When a sob bursts from Lainey, I get up and rush to her. I crouch down and pull her into my arms. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
Not today and definitely not tomorrow, but one day.
Nova gets up and walks to Rachel, where she presses another kiss to her cheek. After being so strong the past few weeks, her shoulder begins to shudder.
I move to sit on the couch with Lainey on my lap, then say, “Come here, Nova.”
Her breathing starts to come in choppy puffs, and she looks at Rachel for a little longer before she rushes to me. I quickly open one of my arms for her, and when she falls down beside me, I pull her into my side.
She wraps her arm around Lainey, and burying her face against my chest, she breaks down.
With Nova and Lainey weeping in my arms, I stare at Rachel’s peaceful face until Harlow comes rushing into the house.
I shut the front door and lean my forehead against the frosted glass.
Watching the coroner take Rachel’s body was unbearable. I’m so fucking glad I told Nova to wait upstairs with Lainey so they didn’t see it.
My legs feel numb, and sitting down flat on my ass, I lean back against the door while staring at the vase of flowers on the glass table.
Rachel chose that table, and she always made sure there were fresh flowers in the vase.
I glance over the living room.
Rachel chose everything because I wanted it to be the home she always dreamed about having.
A groan ripples from deep in my chest, and my shoulders start to jerk.
I cover my face with my hands as the tears come, and I’m not strong enough to stop them.
In the darkest moment of my life, arms wrap around me, and Nova’s soft scent envelops me. I rest my head against her chest, and gripping hold of her arm, I hold onto her as I break.
“I’ve got you,” she whimpers before she presses kisses to my hair. Her voice is hoarse with tears as she keeps murmuring, “It’s okay. I’m here.”
I nod and take every ounce of comfort she offers me.
Sitting on the tiles, we hold each other for the longest time, and only when I manage to calm down do I think to ask with a gravelly voice, “Where’s Lainey?”
Nova pulls back. “She fell asleep on Rachel’s bed.” Lifting her hand to my face, she brushes her thumb over my cheeks to remove the tears.
Feeling a little embarrassed, I try to joke. “If you tell anyone I cried like a baby, my career as an actor is over.”
She shakes her head, a serious expression on her face. “All your secrets are safe with me.” Her palm settles against my jaw. “You’re important to me, and I’ll always be here for you the way Rachel was there for me.”
Taking hold of her shoulder, I pull her to me so she leans into my side. I let out a heavy breath, then admit, “You’re important to me too. I’m going to need you more than ever now that Rachel is gone.”
She nods as she wraps her arm around my waist.
I rest my chin on the top of her head and close my eyes. We sit still until my ass begins to hurt, then I mutter, “Let’s get up.”
Nova climbs to her feet and holds her hand out to me. I take hold of it and let her help me up.
Glancing at the empty hospital bed, I say, “Hospice will collect everything tomorrow, and I need to make arrangements for the fireworks Rachel wanted.”
“I can make the calls,” Nova offers.
I shake my head. “I’ll ask Sylvia to help.”
I need to send her flowers or a gift because she’s gone above and beyond the duties of a manager.
