Everything (17 page)

Chapter Thirty-Three

Jody

In spite of all my determined talk and a lovemaking session that turned my mind to custard, I couldn’t shake the fight with my dad. It plagued me, driving me insane as I fought the waves of doubt that crashed over me. The plane tickets were bought. The hotel was booked. We were
going
to NYC! I didn’t care what got in the way. In three days’ time, we were boarding the plane, and nothing was going to stop me.

My hands shook as I sat at Leo’s piano. I squeezed my fingers together.

“Come on, you know this.”

I didn’t want to let Leo down, but I had been screwing up the tune for “Dream Chaser” repeatedly. It was a song in the middle between the old wise woman and the young protagonist, Aria. It was kind of her light-bulb moment in the story where she finally figures out what she wants, and when she wakes, what dream she’s going to pursue.

It was a powerful song, and my voice really needed to nail that high note, making it soar right across the audition room so it pierced every soul sitting in front of me.

I could hear Angel playing in the apartment next door. I didn’t usually leave her out of reach, but she was happy with her blocks, and I wanted to steal ten minutes at the piano while Leo wasn’t home. I’d left both the doors open and blocked off the stairs so she could totter through to me when she was ready.

Pulling in a breath, I played the notes and sung the old lady’s part first.

Dream chaser, what are you searching for?

Which door is the one that you will choose?

Dream chaser, do not be afraid

Let the music guide your heart

Hear what it will say...what it will say...

My voice crested over her note, rising in volume before Aria’s solo kicked in.

I know which way to go...I think, yes,

I know where my love is leading me, I feel it

I know which way to go.

But can I get there on my own?

The keys under my fingers felt like magic as I lost myself in the song, the wise woman assuring me in her next verse that I had the strength to face any odds and that pursuing my dream and listening to my heart would secure me everything I wanted.

My smile grew as the duet picked up speed, matching the excitement growing inside of me.

I can make this dream come true

              You can make this dream come true

Like a light it leads me on to what I’m meant to do

You will know it in your soul

              I will know it in my soul

Feelings come alive and you’ll know you have come home...

I’ve found my home

              You’ve found your home

I’ve found my soul

              You found your soul

I let the music guide...

              Guide...

The music guide...

              Guide...

I’ve found my home.

My voice stretched over the final note. It was a high one, and I could feel my vocal cords straining, vibrato kicking in to help see me through the note. I had to hold it for at least twelve beats, if not sixteen. It needed that time to really soar.

I finished with a triumphant huff. That time had sounded way better. I needed to get out of my own head and just focus on the music. Like the song said, if I let music guide me, I’d find home and everything I wanted.

Placing my fingers back on the keys, I decided to run through it again. I paused to listen out for Angel, but I couldn’t hear anything. She wasn’t crying, so I figured I had time to work through the song once more before going to check on her.

Five minutes couldn’t hurt.

My fingers had stopped shaking and were working with renewed vigor the second time I played over Leo’s piece. He was such a genius. The entire musical was amazing, and my insides were bubbling with pride. My broad smile was hindering my singing, but I couldn’t help it. I was in love with a magical man who was going to sell his play to Broadway...and I was going to be the star of his show.

Glee bubbled within me as my voice crescendoed, but it was slashed in half by a terrifying thump and a bone-chilling scream.

I bolted off the stool, nearly tripping over as I raced out of the room and through to my apartment. Angel’s wails were high-pitched and horrifying. I had come to learn her different cries, and I’d never heard anything like this before.

“Angel!” I glanced into the living area where I’d left her. The blocks were a messy pile on the floor, completely forgotten.

Surging after her sound, I screeched to a halt in the kitchen, my stomach turning as I took in the sight of my baby girl, face-first on the hard floor with blood pooling around her.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Jody

“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!” I dropped to my knees, my arms shaking as I tried to lift Angel. Tears blurred my vision while panic clawed up my throat, making me want to wail in time with my daughter.

Blood was dripping from her face, splashing large red dots all over my shirt. With quivering fingers, I tried to figure out exactly where the blood was coming from. I touched her red-stained chin and she screamed, flinging her arms and legs.

Bile surged up my throat as I got a proper look at the large gash. Her mouth was bleeding profusely, as well. Every time she wailed, more blood-laced dribble ran out from between her lips. I was soon covered in it, the red dots merging into a large, wet stain on my shirt. Panic was starting to win, taking swift hold and turning my mind to mush. I tried to bob Angel against me and calm her down, but it wasn’t working. She was hysterical...which was making me hysterical.

“Think, think.” I sobbed the words, my body trembling as I begged my brain to function properly. “Stop the bleeding,” I finally whispered. “Stop the bleeding,” I repeated, my voice sounding a little more sure as I clung to something practical I could actually do.

Yanking open the bottom drawer, I pulled out a clean towel and pressed it against Angel’s chin. This nearly sent her through the roof, but I had to stem the flow.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

She grappled with me, scratching at my hands with her little nails while I scrambled for my phone.

Leo’s number popped up first. I dialed it and paced impatiently.

