Tears filled his eyes before he squeezed them shut.
“But I’ll do whatever I can to see your real smile again.”
“As long as you keep smiling, then I will too.” His voice came out hoarse. “Are you done missing that other guy yet?”
“No. But I’ll never be done missing him. He’s pretty special. Do you want to hear about him?”
“Is he going to make me as jealous as Eric does?”
“Maybe.” The thought of how alike they were made me smile. “His name is Hunter. He’s nine years old. He’s my son, and aside from meeting you and your brother, he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Really?” His smile almost brightened. “Meeting me is the second-best thing?”
“Open your ears, dude.” Eric’s teasing carried warmth. “She said meeting you and me.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever, Eric. We all know she just threw you in there to make you feel better.” Despite the strain in his voice, Caleb’s sarcasm was still on point. “Tell me all about him, Jamie. Please?”
With a light laugh, I launched into stories about Hunter.
I wiped sweat from Caleb’s face while describing how Hunter loved music and played in the school band, how he definitely hadn’t inherited any musical ability from me. I fed him ice chips while listing the pros and cons of letting my son have a dog. I rubbed his back as I explained why Hunter wouldn’t be a flirt but would break hearts with his devotion to one woman. I tried getting Caleb’s perspective on baseball versus woodworking class, but he fell asleep mid-sentence.
He looked so young. So innocent.
Gratitude overwhelmed me suddenly. This boy had chosen me. This incredibly sick child had recognized my loneliness and set his own suffering aside for me. He was amazing, and thinking about how fragile he was, how precarious his situation, made me sick.
God, his poor parents.
I didn’t know how they managed. If it was Hunter lying in that bed, waiting for treatment that could either save or kill him…
No. I couldn’t even think it.
Just being separated from Hunter had sent me into a tailspin. If something this horrible happened to him, I’d lose my mind.
At least the Alexanders had each other. They might not always agree, but they were here together. Even Celeste, with her sharp edges, genuinely cared about her family’s well-being.
They had love. I had no doubt, all six of them made a strong unit.
“You’re really good with him.” Celeste’s murmur came from the corner.
For over an hour, I’d been the only one talking while Eric and Celeste listened to me chat Caleb’s ear off.
“I think he was exhausted. Maybe his body will heal while he sleeps.” I had no idea if it was true, but we all needed the reassurance.
“No, Jamie. Cece’s right.” Eric’s voice carried conviction. “You’re so natural with him. Making him feel like it was just a normal conversation.”
“It was. He’s a normal kid. Why wouldn’t I have a normal conversation with him?”
“Excuse me.” Celeste’s voice cracked, tears threatening. “I’m just going to use the washroom. Maybe call home. Will you be here later, Jamie?”
“I don’t think so. I need to see my father.”
“Oh. Well, thank you.” Her brows drew tight, sharp lines forming. “I wasn’t expecting you to be so…compassionate. Maybe I’ll see you another time.”
She rushed out, leaving Eric and me alone with sleeping Caleb.
“Did I upset her?” Worry twisted through me.
“She feels bad about being rude earlier. You just proved why my family loves you.”
