Page 32 of Penalty to the Heart

“Would you?”

“Of course, E. Anything for you.”

“Thanks,” she says, and I don’t miss the sigh of relief she lets out.

You see… Erin stays clear from the hospital.

Or at least she tries to.

She can’t handle seeing her husband like that.

And I get it.

I fucking get it.

Seeing Jack like that, a man who was so full of life and energy, does something to you.

It makes you lose all faith. And right now, faith and hope are the only things that keep Erin going.

“You bet,” I feign a smile before placing my bowl on the coffee table, no longer in the mood to eat.

She throws me a sad smile before picking up the remote.

“Do you mind?” she asks, hesitantly pointing the remote to the TV screen.

I already know what she’s about to put on.

It’s the same tape she plays in a loop every night—her and Jack’s wedding.

“Go ahead.”

After she turns it on, she leans her head on my shoulder, and we both take in Jack’s glowing smile as he waits for his bride-to-be to walk down the aisle.

“I miss him,” she sobs softly after a while.

“I know. Me too.”

For the next couple of hours, we sit there watching one of the happiest days in Jack’s life play out on HD. Somehow, between celebratory toasts and chicken dances, we must fall asleep because the next thing I feel is a little hand on my cheek, pinching me awake.

As my heavy eyelids flutter awake, I come face to face with my niece, Cara.

“You should be in bed, princess.”

She throws a mischievous smile at me and then nestles her small head on my chest while sucking on her thumb. A quick glance to my side, and I see Erin balled up in the fetal position on the other end of the couch.

“Come on, princess. Let’s get you back into your room and let Mommy get some sleep. Okay?”

Cara nods, still sucking on her thumb as I pick her up in my arms. With my free hand, I cover Erin with a blanket and turn off the TV as well as the lights. I then walk back to the girl’s room, where baby Fiona is thankfully still sound asleep in her crib.

“There you go,” I coo once I’ve tucked Cara back in her bed, but before I have time to pull away, she grabs my hand.

“Did you see daddy?” Cara asks expectantly.

“I did.”

“Is he still sleeping?”

“He is.” I frown.

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