The Longest Night
Chapter 15 - The Longest Night
Sam had collapsed during soccer practice.
For Nathan, the world stopped.
Seven years disappeared.
He was no longer standing outside Elena's house.
He was back inside the nightmare he had never witnessed.
The hospital.
The machines.
The child he had almost lost without knowing.
Elena rode in the ambulance.
Nathan followed.
At the emergency room, doctors quickly determined Sam had suffered a severe asthma attack triggered by an undiagnosed respiratory sensitivity.
He was stable.
But Nathan didn't know that for forty-three terrifying minutes.
He paced.
Elena sat silently.
Finally he crouched in front of her.
"I should have known his medical history."
"You've known him for three weeks."
"I should know everything."
"Nathan."
"I missed everything."
Elena grabbed his hand.
"Stop."
He looked at her.
"You cannot keep punishing yourself for seven years every time something happens."
"How do I not?"
"By being here now."
The words echoed what she had told him at the wedding.
Show up after everyone stops watching.
Nathan sat beside her.
Hours later, Sam opened his eyes.
Elena entered first.
Nathan waited outside.
Then Sam asked, "Where's Dad?"
Elena froze.
It was the first time any of the boys had called Nathan that.
She stepped into the hallway.
Nathan stood instantly.
"Is he okay?"
Elena nodded.
"He wants you."
Nathan entered.
Sam looked tiny in the hospital bed.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Mom said I can't play soccer for a while."
"That's probably smart."
Sam frowned.
"You don't have to agree with her that fast."
Nathan laughed.
Elena laughed too.
Then Sam reached for Nathan's hand.
"Are you staying?"
"Yes."
"All night?"
"If they'll let me."
Sam nodded.
"Good."
He closed his eyes.
Nathan sat beside him until morning.
Elena watched from the doorway at sunrise.
There was no audience.
No wedding guests.
No cameras.
No company board.
Nathan was asleep in an uncomfortable hospital chair with Sam's small hand still wrapped around one of his fingers.
Elena finally understood something she had been afraid to admit.
Nathan was no longer proving he could be their father.
He was becoming one.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Madison.
I need to see you one last time. It's about the wedding.
Elena almost ignored it.
Then the second message arrived.
There was someone else who knew about the boys before I did.
Someone Nathan trusts completely.
May you like
Elena stared at the screen.
And suddenly the past wasn't finished with them yet.
