“I’m so glad you all took her in.”I wiped my palms down the front of my jeans.Nerves made my hands clammy.“She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her and I really thought she was a happy kid before.”
Ada smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.“I’m pretty fond of being Aunt Ada already.Besides.It’s not only her we accepted into the family.”
I took a sip of tea, letting the warmth seep into my hands.“Thanks for helping with all this.I don’t think I could have managed alone.Thank you for… well, everything.”
“That’s the point, honey.You don’t have to do things alone anymore.”Ada smiled, squeezing my shoulder as I headed back to the living room.
A hand-painted banner lay across the coffee table.Bold letters spelled out “WELCOME HOME BRYNN” in electric blue -- her favorite color.Ada, Penny and Penny’s twin girls Zelda and Kira had spent hours on it last night, insisting on making it themselves rather than buying one from the store.Violet’s son Caleb and Tiny, Penny’s man, had volunteered to hang the big-ass banner before Knight and Brynn got home.They’d painted tiny motorcycles in the corners and what looked suspiciously like chess pieces along the border.
In the kitchen, I arranged Brynn’s favorite foods in the refrigerator.The freezer was already stocked with homemade meals from the old ladies with enough to feed us for days.
I went from one task to the next, not finishing anything.Ada crossed the room and placed her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to meet her gaze.“Lavender, breathe.You’ve handled every challenge that’s come your way so far, and you won’t be doing it alone anymore.Knight would walk through fire for that girl.Hell, the entire club would.Besides.Whatever happened between Lana, Knight, and those two doctors had a ripple effect.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dr.Patel wanted to keep Brynn as long as possible.”
“Yes.She told me that from the beginning.That she’d take the maximum days our insurance would allow us to keep as close an eye on her as possible since we only got one shot at this.”
“Well, she got those two assholes to approve as much time as she wanted to give Brynn.In fact, they gave Dr.Patel total discretion on her discharge.Anything the insurance didn’t pay for, the hospital will write off.”
I gasped.“I had no idea.I’ve been so busy trying to take care of everyone I never really thought about the length of her stay.”
Ada chuckled.“Yeah, Knight wouldn’t let anyone talk to you about insurance or money.Made them all come to him.Said he’d take care of everything and he did.”
“That dirty rat,” I grumbled without any heat.“I don’t know whether to punch him or kiss him.”
“Hey.Any excuse to bust him in the balls, you take it.”Ada gave me a bright smile.“You can kiss him after.”
“Knight’s so good with her,” I said softly.“Gentle in a way I never expected.”
Ada nodded.“That’s my brother.Always had a soft spot for those who needed protection.”She glanced at the clock on the wall.“Speaking of, shouldn’t he be calling soon with an update?”
As if summoned by her words, my phone rang.Knight’s name flashed on the screen, and I answered quickly, putting it on speaker.
“We’re half an hour out, baby.Be home shortly.”
“How is she?”I asked, leaning toward the phone.
“Pretending she’s not excited to be going home.Doc said she’s doing better than she could have hoped.Kid’s got a spine of steel.”
Relief washed through me, so potent I had to sit down.“I was so afraid something would happen and she’d have to stay longer.”
“Nah, baby.She’s all good.Has her headphones on.You know.The universal sign meaning ‘don’t talk to me.’”
“I had that same thought on multiple occasions.”The smile that tugged my lips was wide and so fucking wonderful I wanted to feel this way forever.
“She’s asking for her own clothes.Says if she has to wear one more hospital gown she’s going to puke and that might pull something loose.”
I laughed, the sound surprising me with its lightness.“Tell her I’ve got her favorite Star Wars pajamas ready and waiting.”
“Will do.Be there in thirty.Love you, little flower.”
“Love you too,” I replied, the words still new enough to make my heart skip.
“You know,” Ada said softly, watching me with knowing eyes, “I always told Knight he was an idiot for letting you go.I’ve never been happier to see him fix a mistake.”
I smiled, blinking back unexpected tears.“Me too, Ada.Me too.”
