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thirty-four
SANDRA
Idon’t remember the drive to the hospital. Did I ride in the ambulance with Dom? Did I ride with a cop? Did I walk, take an Uber or a cab? Fuck if I know. My phone is in my hand, and I stare at it. Did I call someone? I can’t remember, nor do I understand how long I’ve been here by myself, in the waiting room full of lots of people, but I’m the only person here for Dom. I need to call people, I know that, starting with his sister and brother. Maybe Garner? My sister?
I look around, and it’s the first time I realize I’m sitting. I don’t remember that either. The only image I have in my mind is Dom being catapulted in the air, and his body, typically so strong and so full of authority, was reduced to a heap of bones and flesh. And blood. So much fucking blood.
My phone is still in my hands, but my fingers are frozen.
“Sandra!” Someone yelling my name gets my attention, and the profile of the man that hurries toward me looks so much like Dom that I’m elated, and I stand for a brief second. Then my heart drops and my knees give out.
“Are you okay?” He sits near me, pulling my arm toward him. “Sandra, honey, you’re in shock. It’s Daimen. I need you to answer me. Are you okay?”
And he’s even bossy like his brother. Family trait I’m sure. I can have a conversation with myself, but I can’t answer him. “Someone get her water, please!”
I can hear him, clear as day, but my mouth won’t work. “Sandra, I need you to take slow sips of this water, and please look at me. Got it?”
It’s hard to ignore that commanding voice, though it’s not the one I love to hear. But something in it, the familiarity, causes me to obey, and as I sip on the water, my eyes connect on his.
“Okay, that’s good. Dom would be so proud. Now, can you blink, please?”
Again, I do as he asks, and even his face is so similar to his brother’s, but this isn’t Dom. And it hits me. I have no idea what’s going on with him.
“Daimen?” I ask on a sob.
“Yeah, honey, it’s Daimen. Garner called us from the station after he had some of the officers drive you over here.”
“Dominic?” I ask, and as before, I protectively cover my stomach—safeguarding his baby.
“Garner is waiting for the nurse right now. But I know Dom; he’d want me to take care of you. And your sister is on a private jet. She’ll be here in the next two hours.”
My sister? “You called Cami?” I ask.
“Of course I did. It’s what family does, and you’re family. I see how my brother watches you. I’m surprised he hasn’t made it official yet.”
I don’t know what comes over me in this moment. Maybe it’s Daimen’s confession, or the loving way he’s taking care of me because of his brother. I can’t help myself.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, just loud enough for Daimen to hear.
His eyes widen like Dom’s do when he’s been given shocking news. “I thought that was…” He stops immediately. “I’m just…does my brother know?”
“Yes. As you’re aware, it wasn’t planned, so we were taking our time deciding what was best for us. He said it was my body, and he’d support me regardless of my decision.”
“It sure sounds like my brother.” He pauses, and a small smirk forms on his lips. He’s imagining his brother right now. He rights himself and turns his attention back to me. “And now?” he asks.
“I’m going to wait until Dom wakes, to talk to him first,” I answer. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. And, Sandra, you make my brother happier than I’d ever thought he’d be. So please, just keep making him happy. No matter what you do, being here is the most important.”
“Daimen,” Garner calls from the nurses’ station.
“I’ll be right back,” Daimen explains and he pushes from his seat. It’s when I realize Daimen’s husband is here, standing near Garner. I’ve been in my own world. Arden walks toward us, his eyes full of tears.
“Daria and Elliot will be here shortly. Daria was at a book signing. Elliot is waiting on the nanny,” he explains and follows Daimen to the front desk.
Daimen returns immediately. “Dom’s been rushed to the OR. It’s a waiting game now, but my brother is strong. He’ll find his way back to you. Back to you both,” he whispers, only for me to hear.
I want to believe him. I have to believe him.
