Chapter 13

Things calmed down at the hospital over the next couple of hours. Everyone, except for Nicole’s parents left to try and get some sleep. Brian and LeighAnn went home and Ann came home with Kevin to the house. Kevin felt guilty for leaving Nicole, but he felt it was important that he go home and be with Nick and Steven. He had called home as soon as the doctors were certain Nicole would be ok and spoke with both boys for a few minutes. That was when Steven asked Kevin if he’d be home that night and Kevin promised he would be. 

Kevin stopped by Nicole’s room before he left the hospital to make sure that she would be all right if he went home for the night to be with the boys. She agreed that they needed Kevin and she’d be fine as long as her parents were with her. Kevin gently kissed Nicole on the forehead and then looked her straight in the eye and said, “I love you Nicole, and we can make it through this if we do this together. The boys and myself need you more than you know. Hang in there Nicole. I know we’ve had some difficult times, but I love you and I don’t want you to forget that.” 

“I think I’ll be all right now. I’ve sufficiently scared myself I think. Now go home to the boys. They need you more than I do right now. Send them my love and Kevin, please don’t tell them what I did.” Nicole said. 

“Don’t worry Nicole. They just think you’re sick, that’s all.” Kevin said as he stood up and pressed his lips against Nicole’s forehead one more time before he left. 

“I love you Kevin.” Nicole said. 

“I love you too Nicole. I’ll see you in the morning.” Kevin said as he exited the room. 

As soon as Kevin arrived home, he went straight up to the boys’ bedroom. AJ told him that they’d been pretty quiet all night, but finally settled in to play video games with Nick and the last time he checked on them, they were asleep. Kevin thanked both Nick and AJ for watching the boys and gave them the option of staying at the house for the night. They both declined, but said they’d be available if he needed anything; all he had to do was call. 

Kevin quietly entered the boys’ room and stood at the door simply watching them as they slept. It was at that moment that the reality of their situation hit home. He would never be able to watch Kylie sleep like this again. He would never be able to come home and kiss her goodnight or tuck her in at night. He tried to stop the loud sob that was threatening to escape, but he lost it when he heard Steven say, “It’s ok to cry daddy.” 

Kevin sat down on Steven’s bed and took the young boy in his arms. When he looked up and saw Nick staring at them, he urged him to join them. For the next fifteen minutes, Kevin cried as he held Steven and Nick in his arms. 

Once Kevin calmed down, Steven asked, “How’s mommy?” 

“She’s going to be fine. They’re just going to keep her there over night for observation. She’ll be able to come home tomorrow.” Kevin replied. 

“What’s wrong with her?” Nick asked. 

“She’s a little sick. Today’s been a hard day for everyone, and it became to much for mommy.” Kevin lied. He kept his promise to Nicole not to tell the boys what she had tried to do. 

“Did you tell her that we love her?” Steven asked. 

“Of course I did sweetie. Mommy told me to tell you guys that she loves you too.” Kevin replied. 

“Is she alone at the hospital?” Steven asked. 

“No, she’s not alone. Nanny and Grandpa are spending the night with her.” Kevin replied. 

“Is Nanny Richardson here yet?” Nick asked. 

“Yes she is. Do you want to go downstairs and see her?” Kevin asked. 

“Could we?” Nick asked. 

“Of course. Come on, let’s go.” Kevin said as he lifted both boys into his arms and carried them down the stairs. Kevin found his mother in the kitchen and said, “The boys wanted to see you before they went back to sleep.” 

“There’s my boys.” Ann said as Kevin put Nick and Steven down and they both put their arms around her. 

Kevin watched his mother as she held the two boys. He knew she was taking Kylie’s loss extremely hard, but she kept her grief to herself. He thought back to when his father passed away and recalled that she never cried in front of the boys, except at the funeral and burial. Some things never change, and his mother’s presence was comforting. 

“You two better get back to sleep. I’ll be staying for a couple of weeks, so we’ll have plenty of time to visit.” Ann said. 

“Daddy, can we sleep with you tonight?” Steven asked as the boys looked up at Kevin. 

“Of course you can. Go ahead up and I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Kevin said. 

“You doing ok?” Ann asked, noticing immediately that Kevin had been crying. 

“I’m better now. We had a good cry up there, which helped. I just want to get Nicole home tomorrow. The boys need her here as well.” Kevin said. 

“I’m gonna head up to bed myself. Come and get me if you need anything throughout the night.” Ann said as she embraced Kevin. 

“Thanks mom. Did you want to come to the hospital with me in the morning to get Nicole?” Kevin asked. 

“I think I’ll just stay here and watch the boys, if that’s all right with you.” Ann said. 

“No, that’s fine mom. See you in the morning.” Kevin said as he watched his mother climb the stairs. Kevin took a few minutes to lock up the house and turn off all the lights before he headed upstairs. Both of the boys were still awake when he made it up to his room ten minutes later. That night, Kevin held them tight as they all slept. He was at least grateful to have his wife and twin boys still in his life. He would do whatever it took to ensure that they stayed safe.