Page 84 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

I reached out and took the doctors hand. “Oh, thank God. Thank you for saving our mother.”

“You’re welcome. She was very lucky.”

“Can we see her?” I asked.

The doctor shook her head. “She’s in recovery and has been given pain medication to keep her comfortable. If you want to wait another couple of hours you can pop in for a few minutes. However, it’s really late. I recommend you go home and get some rest and come back in the morning. We’ll take excellent care of her.”

Rhodes put his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s take the kids to the hotel and get some rest. We’ll come first thing in the morning,” he encouraged.

“Thank you, doctor. We’ll be back tomorrow.” I waved my hand at my siblings who’d heard everything the doctor said. “Let’s go guys.”

Both of them stood silently and followed Rhodes and me out of the hospital. Buddy, my new shadow, of course led the way.

* * * *

“Mom, seriously, if you keep trying to move around, they’re going to sedate you!” I warned, not knowing if that was true or not. “Be a good patient,” I growled.

“I’m so stiff, Maia. I can’t help it,” she groaned where she lay, the top of the hospital bed propped up enough to ensure her comfort.

“Don’t make me call in the nurse…” I threatened.

Mom glared. “She doesn’t like me.”

“No, she doesn’t appreciate her patients disregarding her orders and trying to get up and walk to the bathroom unassisted when you’re only ten hours out of surgery.”

“I’m so uncomfortable. I want to go home.”

I let out a frustrated, drawn-out sigh. This was going to be a long, few days in the hospital if this is how she was on day one.

“Mom, just do what they say,” Zach pleaded. “We want you to get better fast. You can’t do that if you’re not following the rules.”

“Yeah! What he said,” I pointed at my brother then looked around the room and realized Rhodes wasn’t there. “Do you know where Rhodes went?” I asked Zach.

He grinned “He said he had a surprise for you.”

I closed my eyes and groaned. “I hope it’s coffee,” I sighed dreamily.

“Nope, it’s better!” Rhodes said from the door.

He stepped aside, and there was Emily.

“Oh my god!” I opened my arms automatically and the girl practically flew into them.

“Maia!” she cried with joy as she plowed into me.

I held on tight, even though my battered body throbbed and ached at the sudden tsunami that was Emily.

“Em, how…why…how did you get here?” I breathed, still clinging to the girl I now loved with my whole heart.

“Dad updated Mari last night. I demanded to be here. When family is hurt, we need to be together. Dad agreed. So, one of his rich friends flew us in their private plane. And here I am!”

I snuggled her close, allowing her familiar scent to wash over me. “I’m happy you’re here. We missed you so much.”

“I missed you guys too.”

Zach cleared his throat, and I glanced over Em’s head to see him straightening his shirt and sweeping his hair back.

Oh dear…

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