A/N: The last part of this arch is here :) Enjoy xx Mariah
It had been hours since anyone had heard anything. Katie and Mackenzie were both in surgery. Ned was being stitched up in the ER and Scott had gone to talk to him, hoping to calm him down, but the man was getting restless not knowing anything about his wife and their unborn child.
Melinda couldn't sit still either, and she had begun to pace the halls. Aaron looked on worried at her from where he sat but he was also reassuring Delia that Ned was fine, that Katie would be okay, and so would the baby.
No one had been able to get ahold of Mackenzie's boyfriend either. At first, no one thought anything of it but as the hours of waiting droned on and Chase still didn't show up, they all started to resent him for it but especially her.
Just then the double doors that lead out into the ambulance bay opened to reveal Chase. The red-haired and six-foot-four man graced all of their presence dressed in a Grandview Electric jumper.
"Good, you're here," she said, standing up.
"What do you know?" Chase cleared his throat, looking around at the family. "I was on a job and my phone was in the van..." He looked down at the small device. "I'd left it in there because we had this big fight the other day and I didn't want to hear my phone buzzing all night if she was texting me... if I had known..."
"We don't know much besides that Mackenzie is in critical condition with a head injury. Just have a seat and try to stay calm. I don't care about your petty drama with my daughter," she scoffed, moving past him to go see about an update at the nurse's station. "You should be worried about her not that. We'll all be here a while still."
She spotted her husband before he made it to her and nearly ran down the hallway to him when she noticed that sullen tired look on his face. The one when something bad happened during surgery. But which one?
"Hey, Katie's out of surgery and on her way to recovery. We just came from updating Ned. Let's go tell the others," he said as she embraced him.
Delia stood up as they approached, coming over to hear any news. Aaron was huddled close as well, wanting to hear whatever news he could about his older sister, his hand on his mom's shoulder. Scott was lingering in the back now that Chase had arrived.
"How did the surgery go?" Delia asked. "We're you in there?"
"I could only observe. As head of general and chief of staff, I wanted to make sure she had the best care along with Mack. Katie lost a lot of blood during surgery and Dr. Turner was able to set her leg, and it should heal with the right amount of physical therapy and rest. She'll likely be wheelchair-bound for a bit but then on crutches by the time she leaves the hospital. Her head injury ended up being a little more complex than a concussion, but everything is under control." Jim explained, sighing. "That was when she bottomed out. We hadn't realized she was bleeding into her abdomen and nearly lost her for a minute or two but were able to find the bleeder and bring her back. She isn't through the woods yet, but should make a full recovery."
Melinda held onto her the people around her, her heart relieved. Katie would be okay. Would the baby? They all knew that was slim after the story that had just been told to her, but she had to ask. "And the baby?" She whispered, saying another prayer. "That is the first thing she's going to ask about. You know it is."
Jim didn't answer, but that was reply enough. Dr. Turner stepped in. "Unfortunately, no. The pregnancy was awfully premature to survive this kind of stress on the body, especially considering the abdomen trauma," the doctor said as he looked over the chart, pulling a paper up and then dropping it. The emotion this man lacked was startling, but she also knew most doctors tried their best not to show any emotion in front of a patient's family. Even their chief of staff apparently. "We weren't able to save the baby and I'm very sorry about that. You can see your daughter now in room sixteen-fifty while awaiting the news of Mackenzie. I'll have a charge nurse try and get you an update as often as we can."
She nodded as Delia wept into her shoulder, and with a side-glance to her son, Aaron went to call and update any family while she took care of Delia. It took everything in her not to lose it right now, but they would get through this. "Go to Ned," she whispered, pulling back. "I need to see my daughter while I wait for news on Mack and then Ned needs to be the one to talk to Katie when she wakes up."
Delia sniffled and wiped away her tears. "I know." Her friend sighed. "They don't deserve this kind of pain again."
Jim led her through the hospital even though she knew the layout like the back of her hand from him working in early every part of it over the years. They were at the door of the hospital room in no time but he stopped her short of going in. "Hey, come here. I know tonight has been rough on you," he said, kissing her forehead. "But you should know Katie may be a little groggy if she is awake, if not, she should be awake soon."
As much as she loved him, she didn't have time for this because if she got caught in her emotions she would break down. "I know. I need to see her," she said and it was like a dam broke when she saw her firstborn intubated, cut up, bruised, and drowning in a hospital bed.
