Chapter 16

Raya

Even though my eyes burned, and they probably were still red and bloodshot from crying so much last night, and the lack of sleep. I did not care. When we arrived back at the resort, I quickly changed, and didn't even bother applying any make-up. My hands probably would've shaken too much to apply it properly anyway.

I should have been at the school and Orion at the office, but instead, we were in Bennett's office at the resort, and on a video call with his brother-in-law Shaun.

"Mr. Henderson, I really don't know how to thank you for helping me. Helping us," I said.

Shaun replied, "It's my pleasure. Trust me, I know from experience what it is like. My wife was facing something similar, and he needed to be reminded what being a parent was all about. And he wasn't any of that."

"What happened?" I asked. "I'm sorry. That might be too personal a question."

"Not at all. Like yourself, he wanted nothing to do with his son. Tyler is autistic and the biological father and his family viewed him as an embarrassment. None of them wanted anything to do with him except use him to make my wife's life difficult. In the end, he ended up signing off her parental rights and I adopted Tyler and have raised him as my own since. My wife Morgan has taught me that love comes in many forms, and usually when you least expect it," he stated.

Was he trying to tell me that Orion loved me? I'd like to believe he did, even though he hadn't said the words. His actions were of someone who loved a person. He admitted to caring about me, but was it love? I wasn't sure. Maybe he wasn't either. All I knew was that I was falling in love with him. It was too fast and that scared me, but I had no doubt about my feelings for him. Unfortunately, that didn't change the fact that our timing was really bad. With everything going on, there was no time for us to explore our connection. Not in the way we'd like to. And right now, I wasn't even sure if I was going to be in Tabiq in a couple of days, never mind dating Orion.

"Mr. Henderson..."

"Please, call me Shaun."

"Shaun, what should I do?" I asked.

"First of all, you need to fly back to the States. You need to sit with the judge in person to show him the woman you are, not the one he's portraying you to be," he stated.

What kind of woman is that? "He knows nothing about me. We haven't spoken in almost ten years. Joey was just a baby when he walked out on us," I stated, trying to keep my composure. Something I didn't need to do with Orion. With him, I felt as though I could be the real me. It was nice. Comforting. And the thought of leaving Tabiq and not having him by my side frightened me. Kathy was great, but not what I needed now. I needed Orion.

"It doesn't matter what he knows, it's what he has said. I had his petition to the courts pulled and apparently, he told the judge that you abandoned your son and that's why he wants an immediate junction giving him full custody."

"He can't have him. I can't let Joey go and be with someone who has never cared about him before," I said.

"And that's why I'm going to help you. Bennett can have the Henderson jet fueled and ready for you to leave in a couple of hours. Tomorrow, we can meet with the judge so you can tell your side of the story. But like I said, all this needs to be done in person. And I know your son is only ten, but if you can have him join you to tell his side, that would be beneficial as well," Shaun stated.

I turned to Orion and said, "I'm sorry. I want to be here for the students, but you understand why I must go. I can't lose Joey."

Orion reached over and held my hand. "Do not think twice about it. You're doing the right thing. Trust Shaun. He won't let Joseph take your son from you."

"No, I won't," Shaun said firmly.

She turned back to the computer and said, "Shaun, his family... can be intimidating."

Shaun laughed. "I have done my research, and the Davison family has crossed paths with my family before. They don't want to do so again. Your being there and speaking to the judge is more a formality than anything else. We want it documented by the judge on your character and not what Joseph said you are."

"Thank you," I said.

"And if you decide to change your last name back to your Madian one, it can be done at the same time," Shaun stated.

"I had thought about doing that, but Joey's last name is Davison. That is the only reason why I kept it. Easier for him," I admitted. Otherwise, I'd have changed it as soon as I learned he cheated on me.

He nodded. "Do you have any questions for me?" Shaun asked.

I nodded. "Will you be there as well?"

"No. I will have a family attorney there to represent you and Joey. But I'm only in Boston and can fly out to you if you need me in Ohio," he offered.

"That will be okay. I have your number and I'm sure your attorney will update you. I'll find a way to repay you for all you're doing for us," I said.

"All I ask is for you to continue being the mother you are. And from what I've been told about you, that son of yours is very lucky. Trust the process, Raya. Keep your cool. And remember, don't fear the Davison name. Believe in yourself, and the bond you have with your son. You will be fine," he said.

"I will," I replied, just before Bennett closed the laptop ending the call.

