Chapter Three

The phone rang just as Diana stepped out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around herself, she went over to the bed and picked up the cordless phone on the side table. "Hello, Crosby residence." She answered, sitting on the edge of the bed.


"Mrs. Crosby, this is Margaret Connor from Dr. Mayard's office. Dr. Mayard would like you to come down today if you can for a couple blood tests. Are you available?"


Diana sighed and adjusted the phone on her shoulder. "Yes I can come down in about half an hour, is that okay?"


"Certainly Mrs. Crosby. We'll see you in a half hour or so then. Thank you."


After hanging up, Diana got dressed and dried her hair. Once she was ready she walked down the hallway to Acelin's room. He'd been down for a nap and should be up. Slowly Diana opened the door to his room, smiling as she saw him standing up in his crib chattering away to himself.


"Hi little man! Did you have a good sleep?" She cooed as she walked over and plucked him out of the crib. Acelin smiled as his mom picked him up. "Mama!" He chirped as he gave her a sloppy wet kiss on her chin.


Diana laughed and kissed her son's forehead. Walking over to his dresser, she opened it to see what she could dress him in. After changing and tickling the baby, she strapped him into his car seat and grabbed her purse and keys. He was growing so fast, she figured they'd have to buy a new car seat soon. Acelin cooed happily in his car seat as she carried him to the truck.




As she proceeded through an intersection Diana was watching Acelin in the rearview mirror. He was making faces at her. All of a sudden she heard the loud, frantic honking of a horn and turned just in time to see the SUV run through the red light straight at her. Fear gripped her as she thought of her 8 month old baby in the back seat. Diana quickly jerked the wheel of the truck and spun it so the impact of the collision would miss her son. Closing her eyes she braced herself as the SUV slammed into the truck sending it spinning and flying across the highway. A painful scream escaped her lips, then everything went black.


Diana awoke to the sounds of sirens and people's voices. Bright flashing lights stung her eyes and she tried to focus. She was laying in the middle of the road, paramedics and emergency crews all around her. Something warm and wet dripped into her eye. She wiped it away as she instantly remembered the accident. Trying to sit up she became frantic, "my baby!!! WHERE"S MY BABY!!! Oh God please!"


Two strong hands held her down, as a gentle voice reassured her, "Ma'am, your son is just fine. He's got a couple minor scratches but he's just fine."


Diana laid back down and closed her eyes. Pain shot through every part of her body. Opening her eyes again, she focused her gaze at the person who had just spoken to her. He was a fairly young man, around 25 with sandy blonde hair and gentle green eyes. She tried to speak again, but couldn't find the strength. Tears stung her eyes as she fought the pain within her body.


"We're going to get you into an ambulance and to the hospital. We tried contacting your husband but couldn't reach him. We found a business card for Mr. Lemieux in your purse so we contacted him. He and his wife will meet us at the hospital to get your son. He assured us he would get a hold of your husband."


Diana nodded weakly. Her mind raced as she thought of Sidney. She wanted him by her side. All she wanted was to see his handsome face. As they gently loaded her into the ambulance, Diana once again slipped into unconsciousness.


Sidney laughed as the rookie Xavier Riley missed the puck and fell backwards onto his ass. The boys were on the ice for their morning practice. Xavier skated over to his Captain and playfully threw his hip into him. "You think it's funny huh captain?" He said laughing, as Sid gave him a gentle shove.


"Yup I do. Don't worry kid, we've all had our moments." Sid laughed again, as he caught Dan skating toward him with a solemn look on his face.


"Sidney you need to get to the locker room and change. I'll meet you in there." Dan said, a serious tone in his voice. Sid looked at him curiously but shrugged and skated off the ice and headed to the locker room. Once there he began to change out of his gear. Dan quickly joined him and sat down on the bench next to him.


"Sidney, I want you to try to stay calm. There's been an accident. Diana was driving somewhere with Acelin when an SUV ran a red light and hit her. They've taken her and the baby to Allegheny General. You need to head there asap."


The room began to spin, as Sid slumped onto the bench. 'God no! Not again please!' He thought to himself, fighting to stay calm. His mind raced, and his thoughts turned to his wife and son. As he finished changing and raced out to his Rover, he prayed they were alright. Not even worrying about how fast he was going, he sped toward the hospital. Fear gripping him with icy cold fingers.


He entered the hospital, rushing up to the nurses station. "Where's my wife and son? What's going on?" He almost shouted, his body shaking with fear. The nurse came around the desk and gently took his arm, leading him to a chair. "Mr. Crosby, your son is just fine. He's with Mrs. Lemieux in a private waiting room on the second floor. Mr. Lemieux and his wife are waiting for you, just sit here for a moment and I'll have someone escort you to them."


Sidney, sat there trying to contain his composure. Within seconds an orderly came up to him and walked with him to the elevators to bring him to the second floor. Once there he was lead to a private room, where Mario was waiting with Natalie and Acelin. Sid instantly went straight to his son who was playing on the floor and scooped him up into his arms. Tears poured down his face as he clung to his son, kissing him over and over.


Mario silently came over and put his arm around him. Sid looked up questioningly. "How bad is it Mario?" He asked, pain choking his words. "She's in surgery. All I know at this point is, she has several broken bones and  internal bleeding. They're doing everything they can Sid."


Natalie took Acelin from him, as Sid seemed to lose all the strength in his body. He weakly slumped against Mario, who wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly. Sid buried his face in Mario's shoulder, his body shaking violently from the racking sobs. Diana's smiling face flashed in his mind, beautiful and soft. At that moment, Sidney had never prayed harder. He was pleading with God to save his wife. He couldn't lose her. God could not have her, not yet.