Emily, listen to me, Trevor whispered, his voice cracking. Hes going to be okay.

Fallon stroked Emilys rain-drenched hair. He is, Em. You cant give up hope.

Lost control

Grave

Air lifted

Critical condition.

Emily shook her head, her words stuttered. You heaheard what the off officer said.

Fallon pulled her into her arms, holding her tight. When the elevator opened onto the ICU, Emilys blurry vision zeroed in on Gavins parents, Colton, Olivia, and Jude talking with a doctor. Emily wanted to run to them to find out what was going on, but her body was frozen. Her feet wouldnt move. Her arms hung to her sides as cold as icicles hanging from gutters. With Trevors aid, Emily stepped from the elevator. A deep sense of nothingness slithered through her chest as she slowly started for the group. The crisp, hospital air was loosely laced with the smells of ammonia and sickness. A chill shot down Emilys spine as her gaze drifted into several patients rooms. Lying motionless with blankets drawn up to their necks, most were unconscious. As she approached the group, Emily could see the fear in Chads eyes and it made her tremble. Her heart smashed, vibrating her body.

Lillian swept Emily into her arms, her tears soaking through Emilys top. Oh, God. My baby. My baby boy. Theyre not sure if hes going to make it. Lillians crying hammered though Emilys head, and her despair sliced right through Emilys heart.

What happened? Emily asked, barely getting the words out. With tears streaming down her face, she turned to the full-faced doctor. There has to be something you can do. Hes going toEmily choked back a sobhes going to be a father.

The doctor released a soft sigh, shoving his large hands into his pockets. The motorcycle came out from beneath him in front of the Mill House Inn on Montauk Highway. He was thrown against on oncoming vehicle. He shook his head, his voice bleak. We just finished up doing a CT scan on him. Though he was wearing a helmet, hes sustained severe injury to his brain, and hes non-responsive right now. Were trying to control the swelling, and were going to do everything we can for him, but it doesnt look good. He has a punctured lung, three broken ribs, a broken femur, and internal bleeding in the abdomen. The surgeon will give you an update after hes out of surgery.

Emily felt her body go limp, felt her heart rip away from her chest. Sobbing uncontrollably, her legs slack beneath her, she leaned into the embrace of Trevor who was trying to hold her upright. However, his arms felt weak as he too struggled to keep himself together. Shaking, Emily made her way into a small waiting room. She sank into a chair, cradling her face as she rocked back and forth.

This couldnt be happening. It wasnt real. She refused to believe just hours before, her and Gavins lives were complete, and now she could lose him. Their son could lose him. The thought of Noah never knowing the wonderful man his father was shook Emilys faith in all shed ever believed in. With tear-soaked eyes, she slowly lifted her head and looked around the room. Faces pale with fear, not a single person in Gavins life held a glimmer of hope in their expressions. Emily watched Chad hold Lillian, his grief burning a hole in Emilys mind. Seated next to a small coffee machine, Olivia rested her head against Judes shoulder, her tears falling in streams down her cheeks. Emily swallowed as she dragged her gaze to Colton. Standing alone in the corner, arms crossed, he stared at the floor, crying silently.

Emily broke out into a cold sweat as images of what she and Gavin were supposed to be, the life theyd spoken about, slowly melted away. The clock on the wall ticked, its second hand sinister and ugly with each stroke of movement. Over the next few hours, everyone waited to hear a word. Light was fading from the damp sky by the time the surgeon entered the waiting room. Everyone jumped to their feet.

With eyes as empty as a dusty glass found forgotten on a windowsill, he began to speak. We were able to stop the bleeding in his abdomen for now, and well keep an eye on it to make sure it doesnt start again. The surgeon paused, drawing in a slow, deep breath. We had to perform an emergency craniotomy to relieve the pressure off the brain. The next forty-eight hours are critical. In the meantimehe looked at each of themI feel its best you spend as much time with him as you can right now.

There was a moment of silence long enough for Emily to feel the quiet undertone of despair coating the room. But it broke as Lillian fell into Chads arms, her cries screeching from her throat in puffed out heavy breaths. Emilys heart started throbbing in her chest so hard her fingers shook. As she watched the surgeon walk out, fog trapped Emilys mind. She sank into her chair, covering her face. She knew she couldnt see Gavin yet. She couldnt. The truth was, fear gutted her. It surrounded her, anchoring her frozen. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up into Gavins fathers eyes. Dark shadows of grief painted his face.

Come on, he mumbled, holding out a shaky hand. Well all go in together.

I cant, Emily cried, unable to keep her voice from cracking. I cant right now. You go ahead. I just need a few minutes.

Chad nodded pensively. Unshed tears clouded his eyes as he walked away, wrapping a supportive arm around Lillians waist. Emily watched the grieving couple walk into the hall, her heart shredding with their departure. Head hung low and shoulders slumped, Colton followed them.