This takes off right at the end of the last chapter. Bray was shot. Is he going to survive? Will he recover? Will he have some issues? Emotional chapter here.. Who was the shooter?
He pulled Olivia and Amanda through the crowd, just as the paramedics moved through. Amanda's mind was a blur she just wanted to be with her son. When they got closer Noah ran to Liv, wrapping his arms around her. Amanda going ashen when she saw Brayden. His eyes closed, someone putting pressure on the wound. She held his hand. "Please baby, please fight. Fight to come back to me. Brayden you're all I have..."
"Ms Rollins we need you to step back so we can get him in the ambulance. He's lost a lot of blood."
Amanda began to cry. "I'm going with him. He's my only child. Please don't let him die." As they loaded Brayden up into the ambulance they helped her up in there. She reached for his hand once more. Olivia yelled to Amanda, " Amanda we will meet you there. They are taking you to Mercy"
The ambulance sped off. Rushing to get Brayden there. Noah looking at Olivia who had his hand and was walking to the car as fast as she could.
"Mommy, I saw my best friend get shot. Is he gonna be okay? I need him to be okay. I think it was his dad. I saw him. He looked just like Bray and yelled 'fairy boy' in the room before he shot. He hit one other kid and he hit Bray."
Olivia put her hand on her sons. "Sweetheart I don't know. I know he lost a lot of blood from what the paramedic said. Just send him good vibes and thoughts. Say some prayers too."
After that Olivia drove to the hospital in silence. The ride was the longest in her life as well as Amanda who was in the ambulance. She text Liv. "He coded a few times already, but they have him stable. It's his side. I think the bullet hit his kidneys. I don't know. Liv, I can't lose my boy. I can't"
They got to the ER about the same time, The nurse guiding Amanda out to the waiting area as they took Brayden in for emergency surgery. He had lost a significant amount of blood and they had no time to waste, and where the bleeding was the nurse knew immediately that a vital organ had been hit. Amanda looked at the nurse. "Just do what ever you have to do to save my son. Please." The nurse told her that they would and they had the best surgeon in the state, that she would keep her updated as often as possible, but her first She leaned against the wall and started to cry. Just then Olivia ran up to her with Noah. She saw Amanda losing and starting to slide down, so she grabbed her and held her.
"Mandy I got you. I got you. Let's sit down." Olivia guided her to a seat. Noah taking Liv's phone calling Fin to tell him what happened. But as he was calling him, Fin was calling her to tell her they got the shooter.
"Mommy Uncle Fin needs to talk to you. I can sit with Aunt Amanda." Olivia nodds and gets up going over to the vending machine to talk to Fin.
"Olivia we have the shooter, he's unharmed. He has a record quite long and get this, his record is in Georgia. His name is Derek Thomas, and he claims to be Amanda's husband said he shot Brayden cause Amanda was turning him into a faggot by letting him dance. Yes I slapped the shit out of him as you know my son is gay. How's Brayden. The cops over at the one-two called me."
Olivia was fuming. So Amanda's ex was the one that shot his own son. "Fin, Brayden's in emergency surgery. He's lost alot of blood and Amanda told me he coded a couple times in the ambulance. Make sure you don't let Derek out, he needs to be charged. I can't leave here Fin. I can't leave her alone. She's a nervous wreck."
Fin was even more pissed now, he was already pissed cause his nephew was shot but now knowing that his nephews injuries were life-threatening made it worse.
"Olivia I can handle it here. Don't you dare leave her. She needs you. Whatever is up between you, she needs you. Liv she needs you to be her rock. Yeah we've had our suspicions if you are or aren't so whatever you are whether it be a friend, a bestfriend or girlfriend she needs you more than ever."
Olivia took a deep breath "I am here, I'm not going anywhere except to get her something to eat or drink from the cafeteria. However would you mind coming to Mercy and picking up Noah? I just think he needs a break, he witnessed his best friend getting shot."
Fin took a deep breath, "Of course Liv. Of course. I'll grab some food on the way and bring it. So that way Amanda can get something in her system and you don't have to leave her side."
Olivia told him she planned on it and thanked him again for coming to get Noah. She then went back over to Amanda and Noah. Noah getting up when he saw his mom come over.
"Mommy I did the best I could. Auntie's scared that's all she said to me. But she let me put my arm around her."
Olivia smiled her son was such a gentle soul. She thanked him and when she sat down Amanda moved closer to her. Her voice so small and so broken. "I can't lose my baby. I can't lose him." Olivia just held her. "He's a strong boy Amanda. He's got alot of you in him. He's gonna fight for his life. Now Fin is coming to get Noah and I asked him to bring some food. Before you tell me you're not hungry you need to eat and keep your strength up. You have to be strong for Bray." Amanda didn't say anything she just nodded. It seemed like forever to her but Bray was in emergency surgery. She didn't know what was hit just his lower abdomen and a lot of blood loss at first. He had been in surgery already for about forty-five minutes. Amanda got frustrated.
