Chapter 185 One family
Sage's POV
I watched Ryder and Jaxon hug carefully, mindful of Jaxon's injuries, and my heart felt like it might burst.
When they pulled apart, I could not hold back anymore. I moved to Jaxon's bedside and wrapped my arms around him gently, trying not to hurt him but needing to hold my brother.
"Thank you," I whispered through my tears. "Thank you so much."
"For what?" Jaxon asked, his arms coming around me.
"For understanding. For supporting me. For not being like Dad."
"You don't have to thank me for that," Jaxon said quietly. "You're my sister. I just want you to be happy."
"I am happy," I told him, pulling back so I could see his face. "I really am. Happier than I've been in a long time."
"Good." Jaxon smiled, though there was still something sad in his eyes. "That's all I've ever wanted for you."
I wiped at my tears and Ryder moved closer, his hand finding mine again.
Jaxon watched the gesture and I saw him working to keep his expression neutral. It was clearly going to take time for him to adjust to seeing us together, but he was trying. That was what mattered.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, changing the subject. "Really. Tell me the truth."
"Better," Jaxon said. "Stronger every day. The pain is manageable now, which is a huge improvement from a week ago. The physical therapy is brutal though. They make me walk the halls twice a day and it feels like running a marathon. But the doctors say I'm making good progress."
"That's good to hear," I said. "What about eating? Are you able to eat normally now?"
"Mostly," Jaxon said. "Still on semi solid foods but at least it's actual food instead of just liquids through the IV. Hospital food is terrible but I'm not complaining. It beats starving."
"When can you go home?" Ryder asked.
"Soon, hopefully," Jaxon said. "They're talking about discharge in the next few days if everything continues to improve. I'll need more recovery time at home, but at least I'll be out of this hospital bed."
"That's great news," I said, genuinely relieved.
We talked for a while about his recovery, about what he would need when he got home, about how the club was doing in his absence. Ryder filled him in on some of the rebuilding efforts and financial decisions that had been made.
Tommy had been helping coordinate the physical repairs to the clubhouse. Snake and Diesel were handling recruitment to replace the brothers they lost. The club's finances were stable despite the costs of funerals and medical bills.
Jaxon listened carefully, asking questions here and there, clearly itching to be back in charge but also grateful that things had been handled well in his absence.
"You've done a good job as acting president," Jaxon told Ryder. "The brothers respect you and you've kept everything running smoothly during a crisis. I appreciate that."
"Just doing what needed to be done," Ryder said modestly. "But I'll be happy to hand the reins back to you when you're ready."
"Soon," Jaxon promised. "As soon as I'm physically able, I want to get back to work. I'm bored out of my mind living day to day in this hospital bed."
"I understand," Ryder said.
It felt almost normal. The three of us talking, making plans, and being family. Almost like the attack had never happened and we had not all almost died.
But the monitors beeping beside Jaxon's bed and the IV in his arm were constant reminders that we had survived something terrible. That we were lucky to be here at all.
There was a knock at the door and a nurse came in carrying a chart.
"Good morning," she said cheerfully. "Time to take your vitals again."
We stepped back to give her room to work. She checked Jaxon's blood pressure and temperature, made notes on her chart, and adjusted his IV.
"Everything looks good," she said. "The doctor should be by in the next hour or so to discuss possible discharge. You're making excellent progress."
"Thanks," Jaxon said.
The nurse smiled at us. "Are these your family members?"
"My sister and my best friend," Jaxon said, and I felt warmth spread through my chest at the easy way he said it.
"It's nice to have visitors," the nurse said. "Family support makes such a difference in recovery."
She finished her checks and left, promising the doctor would be by soon.
When she was gone, the three of us were there in silence for a moment.
"I should probably get going," I said reluctantly. "Let's allow you to rest before the doctor comes. You need to save your energy for that conversation about discharge."
"You don't have to leave," Jaxon said. "I like having you here. Both of you."
"I know," I said, feeling my throat tighten with emotion. "But you need your rest and we've taken up enough of your morning. You've had a lot of emotional stress already today and you should recover."
I leaned down and kissed his forehead gently, feeling grateful beyond words that he was alive and healing and supporting me. "I'll come back tomorrow, okay? And I'll call you tonight to check in and see what the doctor said."
"Okay," Jaxon said, squeezing my hand tightly. "I'm glad you're back, Sage. I really am. I missed you while you were in Arizona. The hospital was lonely without you here."
"I missed you too," I said, my voice thick. "So much. Every day I was gone, I worried about you."
I stepped back and Ryder moved forward to say his own goodbye.
"I'll call you later," Ryder told Jaxon. "Let you know how things are going at the clubhouse. Fill you in on anything that needs your attention or approval."
"Actually," Jaxon said, his tone shifting to something more serious and businesslike. "Can you stay for a few more minutes? I need to talk to you about something important."
"Sure," Ryder said, glancing at me with a confused and slightly worried expression.
"Alone," Jaxon added, looking apologetic as his eyes met mine. "Sorry, Sage. This is club business. President and VP stuff."
"Oh." I tried not to feel hurt by the exclusion but it stung a little. I wondered what they needed to discuss that I could not hear. "Okay. I'll wait in the hallway then."
"You don't have to wait," Jaxon said gently. "This might take a while and you shouldn't have to sit out there for who knows how long. Why don't you head back to the clubhouse and Ryder will meet you there when we're done?"
"Are you sure?" I asked, looking between them and trying to read their expressions.
"Yeah," Jaxon said. "I need to discuss some stuff with him about the club and the president position. Boring administrative stuff. You'd be bored out of your mind listening to us talk numbers and policies."
"Okay," I said, though I was curious about what they needed to discuss that was so important and so private and so urgent. "I'll see you back at the clubhouse?"
"Yeah," Ryder said, still looking slightly confused and uncertain about what Jaxon wanted to talk about. "I'll be there soon. Probably an hour or so depending on how long this takes."
I kissed Jaxon's forehead one more time and then gave Ryder a quick kiss before heading toward the door.
"I love you both," I said from the doorway.
"Love you too," they said in unison, and I smiled before stepping out.
I left the hospital room and walked down the corridor, my mind racing with questions about what Jaxon needed to discuss with Ryder. It must be something serious if he did not want me there.
I hoped it was not bad news.
But I trusted both of them. I trusted that whatever they were discussing, they would handle it together.