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“How much of this is to protect your interests?” Luis challenges me, but not angrily.
“It protects all of our interests. But yes, I have Non-Disclosure Agreements with most of the people that I work or otherwise spend time with.”
No one else asks any more questions. Pulling out a folder that was dropped off via courier from my lawyer’s office, I pass out manila envelopes, each with paperwork inside and a pen attached.
Jackson reaches for the envelope, pulls out the paperwork, and signs it right there on the spot without even looking at it. It makes my eye twitch.
A few minutes later, Micah hands me his envelope back. Lukas seems to make his decision based on Micah. Luis takes a few more minutes to go over his paperwork the most thoroughly, and it earns a little more respect from me. I hold up my own paperwork to show them that I also filled out the same forms.
“I don’t need to sign anything?” She seems either surprised or dismayed by not having her own paperwork to sign, which for some reason makes me grin.
“Considering this is all for you, and the fact that it wouldn’t necessarily be legal in your current condition, I did not think to provide a form for you. But I can get you a copy of all our signed forms if you’d like them?”
“No, it's fine, I was just curious.”
Everyone waits expectantly for what I have to say next.
“Okay, now that’s done, we can move on to preparing for tomorrow. None of us has left this hospital since admission yesterday. We have enough time left this afternoon and evening for everyone to run home and shower or whatever you need to do. Jackson has invited us all to stay at the estate for as long as we need, but no one is obligated to stay. I’d appreciate it if everyone could help with the plan to transport her, but past that it won’t be necessary for everyone to stick around unless they want to. Again, you’re all invited, but no one is obligated.”
I notice her eyes blank at the idea of us not all being there.
“Personally, I’ve decided to stay on-site for the time being. I’ll be setting up a remote workspace at the estate so I can be present most of the time.”
Micah chimes in with a toothy grin that lights up his whole face. “I’ll be there, considering I’ll be your personal twenty-four hour health practitioner.” He adds a ridiculous eyebrow wag and makes her giggle. I haven’t heard her make that sound before - it does something to my insides.
“And I’ll be there. Even if it wasn’t my place, I’d be there.” Jackson bumps her shoulder with a playful smile. She beams.
Luis is next, bending down to place a light kiss on her bandaged temple, speaking in a low voice. “You know I’m not going anywhere.” I don’t miss the shiver that goes through her. Interesting.
Lukas doesn’t say anything, but none of us press him and I move the conversation along as if his silence was unnoticed.
“Okay, so now is the time to leave and do whatever they need to do. Get some sleep, pack, make any preparations needed, and we’ll see you in the morning.” I give her a little bump on the bottom of her foot, getting her attention. “I’ll be staying with you. My secretary is making all of the necessary preparations, so you won’t be alone.”
She looks relieved and I feel weirdly… proud. Like I’ve done something valiant, even though all I did was have someone else do my grunt work.
I continue to address the others. “We’ll need everyone back here by 7 AM sharp, aside from Micah, who we’ll need earlier at 6:15 to go over things with Dr. Franks. Jackson, I’d like you to wait in the parking lot and lead us to the estate. Luis, same with you but follow behind us, staying back a ways to make sure no one else is following.
“Lukas, there will be a vehicle parked in space #66 in the visitor’s section. The keys will be under the seat. You’re going to be driving. You’ll need to drive it to the employee parking entrance, there will be a pass in the dashboard so don’t worry about anything and just drive through. Come around the back of the building where you’ll see there is a short ramp. It’s the old emergency room entrance from before it was renovated. You’ll see us waiting.
“Jackson, keep an eye on the employee entrance for two things. One, when we pull out you’ll pull in front of us to take the lead. And two, keep an eye out for any unusual activity, like our uniformed friends. Luis, same thing for the hospital entrance.
“I’ve called a car to take you back to the park or wherever you need to go, and Micah and Lukas, a car will be available to you each to bring you back here as well.”
I look around and it looks like everyone is absorbing the huge amount of information I’ve thrown at them. I ask again if anyone has any questions or concerns about their part, and we exchange numbers, starting a group text to keep everyone updated.
Before everyone leaves, I say one more thing. “If you decide at any time that you are uncomfortable with your part in the plan, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make changes accordingly.” I’m effectively giving everyone… Lukas, mostly, an easy out.
Everyone says their goodbyes. Luis bends down to whisper something into her ear, Jackson pecks her lightly on the cheek, Micah squeezes her hand, and Lukas gives her an awkward wave. There’s an uncomfortable air of hesitation as they move toward the door, and I can tell she is feeling insecure.
Jackson
I’m not sure how everyone else is feeling, but I’m kind of excited. I feel like a secret agent, assisting witness protection.
I give our girl a little wink and a peck on the cheek before heading out. It might be forward of me, but after I held her and sang to her through a panic attack, we seem to have become more comfortable with one another.
After Luis left the room and Bennet went after him, I thought she might need a distraction, so I sat next to her on the bed and chatted her up a bit.
“What was it that you were singing earlier,” she asked me.
