Chapter 53

Lug Nut

The day I got the call that Ailee was awake and asking for me after being unconscious for a week was an incredible feeling. When I walked into the room and saw her laughing I felt like the world just got brighter than it ever has before. To be able to sit and talk with Ailee. And to hear her say she was hungry was awesome. I watched each day eat little by little. I would help her walk around the room. It wasn’t far but Dr. Graves said it was very important for her muscles to get moving. A week after Ailee woke up Donavan came in. The first thing I noticed was he wasn’t dressed in his hazmat gear so that must mean something good. Add that with a smile on his face. And man did he make my day. They were moving Ailee out of the cleanroom. I jumped off the bed, almost knocked Ailee off and hugged him. After that, I made a bigger fool of myself by fist-bumping the air and shouting. But the laughter that came out of Ailee was worth it.

I swear as soon as she was moved Ailee was flooded with visitors. Even ace showed his ass up. I didn’t like it much but his visitor made Ailee smile so I kept my mouth shut but I refused to leave the room. On the day of Ace’s visit, I figured out there wasn’t much I could hide from her. I was sitting in the corner of the room glaring at Ace while they talked. Ailee looked over at us several times before asking “ I have had enough. What the feck is going on with you two?” “It’s nothing, honey,” I told her. Ailee crossed her arms over her chest “ I know when people are lying, Travis LeBlanc. You know that better than anyone.” I knew Ailee was getting pissed but all I was thinking is ‘ get used to saying my last name, it is going to yours very soon.’

I didn’t get a chance to answer because Ace answered for me. He explained how I attacked him and I blamed him for Ailee’s heart-stopping. I could see the look on Ailee’s face. I knew something was coming. I could see the gears turning in her head. “ Ailee don’t get upset. I deserved what he did and more. Lug was right to accuse me. I talked to Graves. He confirmed everything Lug said.” Ace said. “ Are you done fighting now?” Ailee asks while looking directly at me. I won’t look at Ace because I’m still pissed at him. Ailee sighed “ Travis, come here.” I got up without a second thought and crawled into bed with her. Ailee wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder. I wrapped one arm around her shoulder and the other I placed on her arm. I wanted Ace to see how close I was to his daughter. How much I loved her and would do anything to protect her.

“ Lug, I understand you were upset. If the roles had been reversed I would have done the same if not worse. But Lug you have been brothers long before I came along. And you need to get back to that.” Ailee said. She laced her fingers through mine. “ Travis, I know how much that brotherhood means to you. They are your family. You have to let this go. You know as well as I do that life is too short to hold grudges. Ace made a mistake. But he made up for it. You need to let it go. I want him in my life. And you. I need you in my life. Always. So drop the shite. And do whatever guys do to kiss and make up.”

Then she turned to Ace “ And da you need to forgive yourself and Lug. We can’t move on unless you do that. Mistakes were made. It happens. We are only human after all. What matters is how you make them right and you learn from them. So fix your family so we can be a family da.” Ace looked like he was going to break down in tears. “ How did I get such a smart, sweet, beautiful, caring daughter?” Ace asked as Ailee hugged him. Ailee looks him dead in the face and says “ That’s easy. All my good genes I got from ma. I got my badassness from my da.”
That’s when Ace lets the tears fall. Me I fall over laughing with Ailee right with me.

So yea, Ace and I got passed my issues with him. For the most part anyway. I’m still watching him just incase he hurts Ailee. Then I will have his ass again. He was there with us walking the hall working on Ailee’s leg strength when Donavan and Graves came running down the hall towards us like being chased by a monster. Graves was going so fast he skidded past us before he could stop. “ What in the world is wrong with you two boyo’s? Have you lost ye minds?” Ailee chuckles. “ Finish your walk. We will meet you in your room. We have your latest test results.” Donavan said. That statement ended our walk. We went passed the guards that always line the hall. I got Ailee comfortable, I sat on one side and Ace sat on her other holding her hand. What’s the saying: hope for the best plan for the worst. That was what I was doing.


I waited as patiently as I could for one of the doctors to start speaking. I mean what were they waiting on an engraved invitation or something. Then I heard footsteps coming down the hall. When Cormac, Anna, Finn, and callen came in I got my answer. When they were settled I say Callen take his ear piece out allowing the other guards to hear. “ Spit it out, docs. Enough with the suspense.” Ailee said. Graves steps up first. “ We got all your test results back. I’ll start with your heart. The is no new damage. With medications to help keep your heart strong there is no need to think about a transplant. The muscles are just weak. In time they could get strong again.” Ailee nods. This good news.

Donavan is up next “ Your latest blood results have given me the best news in a long time. Ailee as of right now the is no traces of cancer in you. You are officially in remission.” In the blink of an eye Ailee launched herself off the bed straight into Donavan’s waiting arms. Like he knew what she was fixing to do. They hugged while he spun her around the room for a second. Donavan put Ailee down on the floor and she kissed his cheek. Then Ailee ran at Cormac and he picked her up like he had done it a thousand times over the years. “ I did it grandda. I beat it again.” Ailee said in a watery laugh. I noticed she had tears in her eyes. But this time they were definitely happy ones. Cormac smiles down at her “ I knew you would. I never had a doubt in you. It is going to take something a hell of a lot more powerful to knock you out.” I have to agree with the man.

Once Ailee goes around the room to get hugs from everyone she comes and settles back down between Ace and me. She hugs him and whispers “ Thank you, da.” “ Don’t thank me for doing the right thing. I just wanted time with my daughter.” Ace said and hugged her back. Ailee snuggled into my side but she looked at Graves “ And the other test?” Wait back up. What other test? I knew about all of Ailee’s tests or so I thought. Graves and Donavan both look sad suddenly. “ I’m sorry Ailee. There is too much damage. None are viable.” Graves said. “ Honey, what is he talking about? What isn’t viable?” I asked. Ailee grabs my hand and whispers “ Travis.” I look down at her. “ I asked them to test to see if children would be possible in the future. Graves just said it is not going to happen. My eggs were fried by the chemo and radiation. I won’t be able to give you children.”

Oh, my girl. I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight. I lay my head on the top of hers and say “ Honey, there are plenty of ways to have kids if we want. They don’t have to come from you. We could use a surrogate. We could adopt, or foster. As many as you want. A whole soccer team if you wish. Or we could just spoil all the kids at the clubhouse rotten. Whatever you want. You not being able to have kids is not a deal breaker for me. I still not going anywhere.” Ailee leaned up and kissed my chin. “ Good, I don’t want to let you go.”

I look over at Ace and Cormac and see them both smiling at me. Anna is wiping the corners of her eyes. Callen and Finn are giving me a thumbs up. I guess I said the right thing in their eyes. I just told her what was in my heart. That was a month ago. Ailee was released from the hospital shorty after to finish her recovery in the comfort of her home. I haven’t left her side much. I have practically moved into the condo. And tonight is the night I have a very special night planned for us. Ailee had to go back to work today after her long leave. But tonight she is all mine. Even Callen and Finn are going to make themselves scarce. They won’t be very far but we will definitely have privacy as long as Ailee wears her watch with a panic button inside. I can’t wait to see her. I have everything planned out down to the letter. It is going to be night to remember.