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Chapter 52: Moby
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2022-10-26 14:22:23Related chapters
The Siren Song Series Chapter 53: Piper
The numbers on the screen don't mean anything to Moby, but two hundred and twenty-one over one hundred and sixty, my husband is actively stroking. I have never seen it firsthand, but my mother educated me for years after watching her mother die from repeat strokes. It never dawned on me those constant reminders of visual clues would come in handy-the slurred speech, facial distortion, motor function loss-I knew but hoped I was wrong. I wish now I was oblivious to the reality we're about to face, but I'm not. I'm all too aware of just how bad this truly is. In an instant, there's a flurry of people and alarms going off on the machines tracking my husband's heart. They quickly transfer him to a bed and start an IV. With only one of us allowed to go back to the room, my dad turns to leave.I grab his arm in panic. "Daddy, will you keep trying to call Moby's parents and Cam? She doesn't know I'm going to be late, so at this point, I think it's safe to tell her I won't be in at all. Be
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 54: Moby
I heard the words Piper said, but can't really wrap my mind around the possibility of a stroke. It didn't take a genius to notice the nurse didn't correct her assumption. I can't fathom how the hell I could be having a stroke. My head is throbbing, but I'm completely lucid. I'm young, in great shape, eat a healthy diet; this only happens to grossly obese people my age, not healthy, thirty-two-year-old men. My limited knowledge of stroke symptoms, patients, and the like is zilch, but the point is it shouldn't be me. I don't smoke, and I rarely drink. I just married my wife for the love of God. What the fuck is Piper going to do with what's left of me?Lying on this bed, unable to talk to my wife, the emotions seize me, Heather steps to my side. She doesn't speak. She places her hand on my forearm while we wait for the nurse to usher us in for the CT scan. The warmth of her touch grounds me and reminds me I'm not alone. When the doors finally open, signaling our turn, she gives me a ge
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 55: Piper
Heather comes in an hour or so later to prepare Moby for his move to ICU. I ask if she heard the results from the CT scan, but the radiology department is really behind, and since Moby's blood pressure hasn't dropped much, they're going to go ahead and go. I climb off the bed and see the trepidation in my husband's eyes. "I need to go tell everyone what's going on, are you going to be okay for a bit by yourself?"He nods his response, but I can tell he doesn't want me to go."I'll be right back, I promise.""Actually, why don't you just meet us in ICU." Heather looks at the chart in her hand before turning her eyes back to me. "Seventh floor, room two."After kissing Moby's forehead, I make the long walk through the winding maze of the ER to share what little information I have with our friends and family. It breaks my heart to leave him, but it's not fair to all the people closest to us to wait without periodic updates. The truth is, it's only mid-afternoon, and I'm exhaust
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 55: Piper
The worst part about all this is the incessant waiting. Waiting for nurses, waiting for tests, waiting for lab work, waiting for results, waiting for doctors. After Moby's MRI, the new nurse, Asten, has come on shift. Sweet girl, but if she doesn't stop making googly eyes at Moby, I may have to kick her in the ovaries. Overhearing me talking to Moby about running home to get his things, primarily his glasses so he can see, she tells me I have plenty of time before a doctor will be back in."You can go home. I'll be here. We won't let anything happen to him," she winks at Moby. Bitch, I'm not playing. She better lay off the flirty shit before I take out her kneecap.Glancing up and huffing in irritation at Asten, I turn to Moby, who is somehow oblivious to her advances. "Are you okay with that?" He nods. He looks tired. His eyes are dull, not their normal vibrant blue. Dark circles are forming around them. I can't help but notice his skin has a ground mustard hue that's unflatter
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 56: Moby
My eyes flutter open. The room is dusky dark and it takes me a moment to remember where I am. The sterile smell of the hospital jogs my memory. As things come into focus, I see Piper sitting in the chair next to the bed with her laptop. Her hair's pulled up into a messy knot on top of her head, and she's changed into her crazy ass leggings and a sweatshirt and put her glasses on. The light from the computer gives her an ethereal glow. My heart swells with pride knowing she's mine.Glancing over at me, she realizes I'm awake. She closes her laptop and takes off her glasses. "How are you feeling?" she asks me."Better." Clearer speech shocks me. The doctor had said as my blood pressure comes down my speech would improve, but I wasn't expecting this much so quickly. It still sounds like I have a mouth full of food but it resembles English, which is more than it did twelve hours ago."Does your head still hurt?""Yeah, but the pressure isn't as bad. How long have I been asleep?" My
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 57: Piper
The bell sounds signaling visiting hours are over. I try to push back but Asten, the little hussy, holds firm refusing to allow me to stay with Moby overnight. "You can stay in the waiting room if you'd like but the hospital adheres to strict hours in ICU.""I'm his wife, are you serious?" I'm miffed, which I'm sure my tone conveys."Very. Goodnight, Mrs. Cooper." My eyes flutter in irritation. I swear if I have to see this little heifer much more, they may stick in the tops of their sockets."Fine," I huff at her. "Can you give me a minute, Asten?" I draw out her name indicating how pretentious I think it is."I'll be back." She turns to leave and again, my eyes search the ceiling. Irritation doesn't begin to describe what her presence does to me."Okay, I guess I need to go. I'm going to stop by the gym in the morning to tell them what's going on and see if they can reschedule your clients. I'll be back as soon as I'm done with that. Do you need anything from home?""D
