"What happened?" tvy asked Ss, who just returned to the hospital corridor.
He was panting, his suit jacket was with Bud who stood behind him. There were lines of sweat seated on his forehead and his shirt was stained.
She went to him, her heart pounding at his appearance. "What happened?" she asked again.
Though as she, Theresa and Aria made their way into the hospital, she had noticed the reporters outside. Her first thought had been that they were there because of the famous actor and director, ine Chase, who was rushed in just as they arrived. But seeing Ss now, she was beginning to think the media frenzy wasn''t just for ine.
Ss sank into the bench, wiping his forehead. "Andrew''s girlfriends came around, and it was a mess." He ran a hand through his hair, his breath still uneven. Bud handed him a bottle of cold water. "Thank Bud."
you
Ivy sat beside him as he took a deep gulp.
1
"Somehow, news got out about the idents," Ss continued, capping the bottle and handing it back. "The women came here and started fighting. It was ugly and it attracted even more reporters."
"I thought they were here for ine Chase."
Ss raised his brow. "Who?"
"ine, the lead actress in that snake movie," Ivy replied, trying to recall the title.
"I have no idea, baby," Ss said, leaning back on the bench. "Where is Aria and theresa?"
Ivy''s heart clenched. "They''re both in Uncle Mike''s room."
Her thoughts drifted to Theresa, and her heart arched more. Aria had been expressive, but Theresa; she had been dangerouslyposed, and it scared the shit out of Ivy.
She knew she was supposed to add that Hector was with them, but she thought otherwise.
Let him find out himself.
"How did they take the news?" Ss asked.
e''s just there."
"Bad,” she admitted. “Aria has a terrible stomachache, she says it''s a twin thing because of Andrew. And Theresa... she''s
"As expected," he said sadly. "Have you seen Thomas?"
"No, not yet," she replied. Then she told him about Cheryl''s child.
"Oh my goodness!" he eximed. "Are they okay?"
"I hope so," she said quietly,
Delivering the news to Theresa and Aria had been her top priority that she hadn''t had the time to process Cheryl''s situation. Now that the thoughts settled in, she felt sad.
She knew jaundice was normal, but imagining how the baby must be feeling made her chest tighten.
Ss rubbed her thigh, and she squeezed his hand. "It''s been such a terrible day."
"Yes. And I hope we all heal."
Ss didn''t say anything, he just kept rubbing her thigh. Sheid her head on his shoulder, melting into thefort of his presence.
"How''s it with the media? Are you sertding them away for our privacy?" she asked.
"I thought about that," he replied. "But I figured their presence might be helpful, in case... Rosie decides to finish what she started."
Ivy caught the sadness in his tone and sighed. "I get you."
"Let''s just hope she gets caught soon, so we can stop worrying," he added firmly.
They sat in silence, both lost in their thoughts, until Bud approached them.
"Sir, the doctor," he said, gesturing down the corridor.
Ss immediately stood up, and Ivy followed.
"What doctor?"
"Andrew''s," Ss replied.
They met the doctor halfway.
"Hello, sir. Ma''am," the doctor greeted with a bright smile.
"Hi, doctor," Ss said. "How did it go?"
"Sessful. Andrew is resting in bed now."
Ss and fvy both exhaled in relief.
"Thank you, doctor," Ss said.
"You''re wee. I suggest you all go home and get some rest. There''s nothing
more to do here for now. We''ll call you if anything changes."
Ivy was d everything went well, but she noticed the hesitation in Ss''s stance.
"Are you sure, doctor?" he asked, his eyes full of uncertainty.
"Yes," the doctor nodded. "Everything is fine. Don''t worry."
Ss nodded slowly. "Thank you, doctor."
"Take care," the doctor said before leaving them.
"Guess we have to share the news with the others," Ss said, turning toward
Uncle Mike''s room. "I''ll call Thomas and let him know."
Ivy heard the sadness in his tone; the longing, but she didn''t address it.