No answer.

“What the—Are you kidding me!” Who the hell didn’t have their phones on them at ALL TIMES! What was the point of having one if you weren’t going to answer it!

I nearly threw the device across the room. Last-minute logic stopped me from killing my only form of communication.

Leo had the car with Angel’s baby seat in it. I knew I had to get her to a doctor, but how?

“Ambulance?” My fingers shook as I went to dial, but my phone vibrated and started ringing.

I saw Dad’s number and didn’t hesitate. Arguments be damned, I needed him.

“Dad,” I answered with a wail, my voice breaking apart as I joined my daughter in an all-out cry-fest.

“Jody? What’s the matter?”

“Angel’s hurt and I don’t know what to do. There’s blood everywhere.” I had to practically shout to be heard over her screaming.

“I’m on my way.” His voice was clipped but calm, and I needed that right now.

“Do I call an ambulance?”

“What are her injuries?”

“Split chin and maybe a cut in her mouth. I’m not sure, she won’t let me look at it.”

“Okay, don’t panic. She’s conscious and breathing. I’m ten minutes away. Just sit tight and I’ll drive you guys to the emergency room.”

I nodded, my head bobbing like a jackhammer as he hung up.

Sucking in a breath, I sat Angel down on the island.

“It’s okay, baby. I know it hurts, but Grandpa’s coming, okay? He’s going to look after us.”

My shaking voice didn’t calm her. She batted at my hands, still trying to pull the towel off her face. I gave in to her request but changed my mind when I noticed the wide gash on her chin was still oozing.

I lifted her into my arms, squeezing my eyes against her screams.

“Shhhh, it’s okay. It’s okay.” I kept whispering the words, my body swaying back and forth. I nearly stepped in the blood on the floor, my forehead creasing as I tried to figure out what she’d done.

The cupboard doors beneath the sink were flung open. It didn’t take me long to work out that she must have climbed up the shelving and gotten up to the countertop before slipping and...

“I should have been watching you.” My voice squeaked. “I shouldn’t have left. I’m so sorry, baby.”

I kept on muttering apologies between hiccupping sobs.

I didn’t even hear Dad walk in.

“Jody?” He came up behind me.

I jolted, spinning to face him. He took in the blood-soaked towel against Angel’s face and his expression morphed with horror.

“What happened?” He lurched toward us.

“I think she was climbing and she fell.”

“You think? You weren’t watching her?”

“Of course I wasn’t! Do you think I would have let her climb onto the counter if I had been!”

“She’s one! You should be with her at all times. How did she get up there in the first place?”

I looked to the ceiling, fresh tears filling my eyes as I listened to Dad’s reprimand. I knew he was right. I didn’t need him to spell it out for me.

“I screwed up, okay! Come on, that’s what you’re used to now, right?”

His face crested with sorrow.

I ignored it, my volume increasing with Angel’s cries. “But it doesn’t change the fact that my baby girl is in pain and I need to help her! HELP ME!” I screamed.

Raising his hands in surrender, I didn’t miss the apology swamping his expression as he came around behind me and laid a hand on my back. “It’s okay, Jo-Jo. I’m here.” He kissed the side of my face. “It’s gonna be okay.”

*****

Dad didn’t have a baby seat in his truck, so I sat Angel in my lap in the backseat and prayed she wouldn’t have to endure two accidents in one day. Guilt was a heavy burden, weighing me down and causing fresh waves of tears to swamp me every few minutes. Dad drove at a quick clip, but I never felt unsafe. We pulled into the hospital parking lot and Dad ushered us through the emergency room doors where a nurse dealt with us swiftly.

Within twenty minutes, Angel was seen by a tender, sweet doctor who reminded me of Sean’s brother, Kip. He was tall and lean, his long, dark fingers precise as he stitched Angel’s gash. His low, soft voice comforted Angel, even when he was trying to inject an anesthetic into her chin. Once she was calm, he examined her mouth and pointed out where she’d bitten her tongue.

“Those things bleed pretty bad, but they also heal quickly.”

“Is she going to be okay?” I wrapped my arms around myself.

“Of course she is.” He smiled, rubbing her back gently. “But she did fall and hit her face, so I’d like to keep her overnight, just to monitor her and make sure there are no hidden injuries lurking where we can’t see ‘em.”

“Okay,” I whispered, feeling sick as I tried to smile at my baby girl.

Her blue eyes were so forgiving. I didn’t deserve those chubby arms reaching out for me.

“Uh, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork, and I’m sorry, standard procedure, but someone from Child Services is going to want to chat to you.”

“Child Services?” I frowned.

“We just need to be sure that the baby is in a safe environment.”

My stomach dropped as I cradled Angel against me.

“I would never hurt my baby.”

The doctor’s brown eyes softened with a kind smile. “I can see that, but it’s protocol. I’m sure you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

I nodded, feeling numb as I followed the doctor out to the waiting room.

As soon as Dad saw us, he lurched from his chair and came forward with outstretched arms. Another wave of tears crested over me. I seriously didn’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there for Angel and me.