by E. L. Todd
When I entered the house, Skye, Slade, and Trinity were hanging up a banner in the living room. I hadn’t noticed their car in the driveway so they must have walked here. I was so determined to return to Sean as soon as possible that I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. “What’s going on?” I crossed my arms over my chest and examined the banner.
“Hey, Mom,” Skye said without turning around. “We’re getting everything ready for the party.”
“What party?” I hadn’t heard anything about a party.
“We’re throwing a party for Sean when he gets home,” Slade said. He placed a stack of party hats on the table. “You know, to make him feel at home.”
I came closer in the room and watched Trinity blow up balloons. “That’s very thoughtful of you but we aren’t sure when Sean is coming home.”
“That’s why we wanted to make sure the decorations were prepared.” Skye stepped off the couch and examined her work. “When he does come home, all we’ll need to get is the food.”
“Well…that was very thoughtful of you.”
Skye turned to me, but the smile fell off her face when she examined me. “Mom…you really need to shower.”
I self-consciously touched my hair. “I know…I’ve been too busy with your father.”
“Sorry we interrupted you,” Slade said. “We didn’t know you were coming home.”
“It’s okay,” I said immediately. “You’re always welcome here.” Slade and Trinity were my niece and nephew but I loved them like my own kids. “I’m sure your father will love a warm welcome.”
“We got a few board games too,” Skye said. “I picked up Boggle.”
“Your father will like that.” Sean would be moved by the gesture. Roland and Skye had been at the hospital every day. I managed to shoo them away so they wouldn’t have to see their father so weak.
“Don’t mind us,” Slade said. “We’ll be done soon.”
I really needed a shower, and now that I was in my own home I couldn’t wait a moment longer. “Okay. I’ll be upstairs.” I took the stairs two at a time and turned on the water immediately. Without waiting for the water to get warm, I stepped inside and released a sigh of pure satisfaction.
***
As soon as I stepped into the room, Sean’s eyes were on me. He examined my face, noting my soft and wavy hair. Then his eyes moved down to my dress. It was navy blue with a black belt around the waist. Black heels were on my feet.
Nothing escaped his notice. “You look hot.” He extended his hand so I would take it.
“I had to cheer you up somehow.” I took the seat at his bedside while I held his hand.
“You succeeded.” He eyed my legs, his thoughts evident. After everything we’d been through, I knew exactly what he wanted to do. The same thoughts were running through my head with equal intensity. But he was too weak and injured for any of that.
His thumb moved over my knuckles as he held my hand. He stared at me like he had a million times before, like he was falling further into the love we had.
I opened my purse and pulled out a book. “Would you like me to read to you?”
“I love the sound of your voice.” He propped one arm over his head as he closed his eyes.
I opened the book and began to read.
***
The doctor came in with his clipboard in hand. “How’s everything going?”
“Great,” I answered.
Sean sighed. “I want to get out of here.” Sean didn’t like lying still for very long. He was too restless and active. Being confined to a bed was agonizing.
The doctor chuckled slightly. “Well, everything is looking good and there’s no sign of infection. I’m not sure how you recovered. It didn’t seem like you were going to make it through the night…”
Sean and I shared a look.
“But I’m glad to see you haven’t had any complications since,” he continued. “You’ll be released in a few hours but I want you to follow up with your primary care doctor in exactly one week.”
“You got it.” Sean’s enthusiasm told me he was thrilled to be released from the hospital.
The doctor patted my shoulder. “You did a good job taking care of him.”
“He’s pretty easy.” I patted Sean’s hand.
“My wife should be a nurse,” he said. “I’d love to get sponge baths from her every day.” He shot me a wink.
The doctor laughed. “If he has his sense of humor back, you know he’s doing really well.”
***
I held the wheelchair out for him.
Sean eyed it with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing?”
I knew he would make a fuss over this. “Just get in.”
“I can walk.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed then steadied himself. He was still weak and in pain. The surgery had been successful but he had a long healing process.
“But it’s better for you to sit.”
He eyed the wheelchair then me. “I can walk.” That defiance was in his eyes. He refused to appear weak in front of me. It was one of the things I loved about him, but also one of the things I hated.
“I know you can walk. But you shouldn’t.”
Sean looked like he might growl at me.
I put my hand on my hip and gave him a look full of attitude. “Sean, you’re getting in this wheelchair. It doesn’t make you look weak. Pretending everything is okay when it’s not is what makes you look weak.” I snapped my fingers and pointed to the chair. “So sit your ass down. Now.”
Annoyance disappeared, and a dark smolder replaced it. “Bossy.”
“Sean Preston, get in here.”
He gave me a wicked smirk. “Yes, ma’am.” He pushed himself up with his arms then wobbled slightly. He gripped the bed for support like he might fall.
I gripped his elbow then led him into the wheelchair.
Sean didn’t protst.
Once he was seated, I unlocked the brakes. “Ready to go home?”
He breathed hard like he was winded. “Please.”