"Why don't I leave the two of you to talk while I go make arrangements for the jet," Bennett said, getting up and leaving us alone in his office.

Once alone, I turned to Orion and said, "I'm glad you called Shaun. It sounds like I might win this."

"Not might. You will win. I know you will," he said.

"I just wish...I wish I didn't need to leave...Tabiq," I said. What I wanted to say was I wished I didn't have to leave him.

"Raya, who do you have in Ohio who can go with you to court?" he asked.

"Kathy, but she won't be any more help than if you asked Mayson. They mean well, but their mouths get them in trouble. In this case, it will get me in trouble. Why?" I asked.

"Because I'd like to go with you if that is okay," he stated.

He'd done so much for me already. Getting the Hendersons to help was more than I'd ever expected. But flying to the States blew my mind. Maybe I wasn't hearing correctly. "You want to come to Ohio?" He nodded and I asked, "Why?"

"I promised to be there for Joey when he arrived in Tabiq. But why wait? Why not be there for him, for you both, now?" he asked.

Orion, you take caring for someone to new level entirely. But I care about you too. I can't let you walk away from your responsibilities.

"You can't just up and leave. You're the Vice President. Reesa is counting on you," I reminded him.

"She is. But what you have taught me is to not live life with regret. If I don't go with you, I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life," he said.

And what about your grandmother? She is in the hospital. If something happened to her while you were gone, you'll never forgive yourself," I said, honestly. "I know how much you love her." She had raised him. In his eyes, his grandmother was his mother.

"Raya, you need me," he said.

I do.

"Orion, from what Shaun said, the judge is going to ask me questions. All I need to do is tell him the truth. There is nothing you can do." Except for holding my hand and telling me it would be okay.

I could tell he was going to insist, and I didn't have the strength to deny his offer twice. It was going to be nice to have him there to lean on.

Before I could say anything further, his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and said, "It is Mayson. I can call him back."

"It could be about your grandmother," I said.

He nodded and answered. "I'm in the meeting, what's up?"

Even over the phone, I could hear the panic in Mayson's tone as he blurted out. "You got to come here now. Something's wrong. They kicked me out of the room and...and I don't know what's going on."

I felt his body tense and he replied, "I'm on my way." He put his phone back into his pocket and said, "I'm sorry, I got to go."

"Can I go with you?" I asked.

"You have to pack," he stated.

"I can have someone from the resort throw some clothes in a bag and give it to Bennett. He can pick me up from the hospital and bring me to the airport. I...I want to be there. For you. For your grandmother," I said, touching his arm.

He nodded, grabbed my hand and we rushed to the hospital, neither of us saying a word. Both just praying that she would be okay. And that he'd make it in time.

As soon as we arrived, he went to her room, only to find Mayson leaning against the wall staring at her closed door. He was in such deep thought that he hadn't noticed us approaching.

Half out of breath, Orion asked, "Have you heard anything?"

Mayson was startled at first, then shook his head. "Nothing. I tried asking when I saw a nurse, but she said the doctor would come and speak to us after."

I placed a hand on Orion's shoulder and could feel the tension in him. "I'm sure all their focus is on your grandmother."

"They have been in there a long time," Mayson said. "This can't be good."

I slipped my hand off Orion's shoulder and then entwined my fingers with his. He gripped it, not letting me go. "Thank you for being here."

Mayson nodded. "Grandmother would be happy too. She spent most of the night talking about you."

"Me?"

"Well, you and Orion. But you really made one hell of a first impression. She was even talking about teaching you how to knit. I remember her trying to teach Orion. He humored her but sucked at it. You should have seen the socks he made. One looked like it could fit a child and the other, a giant.

I looked at Orion who shook his head. "They weren't that bad, but I wasn't interested in knitting. I did it because it made her happy. That's all."

Leaning my head against his shoulder, I said, "That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard. And after meeting your grandmother, I see why you couldn't tell her no." I would have been clay in her hands too.

"We were lucky," he said.

"You are lucky," I corrected. I didn't want either of them talking about her in past tense. She wasn't deceased. Please don't let her be.

Orion looked down at me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Why?"

"I felt you...shudder. Are you, cold?" he asked.

Lying, I said, "A little."

He let go of my hand and wrapped an arm around me pulling me close. "Better?" I nodded and he smiled. "I can ask a nurse for a blanket if you need one."

"No. This is perfect." Being in his arms was exactly where I wanted to be, just not at this location and for this reason.

