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We slept the rest of the flight. I’m still exhausted. Once we land, it feels like I’m floating through the airport. My eyes are burning, I’m sure my breath reeks, and I can’t even imagine what I look like. “Let’s get to the car; Troy and Stella are a few hours behind. I think she’s going to want to come to the hospital once they arrive. I’ll make sure she gets to there to be there for you as soon as they touch down.” Once again, Nathan is doing everything that he can to help me. He even made sure we landed at LaGuardia since that was the closest airport to the hospital. I don’t know how to thank him. I’m not sure if I'll ever be able to thank him. I look up at him once we get seated in the town car that was waiting for us at the entrance of the airport.

"Thank you, Nathan, for everything you've done for me."

“You don’t have to thank me for something that comes natural to me, Laney. Don’t even think about feeling guilty. You can thank me later, in private.” He twitches his eyebrows. I know exactly what he’s thinking, and if I’m honest with myself, which I tend to be, I’m on board with everything that’s going through his mind, but only after I know my girls are alright and taken care of.

“I think I can do that, later. When the time is right.”

“When the time is right.” He kisses my cheek and pulls me to him, so that I’m leaning against his chest. I’m starting to think this is one of his favorite things to do, be in contact, to touch. “What's going on in that beautiful brain of yours?”

“Other than the fact that I’m scared shitless at what I may find at the hospital? I was wondering if touching is a thing for you."

"What do you mean?"

"It hasn’t slipped by my notice that you like to hold me, keep your arm around me, and touch me all the time. Even when I was sitting across from you on the plane you seemed like you need to reach out and touch me.”

“I never really thought about it before, but I guess I do. You make me feel grounded; whole. I like the way my world feels right when I’m touching you. Is that a problem?”

“No. Just please, Nathan; please hold off in front of the girls. I need to take care of them and focus on them. You and I will have to come later.”

“Okay, sweet girl. That's not a problem.”

Twenty-five minutes later, we pull up to the hospital entrance. “Park the car Tony; I’m sure we’ll be awhile. I’ll get in touch with you.” He shuts the door and places his hand on the small of my back ushering me to find my girls.

“Why is the driver waiting?”

“He’s the company's driver, he usually carts my father around but I knew it would be faster just to have him waiting at the airport then trying to find a cab. I don't like to call him unless it's urgent and this was urgent."

“Oh.” Why did I find that strange? I grew up with money. This isn’t a shocker for me. I guess that I’m not used to indulging though. I’ve always wanted to take care of things on my own. I drive myself around when needed. “Oh, wait.” We stop before he gets on the elevator. “I need to take this off.” I go to take my wedding ring off of my finger so I can avoid that conversation when Nate places his hand on my hand stopping me. It’s the first time I’ve noticed he’s also wearing a nice looking black and platinum band. I can’t believe that I didn’t notice that before.

“Please don’t do that, Laney.”

“Why not? I don’t need any more stress right now, Nathan. Why do I need to worry about answering questions when my girls are lying in a hospital bed; one of which has just undergone surgery on her leg?”

“I don’t want to give you any more stress either, but I was hoping that me, and what that ring means, will give you strength. And I think you’re going to need all the strength you can get. Please don’t deny what we both feel. Doesn’t this feel right between us? Doesn’t my ring on your finger feel right? I don’t care how long it’s been there or the reasons why it's been placed on that finger. I’m simply asking you if it feels right.”

I look down at our joined hands. “Yes.”

“Then that’s all I need to hear. Leave it, please. If it makes you feel better, then don’t bring it up. Maybe no one will notice.”

“Ha! Once you meet my mother you’ll see that she doesn’t miss a thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she picks out my split ends. Come on, lover boy, let’s go see my girls.” He places his hand on my arm stopping me, looking into my eyes with so much intensity.

“I’m here for you. You’re not alone. You will never be alone again; do you understand?”

“Yes, thank you, Nathan. I really mean that.” I intertwine my fingers with his. The feel of my hand being held by his gives me a strength I didn’t know I needed.

It didn’t take long to see that I had just walked into a bigger nightmare than what I could have possibly imagined. Not only was my mom there with her husband, but my ex-husband, who looks like he’s been through the ringer, was sitting next to none other than Michael. Christ, what's he doing here? “Brad, how are they?” They all look up at the sound of my voice.

He opens his arms and without a second thought, I go to him, searching for the familiar comfort. “Amanda’s fine, just banged up.” I feel him rub his hand up and down my back. “They’re keeping her for a day or two just to make sure there isn’t anything internal that comes up. Addie is out of surgery and doing well. The doctors have given them both something to sleep for now.”

My mom stands up. Immediately, she starts talking, demanding. “Where have you been, young lady?" I step back from Brad and immediately feel Nathan’s hand come up to my shoulder, squeezing; letting me know that he’s here.

“I went away, Mom. Stella and I had a weekend planned, um, recently, and we went to Vegas. Brad knew about it.”

“To Vegas, while your daughters are laying in a hospital bed fighting for their lives.”

“They’re not fighting for their lives, Vivian.” Brad stands to come to my defense. “The girls are fine." He turns to me to say something, but my mother interrupts.

"You call being admitted into a hospital fine, Brad?"