid," she said poking her bottom lip out and batting her eyelashes. He pretended to think about it for a minute then said "I guess so. But only 'cause you've got those crazy pregnant lady hormones going on. If it was under any other circumstances, you'd be getting a McDonald's cheese burger. No fries." She laughed. "I love you too Reid." He said "Yeah yeah," as he headed out her door. He heard her laughing as her door swung shut. He headed down the hallway and to the elevator. When he made it to the parking lot he scanned the area for Caleb's silver mustang. When he saw it, he changed the key he had used for Pogue's motorcycle to one to fit Caleb's ignition. He turned out of the parking lot and sped down the road. It wasn't long before he saw the lights of the town. Ipswich was relatively small so the nearest hospital was in the next town which was much larger. So there were a ton of restaurants, hotels and gas stations. He almost immediately saw the sign for Arby's so he got in the turning lane and pulled in. He decided to go inside. He pulled open the door and as soon as they saw him, it happened. The Reid effect. Every female under the age of 25 caught sight of him and couldn't stop staring. Of course with his luck, it seemed as if a girl's soccer team had assembled there when all he really wanted to do was get the food and go. They all started giggling when they saw him. His shirt was tight and fitted to his muscles and he had his fingerless gloves. He hadn't had time to grab his beanie in his hurry to get out so his blond hair was shaggy and a little messy, but in a good way. The whole look just screamed badass, as usual. The line moved slowly because there were at least twelve to fifteen girls, all about fourteen to sixteen and they were obviously hungry. It was taking forever and he was fixing to walk out and go through the drive through when the last person was finally finished. They stood at the end of the counter and all stood staring at him. When he stepped up to the counter to order, he almost banged his head against the counter. The girl taking his order looked about seventeen. She started twirling her hair, long and red around her finger. "Hello, my name is Emily. Can I take your order?" Reid couldn't help it. He had seen a group on face book and it just slipped. "Nope. I waited in line fifteen minutes just to say hi." She looked confused for a second and then blushed. He smirked. "I'll take two of your roast beef melt things. No red sauce. And a cheese dipping sauce. And I'll also have the chicken basket. All combos, all to go. One Dr. Pepper, one Root Beer and one Coke" She nodded and started typing his order. "Will that be all for you today?" He said "Yes it will. Maybe I'll get in line for another fifteen minutes tomorrow and do it all over again though." He handed her a twenty and then said "Keep the change. It can be your tip." Then walked down to the end of the bar where, unfortunately, the soccer team was still waiting. They all started giggling again as he neared. He leaned up against the counter facing away from the menu. He looked over and they were still staring so he said "Why don't you take a picture. It'll last a whole helluva lot longer.
"OH MY GOSH! COULD I?" He almost laughed until he realized the girl was serious. "Ummm… awkward but sure." The girl looked like she might pass for thirteen and looked like she was about to have a heart attack. The two girls standing around started giggling to so he said "Would you like to be in the picture?" They eagerly shook their heads. He rolled his eyes. "Hurry up then. I got a hungry lady with a baby waiting back at the hospital," he said as he saw his order placed on the counter. The soccer moms standing at the back of the group look shocked. He gave them a little smile and wave as five or six girls jumped into the picture and gave cell phones to others to take pictures with. He didn't smile; just sat there looking kind of moody but it worked for him. He grabbed his bag and cups then headed to the door while the girls all called "Thanks," in breathy, dazed voices. He chuckled as he breezed out the door. Too soon for him, he was back. He didn't like having to stay there and see Beth like that. She was usually stubborn, rude, opinionated, but in a good strong willed way. Now she just looked so fragile. He had never seen her look like that. He felt like she was one of those glass dolls that little girls collected, the ones with the curls and pretty dresses. And this doll had been dropped. He went to the elevator and was going to call and if Ms. Simms had made it in yet but then he realized he had left his cell phone with Beth. He thought it was funny that even though they weren't