Victor and James arrived at the hospital just as Hannah and Ophelia were being moved to private rooms. Still shocked by the news that both girls were found and were basically okay, they didn't speak much on the way in. James swung the car into doctor's parking and cut the engine. For a second he sat there, unable to move. Victor looked over. James' hands were trembling as he relinquished his hold on the steering wheel.
"James?" Victor's voice filled the confines of the car. The word dad was long gone. With the reality of the girls being found alive and safe firmly sunk into his mind, Victor obviously regained his hatred and wrapped it around himself, using it as a blanket to protect himself from his father's pain.
"Yeah," he responded. "I'm good. Let—let's go inside. See the girls." With an almost imperceptible nod, Victor opened the door and got out. James did the same, and they walked towards the hospital. As the approached the double doors, Jax was the first face they saw. Standing tall and dressed in a plain black t-shirt and jeans, he looked far younger than his fifty-one years. He had his phone to his ear.
"Yeah, Lyla," Victor could her him say. "They just walked into the police station—like it was just a normal day—like they hadn't been held captive all that time. They're good. The doctors are moving Hannah to Labor and Delivery." Jax paused for a moment once Victor and James came into view. "No, no—she's fine. Tara said that's a normal precaution when you're past five months. They're gonna check her out over the next couple days."
Jax nodded and smiled in Victor's direction, but his face grew cold once his eyes met James'. James' pocket vibrated as his phone rang. Pulling it from his jeans, he glanced at the screen. Sarah's number flashed, and he picked up.
"Hello?" James answered. He began to pace as Jax finished his call with Lyla. Now Victor was at Jax's side, talking low. Both of them glanced occasionally at James, but neither moved to go inside.
"James?" Sarah's familiar lilt filled his ears. "I'm sorry I didn't answer earlier. I was helping one of the search parties and we found nothing at all. I tell you James, if Jack Petty hadn't been there—"
"Sarah, they found them," James interrupted.
"What?" she whispered. "Found Hannah?"
"Yeah—and Ophelia Teller. Victor and I just got to Valley Memorial now," James explained.
"Is she—" Sarah began, then trailed off. James knew she couldn't say the words.
"She's alive," he stated. "And the baby appears to be alright. I just heard Jax say they're admitting her to L&D for observation."
A sigh of relief was followed by tears. James stopped moving as he listened to his wife cry. He hated that sound more than anything in the world, not because he loved her, but because the sound harbored too many bad memories.
"I'm on my way," Sarah said. James nodded and locked eyes with Victor. He looked so much like his wife; his son's eyes could cut through him, just as Sarah's did. He couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like had he not been the iron hand in Victor's life.
"Good," James said. "You need to be here." He hung up the phone and walked towards Jax and Victor.
"Sarah is on her way," he stated. Jax's eyebrows went up, but he said nothing. The disdain was more than apparent as the three men stood there. None of them seemed to know what to say or how to say it.
"Where was she?" Victor asked. James ignored his question and stared through him. Victor could sense discord within the older man, but he had no idea what to do about it. Their relationship was beyond fixable at this point, regardless of anything they shared at Jax's cabin. That moment had been a strange indiscretion, nothing more. Victor wanted to forget it.
"She said something about a search," James said dismissively. "I told her the girls were here, and she'll be here soon. Where's Hannah?"
"Getting an ultrasound," Jax said. "Tara is with her." And that's the only mother she really needs, he thought as he stared at James' unreadable face. I mean, with parents like you, being alone would be better. James nodded.
"I'll wait to go in," James stated. "I'll wait for Sarah. Victor can go in and see Hannah without me."
"Are you sure, James?" Victor asked. The move took him by surprise.
"Yeah," James answered with a sad smile. "She probably doesn't even want to see me anyway. It's fine, son. You go in." Completely taken off-guard, Victor could only mutely nod.
"We'll see you when Sarah gets in," Jax said low. Putting an arm around Victor's shoulder, he led the young man into the hospital.
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"Do you want to know what you're having?" The ultrasound tech, a tall, curvy ebony goddess smiled brilliantly as she moved the wand over Hannah's burgeoning belly. Hannah's eyes grew wide as she watched the baby move. The whole moment was surreal. She'd spent the last few months feeling her little one kick at her insides, so she knew the baby was real, but seeing squirming legs and arms come alive was amazing.
