The stalking group stopped. They weren’t making any noise, which was weird enough, but I knew they halted when the vibrations stopped on the floor. Dr. Walker continued speaking softly, “Maybe, one at a time.” He cleared his throat. “Daniil, I believe would be the best choice.”
There was a laboured pause before Daniil stated just as softly, “Are you sure it’s her?”
“I’m almost a hundred percent positive,” Dr. Walker answered factually, sounding more like himself—less frightened. “You can confirm this, though.”
Another pause. “All right.”
The same vibrations started on the floor.
I willed myself not to stare at the tile too long since that was what triggered the last singing episode. I felt Dr. Walker move back, and then someone else moved in front of me. Dr. Walker said, “You need to calm down. You’re going to scare her, looking like that.”
That little comment kept me from going into myself. Daniil had a way of freaking out most people with just a look. I steeled myself to not be one of those people. Fuck, I had wanted him here. I still wanted him here. Just not all scary and pissed off killer looking.
I heard him take a deep breath in and felt him squat, his legs brushing the outsides of mine. Softly, he asked from above my covered head, “Beth, is that you?”
I took my own deep breath in, since he sounded less violent, and slowly lifted my head. I peeked out from under the blanket with my good eye, but I could only see his lips that were pinched. “Yes.”
He sucked in harshly when he heard me, and he reached out with one of his hands. I tried not to flinch, but it came too fast. His hand paused right above my head, and he murmured softly, “I’m not going to hurt you, my sweet. I just want to see you.”
I nodded, feeling that glow of love inside my heart, hearing him. Seeing him. Smelling him—coffee. He still smelled like coffee.
He slowly finished reaching forward and gently pulled the blanket from my head, dropping it down on my shoulders. His harsh intake of air was immediate, along with a few gasps from his kids. I immediately ducked my head, remembering my hair was practically gone, and my face was a mess. I pulled a hand out, automatically patting my hair. It was such a reflexive action that I forgot my hands were wrapped, only feeling gauze over my buzzed hair.
“Beth,” Daniil’s voice cracked. I was suddenly enveloped in his arms.
I…I didn’t know what to do at first. It was weird. But it came naturally enough a few moments later when I brought my arms up and wrapped them around his neck, cast and wrapped hands and all. That was normal.
And it felt…nice.
Daniil was almost crushing me, though.
Dr. Walker murmured, “Gently. Don’t hurt her.”
Daniil’s arms loosened, but he still held me tight.
He pulled his head back, staring into my eyes.
I blinked into his brown, yeah, so damn loving eyes. I whispered, “I stayed alive.”
Daniil’s eyes filled with tears, although mine were dry. He nodded, a few salty tears slipping past his defenses as he blinked furiously.
I kissed them, whispering against his damp skin, “I stayed alive. Don’t cry. I’m alive.”
Daniil nodded, and his face went to my neck. I felt more tears wet my skin, and his breathing was labored. And…like a dam…mine broke through. The feeling so intense and earth shattering, I screamed and held him tight as overwhelming relief and love and tenderness took hold of me. I tucked my own face against his neck and sobbed.
And sobbed. Like I had never done before.
Fucking hysterical is what you might call it, but Daniil only held me, running his hands up and down my back, pulling me closer as he shed his own tears. That was until my belly got in the way. He stilled, his hand instantly going from my back to inside the blanket.
His hand landed on my belly, slowly running over it.
His head jerked back. His eyes were just as bloodshot as my lone eye was, but his were huge on his face. He whispered in shock, “The babies? You’re still pregnant? You didn’t lose them?”
I shook my head, still bawling. “No. All three are fine.” I gripped his shirt, growling through my tears. “And they’re fucking ours. No one’s taking them.” I shook my head, tears dripping off my chin. “No one is fucking taking them. I will kill them first. I. Will. Fucking. Kill. Them.” And, by God, I would fucking kill anyone who tried to take my damn babies again, just like I had my jailer.
He shook his head, his eyebrows snapping together, his look matching mine, as he stated slowly, “No. No one’s taking our children.” He glanced up at the doctor, who was edging closer, watching me. “Why does she think someone’s taking our babies?”
Dr. Walker cleared his throat and squatted down, as Daniil was, next to me. He asked me softly, “Can we go back in the room now?”
