3. Javier

Ifind myself restlessly pacing back and forth in the silent, sterile hospital hallway, my eyes fixated on the large window that provides a glimpse into the room where my wife, Gabby, and our newborn daughter are sleeping.

I"m just thankful that we secured a private room for them. It"s quiet, and we can rest comfortably knowing our daughter is sleeping in the same room.

When the car flipped over on our way to Sadie's house, Vince's little bitch-ass fuckers threatened my wife, and I demanded the agents put her in protective custody until I could get to her. She was already under so much stress and pressure due to threats to my safety, and this incident made it worse. The stress and anxiety were too much for her to bear, and unfortunately, she went into premature labor, delivering our daughter a month before the due date.

I stand there, lost in thought, thinking about everything that led to this moment that changed what we expected for our little girl's arrival. Suddenly, a heavy hand clasps my shoulder, making me jump.

"Hey, Javi."

"The fuck, man," I snap. "I didn't even hear you coming."

Derick chuckles. "My bad. How are Gabby and your little girl?" he asks again.

I sigh heavily. "They're both hanging in there. They're keeping a close eye on my baby girl," I reply, running a hand through my crew-cut fade. "She's stable now, but the next few days will be critical."

Derick straightens up, his expression serious. "They're strong, Javi. They will get through this. And Abigail has the best damn father any kid could ask for."

I nod. "Thanks, man."

We fall silent for a moment, the only sound in the hallway the distant murmur of voices and the soft beeping of medical equipment.

After a moment, Derick speaks again. "How's your brother doing?"

Brother.

I don't think I'll get tired of hearing that. Just the sound of the word "brother" makes me feel grateful to have him back in my life.

"He's a fighter."

"That's for damn sure. It must run in the family," Derick says at the same time his phone rings.

He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and then turns to me. "I gotta take this," he says, looking apologetic. "I'll check in later, alright?"

He gives me a half-bro hug before releasing me. I nod and say, "Yeah, okay. Thanks for coming." Derick answers the phone and glances back at me.

"Tell Gabby I said hi," he mouths. He walks down the hall and takes the stairs instead of the elevator. As soon as he disappears, I hear the elevator ding open. My eyes are drawn to Sadie walking in my direction.

What the hell is she doing here?

She looks fucking exhausted. Her curly hair is frizzy and messy, indicating she might have been up all night. Her eyes are bloodshot from what I guess is lack of sleep, and her face is ashen.

"How is she?" Sadie asks in a hoarse voice once she's closer.

"Gabby and the baby are doing fine," I reply, "but Sadie, what the hell are you doing here? You look like you"ve been run over by a truck. You have a baby to think about." I gently place my hands on her shoulders and gaze down at her belly to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

"I know, but I wanted to be here for you and Gabby."

I pull her into a hug, sensing the exhaustion in every fiber of her being. I rest my chin on her head. "I appreciate your concern, but you need to take care of yourself and the little munchkin growing inside you," I say, hoping my words will resonate with her. She nods, her head still nestled against my chest.

Just then, I catch Donnie making his way over to us. "Hey, man," he greets me with a friendly nod.

"Please take her home," I say, my gaze shifting toward the tiny, stubborn Puerto Rican in my arms. "Sadie needs to get her ass in bed and eat some rice and beans." I chuckle, gently pushing her toward Donnie, who wraps his arms around her protectively.

"He"s always so bossy," Sadie murmurs playfully, her words eliciting a smile from me and a snort from Donnie.

With a warning tone, I affirm, "You bet your ass I am," as Donnie places a gentle kiss on her head.

Sadie stands there, turning away from Donnie's chest, and looks at me with her big, pleading eyes. "Are you seriously going to turn me away? I drove all the way here," she says, her lips pursed with a hint of a pout.

"You mean, I drove us here," Donnie says with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Sadie rolls her eyes. "Yeah, whatever. But still, Javi, don"t be so mean. I"m pregnant," she murmurs, her voice infused with desperation, but playful.

"Yeah, exactly. Which is why you need to go home and rest." Despite my efforts to remain resolute, I can sense my resolve weakening even as I speak.

