Page 43 of Heartbeat

“Well, I’m calling Delgado, so you can get checked out. You can’t be wrestling and shit, you are only six-weeks pregnant.” Lennox wiped the tears from my cheeks and kissed my lips softly.

“I didn’t want the baby hurt, I just couldn’t watch her kill my father.” I cried a little harder. This baby was going to be a hellion. All I did was fight and cry since I got pregnant.

“PJ is fine. I know it. I love you.” Lennox kissed me again, and I knew it was no way he could be sure, but I believed him.

Before Lennox could continue to lecture me, we heard a groan coming from my father. We both rushed to his side.

CHAPTER 22

LENNOX

We rushed to Alejandro’s side, and I immediately went into surgeon mode. I hit the call button and pulled on gloves from the station by his bed. I checked his pupils with my pin light when Nurse Caroline came running in the room with Dr. Pratt hot on her heels.

I answered Dr. Pratt’s questions as he quickly took over. I moved out of the way pulling Raven to my side. Dr. Pratt was the best, and Alejandro had been under his care from the beginning. The only reason I operated on Alejandro was that Dr. Pratt had been in surgery already, and there was no time to waste.

While we were waiting for Caroline and Pratt to finish their assessment, my mother-in-law came barreling into the room with wild hair and crazy eyes. Raven ran to her and hugged her tightly.

“He’s awake, Mama.” Raven rocked her mother, and I could see when Josephine realized it wasn’t the words she expected.

“Awake! Oh, thank God!” She exclaimed through her tears.

“Let’s give them room to work ladies, we can visit when they’re finished.” I led the two sobbing women out of the room. My arms wrapped around them both. Their small bodies fit comfortably, and I stood holding them both until they calmed down.

We sat in the waiting area, while Dr. Pratt finished up his assessment. I took the time to rearrange my schedule as well as contact Lynn, Raven’s assistant, for her to take care of any pending work Raven may have had for the next few days. I also called Dove and Robin to let them know what was going on. My last calls were to my family. Sawyer was still on the island, but my father had left to take care of business back home. He and my mother, as well as Parker, would be chartering a private flight to be here later. My youngest brother, Brady, was back at the university, and I told him to stay. There was no reason for him to miss class because of my drama. He would come down on his break.

When Dr. Pratt was finished, Josephine, Raven, and I were the only ones allowed in. Robin and Dove chose to wait until we were done. I got the feeling that Robin was avoiding her father. Otherwise, she would’ve been the first in the room.

Josephine rushed to Alejandro’s side. She fussed over him, kissing his forehead and fluffing his pillows. Even though the man still looked weak, I could tell he was happy to be awake.

“Jo, stop fussing, baby.” He raised her hand weakly and kissed her palm. With tears in her eyes, Josephine nodded and took a seat in the chair by Alejandro’s bed.

“How are you feeling?” Raven asked her brows furrowed, and her gray eyes filled with worry.

I rubbed her back because I know how much that comforts her, and she sunk into my touch. Alejandro watched us carefully for a minute, his gray eyes so much like Raven’s filling with an emotion that I couldn’t name.

“I’m doing okay. I heard you saved my life,” Alejandro responded. He quirked his head to the side as he focused on Raven. I’m not sure what he was looking for as he stared at my wife, but when she began to fidget, I stood protectively in front of her.

I don’t care if he was half dead, I wouldn’t allow Alejandro Bishops to intimidate my wife a minute more of her life. I looked him dead in the eye, and he smirked at me. I frowned.

“I see you two are becoming arealcouple,” Alejandro observed.

“I’ll protect my wife with my life. I’ll never letanyonehurt her. So yeah, we’re as real as it gets,” I responded, trying my best not to raise my voice. I could feel Raven’s small hand rubbing my back like I was doing hers earlier. Her touch alone calmed me down. I turned around and kissed her forehead.

“I’m glad she has someone to protect her.” Alejandro’s eyes softened, and I saw the sincerity flash in his eyes for a brief moment.

“We’ll go and let you rest. Robin and Dove want to see you.” Raven’s eyes were unsure as she hesitated to move to her father’s side. She stopped halfway there and turned around. Raven walked back into my arms, and I started leading her out of the room.

“Raven, wait!” I heard Josephine call from behind us. I stopped even though Raven shook her head. I knew she wanted to leave, but I knew she needed to hear whatever her mother had to say. “We need to put a stop to this. It’s gone on for too long,” Josephine said, looking at Alejandro. He sighed but nodded.

“Raven, it’s my fault that you and your father have a contentious relationship. I stood by all these years and let you suffer, and for that, I can’t apologize enough.” Josephine’s pretty face was covered in guilt. I never noticed just how many features of Raven’s mirrored her mothers. Yeah, Dove and Robin were Josephine’s clones, but Raven looked like her as well. Raven’s gray eyes and chocolate complexion made her stand out, and at first glance, you wouldn’t recognize the similarities.

“Mama, we can talk about this at another time. Let Daddy get his rest.” I could hear the pleading in Raven’s soft sweet words.My poor, baby.

“No. Your mother is right. Have a seat, you two,” Alejandro spoke with his normal authority. Even in his weakened state, he reverted back to his commanding demeanor.

We sat down on the sofa to listen. I held Raven under my arm while holding her hand. Whatever she was about to hear, I wanted her to feel me right there with her.

“I had an affair,” Josephine confessed, and I don’t know which one of us was more shocked. Raven sucked in a surprised breath, her hand flying to her chest, and I sat back in stunned silence. Before Raven could say anything, Josephine held up her manicured hand.

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