He saluted, with an, “Aye aye, Captain!”
I turned away grinning, and was still smiling as I pulled a chair up next to Stuart’s bed.
“I really wish you were awake,” I told him. “I just had a long talk with Father Donnelly. Yeah, he’s here, and he’s still not on my favorite person list. I know that shocks you. But I guess I can understand why he did what he did. Sort of.”
I thought about that, then amended, “Understand, yeah. But I’m still not sure I can forgive it.”
I took his hand wondering if he was going to respond to anything I said, but he didn’t. His fingers just hung limp inside mine. I tried not to let myself be disappointed.
“The new kids seem good. A little green, but surprisingly eager, and they did well in their first battle. Granted, Allie and I were there watching the whole time, but they did good. Bruce seemed a little hesitant, which surprised me but—”
I cut myself off. Stuart didn’t even know who these kids were, and I felt like an idiot saying all of this to him.
At the same time I wanted him to know what was going on. I wanted to believe that he was listening and would come out of this with full knowledge of everything that had transpired while he’d been sleeping. So I drew a breath and forced myself to go on, despite the lump in my throat.
“I like all of them, but I’ve gotten to know Ana the best so far, which isn’t saying much. It’s been barely five minutes, but she seems like a good kid. She’s quiet, and she needs more confidence. But she’s got solid skills to build on. I think she might be interested inalimentatoretraining, but I suppose it’s too early to know.
“I haven’t spent as much time with Ren, but from what Marcus and Jared tell me, he’s got great potential. He wants to please everyone though, which is great for us as teachers, but bad for him. I need to figure out a way to give him that loner know-it-all vibe. That’s important for a Hunter. Trusting yourself.”
I thought about my words, then squeezed his hand again. “I guess you learned that one the hard way, huh? I mean where hunting is concerned, Demon Hunters have to trust themselves most of all. I’m sorry if that bled into our marriage. That loner thing. The secrets. I know you get it. Now, at least. But back then, I kept so much from you, and I’m sorry. I hope you really understand, and forgive me. I only kept the secrets because it was all on me, and—oh!”
He was squeezing my hand.
“Stuart!”
His grip seemed to tighten, and as I looked at his face his lips moved.
I bent forward, trying to hear. His whole body seemed to shake with the effort of wanting to get words out.
“Stuart,” I said leaning forward. “You can do it. Wake up. Talk to me. You can do it.”
“Cat.” His voice was raspy.Did he just say cat?
“D-d-d-dog.”
I gaped at him. This was really making no sense.
His head lurched up and he burst out, “RAT,” so loud it was practically a scream. Then he fell backward, his body going limp again as he released my hand.
“Daddy! Daddy, Daddy!” Timmy ran into the room, Boo Bear flying at his side. “Did Daddy talk?”
I realized I was already standing. I scooped him up and held him close, my arms wrapped tight around him. “He talked a little, baby. But then he stopped again.” I pulled him back just enough so that I could see his sweet face, and my heart broke at the tears in his eyes.
“Will Daddy get better?”
I wanted to lie but I couldn’t. “That’s what we’re praying for.”
“I pray too. Should I kiss and make it better?”
“It can’t hurt, kiddo.” I was having a hard time keeping my voice steady.
I lifted him up and put him on the bed beside Stuart. He bent over and very gently gave Stuart a butterfly kiss on each cheek and then a kiss on his nose. I blinked rapidly, forcing myself not to cry. I didn’t want him to see me like that.
But then he turned to me, and I couldn’t help it, and hot tears began to stream down my cheeks.
“Want me to kiss and make Mommy better too?”
My nose started to run. “Yes, please,” I managed to say.
