The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 31 Paisley’s Surgery

Jane

The expression on Ethan’s face terrifies me.

When he answered the phone all color drained from his cheeks, and his jaw went absolutely rigid. His eyes clenched shut as if he was in pain when the person on the other end of the line spoke, and the next thing I knew he was urgently telling me we had to go.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, leaping to my feet.

“It’s Paisley.” He answers, his voice like gravel.

The room begins to spin as dread ties my stomach into knots, “Is she okay?” | gasp, reaching for the counter to suddenly swaying body

“They’ve rushed her into emergency surgery.” Ethan explains, moving for the door. “I don’t know any details yet.”

Glancing helplessly at Linda, I find my friend already pushing my purse into my hands, “Go, I’ll take care of the pups.”

“Thank you.” I mouth, following Ethan. “I’ll take you.” | announce, “You shouldn’t drive with a head injury.”

He guides me through the door with a hand at my waist and closes it behind us, pulling the keys from my hand, “Of course you’re coming.” Ethan says, as if that was a given, “but you aren’t driving when you’re shaking that way.”

“What are you-” looking down at my hands, I realize he’s right,

I am shaking like a leaf.

I want to argue, I want to insist I’m not upset and only worried for his sake, but the truth is that I’m a second away from collapsing. Instead of spreading more lies, I simply obey, letting Ethan lead me to the car and not even arguing when he keeps a steadying hand on my thigh throughout the drive.

“How are you so calm?” | squeak when we stop at a red light.

whips his head toward me, and I see the rage and fear swirling in his eyes. “I’m not calm.” He growls, “I’m terrified.” He

surge ahead. “If I hadn’t hit you with that vase you never would have had to postpone.” I confess, breaking

shock, Ethan pulls the car over,

again, when he cuts me off. “This isn’t your fault, Jane.” He declares sternly.

of the corners of my eyes as I clench them shut, trying to fight my sobs. He doesn’t realize it, but Ethan just struck my deepest fear right on the head. Yes

pregnancy or done things differently, she would have been as healthy as

reaction. “I’m angry at the universe… It isn’t fair. Paisley’s never hurt anyone, she doesn’t

get myself under control. I can’t fall to pieces this way, it will give everything

make the operation go any faster.” He reasons, though he directs the car back onto the road anyway. I’m not sure what to think of his behavior. The Ethan I knew had a temper like a bear, and while he never directed it towards me until everything went wrong with Eve, he certainly didn’t show me this kind

after a moment, “she seemed

really thought we were

breathing exercises in the vain hope of calming myself down. Of course, every time I try to think a comforting thought to pacify my frayed nerves, some horrible intrusive counterpart comes along to send me spiraling back

feeling marginally better before musing, I’ll never forgive myself if she isn’t. She can’t die when we’ve never gotten a chance to be together. I’ ve only spent a few hours with her and half of those I spent Tying to her face. She’s never even met her brothers and sister. I never got to tell her she’s right, that I am her mother. What kind of monster does that to a dying child? By the time I reach this point I’m back on the verge of collapse, and

I practically have to run to keep up. In the end he gives up trying to keep an arm around me and just drags me by the hand, but I’m not complaining – if his long legs can get us there faster I’d let

the OR waiting room looks as if she’s coming from a funeral. “I’m

then, and it’s a blessing Ethan is there to catch me. “What does that mean for the surgery?” He asks, hugging

her?”

doing absolutely everything he can. We’ll know more

and sounding as if he’s on the verge of tears himself, “She was

in a sympathetic tone, “I promise we’ll find out everything

He rumbles as

kissing my hair

Ethan

a man possessed, only pausing to touch base with the nurses

the other night, Paisley’s surgery would have gone ahead as scheduled. All the triumph I was feeling a few hours ago about my progress with my mate is long gone. If Paisley