“Will he be able to go home then?”
“Unless something changes, yes. I want to be realistic that I think this will be a tough recovery, but there is room for optimism. Especially because Teal is such a strong omega.”
“He certainly is that,” Niall said.
“Whatever he needs to get better, we’ll make sure he has it,” Jax added.
“I should have insisted he take it easy,” Ronan said fitfully. “Schulman or Carson could have done the prose.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t beat yourself up,” Dr. Kinzinger said. “If Teal hadn’t pushed himself to do that closing prose for his tribunal, he might not have collapsed. It appears he was in a lot of pain and practically living on antacids. He had been forcing himself to function. The closing prose made it so he couldn’tpush through anymore. And make no mistake. If he had gone on like that for even a few more days, we’d be having a different conversation. Most likely, he’d have simply gone to sleep one night and never woken up.”
Ronan emitted a low growl. “He was that close to…dying?”
“If he hadn’t collapsed and been brought to the hospital today, I doubt he would have made it to the weekend.”
Niall released a gasp as Jax startled. Ronan appeared placid but his eyes were asking the question of who he needed to kill.
The alpha stood and stuck his hand out to the doctor. “Thank you, Dr. Kinzinger. Please let me know when the detective arrives.”
In the lobby, the men filled in Dayson and Mikel, who left afterward, promising to return the next day.
The men agreed the betas would go home and speak with Sorcha about the situation, as well as the boys. At first, Ronan thought he should be the one to tell Garin, Kino, and Zayne what happened to their daddy, but ultimately, he realized he couldn’t be in two places at once, and speaking with the detectives and being with Teal was what heneededto do. He trusted the other men to be delicate with the children. Ronan also said he’d text Teal’s bosses with the update.
Before the betas left, they engaged in a quick three-way hug with Ronan, digesting the doctor’s news. They’d almost lost Teal. Ronan kissed Niall and Jax on their foreheads, pressing his lips tightly to each, keeping it brief because they were in a public place.
“Text me once you’ve talked to everyone,” Ronan said. “I’ll let you know if the detective needs to speak with you two. If so, you can go to the station or come here to meet with him. I’d rather not have anyone in the house right now, if it can be avoided. Just in case they’re nosy.”
“Sounds good,” Niall said. “Sorcha is also desperate to see Teal. He took one for the team, staying back with the kids, but I assume he’ll want to come here after the boys get to bed.”
“You’re right,” Ronan said, exhaling deeply. “And I feel the need to wrap my arms around my sweet little omega love as well.”
“We’ll make it happen,” Jax assured him.
Niall flashed his eyes around the room. Not seeing anyone in their vicinity, he reached out to take Ronan’s hand, brushing his thumb lovingly across the alpha’s big wrist. “He’s going to be okay.”
Ronan didn’t reply. He only nodded before going down the hallway to Teal’s room.
Jax stayed quiet until they reached their car in the parking lot. “You really believe he’ll be alright?”
Niall leaned his backside against the passenger door, squeezing his eyes shut as he dropped his hands to his knees, bending over like he might throw up. “I’m choosing to be positive because…I can’t imagine the alternative.”
“He has to be okay, Niall. He has to be.” Jax pulled Niall up to a standing position and embraced him, resting his head in the cradle of Niall’s neck, tickling the sensitive skin there with his murmured words. “You’ve had years with him, Nigh. Years. To hear his laugh. To be on the receiving end of his generosity. To be proud of him. But I feel like I…like I just found him. This can’t be it. I need more time. I need…him.”
***
Sorcha looked frantic when they walked in the door. He hauled them up to the second floor and into the bedroom so they could speak privately. They’d already called him with the information, but now that they were in the same room together, Sorchawanted to hear it all again. As though recounting it multiple times could make the news less dire.
“How do you want to tell the boys?” Niall asked Sorcha as they came back down the stairs, gesturing toward the living room where the twins played a racing game while Zayne colored.
“I figured we should all be there, but you might want to take the lead,” Sorcha answered. “Since you’ve known them the longest.”
“True. But you’re their fathers’ partner,” Niall countered. “Maybe it’s not my place anymore.” Niall bit his lip as the unexpected words came out of his mouth.
Niall thought of Sorcha as being fairly docile, but there were moments when the younger man reminded him of his backbone.
The omega raised a sardonic eyebrow. “Yourplace? You’re reaching, Niall.”
“I’m not sure I am.”