Her daughter may be all grown up but she wanted to wrap her up in her arms like she was a toddler again, and make everything better. "My sweet girl," she cried, walking over to her bedside and running her hand through Katie's hair. She pressed a kiss to her cheek before pulling up a chair to her daughter's bedside and cradling her hand. "You are going to be okay."
That was all Melinda kept telling herself about both of her children.
Things had gone semi-smoothly with Mackenzie as well, but that was the least shocking news. The middle Clancy was nearly three months pregnant and the baby had miraculously survived.
Ned had been discharged with only minor injuries, but he hadn't left his wife's side. He needed fifteen stitches to close up his cheek and ten stitches to close up his forehead, and his shoulder had been dislocated, but that would all heal as long as he took it easy and he had no objection or trouble in doing that because he wanted to be nowhere but with his family right now.
But once the fateful news everyone had been waiting for was known, most went home after they got a chance to see their loved ones. However, Ned, Chase, Melinda, and Jim stuck around. Scott had too and watched through the window as his partner held his wife as they grieved the loss of another child. He'd only heard the story of their firstborn after asking what the significance behind his partner's phone password was, and never dared to ask again.
Scott could also see Mackenzie still asleep in the next bed over, Chase holding her hand as he cried. Praying that she'd be okay while he apologized over and over again. One thing he'd learned while he was here was that Mackenzie and Chase fought, a lot, about little things, stupid things, and it usually ended with one of them storming out of their apartment.
"Scott," Melinda yawned as she walked up to him, startling him slightly and pulling him from his selfish thoughts. "You're still here?"
"I just wanted to check in on Mackenzie, but Chase is in there. I didn't want to overstep my welcome so I have been waiting for a chance to sneak in there when he leaves for a break, but he hasn't," Scott sighed and sat down in a chair. "Have you gone home yet?"
"You know me better than I thought you would," Melinda chuckled. "But I wanted to check on Katie and Ned and give Mack a goodnight kiss before I go home. Jim's just finishing up some paperwork."
"That's good, Melinda. You're a great mother. I am a detective so I do have some skills," he smiled at her. She reminded him of Mackenzie in so many ways, but not in the ways Katie reminded him of Melinda, and that shocked and comforted him in so many ways. "But how are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm... I'm managing. Thank you for asking." Melinda squeezed his forearm, holding back how she really was feeling. "How are you doing, Scott?"
"Still a little shaken up," he answered, shrugging. "I don't think I've ever driven somewhere quicker than today. I don't know what I would've done if we would've lost any one of them today."
"Me either, but Scott, I didn't get to thank you for being there for me earlier," Melinda said smiling at him. "I wouldn't have been as level-headed if it weren't for you. The least I can do is keep Chase occupied so you can see Mack for a minute or two."
"You'd do that for me?" He stood up and she hugged him.
"Of course, then you can stop in to see Katie and Ned." Melinda took a sip of her coffee, or at least that's what he presumed it was because it was a little after midnight, and waved him to follow her. "Come on." She slid the door open, going over to Mackenzie's side of the room, the curtain pulled between them.
Scott walked over to the other side and saw his partner lying close to his wife in her hospital bed, and they looked to be asleep. However, after a moment, Katie's head moved from out of the crook of Ned's neck and she glanced up at him sleepily.
"Scott, hey," Katie whispered, yawning. "I thought you would have left by now."
"Hi, Katie," he said and kneeled down next to her, seeing Ned was still asleep. That man could sleep anywhere. Even in the squad car on a late-night shift if he tried hard enough. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired. My pain meds kicked in so I'm all fuzzy and warm inside. It helps that this hunk is laying in bed with me too," Katie sighed, sinking into her husband. He could tell she didn't want to feel like that. Not at a time like this. "I feel so lucky that Ned wasn't hurt as badly as he could've been, but I'm devastated that we lost another baby. It's too many at this point."
Scott hadn't known to the extent of what had happened to Katie, but he had known before today that she was pregnant. Ned had been too overly excited to keep the secret from his partner, who he had sworn to secrecy, and to know what happened now hurt his heart even more.
"Katie, I'm so sorry." He touched her hand, holding it, squeezing it momentarily. "Do you need anything?"
"Water would be nice," she nodded, touching her mouth. "My throat is a little dry."
He quickly stood and poured her a glass of water as she turned the television on, startling Ned awake as she pressed the bed up a bit.
