My CEO 129
129 Will Judy Accept Us? (Winona)
Early the next morning, | kiss Abby on the forehead while she's still sleeping and head to the hospital. It hasn't
been 24 hours yet, but | want to be there in case there's any change.
My broken sleep hadwaking several times from dreams of Jayden's breathing stopping while I visited. The
relief when | realized it was only a dream each thadon a rollercoaster.
But my exhausted body did still get ssleep. I've almost forgotten how to move around my house normally
Not having everything monitored is great but i think it will take sgetting used to | feel the rush of the cold
morning air hit my face and breathe it in.
This is the first tI've been out alone for weeks. Freedom is not something I'll ever take for granted again. I'll
cback and get Abby later when | know | can go in with Jayden.
Today I'm headed into the day keeping positive. Jayden will get through this. He will. I'll do whatever it
takes to get him back to whatever level of health he can reach.
If he needs care for the rest of his life, I'll be there. | think again about Judy. She says she sees our love now, that
Jayden does love me. I'm not sure why she couldn't before. Anyone could see that we loved each other.
Maybe what she now sees is that she won't ever change his mind about lovingand that trying has just
caused him unhappiness and, now, almost death. My chat with Lisa and Anne last night helpedstop looking
at this through rose colored glasses.
Just because Judy is accepting at this moment doesn't mean she always will be. She's worried about Jayden too,
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtso she's more accommodating. I'll reserve my judgment until he's well and see if she's hating onagain. |
really hope not. i slide into my car, and | wonder if | can even remember how to drive. Feels like forever. I've got
Jayden's cell phone tucked away in my purse. It's out of battery and | think I'll leave it that way until he's strong
enough to want it charged himself | start up the engine and check everything before pulling out onto the road
and heading for the hospital. Being independent again is the greatest feeling | wonder if Judy has been there all
night?
The city waking up is a vibrant sight as | drive. Sare out walking their dog, sare jogging, sare
gathered for breakfast at various food outlets. Norhat, everyday life. | envy them that
fd give anything for a day of normalcy. | think the closest sottage. Of course, it was anything but normal ide in for
a couple of months
cto it was Santa Monica in that little end, but | enjoyed believing life could be that way
Autry loved her school and as soon as she's through my next operation. I'm taking her on a trip back
i punto the hospital car park and grab my purse Please God just let him be okay. My phone buzzes t got in from
my bag it's Lance
"Hey, Lance I've just got to the hospital What's up?
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129 Will Judy Accept Us?
"Winona, Are you okay?"
"I'm okay. | just want to get Jayden through this now."
"Stay with him. I'll try and keep Brennan Industries running. | may need your help with finances and with the
marketing side if you get tand you are up to it."
"I'd like that. What about Gus or Judy? They both have experience with Brennan Industries."
"Fuck no. Jayden will shootif either of them get involved. There are strict instructions if he ever wasn't
available. Jayden wasn't letting either of them back in to run his company. He's made a lot of legal changes."
"| see." It seems the shine was already off Judy by the sounds of how Jayden felt about her. He always had full
trust in her and his company. So much so, she ran it while he got back on his feet after the car accident.
"Look I'm heading in to see how Jayden is doing. I'll call later and see how | can help. Give you an update."
"Thanks. Letknow as soon as there are any changes with him."
"1 will."
The call disconnects and | get out of the car. A shiver goes down my spine out here in the dawn light, all alone in
a car park. | feel a little spooked and my step quickens. Ashlyn and my scumbag father are both in custody, Judy
is in the hospital with Jayden, there's no one out here | need to be scared of.
| head to the intensive care ward and pop my head into the waiting room. It's empty. | walk down to the small
kitchen they have set aside and there's Judy, making tea of course, and looking like something the cat dragged
in.
"I think you need to go shower and change today, "I say.
She turns suddenly, "Oh, Winona, you're here. Yes, | must look awful. It's been a rough night trying to sleep in a
chair."
"Has there been any word?"
She shakes her head. "Nothing. At this stage I'm thinking no news is good news."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yes, for sure. He must be hanging in there."
Just then a nurse comes. "I wanted to tell you that Jayden has made it through the night peacefully. It's a good
sign. Dr. Green will be in to check him over soon. "That is so good to hear," | say. "Thank you."
Judy looks relieved.
"Listen, why don't you go get freshened up. I'll be here. Hopefully the doctor will be able to give us smore
information soon. You'll be back by then." "Are you sure?"
"You helpedget through yesterday. I'm sure. You'll feel ten times better and if we're allowed in to see him
sooner, you'll be ready."
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129 Will Judy Accept Us?
"You're right. | do need to clean up. I'll hire a hotel room close, my place is too far away."
"Sounds like a plan. Look, | won't go in there. If Dr. Green gives the okay. I'll wait if you're not back. You can go
and see him first and then go get srest." | know how much seeing Jayden means to her.
Judy sighs. She looks a shadow of her usual formidable self, right now. "Honestly, it's okay. He probably wants to
see you more than he wants to seeanyway. He risked his life to save yours." "I know."
"There can't be any deeper love than that. I've never been able to stop him loving you, not really. | see that
now."
x
‘he real question is, Judy..." I'm just going to get right to the point, no more games.
- fill you accept us being together now?"