Page 150 of Forbidden Lyrics

“All right. Any more questions?” he asks.

“Mads?” I prod, careful not to mess with her IV as I reach for her hand and squeeze it. “Do you have any other questions?”

She shakes her head, still pale. Still unable to let herself hope that everything’s going to be okay. And I get it. I’m only the aunt. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for her. She’s the mother. It has to be eating her up inside. The unknown. The unpredictability. The harsh truth that this delivery is out of her control. Now, it’s a waiting game.

“I guess that’s it,” I answer, fighting to stay strong when all I really want to do is curl up next to Mads in her hospital bed and pretend that everything’s going to be okay when the reality is simple. We don’t know if it is. Not yet. Even with the odds of everything turning out well, anything can happen. I know it. And so does Maddie.

“Okay.” Dr. Sheffler dips his chin and gets to his feet. “The nurse will be keeping a close eye on you, but if you need anything, push the nurse’s button, and she’ll be right in.”

With a tight smile, I return, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

He leaves us alone with nothing but the beeping machines and the hustle and bustle from the hallway to comfort us.

I try to let go of Maddie’s hand, but she holds on for dear life.

“How are you doing?” I ask.

Letting out a slow, long breath, she takes in the stupid beeping machines surrounding her before shrugging one shoulder. “The pain meds have helped a lot.”

“That’s good.”

“Yup.” She takes another deep breath, staring blankly at the wall behind me. Still nervous. Still lost.

“Do you want me to call Mom and Dad to let them know?” I offer, one-handedly fussing with the thin, white hospital sheets.

“No.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay…” I grimace, desperate to fill the silence. “What are you thinking about?”

Another slow, long breath escapes her. Then she looks at me and raises her chin, determination seeping from every pore. “I want you to finish the tour.”

“What? Maddie––”

“I’m serious, Dove. I’m glad you’re here, and I can’t wait for you to meet my little peanut, but I need you to go.”

Ouch.

I shake my head, trying to understand where she’s coming from without letting myself be offended or hurt by her request.

But still.

Ouch.

“Why?” I whisper. I thought we’d moved past this. I thought we were closer. I thought I’d proved she could rely on me. It doesn’t make any sense, especially when she’s gripping my hand like it’s her only lifeline.

“I just do,” she answers, squeezing my hand one more time before letting me go. “I love you. And I love that you turned your world upside to come rescue me from my own decisions, but I need you to still live your life. I need you to go and have fun, and make mistakes, and be happy.”

“I can be happy at home, Mads––”

“Did you know why I was mad at you when you first moved in?” she asks.

I tilt my head to one side. “What do you mean?”

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