38
The next morning, I’m reunited with my sister-in-law. I never realised how much I missed her until she walked through the door a little over an hour ago. She clung to me like she hadn’t seen me in years, her tears falling for not only me but the man I love lying a few feet away from me.
She’s always been the most empathetic person I’ve ever met, making everyone else’s problems and worries her own, shouldering some of the pain to take away from the people she loves. It wouldn’t be her if she didn’t.
She’s pure heart through and through, and that’s why I love her, and I suppose it’s the same reason my brother does too.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. Gage told me about the fire and the warehouse… I can’t even imagine…” she says, taking a sip of her coffee.
About half an hour ago, the nurses wheeled Alec down for a brain scan, and to take my mind off of it, Ray offered to buy Della and I breakfast in the cafeteria while we wait.
I can’t even remember the last time I ate something, and after a long sleepless night watching over Alec, I need something to give me some energy. But I can only manage a few mouthfuls of my eggs before it begins to make me nauseous.
“So this Austin guy is the one that kidnapped you?” Ray asks. Della and I have begun filling him in on everything that’s happened, he has a right to know now more than ever.
“Yeah, he’s the brother of someone my family had a run-in with last year, a guy called Bryce Tanner,” I begin. “Gage stole Della out from under him and made her his wife instead of Bryce, but it didn’t stop him. Bryce was determined to get to her no matter what. It ended up with him getting killed, and that’s when Austin showed up. It was Rafe that shot his brother in self-defence and Austin thought that by hurting me, it makes them even. But what he did to me was much worse than death, there were a few moments there where I wanted to die but….” I let my words die on my tongue.
“Si…” Della rests a gentle hand on my arm, tears glistening in her eyes.
Did I forget to mention that part before now?
“It was the thought of coming home to you, and Ree and my brothers… the kids. Alec. It kept me going. As weak as I was, I knew I had to keep living, no matter how much I wanted to give up.”
Ray shaking his head in disbelief. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Do what?”
“Stay so strong, talk so openly about what happened.”
“It gets easier with time, and help. I have Alec to thank for most of it.”
Ray reaches across the table for my hand. “I know it won’t change things, but I’m sorry that he hurt you. What you’ve been through… It’s the stuff of nightmares, but you are so incredibly strong, never forget that, Sierra.”
“Thank you,” I say.
After we’ve finished with our food, we make our way back towards Alec’s room, but before we reach it, his doctor stops us in the corridor.
“Mr. McKenna is back in his room. We’re awaiting the full results of the scan but so far there’s nothing to indicate any further bleeding.”
“How long before you can wake him up?” I ask.
“There’s still some swelling on his brain so a few more days at the very least. But please try not to worry, he’s receiving the best care and is in a stable condition.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Ray says.
“You’re welcome,” the doctor replies with a tight smile before excusing himself and continuing in the other direction.
It’s only about ten minutes after I sit down beside Alec’s bed that I have to stifle a yawn with the back of my hand. My eyes feel so heavy it’s like there are weights sewn to each eyelid.
I’m so incredibly lethargic that’s it’s an effort just to hold my head up. Over twenty-four hours without sleep will do that to you, I guess.
Ray pushes off his chair. “Come on, let’s get you home, honey.”
“But… I can’t leave Alec.”
“You’re no good to him like this. He needs you to be strong and healthy, he wouldn’t want to see you so exhausted,” he insists.
“Ray’s right. You need to take care of yourself as well. You don’t have to worry, Alec’s in the best place,” Della adds.
“How about we get you home and you get a few hours sleep? We can come right back once you’ve rested? You heard what the doctor said, it could be another few days before they even think about bring him round.”
I chew on the inside of my lip, my gaze drifting over to Alec. The thought of leaving him makes me want to cry, but they’re right. I’m no good to anyone when I’m feeling like this.
“Alright,” I resign, too weary to fight. “But only for a few hours.”
As we move to leave, I lean over Alec’s sleeping form and press a kiss to his stubbled cheek. “I love you.”