***
Once we entered the house, all the lights came on. Everyone jumped into the air and screamed, “Surprise!”
Sean flinched slightly like he wasn’t expecting such a warm greeting. He took everyone in then examined the banner overhead. Party hats, appetizers, and beers were on the tables. He didn’t say anything as he stared at them.
I rubbed his shoulders gently to comfort him.
Sean shook his head slightly. “Sorry…I just never expected to enter this house again.”
They all gave him sympathetic looks.
Sean stared at the ground for a moment. “It’s so nice to be home—with all of you.”
***
Sean and I were more affectionate than we normally were around the kids. He pulled me into his lap and kept me there all evening. Skye and Roland didn’t complain like they usually would, and it seemed like they were too happy to see their father home to really mind.
Sean couldn’t have any alcohol because of the medication he was on, so he stuck to iced tea. It was weird to see him not down a beer or brandy, but at least he was following the rules.
“The office has been running smooth since you left,” Mike said.
“It has?” Sean asked, mildly surprised.
Mike took a drink of his beer. “Actually, I think it’s been smoother since you left.” He nudged him in the arm playfully.
Sean rolled his eyes but chuckled at the same time. “Go to hell, asshole.”
“I’m just being honest.” Mike turned to Cortland. “Am I right?”
“Yeah,” Cortland said. “It’s actually been peaceful…and quiet.”
Sean shot him a glare. His hand rested on my thigh and he kept one arm around my waist. “If you aren’t nicer to me, my wife is going to come at you.”
I faked a growl.
“See?” Sean said with pride in his eyes.
Cortland raised both hands. “Shit, I don�
��t want to cross Scar.”
“That woman knows how to throw a punch.” Mike rubbed his chin like I just struck him.
“If the office is running smooth, it’s because Conrad and Skye are there to keep it that way.” I kept my arm around Sean’s neck as I sat across his thighs. I would love to have a drink but I didn’t want to remind Sean of what he couldn’t have.
“So, what did the doctor say?” Cortland asked.
“I’ll go in for a check-up next week,” Sean said. “But everything seems to be good.”
“And it’s going to stay that way.” I would make sure he got back to his full potential.
“I can’t believe you survived that,” Mike said. “That blade was at least ten inches.”
My heart sped at the thought.
Sean shrugged. “I guess it should have been eleven inches.”
Mike and Cortland both chuckled.
I didn’t think it was funny.
“How long will you be gone from the office?” Mike asked.
“For the foreseeable future,” I answered. “The last thing Sean needs to think about right now is work.” I didn’t mean to sound so protective but I didn’t want Sean to stress about anything. All he needed to think about was getting better. And that meant he would be lying around a lot without a care in the world.
“Gotcha,” Cortland said.
“My bad,” Mike said immediately.
I rubbed Sean’s shoulder. “Can I get you anything?”
Sean wasn’t used to me waiting on him hand and foot. He usually did everything himself and never asked me to do anything. He even attempted to do his own laundry when he came home. “A water, please.”
“Sure.” I left his lap and walked away.
“Phew…now the bodyguard is gone,” Mike said under his breath.
“Man, she’s wound up tight,” Cortland said.
“Don’t tease her.” Sean’s voice carried his command. “She’s been through a lot. Drop it.”
Neither of them said anything.
When I reached the refrigerator Ryan was grabbing a beer. “This party isn’t that lame. I’m surprised.” He twisted off the cap of his beer then took a drink.
“It’s definitely not lame.” I grabbed the water then shut the door.
He leaned against the counter, his shirt having a hole in the sleeve. His hair was messy like he’d been running his fingers through it. “You doing okay, Scar?”
“I’m fine,” I answered. “I’m just glad Sean is home.”
“That makes two of us.” He stared at me with the eyes I recognized from childhood. He was examining me, trying to make sure I really was well. “I know things didn’t look good for a moment there…I’m glad it worked out.”
I hated thinking about what would have happened if I did lose him. I would have lost myself.
“Those doctors deserve a nice tip.” He took another drink.
I told Ryan everything but I wasn’t sure if I should tell him the truth. He would think I was crazy. He would be crazy if he didn’t think I was crazy. “Something happened…”
“What do you mean?”
“Just hear me out…”
“When have I ever not listened to you?”
I gave him an angry look.
“Okay, I never listen to you. But I’ll listen to you now.”
I took a deep breath before I spoke. “When I fell asleep on that park bench…I dreamt of Sean.” I told him the details of the dream and what had transpired. “And then when I spoke to Sean, he had the same dream…that couldn’t have been a coincidence.”
Ryan continued to watch me.
“It’s what made him pull through. It’s what made him not give up.” I felt the bottle in my hands. “I know it sounds crazy and impossible—”
“I believe you.”
My eyes found his and I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. “You do?”
He nodded. “You know I’m not religious, but I am spiritual. I think love is the only thing that can cross all barriers. It’s the only thing that can survive the darkest nights. And what you and Sean have…is very special.”
It meant the world to me that he believed me but I couldn’t find the words to say it.