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 58: Piper
No. No. No. No. I wake feeling way too refreshed. Looking at my clock, I realize just how right I am. It's almost eight in the morning. I should be walking out the door to go to the gym and make it to the hospital by the time visiting hours start at nine. God, I'll never make it, and he'll be there alone. Thank God I called Cam last night. They left the hospital after being there several hours but before I had a chance to have any type of discussion with her about work. Luckily, I can do my job from anywhere in the world as long as I have my computer. I love being at Healing Wings but I don't have to work in the building. She was very understanding, assuring me I didn't have to call in daily, but to keep her posted about Moby's progress. It's weird working with a friend, not knowing how far to take the professional lines, so I always err on the side of caution. I swear she must have yawned a hundred times in the five minutes I was on the phone with her. When I finally asked her what
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Siren Song Series Chapter 59: Piper
Ripping the door open to my car, I plop down in the seat to Google the phone number for the hospital. "Moby Cooper's room, please.""One moment please." The sound of fingers on a keyboard fills the silence. "I'm sorry ma'am, there are no phones in the ICU rooms.""Okay, how about the nurses' station, it's right outside his room.""We aren't allowed to connect people to the ICU nursing station."The bitch in me erupts. "Look, I appreciate you're doing your job, and I hope you can appreciate I'm simply doing mine. My husband is on that floor, and his mother just called me to tell me they're moving him to MUSC in roughly twelve minutes, and I'm not there. Now, you can either connect me to a nurse on that floor or when I get there and my husband has left, I will personally come find you and show you just how unhappy I really am.""Let me put you on hold and see what I can do." She remains calm, but I can hear the unsettled tone in her voice."Thank you."As I wait, I start
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
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The Siren Song Series Chapter 111: Moby-Epilogue
Six months ago, I moved back home. I thought things would be simple. I figured once I was physically back where I needed to be, everything else would just fall back into place. It didn't. It took work, lots of fucking work, and continues to take work daily.Emotionally, Piper was in a far worse place than any of us realized. She had developed abandonment issues and separation anxiety, not just with me but everyone she's close to. The great thing about working at a crisis center is the resources available to her. Just like Cam, Shelly has become her confidante. They meet a couple times a week, and together, we're all working on putting our relationships back together. It's a slow process and maybe one we'll work on for the rest of our lives. I'm just thankful to have the chance to do it. Whenever I see Shelly, I wonder if she comprehends just how many times she's really saved one of the Cooper boys' asses. Our journey through treatment is made a little more difficult in the last fe
The Siren Song Series Chapter 110: Piper
Waking up, still wrapped in Moby's arms, his nose nestled near my ear, I stare out the same window that brought so much disdain yesterday, and wonder if it's possible the world has righted itself and is back on the correct axis.Twenty-four hours ago, the same sun shone through the same glass onto the same face, but its warmth did nothing other than start the repeat of another mundane, dismal day. Today it holds promise and wonder.I observe the clouds move as the light becomes brighter, not wanting to wake my sleeping husband, and instead opt to just enjoy the dawning of a new day.He begins to stir beside me, but I'm unable to tell if he's still in the throws of sleep or going to attempt to join me in the wake of the morning. He answers my unasked question by nudging his hard member against my butt, just letting me know he's there. His smile moves across my neck as he begins to scatter soft kisses over my skin.As his hands begin to wander, I tense in the apprehension of his
The Siren Song Series Chapter 109: Piper
I don't have the energy for this. Between last night and today, I'm out of fuel to pretend like I give a shit anymore. I refuse to perpetuate a sham of happiness in my own home. I have no idea why Moby came back here, but if it's to rub my nose in how content he is, I wish he would've saved it for another day. Collapsing on the couch, I stuff my hands in my hoodie pockets, finding the little memento someone so graciously sent me. I haven't had time to really study it, but from the quick peeks I've taken, it's stunning. I rub my thumb over the inscription using it to soothe my weary soul.I watch in awe as Moby strolls across the room, not a single sign of the stroke visible. Whatever he's been doing for the last five weeks worked. He looks fantastic, and his confidence is soaring once again. I fight the attraction I feel seeing the man I married emerge again. It will only end in heartache. When he takes a seat across from me, I know this conversation is going to be more than I can
The Siren Song Series Chapter 108: Moby