When they reached Uncle Mike''s room, Ss pointed at Hector. "What is he doing here?"
Theresa immediately defended him. "He''s with me."
Ivy saw the tears in Theresa''s eyes and was weirdly relieved that Theresa had decided to express something.
Ss stepped forward, about to protest. "Well, he-”
But Ivy interrupted him. "It''s fine." Ss gave her a book but swallowed his words.
She turned to Aria, who was seated quietly by Uncle Mike''s bed. "Are you good, Aria?"
15:06 Fri, 23 May GGO
"Yes," Aria replied sadly, but her eyes were dry.
"Andrew''s surgery was sessful. The doctor said we don''t need to stay. Let''s go home and rest," Ivy suggested.
"... will go home with Hector, Theresa said, resting a hand on Hector''s chest.
Hector ced a protective hand on her waist, and the gesture made Ivy''s heart flutter. At least she knew Theresa was in good hands.
"We can''t have everyone scattered," Ss objected, frowning. "We''re supposed to stay close, just in case...
"It''s just Rosie," Theresa said. "What could she possibly do?"
The room went silent before she added. "I have my security team, and Hector is with me." She took Hector''s i
Ivy expected Ss to disagree, but he didn''t. Instead, he sighed. "Alright then. Just be safe."
"I''ll keep her safe, sir," Hector assured him.
Ss looked at him for a long moment, then nodded.
Aria stood up first and left the room. Ss and Ivy followed, then Theresa and
Hector.
Ivy walked over to Theresa and gave her a hug. "Call me."
"Yes. Thank you, love," Theresa replied, hugging her back.
"So how do we go? One after the other or together?" Ivy asked.
hand to emphasize her point.
They mumbled without a direct answer until Ss suggested they go separately. The different directions they took, the harder it would be for the media to focus.
And he was right.
The reporters scattered, unsure of who to follow. Ss and Ivy got into one car; Aria went with a group of guards in another.
Even as a small fraction of reporters had followed them, their noise was deafening. Their microphones poked the windows, hoping to get answers to their raging questions.
Ivy watched as they ran after the car. It was only when they were finally away did she then rx.
"Would Uncle Mike and Andrew be safe?" she asked Ss.
"Definitely. More guards would join the rest, Thomas has that covered." Ss said with a reassuring smile.
She nodded, letting herself ease into the calm.
"Come," Ss said, opening his arms.
She scooted to him and copsed in his arms, her head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
She unbuttoned two of his shirt buttons and traced the outline of his chest. His breathing changed as she yed with his nipples.
She chuckled softly. It felt good to know she had this effect on him, to know that he truly loved her.
She raised her head and their lips met. He kissed her hungrily and lifted her to his
She moaned as he grabbed her butt, but the build-ap ended when Ss''s phone
rang.
They stopped immediately, knowing it could be important.
15:06 Fri, 23 May GGO
"Hello?" Ss answered as Ivy returned to the seat, already wet and aching with
need.
"What?" Ss snapped, sitting upright. "Okay, yes."
"What happened?" she asked, her heart racing.
"Uhmmm... Wade said Rosie was spotted near yourpany."
Her stomach twisted. "What the hell? She-"
"Go home. I''ll handle it," he said, kissing her to stop her protest.
But she couldn''t rest. She had too much on her mind.
When they got home, Ss dropped her off and drove off again.
Just as panic about herpany and staff started to spiral, her phone rang.
When she saw that the caller was unknown, fear settled in her gut. "Hello?" she answered cautiously.
"Hello, Mrs. Stone. I''m calling from Walter Hospital," a woman''s voice said.
Walter Hospital? That was the one near Aunt May''s house, the same one she
thought Cheryl would deliver at.
Why were they calling?
"Yes," she said, keeping the dread away from her voice.
"Miss Derrick''s newborn baby needs help," the woman continued. "You''ve been
listed as her emergency contact. We need you here, ma''am."
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