"How fucking long does it take. I mean shit, no one is telling me a fucking thing. Can they just tell me if my son is still alive. I fucking can't."
Amanda cried in Olivia's arms. "Sweetheart they are working on him. They are doing their best. No news is good news right now honey."
Amanda just cried in Liv's arms letting it all out. Fin showed up to pick up Noah. First thing he did was set the food on the table and scoop Amanda in his arms. He just had to give her a huge hug and support her.
"Amanda, Brayden is strong. He takes no shit. He's a healthy kid. He's got a long life ahead of him. He's young and strong." Amanda nodded cause Fin was speaking the truth. He got Noah ready to go. Gave Liv a hug as did Noah. "Keep us posted. Anything you need let me know. No matter what it is." Olivia told him she would. Once they left she sat back again with Amanda. Her heart broke for her.
They were in troubled times right now but she wanted to be there for Amanda. It was a long wait in silence. Amanda just sat and trembled. She didn't want to be held but didn't want to be alone. This was soo fucking hard.
Couple Hours Later...
The doctor finally came out and talked to Amanda. Olivia standing up with her, hand bracing her back giving her support.
"Ms. Rollins, the surgery went well. It took a long time because I wanted to make sure no other issues occured. Your son Brayden had a very big surgery that was supposed to be minor. He survived thankfully. He coded twice in surgery but we got him back. The bullet from the gun hit his kidney and was imbedded in it. We had a tough time getting it out, also the shrapnel it left behind. Now one kidney was very damaged, but it was repairable. I also had to take care of some of the shrapnel that was pushed into the other kidney. It was a big surgery, but he came through very well. He's right now in a medically induced coma for at least thirty-six hours. Just while he heals. I have him on dialysis for the time being to build up the badly injured kidney. His vitals are excellent, his breathing is good. His heartbeat is strong. The only side-effect from this that may become a permanent reality for the foreseeable future is dialysis."
Amanda took a deep breath, cupping her mouth to try and hide her tears. Olivia started rubbing her back gently. When Amanda spoke her voice was raspy from all the tears she had cried "Can... Can I see him? Please let me see my son." The doctor nodded and told her yes she could see her son. "I'll take you and your friend here back. Talking to him will help as will touching him." Amanda nodded, this time she was squeezing Olivia's hand. "Now don't mind the tubes and wires. It's all monitors to help him. He's doing great like I told you with his vitals. The first twenty-four hours are going to be the worst but once that hurdle is hit the next will be fine." After the doctor began to lead them to Brayden's room she moved out of Olivia's touch. Olivia had put space between them after Amanda had opened up about the marriage. Why did she want to be there now? She wasn't ready for what she saw. Her son in that bed, hooked up to monitors a coming out of his mouth and oxygen under his nose. Damn near made her pass out. The doctor could tell she wasn't going to be leaving so he went in hunt of a more comfortable chair. She went over to touch her son, to let him know she was there and she wasn't going to be leaving. Olivia once again went to put her hand on Amanda and she moved away.
Her voice soft, you could feel the hurt and the vulnerability in her voice. "Olivia while I appreciate you driving here, and even staying with me. But why are you here when you couldn't handle when I told you about my marriage?"
Olivia looked at her "Amanda, I'm here cause I care about you and Brayden. How about we go to the chapel and pray?"
She held her hand out for Amanda to take. Amanda reluctantly took it. They walked silently to the chapel. Amanda was scared. She was so afraid of losing her baby. Fin text Olivia to tell her that Derek was once again behind bars. Calling him a quote unquote 'dumbass' cause he left his fingerprints on the weapon.
Amanda knelt in the chapel. Praying silently to God to spare her child. To let him come back to her. Olivia knelt down beside her, placing her hand on Amanda's and praying with her. After they prayed Amanda began to once again cry. She was just so emotional. Olivia couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Amanda in her arms and just held her. Amanda fought to be let go but Olivia wouldn't she knew Amanda needed her.
"Amanda I want to be here dammit. Let me. You don't always have to be the strong one. Let yourself be vulnerable. Amanda you're allowed for godsake. You're human and you're a mother."
Amanda shook. "I need him to be okay. I can't lose my son. Olivia I can't lose him." Amanda broke down, Olivia hugging her tight. "Come on Amanda let's get you back to Brayden's room." Amanda lowered her head as they walked back to Bray's room. Olivia's heart was breaking for Amanda. There was a nurse in there checking vitals and doing her routinely things. Amanda's voice cracked as she asked how her son was doing.