The door opened and Finn came out. I could tell from his expression that he was about to deliver some difficult news. Orion picked up on it too.

"How...how is she?" he asked.

Finn said, "She is stable but in critical condition. She suffered a major heart attack. There were three separate times that she coded, and we needed to revive her."

It was a blow to us all, but especially Orion and Mayson.

"She's going to be okay, right?" Mason asked.

In a serious tone, Finn said, "We are doing everything we can for her. But her condition is very serious. We will be taking her down for more testing after she wakes up. That will determine if she is a candidate for a bypass surgery or not."

"Open heart surgery? It's that bad?" Orion asked.

"From the initial test, we can tell there is a lot of damage. But we won't know everything until later. If you'd like to go in and see her you can, but not all at once. She is sleeping right now which is good. And we also do not want to stress her about anything, so keep your visit short," he instructed. "Any more questions?" The brothers shook their heads and Finn said, "You know how to find me if you think of any."

When we were alone, Mayson said, "Why don't you go in? I was with her all night."

"Are you sure?" Orion asked. Mayson nodded. Then Orion looked at me and said, "Would you like to come in with me?"

I had never been in a hospital except for when I had Joey. Never been around anyone sick except for my son when he had a cold. But Orion needed me, and I wasn't going to let him down. Not after all he'd done for me.

Nodding, I said, "Of course I will."

He took my hand, and we went inside. Instantly my stomach started to twist in a knot. She had intravenous tubes in both arms and an oxygen mask on her face. Even her coloring wasn't as it was the other night. The room was filled with the sound of machines monitoring her. I was almost afraid to approach, but Orion guided me with his hand on my back.

As we stood by her bed, he said, "I'm glad you're here with me."

"So am I." Looking down at her I said, "Grandmother, I have a request. When you wake up and are all better, I need you to teach me how to knit."

Orion pulled me closer. "You better wake up because if I teach Raya, you know what they will end up looking like. I know you don't want that," he said, trying to follow my lead.

She didn't move, and there was no change on her monitor either. The nurse said, "She might not respond, but I believe she can hear you."

I leaned over and touched her hand gently. "Rest and I will see you when you get better."

Orion let go of me, leaned over the bed rail, and kissed his grandmother on the forehead. "I love you, Grandmother. You are strong and I expect you to fight to get better. I need you around to guide me and teach me to be a husband and father someday."

Was he telling her what he knew she wanted to hear? That might just do the trick based on our visit the other day. She didn't hide the fact she wanted to see him settle down with a family. It was funny because she had been looking at me whenever she talked about it.

I'd like you to be around to see it too.

We walked out of her room and Mayson was standing there looking at his phone. He turned it towards us and said, "I took this last night. Never thought we might lose her when I snapped it.

I looked at the photo. It was the two of them sitting up and playing cards. They looked happy. Just as though they were in her living room, instead of a hospital. "That's a wonderful picture. I hope you let her win."

He laughed. "Let her win? She kicked my ass fair and square."

My cell phone rang, and I looked at the caller ID. "Sorry, I need to take this call." I stepped away and said, "Hello Bennett."

"Hi, how is his grandmother?" he asked.

"Stable but not out of the woods," I replied.

"Sorry to hear that. I have the jet ready to take off. Your bags are in the SUV. Would you like me to come and pick you up now?" I paused and he stated, "You have an appointment with the court first thing in the morning. If we delay any longer, you won't make it in time."

I hated leaving, but I needed to. I told his grandmother to fight, but I had my own fight that needed my immediate attention. "I'll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes."

"I'll be there."

I ended the call and turned to the brothers. "I'm sorry. I need to go."

"You're leaving?" Mayson said shocked.

"Yes, she has something very important to attend to in the States." Orion said and then pulled me into his arms, looking down at me he added, "And once it is finished, you and Joey can fly here together. I promise I'll be at the airport to greet you both."

I smiled up at him. "That would be wonderful." He kissed me briefly. Before stepping away, I said, "Call me anytime you need to talk. And please text me updates."

"Of course. You do the same thing," he said.

I nodded and walked down the hallway. I knew that I was leaving half of my heart behind. But I knew that he would be waiting for me. Now all I needed to do was face my ex one more time. But Joseph was in for a rude awakening. I no longer was that naive young woman who feared him. I might not have the money he did, but I am an intelligent person now coupled with the courage to take him on. I'm driven and have people who love me for who I am. And he...is still just a hateful person.

I'll be back, Orion. Not sure when, but I'm coming back.