together, she still found a way to annoy the crap out of him. He skipped on going to Tyler's room and went straight to the third floor. As he neared the door, he thought something was wrong due to the noise. There was a terrible jumble of voices. He didn't knock, just rushed in and stopped in his tracks as eight pairs of eyes all focused on him. "Uh, hi," he said as Beth's family and Shane stared at him. Her mother turned to Beth's father. "Mike, maybe we should continue this discussion later." He shook his head. "NO, we will finish this now." He turned to Beth. "You are coming home, you are not getting married. You will have these kids, raise them, and graduate. But you cannot stay at that school with that boy anymore. That's the end of it." Reid immediately jumped in. "Whoa, you can't do that… sir," he added as he looked at on his face. "Oh yeah, and why the hell is that. Just what the hell do you think you can do about it?" Reid took a step forward. "She's going to be eighteen tomorrow. Then there will be nothing you can do about it. You can't take her home tonight because she hasn't been discharged. I'm sorry, but if she wants to stay at Spencer, you can't legally do anything about it." He looked at Beth who had an 'I told you so' look on her face. "Well, let's see if they let you stay without tuition. Because I sure as hell won't be paying it." Beth scoffed. "I have money. More than you think. I don't need five minutes at the house to get it and be gone." Mike looked at her. "If you think that I'm going to let you in my house after you deciding you can make it on your own, you are sadly mistaken." "Then I'll pay it." Mike looked at Reid. "And what claim do you have to her?" "My best friend is in love with her. If she leaves, it would kill him to have to sneak around to see her because he's too honest for that, but he won't give her up. If anything ever happened to him because of it, then you would be dead. Anyone of us would be willing to pay for her as long as it meant Tyler's happiness. So any money threats you have are null and void. Sorry." Reid had no idea what he was doing; he just knew that he didn't want Beth to leave. She had become a permanent fixation in his life and he didn't want that presence gone. Beth looked at her dad and sighed. "Look dad, I want you to be part of the wedding. And I would love to have it at your house. But I'm not going to make myself miserable just for your sake. I'm sorry, but I won't do that. Please don't make me choose between you and Tyler. You know what my choice will be. I don't want to have to do that to you but I will if you make me." He crossed his arms and was looking out the window, so she laid it on thick. "Daddy, please. Don't do it. I love you so much. Please don't" she whispered. "I need my daddy. I do, but I also need Tyler." Her mom walked over to her dad and put her hand on his arm. "Mike, honey, listen to them. They're right… and you know it. This accident could have happened anywhere. But that's just it. It was and accident. Just let her stay. She needs to stay, but she needs us too." He realized he was fighting a losing battle. He slowly took a deep breath, and then let it out. "Beth, I don't want you to leave. I want to know you're safe though." She threw her hands up in the air. "Dad, I was in an accident that should have killed me, and I came out of it with a bump on the head. I should have been sliced up by the windshield but I wasn't. I just hit my head. How much safer do you want me to be?" He was still looking out the window. "Dad, do you know that Tyler is much worse of then me? He had to have surgery, and I got a bandage and some morphine. They can't say why I didn't, but I should have been crushed when the car rolled, but I wasn't. I don't know why, but I'm safe with him. Just accept it." He walked over to her bed and put his arms around her. He whispered so only she could here. "I can't sweetheart. You're my little girl. And you'll always be my little girl. I love you so much. I need you too. You just grew up so damn fast." Beth could feel the tears on her face, but she knew they were his. "I love you too," she whispered. He sat back up, hastily wiping his eyes while everyone else except Maddie looked away. She walked up to him and wrapped her tiny arms around his legs. "It's ok daddy. Do you want a kiss?" They all laughed as he smiled down at her and said "You bet." He bent down and picked her up. Reid took a couple more steps into the room. "Soooo… now that it's not all tense anymore, anybody want curly fries," he asked, holding up the Arby's bag.
Ok, I hope you liked it. I'll post again soon. Already writing chapter 20. Can't wait to here from y'all. Please review.
