He chuckles as I walk over to my purse on the kitchen counter and pull out my phone, checking my notifications. I have one from Wolf telling me he stopped at the hospital to pay a visit to Maddie before coming home.
The message is stamped thirty minutes ago. I thought they weren’t due home for another hour. If I had known, I would have simply waited for Grey to get home before going to the hospital.
“Silas is already home?” I ask Cecilia.
“Yeah, he got home before I was leaving, but he had some things to do for his mom. So he’ll be heading over later with the rest of the gang.”
We’re all having dinner together tonight to celebrate the boys’ first two wins, but really, it’s just an excuse to hang out. Aubrey has the night off, which is becoming rarer since she works full-time and closes up the bakery most nights. Today was also Ronnie’s first day working as a housekeeper. The minute she figures out just who she’s working for, we will definitely hear about it, so I’m excited for tonight.
I send a quick text to Greyson, letting him know I’m on my way to the hospital and that Cecilia and Sam are at home with the kids. Then place my phone in my bag and head for the door, thanking them again for watching Gracie while I’m gone. I’m just about to pull on the handle to the front door when it flies open, almost knocking me in the face.
Ronnie comes striding in, fury blazing in her eyes. She stops between me and Cecilia, looking at both of us. “You are all dead to me.DEAD! I HATE YOU!” She stomps off toward the kitchen, grumbling to herself. “I need a drink! I’m taking your most expensive bottle of wine and drinking it all by myself! Try to stop me, Em.Try,” she shouts out.
Cece and I look at each other, then burst out in a fit of laughter.
“THIS ISN’T FUNNY!” Ronnie yells back.
Seems she just found out who her new employers were.
I park my brand-new SUV in the hospital’s parking garage not far from Greyson’s truck. I decided to go with a white BMW X7. I thought with the number of people we usually have, seven seats would be the best option. And as predicted, my new baby was dropped off in my driveway by my dad the very next morning after I gave away my Mercedes.
Grey shows up beside my car as I step out. The second I’m within reach, his arms come around my waist, pulling me tight to him as his head drops into the crook of my neck. I bring my own up around his neck, one hand caressing his hair.
He lets out a deep audible sigh and leans a little more of his weight onto me. This hug isn’t about missing each other for the four days he was gone, no, it’s about needing support after what he witnessed in that hospital room. It’s crazy how easily someone can come into your life and how quickly they can grow to mean so much in such a short amount of time.
We’ve known Maddie for a total of eleven days. Eleven days and we’re struggling with the knowledge we’ll have to say goodbye soon. It’s not fair, none of this is. No child or parent should have to go through this. Maddison is only seven years old. She hasn’t lived yet, hasn’t experienced anything life has to offer. She shouldn’t be lying on her deathbed, having difficulty breathing or moving.
Greyson pulls back slightly until our eyes connect. “I’m sorry, I just needed a moment. It was hard to be in there and fake a smile for her.”
I cup his cheek, offering an understanding smile. “I know, Wolf. I know.” I lift onto my toes and kiss his lips. “I’ve missed you.”
He sighs against my lips. “I’ve missed you too, Bunny.”
After a few more passionate kisses, I rest my head on his shoulder as we hold each other. “How is she today?”
“Not good…” he says quietly in a strained voice. “She barely smiled while I was there, as if it was physically exhausting for her to do so. She isn’t moving much either, and when she does, she gets dizzy quickly. She looks in pain. I fucking hate it, Em. I hate seeing her like that and not being able to do anything. I have no clue how Bryan is holding it together like that.” He buries his face into my hair, and I hear him sniffling.
“I know, baby. I die a little inside every time I see her. Bryan has had the last three years to come to terms with it. He knew the outcome. He’s had time to grieve it, even if he still is. For us it’s new. We just fell in love with her, and she’s being ripped away just as quickly. But we need to stay strong for her, even if it’s hard.”
He nods against me, then kisses my lips once more before stepping back. “I’m gonna go home and cuddle with Gracie a bit before everyone gets there. I think that will do me some good. Call if there’s any change. I’ll see you later, beautiful.”
“That’s a good idea, and I will.” I turn in the opposite direction but then spin around and walk backward as I call out, “By the way, Ronnie’s raiding your wine. Let her.”
He mimics me, walking away backward. “What did you do?” I can see his smirk from all the way over here.
I gasp in faux shock and place a hand over my chest. “I did absolutely nothing, mind you. It was Cecilia’s idea. You’ll find out tonight.” I laugh and turn back the right way before I trip, making my way to the beautiful little girl waiting for me.
It only takes me a few minutes to make it to her room, and the instant I step in, I can tell today isn’t a good day. The atmosphere is heavy, and the room seems dark even with the light beige and white walls.
I quietly close the door to the private room we had her changed to. For some reason the hospital thought it was appropriate to put a dying child with another who almostseemed full of life. I know it isn’t their fault and they most likely didn’t see any harm to it. But that first day when I saw Maddie looking at the other little girl of around the same age who was laughing and smiling while Little Lotus could barely get out of bed, it nearly killed me. She looked completely shattered.
I walk over to the couch in the corner of the room where Bryan is sitting and watching his daughter’s fragile frame looking out the window. She hasn’t even stirred or looked up to see who came in like she normally would. She’s lost in her own thoughts right now.
I hug him tightly for a moment, no need to say any words, then turn to Maddie. I walk around the bed after putting my bag on the floor and crouch down before her. “Hi, my sweet Little Lotus,” I murmur. I don’t bother asking how she’s feeling. I know it’s not well.
“Hi,” she whispers.
I lean in to kiss her forehead, then turn to scoot a chair over. We usually sit in the bed together, but she doesn’t look up for moving, and I don’t want to put her in any more pain than necessary.