"Hmm... Scott? Hey, man," Ned yawned and pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek, then moved to sit up and greet him. "What are you still doing here?" The man glanced at his wristwatch. "It's almost one in the morning, dude."
"I came to check up on you two," he answered, holding the cup to her.
"And Mackenzie," Katie hummed as she took a sip of her water.
"Maybe," he blushed. "Melinda is over there."
"Oh, mom. Of course. Chase might still be around here somewhere too," Katie said, setting the cup on the table in front of her. "He hadn't left her side the last I paid attention to Mack's side of the room. It's probably because of the baby though. Part of me hopes it's for her and not that but I've never really liked him. I do like you for her, Scott, and she does too."
As honest as the Clancy's were, that was definitely the morphine talking. "Yeah, I bet," he sighed, not believing it.
"I sent Chase to get something to eat in the cafeteria. That was the one great thing your dad did when he became Chief. He made the cafeteria twenty-four-hour service," Melinda said as she walked over to their side, nudging Scott. "You can go see her now."
"Thanks." He hugged Melinda again before the woman went to her daughter, embracing her tightly, and then waved goodbye to Ned and Katie. "I'll see you guys soon."
"Mom," Katie crumbled as her mother hugged her and Scott looked to Ned, who nodded to his partner as he pulled the sheet over for privacy.
Scott's heart broke for Katie. Too many, she had said, and God he wished there were no more. He loved that woman. She was like a sister to him. She'd taught him how to cook, even if he still needed guidance, and Ned was his brother. His best friend. He always had his back, no matter what.
Then he saw Mackenzie, the one good thing he'd had in his life. Even if it was for a small period of time.
He hadn't seen her in over a year, but last time she'd looked so radiant. So beautiful. She'd just returned from a week-long vacation with her family at their summer cabin. Not that she didn't look beautiful now, she did. She'd just lost so much weight, and looked so fragile and pale, especially if she was having a baby. Her hair was in a thick braid, most likely done by her mother when she came in check on her.
"Mackenzie," he whispered as he walked over to her bedside, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry." He felt helpless. He wanted to help her in any way. He hated that he hadn't seen her long, that he'd only have another few brief minutes. "I wish I could tell you that I loved you when you were awake."
Except she had a boyfriend.
He wondered if Chase was going to stay with her through it all and if they would get married. Be that couple.
He wished he'd been man enough to get through his issues with the hostage situation. That he would have answered the door one of the times when she was there. He should've opened the door, and hugged her. Let her help him heal.
"Scott, you should go home. Get some rest." Melinda said, touching his shoulder. "You can come back in the morning before work and see her. I'll see to it."
"Alright," he looked back at her. "Just let me say goodbye."
"I'll be in the hall to make sure no one comes in," Melinda's hand lingered on his shoulder momentarily before he bent down and kissed her forehead again.
Mackenzie's eyes opened and she grabbed his hand, struggling to breathe because of the tube in her throat. She tried to say something, but he pressed the nurse button as her BP dropped and she clawed at his hand.
The breathing tube was still in her throat. She couldn't breathe. She held onto him, her eyes desperate as she looked around. He knew in situations like this car crash victims don't know where they are after surgery. They are still very groggy.
"Hey, Mack, it's me. It's Scott. just try and stay calm," he said softly, kissing her hand as a nurse ran in a quickly helped disconnect the tube so she could breathe on her own. "You're at Mercy General. You were in a car accident with your sister and Ned. Everyone is alive, but you just got out of surgery."
"There there..." The nurse said as she pulled the tube from her mouth. "You should be able to breathe now, just keep this on." She mentioned the piece in her nose and Mackenzie slowly nodded. "Alright. Try and get some sleep."
"Thank you," Mackenzie whispered, touching her throat as she turned to look at Scott. It had been so long since they'd been face to face. She made him feel so many things. "Scott."
"Hey," he said, smiling at her. "It's good to see those eyes of yours open."
She squeezed his hand again, but then looked past him. "Mom," she struggled to speak as Melinda came to her bedside.
"Hi, sweetheart. I'm so glad to see you awake," Melinda whispered, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Get some rest. Your dad will be in to check on you soon before we go home for the night. I love you so much, Mackenzie."
