Page 101 of One More Chance
Fuck, they don't deserve this.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah. She came to the clinic. They didn't recognize her, and before anyone could stop her, she... attacked your mom."
Violet gasped. Liam's jaw tightened, his body rigid. I reached for both of them.
"She was taken to the hospital. The doctors took good care of her. She was unconscious briefly, but she woke up. She's strong and going to be okay." I struggled to keep steady. "The baby's okay too. We are going to be okay."
Violet buried her face against my chest, trembling. I held her tight, stroking her hair. Liam sat beside me, silent but radiating anger. I knew that feeling. It had nowhere to go.
"I don't want her near Mom again," he said quietly.
"She won't be," I promised. "The police know now. The attack gave them what they needed. They'll find her. When they do, she's done."
Violet looked up, eyes red-rimmed and frightened. "Can we see Mom?"
"Soon, baby girl. She needs rest for now, but she's coming home tomorrow." I kissed her head and stood. "I need to call your Aunt Dawn"
I pulled out my phone, stepped into the kitchen, and called Sloane's sister. It didn't ring twice.
"Levi?" Dawn's voice cut through, sharp with worry. No hello, just alarm.
"I need help," I said, barely holding together. "Sloane will be okay, but she's in the hospital. She was attacked today at the clinic. The baby's okay, but Sloane needs time. Rest. And I need to be with her."
A pause. "Holy goddamn shit," Dawn whispered. I heard movement; a door closing, maybe a bag unzipping. "Sloane didn't even mention she was pregnant. Are you fucking serious, Levi?"
Ah yes, a family of sailors and strong women.
"I know. I didn't know how else to say it." My throat tightened. "I need help with the kids. Just for a while."
But Dawn being Dawn, didn't let me spiral.
"I am on my way," she said as she shifted to logistics. "I'll pack and be there tonight. I'll bring gluten free snacks, Liam's favorite card game and Violet's weird-ass glow-in-the-dark fox demon I won for her at the fair. I've got it covered."
Relief flooded me. "Thank you," I breathed. "Really. Thank you."
"I'll handle the kids," she said firmly. "You focus on Sloane. She needs you… which is a thing I have not said out loud in years, so soak it up, Levi."
A tear slid down my cheek, but I managed a weak laugh. "Soaking."
"And Levi?" Her voice dropped to her no-nonsense tone. "If you screw this upagain, I will personally make your life a series of unfortunate events, starting with hiding your car keys in jello and ending with something far more serious, unpleasant, and final for you. You smell what I'm stepping in, Levi?"
A choked laugh escaped me. "I smell it, Dawn."
"I love my little sister," she said. "Even when she's wrong. Even when she's stubborn. And she's been both of those things,a lot. But she iseverything. You get me?"
"I get you," I said, swallowing hard. "Probably now more than ever."
"Good. Gimme fifteen. Text me hospital details. I need to know where to send the emergency caffeine and sarcasm supply."
I sent Dawn the information and collapsed on the couch. I didn't remember falling asleep, but I remembered when Dawn arrived; a force of nature in a Patagonia vest and mom jeans, sweeping through the door without questions or judgment. Bags in hand, orders ready, voice calm but eyes steel.
Within twenty minutes, Liam was brushing his teeth, Violet was being bribed to sleep, and somehow the dishwasher was running.
I watched her from the hallway like she was a magician. Her presence wrapped the house in a calm it desperately needed. The panic in my lungs finally eased enough to breathe.
"You look like hell," she said, passing me to collect laundry. "Go. Be with my sister. Try not to cry in front of the vending machines again."
Low fucking blow, Dawn.
