“Full day, that sounds exactly right.”
Rylee stuck with the gossipy banter so her emotions didn’t surface. “They were confused by the dirt and blood in my hair,” Rylee said.
“Imagine that.”
Rylee smiled at Neesa’s signature deadpan delivery. “They tsked over my raggedy nails.”
“A given.”
“I had plenty of hair on my legs for the wax,” Rylee said, stretching her leg long and seeing the angry red dots that would go away in a day or two.
“Dakota goes for the wild woman who runs with the wolves.”
“No complaints,” Rylee said. “And Tank seemed to think we had an affinity, both being furry as we are. My god, that dog. Hero. Dakota, too. Both of them.”
“You, too,” Neesa said.
“Me, too, I guess. Feels weird to think of myself like that. So I won’t.”
“I’m sure if you told Dakota he was your hero, he’d feel the same,” Neesa said.
“True.” Soon, Rylee would have to say goodbye. Soon, she’d be in the taxi heading toward the hospital. John wouldn’t be there. His wife thought she was in labor.
So Rylee would go through this alone.
“So, pampered …” Neesa nudged.
“Yes, and I had a big salad for dinner. This morning I had some porridge.”
“Good. Rylee, it’s human to be nervous. This is a moon walk. A new step into science. And you’re taking it. I’m proud of you.”
Rylee swallowed.
“You talked to John about what to expect?” Neesa asked.
“I’ll be at the hospital for the day. I’ll be tired. They have a doctor in the States who will order the blood work they’re watching, and I’ll fly back at six months and a year for scans and prods. And honestly, so I can cuddle John’s new baby, who should arrive any time now.” Rylee stood. “It’s time. Thank you for distracting me for these last minutes.”
“You’ve got this.”
“Yes, I do.” Rylee slid her phone into her pocket, squared her shoulders, and walked toward the door.
Taxi. Reception. Into a blue cotton hospital gown. Propped up in the bed.
Now, all she had to do was wait.
Rylee turned to the knock on the door. And there Dakota stood, with a bouquet of bright flowers in his hands.
It was déjà vu.
“Neesa said you were in D.C.” Rylee squinted. Was this real?
“I was, but only to hand over McLeod to Jasper and Singh at the airport. I went back in and repurchased the first flight to London, so I could be here to support you.” He moved into the room and set the vase on the windowsill where she could see it, then leaned over for a kiss.
“My god,” Rylee said as she suddenly realized, “I knew you’d come. I knew you’d be here.” She’d just been holding her breath, waiting.
“It’s scary to be one of the first.” Dakota pulled a chair to sit by her bed. “I didn’t want you to go it alone.”
“It is. Admittedly, I am a little wigged out. Better now, though.” She reached for his hand, and they laced their fingers.
