Page 31 of Victorious: Part I

The world seems to tilt beneath me.

Livvy’s been a constant in my life since we were young. I don’t know how to be in a world without her. My nostrils flare as my eyes meet our daughter. Poppy makes a sound—not quite a cry, a whimper—and it’s now I realize that while I was having my attack, Haven and Poppy were already finding out this news.

That’s why Poppy came to me for comfort.

She needed her father to step up.

So that’s what I’m going to do.

“No,” I growl flatly. “Therehasto be something else you can do. Surgery, transfusions, anything. I don’t care about cost, Rhodes. You just fucking fix her!”

Rhodes subtly shakes his head, his composure cracking further. “She was my colleague. My friend. My fucking heartbeat. Do you think I’m not tryingeverythinghumanly possible?” He takes a breath, steadying himself. “I’m sorry, Stone. Truly. We’re continuing supportive measures, but the trauma is simply too extensive.” His jaw wracks from side to side, his eyes flooding with tears, but he fights them back. “We all love her, Stone. No one wants this outcome. No one.”

Poppy, who hasn’t left her mother’s side, begins to cry again, silent tears tracking down her cheeks. “Can’t you do anything else?” she pleads.

Rhodes places a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Poppy. We’re keeping her comfortable. That’s all we can do now. It’s a waiting game.”

Haven pulls Poppy closer as I pace the room again.

Rhodes goes to leave, but I call out to him. “Hey, doc.”

He glances back, looking like he’s about to fall over at any minute. “Yeah?”

Drawing in a long breath, I try to remember that even though he’s pissing me off right now,heis hurting too. I have to try and be a fucking human. “Have you eaten? Had any sleep since she came in?”

Rhodes softly laughs. “No. I don’t think I could stomach anything. And I can’t sleep. I need to be awake. I need to be here if she needs me… till the end.”

Weakly smiling at him, I dip my head. “You’re good people, Lock.”

He shrugs. “Funnily enough, Stone. I thinkyoumight be too.” He says nothing more, simply spins on his heels and walks out.

Shaking my head, I turn back to look at Haven with a small smirk, and she grins at me and opens her mouth to speak. Before she can, she’s interrupted.

“Who would’ve thought… that you could… put your big dick energy… away for a minute… and stop pissing on… everything… and actually… make friends with… my boyfriend?” Livvy snarks from behind me.

Turning, my heart sinks through my chest, noticing the heavy bags under her eyes, her labored breathing, and how clammy she looks. But I step up to her with a bright smile anyway. “Ahhh, there she is. Can still turn on that feisty attitude when needed I see?”

Livvy slowly smiles. “You bring it out of me.”

“Oh, like my big dick energy?” I chuckle, turning to Haven and waggling my brows.

Livvy hums under her breath. “That’s why they… call it big… dick energy. Because it’s… usually reserved… for the guys… who have the… smallest dicks.”

Haven bursts out laughing as I fold my arms across my chest, letting out a huff. “That’s bullshit.” I turn to Haven and raise both brows. “It’s bullshit! Right, babe?”

Haven shrugs, pursing her lips. “I mean, big dick energy is nothing to be ashamed of, Big Guy. It’s all about how you use it. Which you do very, very well, I might add.”

Livvy giggles in the bed softly trying to keep herself from coughing as Poppy scrunches up her face with a groan. “Is this appropriate talk in front of an eight-year-old?” Poppy whines.

Curling up my face, I huff. “No, it is not.” I narrow my eyes on Haven. “Wewillcontinue this chat later.”

Haven grins, winking at me. “You got it, stud.”

Livvy continues to smirk at the two of us, but her hands reach out signaling. “Poppy,” she murmurs. “Will you come sit with me and sing, like when you were little?”

Poppy’s face crumples, but she nods, gathering herself. She climbs up on the bed and sits. It’s been so fucking long I’d forgotten that she even used to do this.

Before everything went to hell.

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