Page 49 of Rising Star

“Can we see her?” Justine asked. “We drew butterflies and kittens yesterday. And made a card. For her.”

“Not today. She’s in a room at the hospital where she can’t get visitors. Once she gets better, I think she would very much like to see you two. Even if she’s still asleep.” I paused and reached for my babies’ hands. “Maddie will need all of us to be strong for her. She will need us to air blow kisses her way. Because kisses make everything better, right?”

“Like when you kiss my booboos?” Justine asked.

“Same.” I mirrored her tentative smile. “Okay, you two. Hug me once more.” We stayed in one another’s arms for a long beat. “Hey, how did you get here on your own? Last I heard, you were sleeping over at Devon’s.”

Mikaella pushed back. “Uncle Riley is on the phone downstairs. He drove us here to get clean clothes, because last night we forgot to take any, while he’s dealing with someone named June. Devon had to work, so he’s watching us. He said you two gotta talk while we play outside. And if we’re nice, he’ll order pizza and slushies for lunch. We wanted to see you first. Are you mad?”

“Me? Never. I missed you too much. I’ll never be mad at you two for wanting to see me.”

“Can we eat bunny pancakes?” Justine asked.

“Sure. I’ll walk you back downstairs, shower, call Emily, and get to it afterward. Do we have a deal?”

“Yes,” they both cheered.

Once I locked my bedroom door to make sure the girls wouldn’t enter and eavesdrop on my conversation, I called Madison’s sister.

I firmed my back, trying to inject some courage into myself.

“Sam,” Emily greeted me. “Did you get any sleep?”

How could she worry about me when her sister was confined to a hospital bed?

“Yeah, I think I did. How is she? Any development?”

“Same. Which isn’t bad news per se. As I told you yesterday, it means she’s holding on, and right now that’s what we wish for.”

“You should get some sleep,” I said. “You’ve been up all night. I’ll take over.”

“I was waiting for you to be back. I have a few of my own patients to see this morning, so don’t stress over it.”

I sucked in a breath. “Listen, I promised my kids we’d make pancakes. I’ll try to swing by right after.”

“Sam, you’re already doing a lot. Don’t blame yourself for being a father first. I’m aware of how much you love my sister. I could tell two days ago. She argued there was nothing going on between you two, but I knew better. And I know her. Which means, your daughters should always come first. That’s what she’d want.”

I huffed. “You’re probably right. Thank you. For everything.”

We hung up, and I squeezed my lids, trying to keep the fresh tears at bay.

* * *

It was around eleven o’clock when I finally made it to the hospital. After breakfast, I met up with Riley while the girls busied themselves in their castle. We agreed he’d ask Janice to send help. Someone to watch over the girls while I found my bearings in this new reality. The idea of trusting someone else with my daughters was a big stretch for me, but what other choice did I have? I had to compromise to make it all work.

Riley and Devon were already doing more than they should. But last night, I came to the conclusion I couldn’t do everything by myself. I would exhaust myself, and my children and Madison both required the best of me.

After much consideration, I refused to postpone the tour. We all had worked so hard to get here. And canceling shows would mean failing all those people. The girls, Madison, and me included. Pacing my house for hours every day wouldn’t help the situation. It wouldn’t heal the woman I love faster, nor would it make me keep the promises I made to my daughters. On my drive to the hospital, I called June, trying to find a flight schedule in between engagements so I’d be in Nashville as often as possible. She was mainly Carter’s assistant, but she agreed to be mine too until I found one for me. My trust in strangers wasn’t fully back yet, but I was getting there.

The hallways of the intensive care unit were silent as I sauntered toward room fifteen-zero-three. With every step, I could feel the fragility of life clinging to the walls. Dr. Bera was in the room when I walked in after I suited myself in the disposable gown meant to prevent spreading germs.

I held my breath at his sight.

“Any good news?” I asked.

“Mr. Stevens. We’re monitoring Ms. Prescott closely for any sign of infection. As we told you, with the extensive repair we did to her leg, post-operative sepsis is a real threat. We’ve started her on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Her vitals are good. Her blood pressure is a bit high, which is not surprising after what she has gone through. Nothing to worry about for now, but we’re keeping an eye on it just in case.”

I nodded and secured my hands in my pockets because I had no idea what to do with myself.