I meet Donnie"s gaze, my eyes narrowing. "Are you going to help me or what?" I say, challenging him.

Donnie shakes his head, a cocky grin playing on his lips. "This is a matter between siblings," he replies, his tone light and teasing. "I know better than to get involved."

"Fine." I reluctantly give in to her caramel eyes that resemble the color of root beer.

Sadie"s face lights up with a huge, triumphant smile.

"It"s the eyes." Donnie smirks. "Gets me every time."

I can't help but roll my eyes at Donnie"s comment. "Yeah, no shit," I mutter under my breath. Even though I'm annoyed as hell, I can't resist my little sister.

"Come on," I say, trying to sound pissed off but failing. Sadie follows me eagerly into Gabby"s room, her face lighting up at the sight of her niece.

As we step into the dimly lit room, my eyes are immediately drawn to Gabby"s figure lying in the bed. The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminates her pale skin, and I can see the faint outlines of her delicate features. Her eyes sparkle with recognition as she notices my presence, and a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

As we step further into the room, my eyes immediately gravitate toward my little angel in the small clear box, tubes coming out of her tiny body.

"Hey, baby," I say softly, moving closer to Gabby and sitting on the bed beside her.

"Hey," she responds in a gravelly voice.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, concern filling my voice.

She nods slightly. "Tired."

As I reach out to hold her hand, I notice her hair falling in her face, so I gently tuck it behind her ear, wanting to make her as comfortable as possible. "You've got visitors."

Gabby looks over my shoulder and greets Sadie and Donnie with a broad smile. "Hey, guys," Gabby says warmly.

"Hey, Gabby. It's nice to see you again," Donnie replies.

Standing in place, the corners of Sadie's mouth lift slightly, and the faintest glimmer of a smile dances across her face. "Hi, Gabby. How are you feeling?"

Gabby lets out a tired chuckle and responds, "I"m exhausted, but seeing this little angel makes it all worth it." Her eyes turned to the incubator where Abi, sleeping peacefully.

Sadie"s eyes sparkle with emotion as she approaches the incubator at a steady pace. "She"s perfect," Sadie whispers in admiration. She slowly slides her hands into the opening and gently caresses Abi"s smooth skin with her fingers.

"What's her name?"

Sitting on the bed, Gabby shifts slightly, causing me to quickly adjust her pillows to make her more comfortable. "Abigail. Abi for short," Gabby says, introducing the baby.

"It"s a beautiful name, just like her mamma," Sadie responds.

Sadie watches over Abigail like the protective aunt she is. Abi is fragile and delicate, her tiny chest rising and falling with the help of the machines that surround her. Sadie reaches out to tenderly stroke my daughter"s hand, as if reminding her she isn't alone.

"How are you doing, Sadie? How"s Jo?" Gabby asks.

"I"m doing as good as I can be," Sadie responds quietly, keeping her eyes on Abi. "And Jo is...well, he"s working on getting better." The room falls silent, and all that can be heard is the soft whirring of the machines keeping Abigail alive.

"I"ll let you get some rest," Sadie says, breaking the silence as she leans in to hug Gabby.

"As soon as we"re released, come see us, okay? Don"t be a stranger."

"I will," Sadie responds, holding onto her for a moment longer before pulling away.

After kissing Gabby on her forehead, I say, "I"ll be back," and head out of the room with Donnie and Sadie in tow.

"Thanks for stopping by," I tell them as we stand outside the room.

"Wait." Sadie gently touches Donnie"s chest. She then turns to me. "Have you seen Jo since he"s been back?"

I shake my head and reply, "Not yet."

She looks at me, waiting for an explanation.

"How is he?" I ask, afraid to hear the answer. What if he hates me for failing him?

Sadie shrugs. "You should come with us and see for yourself," she suggests, her voice soft but sad.

"Are you heading over there now?" I ask.

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Um, no, it's not," Donnie firmly states, daring her to fight him on this.

"I am, but you don"t have to go." Her face tenses up, and she clenches her teeth.

Donnie and I exchange worried glances before Donnie speaks up. "Shorty, you need to rest. We"ll go back to the hospital and visit him tomorrow, I promise, he says in a low voice."

