Chapter 64
—Reed—
The past week with Kasey was fan-fucking-tastic. I’d slept better than I had for the last four months combined and was beginning to feel the heavy weight on my shoulders release. I owed it all to Kasey being here, trying her best, and taking the load off in even the smallest ways. My old self was returning—the one I’d temporarily lost to exhaustion and near-burnout.
While Kase showered, I made myself breakfast and coffee for two, then sat at the kitchen table. The morning sun streamed through the large windows and warmed my bare back, and I closed my eyes while taking the first sip from my mug.
Unexpectedly, my personal phone lit with a call. I rose and plucked it from the nearby counter, then made my way back to the table.
“Hey, Mom,” I answered, kicking back in the chair.
“Hi, honey.” Mom’s shaky voice sent goosebumps washing across my shoulders.
I lowered my mug to the table and sat forward. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really…” She took a shuddering breath before uttering words that sent shockwaves through my world again. “John just rang… Connie passed away in her sleep last night.”
My heart bottomed out, and my voice was nothing but a shocked whisper. “What?”
“Yeah… Not the best news.”
“Oh, Mom.” All other words failed me.
“I know, hon. It’s come as an absolute shock.” Mom sniffed, and I envisioned her wiping her eyes dry.
“Christ.” I exhaled heavily and fell back against the chair. That one word came up choked with grief. Connie was a loving part of my entire life, and I couldn’t process that she was no longer a part of it.
Mom’s voice shook. “I know. It’s a complete shock to us all. I need to call your brothers, but I’ll let you know when I find out the funeral arrangements.”
“Thanks, Mom, that’d be great.”
“Bye, hon.”
“Bye,” I whispered, then disconnected.
Sitting with my elbows on the table, I cradled my face in my hands, feeling the sting of tears at the back of my nose and traces of moisture appearing along my lower eyelid. Disbelief left me numb yet emotional.
A warm hand between my shoulder blades had me holding my breath.
Kasey.
“Reed, what’s going on?”
I came up for air and pulled her sideways onto my lap. Her weight on my thighs and arms around my neck anchored me.
“Mom just called with some sad news.” I swallowed hard and hugged her closer. “Connie passed away last night.”
Kasey jerked. “Connie. As in Connie Connie?” She circled a finger around the living space.
“Yeah, babe.” I sniffed hard to rid the threatening emotion. “Fuck, I really didn’t see this coming.”
Kasey tightened her squeeze and locked me to her.
“Neither did I,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. She was the kindest woman.”
“She really was.” I shook my head a little then stilled with my ear pressed to Kasey’s heartbeat.
With my world so uncertain again, I needed her presence more than I’d ever needed her before.
Posie began to stir through the monitor. I let out a heavy breath. I loved my daughter, but fuck this parenting gig was grueling. I began to shift Kase from my lap, but she stood and held my hand for a second longer.
“Finish your breakfast, Reed. I’ll grab her.”
“What about yours?”
She shook her head. “I’m not much of a breakfast person.”
I smiled despite the inner turmoil. “I already knew that. I was referring to your coffee.” I gestured to the mug across from me.
“It can wait.”
With that, she hurried off to Posie’s room. Warmth bloomed through my chest as Kasey’s soft voice came through the monitor, talking softly and sweetly to our daughter. She’d grown in leaps and bounds since the day she woke from the coma and didn’t want anything to do with us. Fuck, I was blessed to have them both in my life despite the odds being stacked against us.
“And here’s Daddy,” Kase sang, appearing with Posie in her arms.
Posie’s gummy smile lit the entire room as Kase carried her over to me. I took her into my arms and let out a huge sigh of satisfaction when my little girl open-mouth kissed my cheek.
Kasey snickered. “Either she’s ravenous or she seriously loves you.”
I chuckled. “I vote ravenous first thing in the morning. Do you mind grabbing her bottle, babe? Please?”
She breezed into the kitchen without hesitation. “Of course. When does she start having real food?” Kase asked, returning to the table with the bottle of warm water and the formula tin.
“In another couple of months, I think. Although, I’m happy to hold off as long as I can with that. I’ve heard it’s hella messy. I simply can’t face that at the moment.” I chuckled.
Kase paused, mid-scoop of the formula. Her eyes met mine and were filled with regret. “I’m sorry that I left you with everything.”
“That’s not the way I see it, darlin’.”
Confusion puckered her eyebrows.
“You gave me everything,” I clarified. “Yourself. Posie… A family of my own.”
Despite Kase blinking rapidly, I didn’t miss the wash of tears entering her eyes. She focused on counting out the scoops of formula, then shaking the bottle.
“I think this is ready,” she murmured a minute later, just after Posie began to fuss and mouth my cheek with increasing vigor.
“Thanks, babe.”
We sat in silence as I got Posie sorted, then laughed when her tiny hands latched onto the bottle with surprising force.
“Christ, she’s hungry this mornin’.”
“She’s so stubborn,” Kase laughed.
I sent her a wry look from under my brows. “She is, isn’t she?”
Kase smirked and lifted her coffee. “You’re welcome. We’re survivors, her and I.” She flicked out a forefinger and pointed at me. “And you can thank stubbornness for that.”
A grin I couldn’t control tugged at my mouth. “As frustrating as it is at times, I’m thankful for that every single day.”
Kase smiled then frowned as if having a sudden thought. “Are you working today?”
“No, babe,” I murmured. “Even if I was rostered on, I can’t now that Connie…”
Shit. That brought back the sharp wedge in my throat. I roughly coughed it away while focusing on feeding my little princess.
“I could look after Posie… Connie showed me a lot over the last week.”
I’d love nothing more, but… “You don’t sound so sure, Kase.”
She shrugged. “I mean, yeah I’m nervous about it, but I’m sure we could handle it.”
My brows rose. “We?”
A hint of pink touched her cheeks. “Me and Simone.”
“Ah, of course you two could, but I can’t ask that of both of you—especially Simone.”
Kasey leaned across the table and set her hand on my forearm. “Let me help, Reed.”
The smile I gave came directly from my heart. “You already are, babe.”
More than you realize.