Kellan was just as much at a loss as I was. “Gavin, Caroline . . . Martin? What are you doing in New York?”
Gavin approached his son; the worry on his face was as clear as day to me. It warmed my heart. Even if he’d kept his distance for most of Kellan’s life, he really did love him. “I’m sorry we’re so late. We got on the first flight we could.” Standing beside Kellan, Gavin put a hand on his shoulder. “We were all so incredibly worried about you.”
Hailey and Riley came up to stand at the end of the bed while Kellan’s eyes teared up. “You were worried about . . . me?” He still seemed stunned that they would care.
Gavin’s face softened into a smile. “Of course I was, son. When I heard you were in an accident, I was terrified.”
Reaching down, Hailey rubbed his foot through the blanket. “We love you, bro.” Riley nodded in agreement.
While Kellan swallowed back both physical and emotional pain, my parents stepped up to the bed. My mom was cradling Gibson to her chest, but reached over and put her hand on Kellan’s leg. “We came as soon as we could too.” Her green eyes flashed to mine. “You’re family, Kellan.”
Kellan turned to me, and I could see the pain and joy in his eyes. This is what he’d always wanted. Family. A real family. I couldn’t contain it anymore, and big fat tears started rolling down my cheeks. Dad looked like he was suddenly worried about my health as he stared at me. Mom simply walked around and gave me a knowing hug. Having my family fully accept my husband was the greatest gift they could have ever given me, and him.
When I calmed down, Kellan relaxed back into his cushions. Even though he cringed in discomfort, he was smiling at me. “So adorable,” he muttered.
Ignoring him, I watched my mom as she kissed Gibson’s nose. “How is it you are all here together?”
Dad frowned as he gave Mom a pointed glance. “Your mother spotted Gavin in baggage claim . . . from clear across the room.”
Ignoring him, Mom cooed at her granddaughter. I stifled a laugh. Yeah, like Kellan, Gavin stood out in a crowd.
As it grew late into the evening, I thought about the concert going on, and all the fans who would be disheartened that Kellan and the D-Bags weren’t playing. But they couldn’t play without their lead singer, and he was in no shape to be on stage. I was a little surprised that Sienna hadn’t played up her distress over the accident by rescheduling the show. Everything about what she’d done today was surprising me.
I think my mom wanted to stay by Kellan’s side all night, baby Gibson in hand, but I could see how tired she was, and I made the D-Bags take her and Dad back to the hotel. She promised to come back first thing in the morning. I didn’t doubt she would.
Collecting her daughter from Mom, Anna asked me, “Are you coming with us back to the hotel?” I could tell from her tone of voice that she already knew my answer. I shook my head. No, I wasn’t leaving Kellan’s side. They’d have to drag me outside to get me to leave.
Justin and the D-Bags headed out with Anna and our parents. Gavin and his children went with them. The room felt a little bigger with everyone’s energy gone, but the level of love inside it didn’t lower at all. I gazed at Kellan for long minutes, just wanting time to stand still. Eyes heavy with drugs, pain, and sleep, Kellan stared right back at me. Then his face contorted into a strange expression. “Crap,” he whispered. “I have to pee.” He looked over to the bathroom and sighed, like it was so far away it may as well have been in another country.
Chuckling at him, I kissed his cheek. “I could help you?”
He pursed his lips. “Uh, no, I got it. I can do this.” He let out a low, steady exhale. “The nurse said I should get up and move around anyway.”
He leaned forward to stand and I placed my hands on his back in support. “She said tomorrow you should.”
Kellan bit his lip as he tried to suppress a groan. It didn’t work, and he let out a low rumble of pain. “It’s just a couple of hours shy of tomorrow,” he said through clenched teeth.
As he uncovered himself from the sheets, I hurried around to the other side of the bed, bringing the IV stand with me. Once he stood up, he gasped and clenched at the pole for support. I held it still so he wouldn’t fall over. Pale and looking a little ill, he glanced out the window. His mouth dropped open as he got a clear view of the sea of candlelight in the darkness. “Oh my God, Kiera. They’re still here.”
Patting his hand on the pole, I urged him forward. “Of course they are.”