CARSON
“Nylah!” I shout as I kick the door open and carry my little girl inside.
She’s an ice cube, and it’s freaking me out. I paused to put her jacket and beanie on, but she’s still shaking. Thankfully, she’s stopped crying now, but the wails have turned to soft whimpers, and she hasn’t said a fucking word. Her only response to my repeatedyou okayshas been soft snivels.
Shit, shit, shit!
She better be okay.
I’m losing my fucking mind here!
Nylah will know what to do.
“We need to get them warm,” Grady says from behind me.
Oh yeah, I forgot that I was with Bear. The guy is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to this kind of shit.
I swivel sideways and let him walk past me into the kitchen.
“You found them?” Blake rushes into the room, her pale face streaked with tears, her eyes puffy and red. “Kenny, baby.”
“Hi, Mommy.” Her voice is muffled within Grady’s big jacket, and the second Blake hears it, she starts bawling.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Blake blubbers while Grady sets their girl down on the kitchen counter.
“Okay, guys. Back up. Give them some room.” Wily stops the horde of children from coming into the kitchen.
I’m still looking for Nylah and am about to call her name again when Satch tells me, “She’s just coming down the stairs.”
“Harley?” Nylah calls.
“Mommy.” Harley starts struggling in my arms but then just kind of flops against me like the effort is too much.
I hold her tighter, panic coursing through me.
“It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay.” I start rubbing her back while Grady orders the older boys around.
“I need blankets. Go grab the warmest ones you can find.”
The boys dart away from the doorway, nearly knocking Nylah over.
“Sorry!” Dom shouts as he bounds up the stairs, but Nylah doesn’t even notice him, rushing into the room with Portia trailing behind her.
“Harley.” She runs up to our daughter, checking her face and hugging us both. “Hey, sweet girl.” Kissing her cheek, she pushes those golden locks back from her wet face and tries to smile, but her eyes are so full of tears.
“It’s okay.” I rub her back, feeling anything but fine as I try to comfort my family.
Portia wraps her little arms around my leg, and I reach down, stroking the top of her head.
“Should we get them into a hot bath or something?” Satch asks.
“No, that’s dangerous.” Grady’s voice is clipped and efficient as he rubs Kendall’s arm, then starts stripping off her clothes. “We need to warm them up slowly. Get them out of these damp clothes. Some warm water for their hands is okay. Blake, can you also make them some cocoa?”
“I’ll help.” Satch moves to the kitchen counter, running her hand down Blake’s back and smiling at her before grabbing a bottle of milk from the fridge.
“I’ll get the warm water.” Zoey darts out of the room, and I set Harley down to strip off her clothes.
“What happened?” Nylah gently asks before kissing Harley’s cheek. I wrestle my daughter’s quaking limbs out of her sweater.