"Ms. Rollins, your son here is a fighter. He's doing good. His vitals are good. His heartrate normal for his age. His breathing is good and clear. Hopefully in this all stays like this and tomorrow night we can wake him up."
Amanda nodded. "Thank you for all you are doing for him. I appreciate it." The nurse smiled and told her she'd be back in a couple hours to check on them. Amanda smiled and sat in the chair. Olivia just watched as she took Bray's hand again and held it. After a little bit she spoke softly to Amanda "Would you like me to stay so you have someone to talk to? It's not a problem nor an inconvience. I personally don't want to leave cause I care about Bray too and I care about you."
Amanda had tears in her eyes. She was soo scared for her son. "Olivia, I have no right to ask, none at all. But I am asking. Would you please stay with me? I know shit is awkward between us. It really is. But if you are my friend I am asking you to please stay. I need a friend with me."
Olivia looked at Amanda. The woman who she had a relationship with and just hit a major bump. She knew it took alot out of Amanda to ask for help. She wanted nothing more than to be there for Amanda and for Brayden.
"I'll stay Amanda. No matter how awkward shit is between us, I'd never be able to live with myself if I abandoned you right now. I'm here for as long as you need me."
Amanda looked at her, her body starting to tremble as it had before. The tears coming down her eyes. Since the doctor had brought the more comfortable chair in for Amanda that's where she was curled up. Olivia making her way over to the chair. Watching her friend, hell one would even say that she loved Amanda. But did she dare to say this to her friend especially at this time. Yeah they were girlfriends more than anything but right now it was tense and on troubled waters. Amanda had gotten up from the chair she had to stretch. She also wanted and felt the need to kiss her son's forehead. As she did that Olivia had made her way over to the chair. When Amanda stood back up Olivia pulled her gently in her arms, Amanda resisting. Olivia holding her still. "Come on Amanda, let me hold you. You're not alone here. Let me be here. Let me hold you, be your strength." Amanda fought til she just couldn't and then collapsed on Olivia's shoulder. Olivia just held her as tight as she could, her own tears starting to pour down. She was trying to be strong for Amanda but she couldn't help it.
"Amanda I love you dammitt, I'm here for you."
Amanda couldn't wrap her head around today. Her son in a medically induced coma to let his body heal from the trauma of being shot. Her thirteen year old child. Her best friend just saying 'I love you' to her but walked away when she told her of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex husband. How does one comprehend all of this? She relaxed in Olivia's arms.
She stayed there for a little bit before she got up to used the bathroom and stretch. Liv had fallen asleep and all the sudden the news had broke the story. Seeing her son's body on the ground and then they announced that they had caught the shooter.
"WHAT THE FUCK? DEREK MY EX-HUSBAND SHOT HIS OWN KID!"
Olivia jumped up. She hadn't realized that Amanda had gotten up for one and for two she didn't realize she had dozed off.
"What's up Mandy? What happened?"
Amanda looked at her, tears in her eyes again "Did you know? And for christsakes tell me the truth"
Olivia looked at her "Fin text me while we were waiting for Bray to come out of surgery. I was going to tell you. You want to see the text? My phone is an open book to you. Oh yeah and he also told me to stay with you and before you flip out. I told him it was already a done deal that I wasn't leaving you. Derek has been booked and charged with capital attempted murder. Where the juvenile that was shot and almost killed is the child of a police officer, it counts much higher."
Amanda paced around the room. She touched her son's hand. Gently bringing it to her mouth to kiss. "I love you Brayden. I'm sorry I didn't protect you. But when you come back to me, you bet your ass I will. Hand to God I promise."
She moved back to Olivia. She was seeking the comfort that she didn't want to seek, from the person she really didn't want to. Reason being this woman ran before when she told her everything. What was keeping her there now?
"Amanda you're a great mother. This is not your fault. You always do what's best for him and put him first."
Amanda smiled. "Thanks Liv. You did say one other thing. You said 'I love you dammit' what do you mean by that? I mean you left. You avoided me. Then today after all of this you say 'I love you dammit?'"
Olivia took a deep breath, "Look I didn't handle your news the best. I'm deeply sorry for that. I've known for a little while how I felt. I just didn't know how to tell you. I know right now isn't the best time either, but it ain't rehearsed and I aint just blowing smoke up your ass. I'm telling you from my heart."
They ended up just relaxing. Amanda once again in Olivia's arms. She felt safe and secure and right now that's all she needed.
So are Olivia and Amanda good. Brayden is awake and still in the hospital. Will he have setbacks? Will he need dialysis for a while or for the rest of his life. Amanda now knows it was Derek. What's gonna happen to him. Will he and Amanda come to blows again? Tell me what you think...