The drive home is short, and after so many months away, pulling up to the front gate feels weird, almost like I don’t belong here, a stranger in my own house. But that feeling dissipates as we pull up outside and see my niece racing up the driveway towards the car, the chunky gravel crunching under her feet.
“Auntie Si! Auntie Si!” Ivy chants, charging towards us before I’m even out of the car.
I only have a couple of seconds before she launches herself into the air just in time for me to scoop her up into my arms.
“Auntie Si, you’re back!” She squeezes her arms around my neck.
Seeing my five year-old niece instantly puts a smile on my face. She’s a ray of sunshine we all need in this shitty situation. “Hey, munchkin. It’s so good to see you! Did you miss me?”
“I missed you sooo bad! Are you staying for good this time? Are you?” The excitement and hope in her voice is unmistakable.
“Yeah, Ives. I am.”
“Yay!” Ivy cheers, her eyes flicking to Ray. “Who’re you?” she asks curiously, her head cocked to the side.
“This is Ray, Alec’s uncle. Ray, this is Rafe’s daughter, Ivy.”
“It’s an honour to meet you, Ivy.” Ray’s eyes are soft as he takes in my niece.
Reese is waiting on the doorstep for us as we near the house. My best friend’s smile is wide as she pulls me in for a lung-crushing hug. “She was so excited when she heard you were at the gate she begged me to let her greet you.”
“It was a lovely welcome home.”
“I’m so happy you’re back. I missed you,” she says, pulling back and glancing to the man beside me. “You must be Ray, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Reese, is it?”
“One and only,” she beams.
“I said he could stay here while he’s in town,” I say.
“Of course! Come on in.”
Ivy’s hand is wrapped tightly in mine as we follow Reese inside, guiding me through like I haven’t lived here all my life.
“Are my brothers home?” I ask.
“They’re at work, they’ll be home in a few hours,” Reese replies.
I turn to Ray. “Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”
“Nope!” Della interjects. “I’ll show Ray to one of the guest rooms. You are gonna get your butt upstairs and straight into bed.”
“Yes, Mom.” I roll my eyes and she swats me playfully on the ass and I can’t contain my laughter as I make my way upstairs.
God, it’s good to be with my best friends again.
∞∞∞
I must have crashed the second my head hit the pillow because the next thing I know, a warm little body is wriggling beside me and I crack open an eye to find Ivy tucking herself into my bed, shimmying not so carefully under the covers.
“You do realise this isn’t your bed, right?”
She giggles. “Yes, but it’s warm and cosy and you’re in it. Have I told you how much I missed you, Auntie Si?”
“Um, only about a gazillion times since I got here,” I tease, tickling her enough to have her a giggling mess. No matter the situation, Ivy never fails to make me smile. “I missed you too, munchkin.”
“Look Auntie Si, I still have your necklace safe and sound,” she says, twirling the chain around her index finger.
“Thank you, Ives. Why don’t you look after it a little while longer? It suits you.”
“Sure! I’ll take good care of it.” Her wide topaz eyes drift up to mine. “Is Uncle Alec gonna die?”
“Of course not, sweetie. Alec is going to be absolutely fine.” I don’t miss the waver in my voice as I try to not only convince my niece, but myself as well. “Uncle Alec?”
“Uh-huh.” She nods. “Reesie said that one day Alec’s gonna wife you up so that makes him my uncle, right?”
Wife me up?
I smile. “I suppose it does, Ives.”
I shouldn’t entertain the thought of being Alec’s wife so early in our relationship, but how can I not? This thing between us has been brewing long before that kiss on my twenty-first birthday, we were inevitable and it was only a matter of time.
When I picture my future, all I see is Alec.
“Can I stay in here with you for a while? I’m real sleepy.” Ivy releases a yawn.
“Sure you can, munchkin.” I open my arms allowing her closer and she snuggles into me, her head resting on my chest.
With her hair the same colour as mine, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of sadness at the fact that I’ll probably never experience this with my own child. But if my niece and my new baby nephew is the closest to children I’ll ever get, I’m gonna make damn sure I make the most of this while they’re little.