"Do you, Hannah?" Tara asked. Hannah looked at her mother-in-law, feeling blessed to have Tara by her side. The Tellers were scattered across various floors of the hospital; Hannah, now close to six months pregnant, was ushered to Labor and Delivery for monitoring. Ophelia was on the Medical / Surgical floor, with Delylah, Thomas, and Will by her side. Abel still lingered in ICU, with Althea, Venus, and Tig standing by, waiting for the doctors to extubate whole Teller situation was beyond weird—and it was the talk of Valley Memorial Hospital.
"I don't know," Hannah whispered, her gray eyes sad. "I feel wrong knowing before Abel does."
The ultrasound tech, whose nametag read Iris, stared back with the most compassionate eyes Hannah had ever seen. They were dark, bottomless pools of empathy that almost brought the pregnant woman to tears.
"I could always write it down," Iris said kindly. "Give it to your mama and have her keep it. Then you can save it until your husband can be with you." The ultrasound tech had heard about her patient's circumstances, and she couldn't believe how calm and collected Hannah was. Your man is holding on for dear life, you just got out of being held captive, and you look amazing.
My mother isn't even here, Hannah thought bitterly, but turning her eyes back to Tara's gorgeous face, she smiled. But my mama definitely is. Tara had always been there for her. It began when Victor took off to California. After that, James and Sarah constantly argued, and Hannah just couldn't take it. There were many nights spent in Delylah and Ophelia's rooms, and now, after all the insanity and tragedy, Tara and Jax had stood so steadfastly by her side. They weren't related by blood yet, but she couldn't wait for the baby to be born and change that.
"I think that's a good compromise," Hannah said to Tara. "Once Abel wakes up, you can tell us both together." Hannah's eyes were so full of hope, and it was that look that took Tara's breath away. I must have looked like that once, she thought. I don't look like that anymore. She knew these last couple of months had aged her, no matter what Jax told her. I hope you can always look like that, Hannah. Tara smiled through tear-filled eyes.
"I can't wait," she replied. I just hope Abel wakes up. It was a persistent thought in the back of Tara's mind, and it had been since they'd gotten back to Silver Spring. It was a very real possibility. He'd been under for a very long time. She pushed the thought of Abel's extubation out of her mind and focused on the new life on the screen. You're gonna wake up, son. She blinked back tears. You just have to.
"Hey there," Jax's voice entered the room as he peeked his head through the curtain. His eyes immediately went to the ultrasound screen, and they lit up. Tara smiled, unable to help herself. She remembered that look. It was the same one he had when she was pregnant with Thomas. She'd never forget that look. Ever.
"Hey Gramps," Iris said with a jovial wink. "C'mon in and see this baby. It's an active one."
"I have a surprise for the mama-to-be," he said sweetly. His head disappeared from behind the curtain, and as he opened it, Hannah gasped.
"Victor!" she almost jumped from the table when she saw him. Now openly crying, she smiled broadly as her brother walked over to her. Tara moved out of her seat next to Hannah to allow Victor a chance to sit. The second Hannah saw the bandages on the back of Victor's head.
"What happened?" she gasped.
"Miss Hannah," Iris said softly, "The more you wiggle, the less the baby wiggles."
"Sorry, Miss Iris," she murmured with a smile. Her gray eyes lit with happiness as she glanced at Victor. Despite her confinement, she looked good. Healthy. For that, Victor was grateful. His little sister had been talking about being a mother. Had Lucius taken that from her- he thought, shivering with disgust. The bastard is as good as dead anyway. Just let me find him.
"It's a long story," Victor whispered back. "We'll worry about it after we look at my little niece or nephew."
Iris swept the wand across Hannah's belly, and clicked away at the keyboard, taking measurements as she moved. Jax and Tara stood by the curtain; Jax had his wife wrapped in a tight embrace. It was so surreal—the girls were okay—the baby was okay—Abel would be waking up soon. Still, the thought of the Irish lingered in Jax's mind. He knew the danger was far from gone. None of the kids would be alone now. There was safety in numbers. He'd even thrown around the idea of having everyone schlep out to Charming. There seemed to be less danger in his hometown than there was in Silver Spring.
