Brian’s PoV

Five minutes later, we arrived at the hospital. I rushed inside without waiting for anyone else to follow me.

“Where’s my son? Is he okay?” I said impatiently to the woman behind the counter.

“Sir, calm down. What is your son’s name?” The woman replied calmly, punching a few keys on her keyboard.

“Samuel Ryan Haner.” I said.

I watched as she input a few words into the computer system. “Your son is in Room 178, but the doctor is with him, so you will have to wait.”

I slammed my fist on the counter, causing the woman to jump. “I don’t care! I have to see my son right now!”

The woman sighed and lowered her voice. “Sir, I don’t want to call security, but I will if I have to.”

I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Please. I’m really worried about my son.”

“I understand. But I am not allowed to let you see him just yet.” She said, shaking her head.

“How long will it take, then?” I asked. I felt a hand slip into mine and looked over at Ashlynn, who was smiling assuredly.

“About an hour.” The receptionist said.

I sighed and nodded. “Okay, thank you.” I turned around to face everyone. “It’s gonna be an hour before we can see him.”

Ashlynn turned my head with her hand so I would look at her. “It will be okay. Sammy’s with the doctor. He won’t be alone.”

I took ahold of her hand and kissed it gently. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“Sit down, Brian. It might be a while.” Johnny said, taking a seat himself. I nodded and sat down along with everyone else, letting out a large sigh of anxious anticipation.

***

After what seemed like an eternity, a man, who I assumed was the doctor, walked up to me. “Are you Brian Haner?”

I stood up quickly. “Yes, sir.”

The doctor stuck out his hand. “I’m Dr. Cooper.” I nodded and shook his hand politely. “Your son seems to have suffered a blow to the head. Your ex-wife is here. She says that he fell when he was at the park and hit his head on some of the playground equipment. It looks like a mild concussion, but he will have to stay here overnight just so we can be sure.”

My teeth clenched at the mention of Michelle. I heard one of the guys behind me mutter, “What’s she doing here?”

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Now is not the time to be worrying about Michelle. I looked behind me and whispered to no one in particular, “It’s okay.”

Dr. Cooper cleared his throat. “Is everything okay, Mr. Haner? If you need me to remove your ex-wife from the room, I will.”

“No, that won’t be necessary, Doc. She won’t be a problem.” I said. I heard Johnny laugh quietly from behind me.

Dr. Cooper nodded. “Well, if you want to see your son, he is open to visitors now. I think your ex-wife is already in there.”

“Thanks, Doc.” I said.

“I hate to say this, but your friends will have to stay here. Too many people in Sammy’s room might make him nervous.” Dr. Cooper said.

“Oh, that’s fine. We understand.” Matt said, speaking for the whole group.

“Thank you. Now, Mr. Haner, if you would follow me.” Dr. Cooper said.

I followed Dr. Cooper in bitter silence to Room 178. I opened the door slowly. Lying there in the hospital bed was my son.

“Daddy? Is that you?” Sammy said, turning his head to face me. Right away, I noticed the bump on his temple.

I smiled and walked over to his bedside, ignoring Michelle for the time being. "Hi, Sammy. Yeah, it's me.”

“I missed you, Daddy. I haven’t seen you in so long.” He said.

I frowned, feeling a pang of guilt. “I know. I’m sorry, Sammy.” I heard Michelle snort. I shot daggers at her with my eyes.

“What’s your problem, Brian? Why are you looking at me like that?” Michelle said with a fake, innocent smile. Under her gentle voice, I could see the malice in her eyes.

“You don’t have to scoff at me. It’s not my fault I don’t ever see him.” I spat.

“Maybe there’s a reason for that, Brian.” Michelle replied, sitting back in her chair and resting her elbow on the armrest.

I look a deep breath. “Don’t start, Michelle. Especially with Sammy in the room. He’s gone through enough today as it is.”

Michelle held up her hands and shook her head. “Whatever. I’m not trying to start anything.”

I rolled my eyes and said nothing. Mainly because, if I did, I would probably explode and yell at her right in front of Sammy.

Michelle huffed. “Now I’m getting the silent treatment?” Under her breath, she added, “Figures.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling the volcanic anger stirring again. “Why do you purposely try to piss me off? You know what will happen.”

“Oohh, I’m so scared, Brian. What’s the worst you could do that you already haven’t done?” Michelle said icily.

Resisting the urge to let my anger take over, I cleared my throat. “Can you leave the room for a little bit? I need to talk to Sammy.”

“Fine.” Michelle glared at me for a moment and left the room, slamming the door.

I pulled up a chair next to the bed and looked Sammy in the eyes. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, Sammy. I don’t like fighting with your mother.”

Sammy smiled. “It’s okay, Daddy. I still love you.”

I smiled. “I love you too, son.” I stroked his face slowly.

For a moment, we were both silent. My hand accidentally brushed against the bump on Sammy’s head and he whimpered. I gasped. “I’m so sorry, Sammy.”

“It’s okay, Daddy. It hurts a lot less from when Mommy hit me.” Sammy said innocently.

My breath caught in my throat. I felt my heart stop for a moment. “What? She hit you?” I croaked.

“Mommy got mad at me because I wouldn’t clean my toys off the floor and she hit me. She got scared and took me here.” Sammy explained. With each word he said, I felt the anger rising again. Not only did Michelle hurt my precious son, she lied about it, too.

I swallowed my anger and spoke calmly, placing my hand on Sammy’s cheek. “Sammy, thank you for telling me what really happened.”

“Is Mommy in trouble?” Sammy asked, sitting up.

“No, Sammy.” I lied. “Don’t worry about Mommy.”

“Okay.” Sammy said, lying back down. Suddenly, the door opened. Michelle poked her head through the crack in the door.

“Are you done talking to Sammy?” She asked nonchalantly, as if she hadn’t just hit her son twenty minutes ago.

My jaw tightened. “Yes.”

“Good. I need to talk to him.”

I shook my head. “No, you don’t.”

Michelle crossed her arms. “Oh? Why can’t I?”

“Don’t play stupid. Sammy told me everything.” I said calmly.

Michelle’s eyes widened. “It was an accident! I didn’t mean to!” She yelled, holding her arms out from her side.

I stared at her unblinkingly. “I’m sure it was, but doesn't excuse what you did.”

“Brian, please. I’m sorry. It won’t happen ever again, I swear to God!” Michelle pleaded.

“I’m sorry, too.” I murmured, looking at Sammy.

“Wha- what does that mean?” Michelle said quietly.

“It means that I’m taking Sammy with me.” I said, looking at her with a steady gaze. “And I’m taking you to court.”

Michelle gasped. “Brian... no... please.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Michelle, but I can’t just let this go.”

“Is there any way I can make this up to you?” Michelle asked, walking closer to me until she was at arm’s-length.

“No, Michelle. The social worker comes tomorrow.”

Notes

Sorry for such a long wait again. :( homework has been seriously kicking my ass. Here's the next chapter tho :) Thanks for your patience! ^-^

Since it will be fall break next week, I will be able to write a lot more.

Oh and btw, I know I portray Michelle as a bitch in this story, but I dont have anything against her in real life at all :) I just wanted to make the story more interesting ;P