Double Posting Tonight, Be Sure To Read The Chapter Before!

Stella

There was a hushed voice, one that was talking in Italian somewhere nearby. I tried to follow what it was saying but I quickly gave up and my mind let out a sigh of exhaustion.

I slowly became aware of my body, my mind slowly waking up from the darkness that was keeping it.

I winced when a ringing started in my ear, the only sound I could hear.

My eyes squeezed shut when the ringing got louder and louder. The sound making my body cringe and I put my hand up to cover my ear. Something pulled on my hand making me open my eyes to see what tugged it.

Blinking rapidly in the bright lights, the ringing slowly quieted. Looking around, I found myself in a bed, multiple monitors beside me and an IV in my hand.

Groaning I registered the pain my body was in, my hand moving to my stomach to make sure my children were alright.

All of a sudden it felt as if cold water was poured on me when I remembered the truck that came into the store, the blast it made and now I am in a hospital.

A hospital!

My breath hitched and I rubbed my stomach going around the multiple wires hooked up to monitor the children, my eyes looking around for anyone to tell me what is going on. This can't be good. There was a truck, gun shots, a weight on top of me and now I am in the hospital. What could have happened to my children from that fall and that crushing wall on-top of me.

Beeping began to sound loudly beside me, blaring in the otherwise silent room.

"Easy, easy Stella." Sebastian said appearing beside me, a bandage on his head that was bled through. "You need to relax, alright?"

Groaning in pain I rolled my head to get a better view of him. "What, what happened?"

He sighed looking down at the floor. "Carnellio sent a man to drive a truck into the store, you got hit by it and trapped by the debris. Now the doctors are making a plan to best help you."

Help you.

"Sebastian." I said trying to make it sound like a demand but it only came out a soft whisper. "Tell me the truth. How bad am I?"

Staring at Sebastian made me see how young he was. He may have had to grow up fast, but from his head ducking and eyes avoiding my own I could tell he was still a kid in his early twenties. "Stella, let's wait for the doctors."

I moved to take his hand. "Sebastian. Please."

He sighed running a hand over my arm, his eyes soft and filled with worry. "The doctors are arguing."

"Over what?" His eyes flickered to my stomach, his lips tightening into a line. From his reaction I knew what he wasn't saying. "Over who to save? They may need to make a choice."

Sebastian shifted on his feet. "You have some internal bleeding, bruising and a few broken bones. The babies are in distress. They aren't sure what a good plan is."

"So, they do need to choose." I whispered, a desperate part of me screamed, screamed with horror that my children or myself will die, and one will grow up not know each other.

From him not saying I looked up to the monitors, the lines and stats not making any sense to me. My hand rubbed my stomach as I didn't know what to say but I did know my choice. "I choose them. What are the Doctors worried about?"

Looking back to Sebastian he began pacing. "You have internal bleeding that can be fixed Stella, they just don't know if your body can handle the stress of surgery the same time they are trying to help the babies. They are bringing in the chief, we are not losing you or them so don't you fucking dare give them that choice."

Blinking I try to breathe but everything felt wrong. "I want Maximus."

Sebastian stopped his pacing. "He uh, he is coming."

"Coming?" I repeated. The word bitter on my tongue. It was most likely fear that had me feeling this but here is another thing that has happened to me and he wasn't here when I need him.

He comes after.

Sebastian nodded. "Yes. I wasn't able to reach him but I was able to get Tate on the phone. I told him everything and he told Vinzo who was with the brothers. They left a short while ago and are headed here."

"When?" I bit my lip trying to not freak out but how else do you respond when someone ran you over with a truck and now doctors don't know how to operate? Fear was the only thing I could feel right now, I couldn't even feel if I could lift a single finger up.

"I don't know. Tate is driving so they will be coming quickly." He said as my eyes watered, my lips pressing firmly against each other to keep me from crying.

Focusing on the tiles above me I couldn't help my lips quivering, my hand firmly on my stomach but numbness began spreading over my body. Why aren't the doctors doing anything?! If they are so worried then why are they still talking about what to do? Why haven't they acted and figured out how to save my babies and me? Because I'll be dammed if I cannot raise them.

Taking a breath, I let a single tear slip down my cheek. "He is never here when this happens to us. Max isn't here when I need him."

Sebastian put his hand on mine making me turn to see him squatting by my bed. "But he always comes to you when he knows you need him. And he will make it here, Tate is driving people off the road I expect."

I looked back up at the tiles, counting them to keep me calm. Sebastian was right, I know he is. Maximus, my Max will always come to me and he will beat himself up for not being there. And he doesn't need to, I know that if he knew this would happen he would have done everything to avoid it.

I just need him to tell me it's going to be okay. To handle the doctors and have them start whatever operation I need for my babies.

Oh god, I am seven months pregnant! How is being born two months early going to affect them?

Beeping began to sound erratic within the room, the sound making me aware of how my breathing was fast and unsteady. My body about to go from shock into a panic attack.

"Stella, listen to me." Sebastian said, all the nervousness from before replaced by determination. "You and the babies are going to be fine. You all will be healthy and have a happy life. You will not think of the worst and let it affect you. Fight like hell because you will not accept that they may have to make a choice of life."

I gave him a smile, it was forced but it's what I can give. "Thanks, I needed that."

Sebastian gave me a forced smile back. "I got you."

A woman walked into the room, her white coat and ID badge telling me a doctor is finally here. A few other doctors followed her, all looking nervous.

"Hi momma my name is Chief of Surgery Hamir, we are going to take you to the OR now. I promise I am going to do everything I can to help you and your babies okay?" She said grabbing my hand, something I didn't feel.

One of the docs cleared his throats. "There isn't one ready."

The doc snapped her head at him. "There will be. Fred, run down and tell them they are flipping that OR now."

"I chose them if it comes to it." My voice broke at the end of the sentence, the very idea I won't be there to raise my children shattered something within me.

The doctor gave me a smile, her hand looked like it tightened on my hand but again, nothing. "Listen to me, I am in charge of you and your babies will have a doctor for each other them. It took longer than we wanted to make a plan, but I promise, you will be getting every care and attention on all three of you."

Blinking back tears, I turn back to Sebastian. "I need Maximus."

He looked down telling me that he still isn't here, my body feeling cold as I struggled to keep my eyes open. Every breath becoming hard to take and shallow.

Someone swore, the beeping in the room sounded loud and rapid. I couldn't see anything; my body was cold and darkness danced all around me. Someone was calling my name but I couldn't find the energy to answer or turn my head towards them.

"She is haemorrhaging we need to go now." Someone ordered within the room.

People were still talking but none of it made sense. I couldn't focus on anything, my eyes no longer seeing and my lids closed from exhaustion.

I just want Maximus.

I need Max.