“Hush.” Mom gathered his face into her hands. “You’re going to make everything right. You watch.”
“I appreciate your faith in me, but I’ve made a mess.”
“Enough, you’ll fix it. You were always up for a challenge when you were a kid.” Mom removed her hands from his face and stood. “Come on, take us to see Brooke.”
Dad stood too.
“Okay.” Logan rose. “Let’s get something to eat, and then I’ll take you in to see her.” He personally couldn’t remember the last time he ate.
Logan led his parents to the cafeteria. They chatted over some bagels and pastries. Enough time passed, he returned to Brooke’s hospital room with his parents in tow. He knocked lightly on the door and entered, they found her sleeping.
“I don’t think we should wake her,” Mom whispered. “She looks peaceful.”
Brooke stirred. “I’m awake.” She shifted and opened her eyes. “I think the pain meds kicked in, because I’m feeling better but sleepy.” Her hand roamed over her hair, smoothing it down. “But thanks for coming, Logan said you wouldn’t go home until you confirmed I was still in one piece.”
“We were worried about you.” Mom strode to her bedside and cradled her hand between both of hers. “I’ve never heard Logan as distressed as when he called us to tell us you were headed into surgery.”
Dad moved behind Mom and placed his hands on her shoulders. “We’re glad you’re okay.”
“Luckily, Logan happened to be there when I hit the ground.” Brooke pressed the button on her bed to raise the head up then winced as it moved. “But, you really didn’t need to come. Logan and I are—” She halted then paused.
“You mean a lot to Logan.” Mom squeezed her hand. “So, that means you mean a lot to us too.”
Logan itched to tell her exactly how he felt about her. “I was afraid—I didn’t want to lose you.” He walked around the hospital bed to the side opposite his parents.
“I’m still here,” Brooke replied.
Then they stared at one another. For a second, he forgot his parents were in the room, because without further thought he leaned in and kissed her gingerly on her lips. “I’m still here, too.”
Dad cleared his throat. “Honey, I think we should let Brooke get her beauty rest.” He wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “We can catch up with her another time.”
“Yes.” Mom dropped her hand. “You still owe us dinner in the city. We’ll put something on the calendar the minute you’re feeling up to it.”
“I’d love that,” Brooke smiled.
“Welcome to the family.” Then Mom leaned in and hugged Brooke.
Brooke shot Logan a confused look over his mom’s shoulders.
Logan shrugged.
“Come on.” Dad directed Mom toward the door. “I think Logan and Brooke have a lot to discuss without us here.”
“Fine.” Then Mom moved to the exit but shifted back and wagged a finger at them. “But dinner.” Then she pointed at him. “Call me.”
“Of course.”
They left the room. The clicks of the machines in the room sounded.
Brooke yawned. “What was—your,” she yawned again, “mom saying?”
“I think,” Logan fluffed her pillow, “you should sleep. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss everything when you’re recovered.”
Brooke yawned again then shifted against the pillow and lowered her hospital bed with the button. “Sleep is calling my name.” She closed her eyes. “But please don’t go—” Her voice drifted off, “I don’t want you to ever leave?—”
Logan leaned in and smoothed out the loosened hair over her forehead then kissed her on it. “I won’t leave, I promise.”
Then he went and flipped off the lights then settled into the lounge chair beside her bed. He listened as her breathing slowed and evened out, only then did he drift off to sleep himself.