"This baby looks great," Iris said with a mega-watt grin as she finished the scan. "I'm gonna forward this report to your OB/GYN, and we'll get you up to your room."
"Okay," Hannah said with a tremulous smile. Relief swept over her face as Victor squeezed her hand. "Thank you Iris."
"You're welcome, sweet girl," she replied, squeezing the other hand. I'll get that envelope to your mama in just a minute." Hannah squeezed Iris' hand in return, and she watched as Iris moved to leave the room. Before she pulled the curtain, Iris stopped by Tara.
"Can I hug you?" she asked. Tara's hazel eyes widened with surprise.
"I know I sound crazy," Iris said quietly, her eyes filling with tears. "But I just have this overwhelming urge to just embrace you."
The humility in the stranger's eyes was palpable. It overwhelmed Tara, and to her surprise, it amazed her and filled her with an odd sensation. It was a mix of love, of understanding, of openness. Without even answering Iris, Tara grabbed her and embraced her.
"Thank you, lady," Iris said sweetly as they broke apart. "God bless you and that great family."
"Thank you Iris," Tara replied. Still shocked, she didn't know how or why that happened, but she learned long ago that when such pure emotion presented itself, she couldn't ignore it. There were many moments since all the madness began where Tara wondered if she'd lost all good emotion. All she felt the last few months was sadness, worry, and anger. Iris' simple request was just a reminder of the side of herself Tara thought she'd lost.
"Maybe we can actually make it through this, Jax," she whispered to her husband, and for a moment, she actually believed it.
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Jack Petty pulled into the hospital parking lot. It'd been a long, crazy day, and he'd been working damage control for most of it, and it wouldn't be over until Lucius' body was buried in a shallow grave and all traces of him were removed from the mansion. Jack knew that sleep was far off, but he knew there would be nights like these. It came with the territory.
Sliding out of the narrow confines of the cop car, he quickly walked towards Valley Memorial. The sooner this "check-in" was over, the better. To his surprise, James Sinclair stood outside, gazing at his phone. He prayed that Sinclair didn't see him, but that prayer fell on deaf ears. The doctor's eyes met the sheriff's, and Jack was obligated to stop.
"Dr. Sinclair," he said with a fake smile. "It's good to see you. I bet you're happy to beat all hell." The last words were tight as they left Jack's mouth.
"Yeah Jack, I am," he said politely. There was something about the portly officer that always rubbed James the wrong way. It was strange, but he always had his guard up.
"I'm just glad they're all okay," Jack carefully replied.
"Me too," James said. "This whole thing has just been pure insanity."
"You ain't lying," Jack returned. "When I saw them walk in the station today, it stopped me dead in my tracks." It was the most honest thing he'd said all day, but the statement stopped James in his tracks. His wife's words played in his head on repeat.
I'm sorry I didn't answer earlier. I was helping one of the search parties and we found nothing at all. I tell you James, if Jack Petty hadn't been there—
If Jack Petty hadn't been there—
If. Jack. Petty. Hadn't. Been. There. Nausea crept up in James' throat. Why would she lie? What would Sarah have to gain by lying? She promised-I promised-we promised. Memories threatened to swallow him as his head spun. We walked away from this. Even as his heart pounded against his sternum, he regained his composure. Old habits die hard.
"You were there?" James said with a calm, polite smile. "I'm glad for that."
"You didn't know?" Jack returned, his curiosity piqued. "Sarah didn't call you?"
"I was with Victor when they were found," James stated, skirting the answer. "We came straight over afterward."
"I'm sure she's too overcome with joy to even call," Jack said. James nodded.
"I'm sure," James replied. "You going in?" He nodded towards the hospital doors.
"Yeah," Jack replied. "I'm just gonna check on the girls and make sure they're truly alright."
"I'll leave you to it," James replied. "I just got a call. One of my patients is being admitted back in Silver Spring." With that bold faced lie, he pivoted on his heel and walked away. He couldn't stay now; he needed time to think. James' head was spinning with his wife's dishonesty. He didn't know what it meant, but James knew he had to figure it out—fast. Whatever Sarah was up to, there was no doubt that it was connected to the ghost of her father. Not even death could stand in the way of an Irish King's revenge.