“If you say it happened, it happened. And honestly, it’s the only thing that makes sense. Sean was pretty much on his deathbed when he inexplicably came back. Whatever happened was stronger than medicine, the universe, and time.”
Now I didn’t feel so crazy.
“The universe is trying to keep you together as long as possible—because you’re meant to be together.” He grabbed my shoulder and squeezed it gently. “I love my wife more than anything on this planet. But she and I don’t have that. We aren’t soul mates—but we’re pretty damn close.”
Chapter Nine
Skye
My dad was at home but I was still weary. How did someone survive such a traumatic stabbing? The doctors said he lost over half of his own blood. I was afraid he would sit next to me on the couch then violently convulse until he died. But I had to remind myself they wouldn’t have released him from the hospital unless he was okay.
We finished a game of checkers, and I won the round. “You really suck at this game.”
He smiled slightly, not offended by what I said. “I’m a little rusty.”
I set up the board again before we began a new round. Dad was still confined to a wheelchair. When he wasn’t sitting on the couch, he was in his wheelchair. He claimed he could walk but Mom wouldn’t let him.
I made the first move then Dad pushed his forward. Back and forth we went until it got competitive. We were taking each other’s pieces quickly, clearing the board.
“How are you feeling today?” I didn’t ask this question a lot because my dad didn’t like to talk about his feelings.
“The same as yesterday—great.”
“Are you in pain?”
“No, pumpkin.”
I assumed he was lying. He just wanted to spare me the pain. “Is there anything I can get you? I can pick up something from Mega Shake.”
“Your mother won’t let me eat out of the house. I’m on a strict diet.”
“Why…?” It wasn’t like he had a heart attack. Well, he did…but that wasn’t the initial problem.
“She says I’ll heal faster if I eat properly, drink lots of water, and relax. And you know how that woman is right about everything…” He made a move with his checkers and reached the end of my board. “King me.”
I sighed then put the checker piece on top.
“Have you heard from Cayson?”
Hearing his name made me depressed. I missed him so much. “Not this week…I know he’s doing a lot of traveling.”
Dad made another move as he nodded his head. “I’m sure he misses you like crazy.”
“I know he does.”
“Does he know…about me?”
I shook my head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him. And honestly, it’s probably for the best. If he knew during the heat of things he probably would have jumped on the first plane home.”
“You’re probably right.”
I stared at the board and thought about Cayson. I wondered how he was doing and how his apparatuses were working. Was he thinking about me now? Could I endure another two months of this?
“Pumpkin.”
I moved my gaze to his. “Huh?”
“Everything alright?” Dad studied my face.
“Oh sorry…just got distracted.”
Dad read my mind. “I know it’s hard but he’ll be back soon. You’ll get through this. I promise.”
I was easy to read like a sandwich board. “I hope so.”
“You will,” he said firmly.
“Having Slade and Trinity at the house as helped a lot…I can’t imagine them not being there at this point.”
“I’m sure they like being there too,” he said. “They have a lot more room than they did in their apartment.”
�
�Yeah…”
Dad moved his piece then finished the game. “Looks like I won this time.”
“Because I let you.”
He grinned. “Sure…” He threw everything into the box then closed the lid.
Were we done playing? “Did you want to play something else? I brought Clue.”
Dad grimaced slightly. “I’m actually a little tired…can we watch TV?”
Now I felt like a jerk for being so insensitive. I feared he might be in pain so a board game would get his mind off it, but I never considered the fact he might be exhausted and weak. “Of course. The Yankee game is coming on soon.”
Dad wheeled himself away from the table and propelled himself into the living room.
Seeing him in a wheelchair was still weird.
Dad lifted himself with his arms then moved to the couch. When he sat down, he cringed noticeably.
I tried to pretend I didn’t notice and swallowed back the pain in my heart. I hated seeing him this way. I hated knowing he was hurting. And I hated the fact there was nothing I could do to fix it.
Dad leaned back into the couch and started to relax, but his shoulders were still slightly stiff.
Mom came out of the kitchen wearing her apron. “You need anything, honey?” She leaned over the back of the couch and stared down at him.
He tilted his chin upwards. “Maybe some Norco…”
“Coming right up.” Mom grabbed a pill and a cup of water.
Dad downed it immediately then released a heavy sigh. He closed his eyes for a long time and didn’t watch the screen.
I wish I could make him feel better.
Mom moved over to me on the couch and pressed her lips to my ear. “Your father needs to rest, Skye. Come back tomorrow.”
“I feel bad for leaving him…”
Mom gave me a look full of sadness. She would never ask me to leave unless she had to. She’d never done it before. There was a reason behind it. “Your dad needs some alone time. It’s not easy for him to…entertain people when he’s like this. Come back after work. That’s when he wakes up from his nap.”
Fear gripped my heart. “He’s going to get better, right?”
“Yes.” She moved her fingers through my hair. “Your father has a difficult time appearing weak in front of people. He’s just struggling with it.”
“Okay.” I nodded slightly. “I guess I’ll go.”