Sadie turns back to Donnie. "I don"t want to wait until tomorrow," she insists, her voice tinged with frustration. I feel a pang of empathy for her. I would do anything to ease the burden she carries.

"Baby, Jo even told you not to come back until you were well rested. I believe his exact words were don't bring your ass back here," Donnie says, giving her a pointed look. "He even threatened to kick me in the nuts if I showed up with you."

Sadie"s voice is firm as she utters each word with a deliberate pause between them. "I. Don"t. Care."

Donnie leans in closer, his expression gentle but firm. "I. Care. And not just about my balls, but you. Pushing yourself until you've run ragged isn"t making things any easier," he urges, placing his hand on her belly. "Not for you or our baby. No exceptions. If I have to throw you over my shoulder and drag you out, I won"t hesitate to do it."

Sadie scoffs. "Donnie, you're not going to be doing anything. Stop with the damn caveman bullshit."

Donnie"s gaze remains fixed on her. "Try me."

Sadie heaves a weary sigh. "I just got him back," she murmurs. "What if something happens again, and he disappears?" Her little hands ball up into tight fists, clutching tightly at the fabric of Donnie"s hoodie. "What if he never heals? What if...what if he doesn"t survive this time?" she asks, her fear raw and palpable. "I won't be able to bear it," she whispers. "You saw how I was when I thought he was dead."

A heavy knot forms in my stomach at the thought. She"s not just seeking confirmation, she"s grasping for reassurance—the reassurance that even if the danger has passed, Jo won"t be able to save himself from his demons.

Donnie"s expression is full of love, like he has become an anchor for her. "He"s tougher than you realize. It'll take time, but he will get through this." Donnie pulls her closer against his chest, holding her tightly, resting his chin on her head. "I can"t let anything happen to you, Shorty, or our baby. Neither will Jo," his eyes locking with mine, conveying the intensity of his sincerity. "Or Javi," he adds.

I nod in agreement. "Donnie"s right, Sadie."

She turns her head toward me, tears brimming in her eyes, and offers me a faint smile.

"You are both so fucking strong. You fought for so long and survived, and you've weathered all the storms," I remind her, my voice steady and unwavering. "You and Jo can rise above this shit storm. But have faith in Jo that he will overcome this—in time. And when the clouds finally part, both of you will find the peace and closure you"ve been searching for."

"You guys sound pretty sure of yourselves," she says, looking lost and vulnerable. "I hate feeling so helpless," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I"ve lost control of everything."

I tilt my head and tuck my hands into my pockets, trying to find the right words to comfort her. "I know it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel," I confess. "But even in the darkest of nights, the stars still shine. The uncertainty and struggles make the moments of joy and triumph all the more worth it."

"It"s okay to feel that way," Donnie says softly. "But you got this, Shorty. You and Jo will rise above this."

Sadie takes a moment to compose herself before finally nodding. "Okay, you win this round."

Donnie and I both let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank God." Donnie chuckles. "I seriously thought I would have to spank your ass bare for being so damn stubborn."

"Dude." I shoot him a look. "I don"t need to hear that shit."

He laughs, and Sadie joins in.

"It"s good to see you smile," I tell her, returning the grin.

"You drive me crazy, hermano, but I love you, Javi," she says with adoration.

"I love you too, sis," I reply, feeling warmth spreading in my chest at her words.

Donnie nods slightly, lifting his chin as he looks toward me. "Take care. We'll see you later," he says casually.

I return the gesture. "See you," I reply with a small smile.

Sadie and I exchange waves as she steps into the elevator. I watch the doors slowly close, then turn around to return to the room. As soon as I enter, my eyes instinctively land on Abi. I cautiously approach the incubator, my pulse quickening with anticipation and trepidation. My tiny, fragile baby girl lays inside, swaddled in soft blankets, and connected to monitors with delicate wires. My eyes fill with tears as I reach out to touch her hand.

The nurse takes this moment to walk in. "Do you want to hold her?" she asks with a kind smile as she steps closer.

I nod in response, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

The nurse gently lifts Abi from the bed and places her in my arms. I carefully cradle her, feeling her warmth against my skin and the weight of her tiny body. The nurse gestures to a nearby chair and instructs me to sit down.