Scott was going to sneak off while he had the chance, but when Mackenzie's hand grabbed hold of his again, he turned to see her looking over at him, wanting to talk to him. Even after everything that had happened tonight. "Don't talk. It'll only hurt," he instructed, smiling at her as Melinda stepped away to give them another minute. "I have to go soon and you aren't nearly strong enough to be talking yet. I'll be back in the morning, okay? I promise."
She nodded, her eyes so distant from him even as she gazed at him with a smile. He knew she wanted to be happy, but something was holding her back. He wished he knew why.
Chase stepped into the room as he turned to leave. The man hardly noticed him once he saw Mackenzie was away.
"Baby...?" Chase called out and ran to her side, practically shoving Scott out of the way. "You're awake. God, I'm so sorry for this morning. I didn't mean to yell at you. I love you so much. I'll quit smoking. I will."
"Come on. I'll walk you to your car." Melinda smiled, looping her arm around his before he stared for too long. "I'm on my way to start the truck anyways." He smiled and she walked him to the squad car, which he needed to return to the station before going home. "Sleep well."
"Try and get some sleep yourself, Mrs. Clancy." He nodded at her as he walked toward the driver's seat.
"Scott, I think it's time you just call me Melinda." The woman laughed, smiling at him. "I have a feeling you'll be around."
He nodded and hopped in the police car, driving away.
—
Melinda stood there for a moment, rubbing her arms in the night as she used her key fob to start the truck, about to turn and go back inside when Aaron stepped out of the ER doors, smiling when he saw her.
"Hey mom," the young man said to her. "I forgot to give you this. I thought it would be a nice way to end tonight." He handed her a small white box, she peered through the film seeing a cupcake. Aaron kissed her cheek as he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. "Happy Birthday."
She hugged her son tightly, feeling herself break a little for the first time tonight. Her tears soaked into his winter jacket and he rubbed her back as they stood in the small tunnel near the ER entrance.
"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at him. "Why did you have to be so tall?" She chuckled, squeezing his hand as she opened the box, and leaned into the wall. He pulled out a candle and a lighter as he shrugged.
"You're just short, ma." He lit the candle and tucked the lighter back into his pocket. "Make a wish."
"I wish that all of this mess ends well," she sighed, looking at him.
"It will. We always preserve," he studied her as she blew out the candle with a smile. "You better have wished for something better."
"I did," she said, pulling the candle out and putting it in the box. She closed the top. "I'll eat it later. It's far too late to eat this."
"I better get home," he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he started to walk away. "Michele is just finishing up putting the kids to bed. I've already called in to work so I'm gonna go over to Katie's in the morning. I'll bring over Ash and Willow."
She smiled, loving how in control he was. He always knew what needed to be done. When to do it. How to and exactly how to deal with things. Like his father. "We did good with you," she was so proud of the man her son had become. "I love you, Aaron. Give the family my love."
"I will," he said, backing away slowly before he turned and walked to his car. "Love you too."
Six weeks had passed and Mackenzie was the only one still in the hospital. She was able to walk now, but her muscles were still extremely sore and it took help getting up sometimes, especially now that she'd begun to show more.
Her father was mainly able to keep her because she was pregnant and had suffered a serious head injury. Jim had always been overprotective over his children and would have kept Katie still in the hospital too if he'd gotten his way.
But her older sister was persistent and had Ned on her side. Katie wanted to be home with her kids and they had missed their mother so much, but still came to visit her every day after physical therapy.
However, today was the day she got to leave the hospital but Mackenzie wasn't going home. Apparently suppressing the fact that you're pregnant wasn't healthy. It didn't help that Chase had walked out and was ignoring her calls and text since she told him in no certain terms the baby might not be his, so she was going to stay with her parents until she found her own place or the baby was born. She wasn't sure yet.
"You still have to tell mom and dad about what happened, especially if you're making the initial report. You don't want them finding out second-hand," Katie said, braiding her blonde hair into her usual thick french braid. "Mom and dad definitely know something is up because of the whole Chase walking out thing, and I think mom knows I'm keeping something from her. You know I'm terrible at keeping secrets."
"Easy on my head," she sighed. "I suffered some serious head injuries."
"Sorry," Katie apologized and finished not long after. Her sister took a picture of the back and showed her. "How does that look?"
"Looks like you might have some serious potential in the hair industry," she said and handed her sister the phone back. "Thanks, sis."
