Page 92 of Mia Amata

Josh nodded. “I knew Lucky was hurt. He would have never left Mattie unless something was wrong. I had Randy call the cops and the vet for Lucky; I went over to your place.”

Jacob looked down at Lucky, stroking his head. He had never seen the dog look so sad. It was like he knew Mattie was gone. “What did you find at the house?” he asked Josh.

“Jacob,” Josh said. “You don’t need to have that image. Remember her as you last saw her before your trip.”

Jacob nodded, tears edging down his cheek. “Did she say anything?” he asked.

“No,” Josh said, “she was unconscious.” He wouldn’t tell him that she died while he was there, that he had to perform CPR on her. There were some things that he didn’t need to know, having a visual picture of all the blood and Mattie lying there dying, was something Josh would never tell him. Josh couldn’t get the image out of his head, that was bad enough. Jacob would be tortured by that image.

“I should have never left,” Jacob said.

“Don’t do that Jacob,” Randy said. “You had no idea this was going to happen. None of us did. She wanted you to go. Remember that she encouraged you to pursue your dream job.”

“She was my dream,” Jacob said. Tears streamed down Randy’s face as she watched the pain that Jacob was in.

“I know,” she said. “That dream included that baby girl that survived. Jayden needs you, Jacob.” Jacob let out a sob and drew in a huge breath. He nodded. He smiled up at Randy through his tears. “I need her too. I can’t wait for you to see her Randy. She is beautiful. She looks just like Mattie.” Randy smiled back, “I can’t wait to meet her.”

Josh spoke up, “Jacob, you should get some rest if you are going back to the hospital early. The spare room is all yours.”

Jacob shook his head, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to lay on the couch next to Lucky.” Randy told him that was fine, going to get him a pillow and blanket.

Josh told Jacob that as soon as they were notified by the police that they could get into Jacob’s house, he and Randy would arrange for someone to clean it for him. They would start calling around to find someone in the morning and have them on alert for when the house could be entered. Jacob nodded, staring down at Lucky, stroking his head. Randy and Josh left the room quietly and headed to their own bedroom, where Josh held Randy while she cried herself to sleep.

***

Jacob had a fitful night, sleeping very little. He finally gave up, going to take a shower. Josh had gotten his suitcase from Jacob’s supervisor when he had dropped him off at the hospital. He tried to be as quiet as possible, so he wouldn’t disturb Josh and Randy. He walked out of the bathroom to find them sitting at the table. “I’m sorry,” Jacob said, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Josh shook his head, “We didn’t sleep very well either.”

Randy smiled at him, her eyes swollen and red. “Have a seat, I’ll make you some breakfast.”

Jacob scratched Lucky on the head, the dog wagged his tail weakly in return. Jacob turned to face Randy again, “No thanks, I’m really not hungry.”

Josh looked at him, “At least have some toast and coffee. Jayden needs you to keep your strength up.” Jacob knew he was right, so he sat down, ate a couple pieces of toast, and drank a cup of coffee. They ate in silence, none of them seemed super hungry so Randy just made everyone toast.

Finally, Randy asked, “When will you get to bring Jayden home?”

Jacob smiled at the thought of his daughter, “Dr.Patel said maybe tonight, if not then probably first thing tomorrow.” Jacob’s cell phone rang. He looked at it, it was early for a phone call. He answered the phone, and after a brief conversation, he hung up. “The police are done with the house. We can go in any time.”

Josh nodded, “I will call for someone to clean it while you are at the hospital.”

“I need my truck; I can’t have you two driving me everywhere.”

Josh looked at him, “I can take you to go get your truck, but I won’t let you in the house until it gets cleaned.”

“I don’t want to go in to see it,” Jacob replied. “I’ll wait. I hope we can get it cleaned up soon, as I will need to get the car seat from the nursery for Jayden.”

Josh nodded, “I’m sure I know someone who can take care of it this morning.”

“Thank you, both,” Jacob said, choking up a little bit. “I appreciate all you are doing for us.”

Randy started tearing up again, “We loved Mattie too. We will be here for both you and Jayden, at any time. Please don’t hesitate to lean on us or let us know if you need anything.”

Jacob stood up and hugged her, then he and Josh headed out to the truck.

They pulled up to Jacob’s house, and they both sat there staring at the house. Jacob knew he didn’t have the strength to go in there until it was cleaned, he asked himself last night if he would even be able to ever go in there again. The happiest days of his life were spent in that house. They had decorated the nursery for Jayden together and fixed up the playroom in the basement together. Mia loved this house. This is the house he would bring their daughter home to. The house was full of her love for the baby she never got to meet.

“Jacob?” Josh asked quietly. “Stupid question, but are you OK?”

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