Knocking on the door to the dressing room to keep from startling her, she calls out to come in.Looking up from her hands, I find she already changed clothes and is back in her hoodie and jeans. It must be eighty degrees outside but I imagine with as little body fat as she's currently carrying around she likely stays cold. When she sees me, she stuffs her hands in the pocket of her sweatshirt in an attempt to hide whatever she was focused on before I interrupted."Are you ready to go home?""Yeah, I'm just getting my stuff. Do you want to meet me there?""No, my car's already at the house. Dax picked me up there this afternoon."She's confused and doesn't understand this has been my plan since she walked out of the hospital. Well, right after Dax and I got into a screaming match, and he punched me in the face. After that, this became my plan.She doesn't resist or argue just rises to her feet, grabs her purse and garment bag. I take the dress from her, holding the door open
The Siren Song Series Chapter 107: Moby
I've never been more thankful in my entire life that Piper and I eloped. I cannot imagine having corralled people the way we have been tonight. I realize it's a huge crowd, but we are people, not sheep. Every moment of the evening has been precisely planned by either Cam or her wedding guru, who seems more like a drill sergeant than an event coordinator. At the very least, there's no way I could possibly be sitting at another table.When guests begin to take their seats after the cocktail hour, I finally spot her. My heart breaks. Brooks was right. There's almost nothing left of my soul mate. She looks like a skeleton. The skin barely hangs on her body. This didn't all happen in the last month. Looking back, I knew she was losing weight-and not in a healthy way-but I was so consumed by my own turmoil I didn't recognize how serious things were. The last month has just about killed her. I doubt she weighs a hundred pounds. The constriction of my chest makes it hard to breathe. My on
The Siren Song Series Chapter 106: Moby
"Brooks!" I chase after my brother the moment Piper's out of sight."Yeah, bro, what's up?""Did you not give her the gift?""Of course. Just like you told me to. Why?""She's cold. She won't even look at me. You guys promised me this was temporary. I've worked my ass off day in and day out trying to prove myself. Why's she brushing me off?" I'm trying not to blow a gasket, but I'm out of options. I don't have any more tricks up my sleeve. I played the only hand I have. For the last five weeks, I've worked out for grueling hours a day, each of my brothers and her friends adding something to the daily regime. I've been in the gym with my buddies and co-workers who've pushed me harder than I ever pushed when I was healthy. There've been days I worked out more than I slept. My muscles have ached, I've been tired as hell, but I stayed focused to show her how much I love her and that I'm committed as fuck. I haven't reached out one time, there've been nights I took my phone to
The Siren Song Series Chapter 105: Piper
Helping grab all the bride's accouterments, we traipse inside, bogged down with more crap than any one person should have. Her hair and makeup are already done, I can't imagine what the hell is in her arsenal, but leave it to Cam to be prepared for any situation. "How do you want to do this, Cam?" Rachel asks after hanging the bags around the room."My mom's bringing in the flowers just before we walk, so really all we need to do is get dressed, right?"I'm just along for the ride. I'll do whatever I'm told."So you guys go ahead and change. I'll do what I can on my own but once I put the gown on you'll have to button it and lace it up."None of us, to my knowledge, have even seen Cam's dress. She's kept it a highly guarded secret, so unless it's made a debut in the last couple weeks, we're all in for a treat.Each of us busies ourselves with lingerie, pantyhose, dresses, and high heels. Every head in the room turns to the door when a knock comes.Sutton gasps when her s
The Siren Song Series Chapter 104: Piper
Waking to the sun shining through the windows, the haze-filled rays warm my skin, the illusion of a beautiful day beaming in. I lie in bed, having stared out into the same creation day after day, I force myself to get up and brave the world. Showering, shaving, and donning the most comfortable clothes I believe I can get away with in the spa we're scheduled to meet Cam at, I put on a fake smile, grab my dress, and get in the car. Mentally trying to prepare myself to pretend I'm enjoying my time with my friends, I blast the radio, singing along to the hottest music I can find, but it does little to lighten my mood. The ride is over too quickly, and before I know it, I'm staring at the entrance, my Fish staring back at me. They're waiting for me to get out of the car to go in together. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Repeat.Grabbing the handle, I swing the car door open, plastering my face with a smile that swears I'm happy to be here. They greet me warmly. My girls seem to
The Siren Song Series Chapter 103: Piper
The dress is better than anything I could've ever dreamed and so much prettier than the original. I haven't bothered mentioning it to Cam and doubt she'll notice when the time comes. I figure it's best not to acknowledge it, stressing her out even more than I assume she already is. She took yesterday and today off work and all of next week for their honeymoon, but I'll see her, and everyone else, tonight at the rehearsal dinner. I'm dreading the entire thing, which pains me. I've been looking forward to Cam's wedding for years, even though we didn't have a groom. Not just hers but all the Fish. I've wanted to watch my friends take the next step, open the next chapter in their lives, each of them. Somehow, the last year seems to have taken all that joy away, sucked it right out from under me. Not only is the joy no longer there but it's been replaced with apprehension and fear. My friends haven't talked to me since I left Moby, even though they all agreed it was what I needed to d