"I love my job, but having a daughter has definitely helped with my hair skills," the older sister said and moved off of the hospital bed with her cutches. Katie moved over to the other side of the room carefully on her good leg. "Ready to get dressed then? Ned should be here soon."
"Yeah. I suppose," she and then stood up slowly. Her legs stung and grasped the nearby table until it faded away. "What did you bring me?"
"I brought you leggings, a sweater, and some cute flats." She said, handing her the clothes and shoes. "Thought it would be nice to look nice since we're stopping by the station with Ned."
"Yeah/ It'll be nice to see Scott outside of a hospital room," Mackenzie blushed and took them, walking over to the bathroom.
"Mom and I also set your bedroom up. Ned and Aaron got all your stuff moved out of Chase's loft," Katie said and stood, walking over to her.
"Thank you," she hugged her, wrapping her arms around her sister. "I don't know what I would've done if I had to go there after all this. I'm so scared about reporting Katie, especially because there will have to be a DNA test.. and I don't know if I want to know that answer if I'm going to keep this baby."
"I know," Katie whispered and kissed her head. "I'll be right there. And mom will be there for you too once she knows. Okay?"
She nodded. "I'll be out in a few minutes," she sighed and turned to the bathroom, closing the door behind her and flipping the light on.
Mackenzie quickly slipped out of the dingy hospital gown. It was itchy and too tight around her hips. She pulled on her clothes accordingly— underwear, bra, and leggings— before walking over to the mirror with the eyeliner and foundation Katie had also put in there.
Thankfully most of the cuts and bruises had healed on her face and with minimal makeup the rest faded away. Except that fucking surgery scar at the top of her forehead. That wasn't going anywhere, but at least she hadn't had to lose any of her hair.
She pulled the sweater on, which was light over her figure. No one would be able to tell that she was pregnant, even at almost twenty weeks. She was still thin but in the last few weeks she'd gained a few inches in her hips, but that was only noticeable to her because Mack always thought she kind of looked like a boy.
She had been a swimmer, with a thin lean, muscled body that easily slid through the water. She knew she was beautiful, but wasn't blessed with her mother's figure like her sister had.
"Katie do you have any mascara?" She asked, opening the door and coming out. "I'm almost ready. Promise."
"You look pretty Mack," Katie said, pulling out a tube from her purse. "Now can we talk about when you're telling dad?"
"If I tell dad, he will kill Preston." Mackenzie shook her head and took the mascara back to the bathroom. She didn't have the courage to tell their father yet. It had taken her three and a half months to tell Katie and another six weeks to think about telling Melinda, but Jim? "Not today."
She made sure her makeup looked good with one last glance over before grabbing the flats and slipping them on. She looked better. She felt better. As good as she could feel for now.
"So? I see that as a win-win situation," Katie laughed and used her crutches to get over to the mirror, fixing her hair. "Come on, next just texted he's on his way up. We'll go over and talk to Josh. Then we'll go to mom's to pick up Willow and Ash and drop you off."
"I miss those kiddos," the blonde grinned, thinking of her nieces and nephews. Then it was back to reality. The one where she had to tell her parents about what happened. About Preston and what he'd done to her. "Katie, how am I supposed to tell dad that his mentee did this to me? Or Chase? God, he thinks Scott is the reason it might not be his."
"I don't know. I grew up with him and respected him until now, but that doesn't matter anymore. What if he's done this before? Or what if he tries to do it again because he thinks he can get away with it?" Katie said as she leaned into her as they walked toward the door. Mackenzie grabbed her bag, swinging it on her shoulder. "Preston doesn't get to be fine. Not anymore. Not after what he did to you."
"All I'm trying to say is that we need to handle this strategically. He is a well-respected doctor and professor." She said, opening the door and walking out with her. "It's my word against his and who are they going to want to believe? The college student or the prestigious professor?"
"Mackenzie, you're pregnant. That might prove something. I hate that I'm saying that, but it's the truth. And having sex with a student will ruin his reputation regardless, so even if the justice system sucks, he will lose his job. He will lose the respect of our father, our family, and this town. What better punishment than that? Plus dad will totally punch him in the face." Katie said quietly as they walked past the nurse's station, the hospital gossips. Mackenzie knew better, so did her sister. Even if she was one of them. "Mackenzie, you need to."
"Fine. I will tell them." She replied, nodding to her sister as she pressed the elevator button.
