Page 77 of Sunset

He goes into some detail on what he did to Jasper’s leg, but all I can think about is that he’s alive.

Mrs. Adams sags into the closest chair, and I fall into Kade’s side.

“Right now, it’s a wait and see if he’ll wake up. If he wakes up, I feel he will make a full recovery. As soon as he’s settled in his room, a nurse will be in to get you. It shouldn’t be more than about twenty minutes.” He says.

Mrs. Adams and I both nod, and Kade thanks the doctor and shakes his hand, before we all sit down.

“If he wakes up.” I murmur.

“Don’t think like that,” Lin says, but I’m not sure how else to think.

It seems like hours, before the nurse comes out to direct us back to see Jasper.

“You’re all family?” She asks, as she eyes Kade. It’s obvious she recognizes him.

He pulls Lin to his side and kisses the top of her head, but it’s Jasper’s mom who speaks up.

“Yes, we are for the fifth time in the last hour. Now, if you will take us to see my son, that would be great.” She snaps.

The nurse’s eyes go wide, and this is when Kade turns on the charm.

“She’s worried about her son. But yes, we’re all family, so if you could, just show us back.” He says.

“But you’re Kade Markson.” She says, like she’s going to argue the fact that there’s no way he’s related to Jasper.

“Jasper is my brother-in-law. Lin and I got married recently.” When he smiles down at Lin, he misses the sad look on the nurse’s face, but she nods and leads us down a maze of corridors.

When we get to the end of a hall, we find him in a private room. With the exception of the hospital bed, it looks like it could be a hotel suite. Tile floors with a room for the bed and equipment. There’s a sliding frosted glass door that closes the bed area off from the sitting area that has a couch and love seat, a few chairs, a coffee table, and a TV.

Jasper’s mom and I see him at the same time and rush to his side. She on one side of the bed, and me on the other.

“Can we hold his hand?” I ask the nurse.

“Yes, just be careful of any bruises. His leg with the cast shouldn’t be jostled, but his hands are fine.” She says. She also points out the call buttons, if we need anything and heads out.

Kade brings over a chair from the sitting area for both Jasper’s mom and me, as Lin comes in, holding a pamphlet.

“So, those chairs each recline back into a makeshift bed, but the love seat and sofa both have pull out beds. I’ve never seen anything like this.” She looks around the room. “There’s a fully equipped bathroom, so you two have no reason to leave. We’ll bring you food and anything else you need.”

“Thank you.” I croak out, but it doesn’t look like Jasper’s mom heard us, until she speaks.

“That’s perfect, because I’m not leaving his side.” She says.

“Neither am I,” I say.

Our eyes meet, and she gives me a quick nod. We both may be mad as hell at him, but we will fight to make sure he lives, so we have the opportunity to yell at him.

It’s nice to be on the same side.

* * *

I jerk awake to find I’m still in the hospital room. I had fallen asleep in the chair with my head, leaning on the bed right next to Jasper’s hand. My hand is still in his, as I have yet to let go of it.

Across from me, his mom sits, and she gives me a forced smile.

“Have you slept at all?” I ask her.

“I dozed off a bit, but I think I’m going to go for a walk, get some coffee, and find some food. I want to call and check in on the restaurants, too.” She says.

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