As I sit, the nurse adjusts Abi"s position in my arms to ensure she is comfortable and secure. "I"ll be back," she says, checking Gabby"s vitals and walking out of the room.

As I sit there with my newborn daughter, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the love I already have for her. Tears start to roll down my face. "Hey, little one, it"s me, your daddy. I"ve been waiting for you," I whisper. "You"re so perfect, so beautiful." I choke out the words as emotions flood through me.

I lift my gaze toward Gabby, who watches me with tears streaming down her face, her expression full of love. I turn my attention back to our little girl. "I need you to fight, baby girl, okay? Fight."

Gabby and I sit silently for a moment, lost in our thoughts but comforted by each other"s presence. Finally, she breaks the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you going to talk about it?"

I know exactly what she"s referring to—the events at the warehouse—but I try to feign ignorance because I don't want to think about it, let alone talk about it. "What do you mean?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes. "You know exactly what I"m talking about, Javier Luis." Her words hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the weight of Jo's situation pressing down on me.

I take a deep breath and try to steady myself. Her strength and comfort are exactly what I need right now.

"I know I need to, but..." I rasp, my voice hoarse with emotion.

My wife"s eyes hold so much tenderness, and I gaze at her with deep affection. I could have lost her, too, and the mere thought of it makes me shudder. But I couldn't leave Sadie behind, not now, not ever. My wife understands since she has come to love and cherish her as much as I do.

She senses my unease and cups my face with her hands, "You"re afraid." She says it as a statement, not a question. "What are you afraid of?" she asks, her tone gentle yet probing.

I draw a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "That it"s my fault he was taken from right under my watch. I'm afraid he'll hate me for it."

"It"s not your fault, mi amor," she says, her voice soft and soothing. "You did everything you could to protect them. They don"t expect anything more from you, just your love. Be there for them and show them you're not going anywhere. And besides, you need them just as much as they need you."

I close my eyes, letting her words wash over me and offer me solace.

"You have finally found the family you've been searching for. This new addition to your life means you have an even larger family to love. Nothing is more precious than the love and protection that comes with it."

I feel a sense of peace as I take in her words and embrace her, grateful for her love and support.

"Go to him." Her voice is laced with urgency.

"I"m not leaving you girls," I say, my voice firm with determination as I speak against her hair.

She pulls away and rests her hand on my chest near my heart as she speaks, and warmth emanates from her touch. "You"re not leaving us. You"re just going to check in on your brother. It would help if you talked things out with him."

Her words make sense but leaving my girls behind is unbearable.

Suddenly, there"s a light knock at the door, and the nurse from earlier peeks her head in and smiles. The door opens wide, and she walks in. "Someone"s getting hungry," the nurse says as she picks up my baby girl and hands her to her mother. Gabby gracefully snaps off the front of her nursing bra and pulls down one side. Gabby brings our daughter closer to her chest until she latches on to her nipple.

As the nurse leaves, she assures us she"ll be back to check on us. We"re left alone in the room with our little angel, and I can"t resist standing up and leaning over my wife to kiss our little girl"s head. "I love you, baby girl," I whisper and give her another kiss.

Turning to my wife, I smile and say, "I just need a day or two before I see him." I lean in and kiss her lips softly.

"Okay, baby," she says against my lips. "When was the last time you ate?" she asks, concern evident in her tired eyes.

I glanced at my watch, realizing it had been hours since I had eaten. "I honestly can"t remember," I admitted sheepishly. This made me realize how hypocritical I was about Sadie for not caring for herself.

She squeezed my hand. "You need to take care of yourself too, Javi. Why don"t you grab something to eat and maybe shower?"

I knew she was right.

I press another kiss against the soft skin of each of my girls" foreheads. Reluctantly, I turn to leave, but not before stealing a final glance at their sweet faces, feeling a pang of longing to stay by their sides for just a little bit longer.

Gabby catches my eye and silently mouths, "Go." A gentle smile tugs at her lips.

I offer a nod, my heart swelling with love and gratitude for the blessings of my precious family as I leave the room.