The doors opened to reveal their father and Ned, who had a wheelchair in tow. "There they are!" Jim said as they walked inside the elevator. He was still leaning against the wall, likely typing out a text to their mother. He was dressed in street clothes. A jacket and jeans, a hat probably pulled on his head by their mother. "I was just about to check on you. Your mom texted and then I ran into Ned. She said you've been gone a while."
"Yeah. We were just talking after my PT sesh. Is that for me? You're the best," Katie smiled, hugging her husband before handing off her crutches for the much-preferred seat in the wheelchair after moving around so much. "Hey, dad."
"Hey Katiebug," he helped her in and then turned to her. "Mack, how are you feeling?"
"A little lightheaded," she said, being honest with him as the doors closed. "I can't wait to just lay in bed."
"Good, you're on bed rest anyway," Jim said, placing his hand behind her support her just in case as they went down to the lobby. "You need to be resting too Katie."
"I am. All the snuggles in the world with my babies," Katie said, glancing at Mackenzie and then nudged her husband, who nodded in support with her.
She knew she had to tell her father, obviously, but that didn't make it any easier. "Daddy? I need to tell you something," she said quietly, looking up at her father. She looped her arm around him, rubbing his back. "You know how I'm pregnant."
"Well yeah, a bit of a shock from you but it happens," Jim said, looking at her. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest now. "What else is there for me to know? Did something else happen with Chase?"
"Dad, no. Not Chase," she laughed, almost wishing that were her problem right now. That would be so much better than having to tell him about what Preston did to her. "We're done. I don't think that's fixable, even if the baby is his."
Her father looked confused. "Why wouldn't it be his? Is this some late April Fools joke?"
"No, it's... something else happened. Last fall I was raped, dad." She told him the brutal truth, her heart breaking when she saw it all click in his head. Then came the worst part. "And it wasn't some stranger. It was someone we know and trust, and I don't know what you're going to do when I tell you."
She couldn't tell what Jim was thinking until he hugged her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He knew she needed support right now, as much as he wanted to be mad. Which he was. He wanted to kill the son of a bitch that touched his daughter.
"Mackenzie," he choked out, his tears present in his voice. "I'm here for you no matter what. Just know that."
"I know, dad," she whispered, holding him close. She missed these hugs and the way he'd pull her in. He was so warm, so cuddly, and tall. Jim was such a bear hugger. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"You told me when you were ready. That's all that matters," he whispered and gave her a squeeze. "Does your mom know?"
"No. I only had the chance to tell Katie right before the crash. We are going to the station first to report it," she sighed as the elevator doors opened. "Don't worry. You don't have to keep it a secret from her for me. Just wait until I get home, alright?"
He nodded, finally releasing her from their hug before they got out of the elevator. Ned went first, pushing the wheelchair Katie sat in after handing off her crutches to their father. That's when they all saw Preston talking to a nurse at the front information desk.
Mack wanted to freeze in place but she also just wanted to get the fuck out of there and held onto her dad's arm.
"Hey, don't be stupid." Ned reminded their dad with a side glance. "Just walk out with us or it'll be worse in court later."
"Are you okay?" Jim asked and she weakly smiled.
"I'm fine. Let's get out of here," she said, sighing. "I never want to see him again. Which I know isn't going to happen but yeah, let's go."
They had nearly made it to the door. Nearly.
"The last of the Clancy crew is finally leaving the hospital I see," Preston said as he walked over toward them. "I believe I speak on behalf of everyone in the hospital when I say we are glad to see you are all doing well."
The man had gone to touch her when her father reacted. "Don't touch my daughter," Jim said and stood in front of her. "What planet are you on where you think you can put your hands on her after what you did? I suggest you back up."
"Jim, what is this?" Preston laughed and crossed his arms. "What have I done?"
"You aren't going to get away with this if I have any say in it," Mackenzie said, trying to hold in her strength as she stood up to the man who raped her. She was grateful for her family to be on her side right now or she didn't know what she would do. "Either way, you are most certainly not going to be in this baby's life if it is yours."
"Get out of our way, Dr. Jennings," Jim said, trying to keep his cool.
Preston was too smug for his own good. He always had been. "You'd really believe your slut of a daughter over me?"
Her father drew his fist back and plowed it into Preston's jaw with such force that blood pooled from his mouth. The man staggered back, falling onto the floor, and before Jim had the urge to punch him again, he escorted them out.
"Let's go," he said as he guided them out of the hospital.