Ian's POV
She's so brave and strong. I don't know how she could be standing today, especially with her injured ankle. She kept her weight off it as best she could, but I could see the discomfort in her eyes. To be able to smile and laugh today after what happened to her the night before only attests to her warm heart. Hailey is a force to be reckoned with, and Juan will soon learn that. But before he does, he's going to learn what my fist tastes like. He won't be going unscathed. I'll make sure of that.
I watched as Hailey took a deep breath before she opened the door. Christin was standing in the open kitchen, humming as she made herself coffee. She was blissfully unaware of the darkness her cousin had gone through. Something tells me that Christin is going to be more than just mad. Slowly, Hailey trudged forward, heading towards the kitchen. Her hand clutched mine tightly, almost too tight, as her nerves got the best of her. I gave her a reassuring squeeze, seeing her inhale deeply once more.
"Christin?" she called out, causing Christin to jump, not having noticed us.
"Ay Dios, don't scare me like that." She smiled, surprised by her own reaction.
"Sorry," Hailey quickly apologized. I could hear the nervousness in her voice, and I don't think I was alone as Christin's brows met in the center.
"What's wrong?" She quickly picked up on Hailey's mood.
"Can we talk?"
Christin nodded, and we all headed to the living room, following Hailey. She sat in the middle, with Christin and I at her sides. It took her a moment, but after another deep breath, she went right to it. She began by telling Christin that she couldn't kill Juan. I didn't like that part, but then she went on to say she didn't want her cousin in trouble. After that, she began to recount what it was that Juan had done. I was relieved to know that he didn't get any further than he had. However, I knew it was just as scary and just as traumatizing. I was proud of the way she fought and stood up for herself.
"I won't kill him, but I'm certainly going to scare him!" Christin said furiously. She was seething, and suddenly that seething fury turned to me. "And where were you?" She asked me.
"I- "
"Don't. This wasn't his fault. Besides, I told him not to come." Hailey quickly intervened before I could say anything.
"I guess. I am sorry. It's just... hard. I shouldn't have left you alone with him." Christin's true feelings were emerging- guilt. I felt the same way, thinking of how I should have been there.
"This is no one's fault but Juan's and maybe my own."
"No!" Christin and I instantly responded at the same time.
"This isn't your fault," I said, squeezing her hand once more.
"Not at all," Christin added.
"I just wanted you to know. I am sure Papi is going to be calling you soon, since he's missing his head chef. I didn't want you to be caught off guard."
"Thank you for telling me." Christin hugged her cousin for a while, holding her tight. When they pulled away from one another, they both held tears in their eyes. "I better go in early if Juan is gone then. Are you going to be okay alone?"
"I'm not alone. Ian will be with me. Right?" She turned to me to confirm. How could I say anything but yes?
"Of course. I'll be by her side all day." I nodded, taking her hand once more.
"Good. I love you, LeeLee."
"I love you, too."
Christin got ready and left, leaving Hailey and me alone. I held her close for a little while longer on the couch until her stomach rumbled. I laughed, causing her to slap my arm playfully.
"Want me to make you something?"
"Yes, please."
Reluctantly, I let her go and began to make us some omelets. Christin kept the fridge stocked with fresh produce, which was nice to use. As I was making our plates, a loud banging came from the door. It startled Hailey as she looked in that direction with wide eyes. I think we both had the same thought, as I began to panic as well. Is it Juan?
Hailey got up, and I followed closely behind. The banging continued the entire time we walked to the door. I was gearing myself up for a fight until Hailey opened the door, revealing a frantic Lucas holding sweet Abi in his arms. He looked like he was losing his mind, causing me to worry. His eyes were pink and his hair was a tousled mess. He had been crying, but I wasn't sure why. My mind immediately raced to thoughts of Red. Was she okay?
"Come here, baby girl," Hailey said, grabbing Abi from Lucas. It was clear she was worried for her with the way Lucas was acting. "Come in and tell me what's going on."
Lucas came in, pushing past me and going straight for the recliner. He leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees, as he hid his face in his hands and began to cry. I had never seen Lucas this way. Any time I had come across him, he had always been confident and intimidating. Yet here he sat, a big mess, unable to contain himself.
"Jesus, Lucas. What's going on?" Hailey asked as she put Abi down near some toys she had gotten her.
I knew I would be no use talking to Lucas or cheering him up, so instead I went and sat by Abi. Using her stuffed toys, I began to play with her as I listened to what Lucas had to say.
"She- " Lucas choked as he tried to tell Hailey what was happening. "She has cancer."
The words froze us all. We knew who he was talking about, knowing that it would always be a possibility for her. It just never crossed our minds that it would actually happen. I could feel my heart stop for a moment, frozen in fear at the thought of Red dying of cancer.
"What? What do you mean, she has cancer? Do you know this for sure?" Hailey asked, just as shocked and panicked by the news.
"I answered her phone today. She had left it when she went to work. They said they had the results of her biopsy." Lucas shook his head as he lifted his eyes to meet Hailey's. "She lied to me. She told me her screening went fine last time. They didn't want to tell me the results, but I forced their hand. She has cancer, and she's supposed to call them to set up a treatment plan." Lucas' hands suddenly fisted, and I could see the anger brewing in him now. I could understand it. Why would Red keep this a secret? She should know that we will all be there to support her through this.
"But- " Hailey tried to say something, but she couldn't seem to form any more words. Hailey's eyes suddenly met mine, and I could see the deep worry in them. It was mirrored in my own expression. "Does she know?"
"She must," Lucas replied, throwing his hands up, suddenly unable to hold still as he stood up and began to pace.
"I am sure she would have told us all."
"Apparently not. Seeing as you guys didn't know, either." Lucas was snapping before us, and it was hard to witness.
"Look, you need to find Liv and have a talk with her. I am keeping Abi until you've calmed down and talked with your wife. Surely she has an explanation for keeping this a secret. Is there anything she told you at all between yesterday and today? Any other news?" Hailey asked, obviously thinking about pregnancy, which I had somehow forgotten about. God, she's pregnant with cancer!
"No, nothing. She didn't even tell me she was getting a biopsy, but it explains why she wouldn't let me take her shirt off for a while. I'm such an idiot." He shook his head, riddled with anger and confusion.
"The best thing you can do is calm down and then talk with her. Okay?" Hailey grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him to stop his pacing and look at her.
"Yeah, okay." He nodded.
"I'll keep Abi here with me. Come back for her when you have a leveled head." Hailey was firm as she spoke.
"Thank you," Lucas whispered before walking my way and giving Abi a kiss. "Daddy will be back in just a little while, okay, baby girl?"
Abi cooed, smiling up at her dad. Lucas sighed as he got up and left with his head down, looking utterly defeated. How could he not? We were all feeling like our hearts had been torn out. Red has cancer.