“I just landed in Sydney. I’m flying back now.”
“Sydney?” I thought for a second. “Sydney,Australia?”
“Yes.”
I’d never been, but I was pretty sure that was a long flight.
“Thank you for staying with her.”
“Of course!”
“Can I speak to her?”
“Um, sure you want me to wake her up?”
“Yes.” He clipped before adding a less harsh, “Please.”
“One second.” I set the phone on the desk and crossed the room.
“Lexi, sweetie,” I nudged her shoulder and her eyes fluttered open. “Your daddy is on the phone.”
“Daddy!” She sat up and I scooped her into my arms.
We walked to the nurse’s desk, and I picked up the phone and held it to her ear.
“Hi, Daddy! Gigi is sick.” I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but I saw that she was listening intently. “I know.”
I adjusted my arms to support her as she snuggled against me and nodded. “Okay.”
Then she straightened and her eyes widened. “What about Sadie?”
She began crying and buried her face in my shoulder and pulled her ear away from the phone.
Oh, lord.She’d asked a question with my name at the end and started bawling. That was not a good sign.
What aboutSadie?
“Hello, hi, um, she’s a little upset.” I wasn’t sure what he’d told her or what I should say.
“I told her that her Uncle Maddox is coming to pick her up.”
“Oh, I think she’s just tired. It’s been a long day.” Lexi’s arms were wrapped so tightly around my neck. Her little body shook as she cried into my shoulder. I’d never felt so protective over anyone in my life. I turned my head and whispered “I don’t mind keeping her. I think today has been a lot for her. I can bring her home with me.”
“I’m not going to...eighteen...hours...” There was static on the line.
The phone started breaking up.
“Hello?”
Oh no.
“Hello?!” The line went dead.
Lexi lifted her head and I made sure not to show any alarm on my face.
“Daddy had to go. But I think your Uncle Maddox is coming to get you.” I smiled brightly.
“I want to stay with you.” She laid her head back down on my shoulder and my heart broke wide open.
