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I shake my head as he leads me to an ambulance. "I need to get to the hospital."
"That's right, that's where we're headed, to make sure you're okay."
I try to explain that I need to get to the hospital for Dane, not for me, but they don't listen.
They put me in an ambulance and take me to Manhattan General.
I guess the universe knew where I needed to end up after all."I need to call my friend," I tell the emergency room nurse.
"Of course, dear. Just fill out this medical form and I'll get you a phone."
"I can't fill out anything right now." Lexi must be worried sick. Thank goodness, I was in the car alone. If I'd brought Asher with me...
I squeeze my eyes shut, the thought making me ill. I blink back the tears, how this is my life, I don't know. The doctor has already cleared me, I was questioned by a police officer, and I just need to get to the fourth floor.
"Fine," I say, knowing arguing with this woman is not going to get me where I need to go. "Just give me the paperwork."
Twenty minutes later I am given access to a phone—my purse and phone still in Lexi's totaled car.
I explain everything to Lexi, who's been freaking out all morning.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Dottie. I was so scared."
"I know, it's awful. I'm just so glad I'm alive... the other guy though... he is in bad shape."
"He lived though?"
"Yes, thank God. I don't want to imagine..." I start crying, my emotions in overdrive. "Can you bring Asher to the hospital? I'm on my way to see Dane."
"Of course, he's been sleeping for over an hour. Do you want me to wake him up?"
I bite my bottom lip. Remembering how hard a night he had, teething and never getting his Tylenol.
"Let him finish his nap, I'll get upstairs, see Dane, and call with an update. I have no idea what condition he is in, okay?"
"That makes sense. Stay strong, Dottie. Asher and I will be there as soon as you need us."
I nod, knowing she's right, but also knowing this entire day has been out of my control.I know I look like a hot mess when I walk into his hospital room, but when I see him sitting up in bed, relief floods my face and every cell in my body.
"Dottie," he says breathlessly. His words sound shallow, his eyes dark, his face swollen.
How in the space of a day did a strong man become this?
As if reading my mind, he says, "Sepsis. Never sexy."
"Dane, I'm so sorry," I say rushing to him, reaching for his hand and pressing my lips to it. Words fail me, and I shake my head, brushing away the tears. But Dane, even in this state, is as steady as ever.
Grounding me in the moment. This morning, I thought of him as my soul mate... and other people may not understand that... but as I look into his darkening eyes, I know it is true.
He is mine.
I am his.
And yet... he's dying.
"At least we had yesterday," he says softly. "And Miami."
"Dane, we also had..." I start, ready to tell him about his son, knowing there may not be more time. But before I can finish my sentence a doctor rushes in the hospital room.
"Dane, a man was admitted to the emergency room. He was just in an accident, he ran a stop sign and totaled another woman's car, and he's dead—"
I gasp. "He's dead? I was just down there and the nurse told me he was... oh God." I cover my mouth, sobs escaping me. If I hadn't been there when I was, he wouldn't have hit me... he could have survived.
"Why are you telling us this, doctor," Dane asks exhausted as if the mention of more death is breaking him down.
The doctor looks at us as if the words leaving his lips stun even him. "You'll never believe it."
"What?" Dane asks in a subdued voice as if nothing in the world could surprise him now.
Little does he know I have a surprise that he will never expect. I have a secret baby. His secret baby.
But then the doctor smiles, and I don't understand why. Why smile at a time like this? "The man in the wreck?" the doctor says. "He is your brother."Chapter TwelveMy doctor's words stun the room into silence.
"We need to move quickly," the doctor states. "He was an organ donor, and his dying words were that he was Dane Westbrook's brother, he was coming to New York to see you."
"But the donor list..." I say, working hard to breathe. The medication I am on is fogging things... Yet my doctor's words manage to come out clearly. "I'd have to be at the top of—"
The doctor cuts me off. "You're dying today without this kidney. You've been moved to the top of the list. And Thomas is a perfect match."
