“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. She needs to rest, not be reminded of heartbreak.”
Hendrix speaks up this time. “Dash, I understand where you’re coming from, but right now she’s resting comfortably. They gave her something for the pain in her shoulder, so she’s actually sleeping. You can see her without disturbing her, I promise. It’ll make you feel better.”
I hang my head and choose this moment to act interested in my shoes. “I don’t think I deserve anything, but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t feel better by seeing her with my own eyes now that I know she’s okay.”
Lincoln claps a hand on my shoulder. “Sienna and I are going to head to the cafeteria for coffee. Then, we’ll be back,” he says to both of us before waltzing toward the doorway.
We nod collectively before he sticks his head in her room and Sienna comes out and immediately casts a quick glance in our direction. Seeing her is almost like peering into the future and it makes my chest ache knowing I’ll only ever see that version of Lennon from a distance.
Sienna Tyler gave the girls their beauty that’s for sure, from their oval face shape to their cheekbones to the dark, thick eyelashes women pay good money for. But they inherited some features from Lincoln too like their blue-green eye color, dark hair, and their straight nose with a small bump on the bridge you can only see from their side profile.
A moment passes after the Tylers have exited Lennon’s room and Hendrix hasn’t budged from my side.
“What are you waiting for, Dash?” he asks with all the patience in the world. This man is a saint. He lost the woman he loves, yet he hasn’t cast blame on anyone. He’s gone above and beyond to care for her twin sister, and because of the identity confusion in the beginning, he’s developed feelings for Lennon.
I can’t say I blame him. Some outside the circle of her family might not understand, but I do. Nothing about this situation has been normal or easy. She may have turned out to be my girl after all but her heart isn’t mine to keep. Even though it’ll kill me to see her with him, I’ll know she’s loved and safe. Can I really ask for more than that?
I don’t answer him; I just reach out to shake his hand. “Thank you for everything, especially taking care of her when your own heart was broken,” I tell him.
He stares at my hand for a beat before shaking it. “She’s pretty good at helping to heal hearts.”
I nod and smile even though it hurts. “It’s one of her Valkyrie superpowers. Don’t let her forget it either. Because she’ll need to remember it for when she’s ready to heal her own heart.”
Hendrix looks confused as his brows knit together. “Why are you talking like you won’t be around to see it for yourself?”
I don’t answer. “Make sure she knows how loved she is every day.”
I start to enter her room, but he pulls me back. “You can make sure she knows that yourself, Dash. Don’t do this to her. Don’t take away her choice.”
“I’m not doing it to her, Hendrix. I’m doing it for her. All I’ve ever brought to her life is lies, secrets, and heartbreak. I’m too dangerous for her.”
“Her loving you isn’t your decision to make, Dash. She’s sacrificed so much to be with you,” he says a bit angrily.
“You’re right. Love shouldn’t make you sacrifice anything. It should come easily. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. You’ll be the love that comes easily,” I tell him.
“Damn it, Dash. You’re being a selfish idiot. You need to talk to her.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. If I was selfish, I’d go in that room and never let her go. I’d keep her for myself no matter the consequences.”
“She’ll never see it that way. How will we explain you not loving her enough to fight for her?”
“I’m doing this because I love her, Hendrix.”
I can tell he’s clenching his teeth as I walk into her room, closing the door behind me to give us a final moment of privacy.
Like Hendrix said, she’s sleeping seemingly peacefully as I approach the foot of her bed.
I can’t believe this whole nightmare started in a hospital room like this, and now it’s ending in one too.
Her face is clear of any cuts or scrapes this time thankfully. When I realized she’d cut her bangs, I’m sure it was to cover the dark scar on her forehead. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen whether she has scars or not, but I am relieved no new ones were added for her sake.
Sometimes you don’t see the beauty in the mirror that everyone else sees when they look at you.
I see her left shoulder in a sling, and it appears to be wrapped in a way that it’s being kept immobile and in a position close to what it should rest in naturally.
My sweet, fearless Valkyrie.
I move to the right side of her bed and take her soft hand in mine one last time. I know I practically forced Lincoln to give us his blessing just mere days ago, but I won’t hold him to it. I had every intention of begging her forgiveness and doing whatever it took to win her back. But after putting most of the pieces together as to the reason behind this chaotic nightmare, my only option is to let her go.
