Page 136 of More Than Words

After the world’s fastest shower, I grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my hips before I saved my temperamental baby from the clutches of her evil tummy time crinkly toys.

“You really need to work on your timing, kid.”

As soon as I picked her up, she settled, her little baby talons scraping my chest as I carried her back into my bedroom. “Watch it,” I hissed, trying to pry her tiny fingers from my chest.

She cooed as I lowered her to the mattress while I pulled out some boxer briefs from the dresser. I watched her like a hawk as I started to dress and wondered how we’d manage to do anything when this kid started to roll in the next few months. Once she was mobile, it was game over.

“Can you chill for like a minute so I can find my phone?”

She cooed again as I dropped to my knees and reached between the bed frame and my nightstand to retrieve the wayward technology.

Closing my eyes once it was in my grasp, I simultaneously prayed for a message from Isobel and also dreaded what one might say.

Leila had asked for the time to let Is work through whatever was going on, but I desperately wanted to talk to her. To hear her voice and know she was safe, even if she wasn’t okay right now.

Waking the screen, I saw several text notifications waiting for me.

Hutch: Pops is in the ER. He fell this morning but seems to be okay. Scared the shit out of me more than anything. Call me if you get this, I have a feeling we’ve hit the point where he needs more than Ma and I can give him.

Sitting down on the bed, I scrubbed my hand over my face, knowing he was right. It wasn’t fair of any of us to ignore that we were headed toward the end of our time with him. Watching him slip further and further into himself, I knew my grandma would have been heartbroken to see him like this.

Hutch: You know Pen would love to keep her cousin entertained while we discuss things with Ma. They’re probably going to admit him for observation until at least tomorrow. While he’s got a hard head, he also managed to give himself a concussion. Thankfully he didn’t break anything else on the way down.

Shit.

Adrian: Let me get some things packed up and I’ll meet you at the house.

Hutch: Isobel is welcome too. I can stop to grab lunch on my way back. Ma needs to eat something.

I hesitated, not wanting to drag my brother into whatever was going on in my personal life while he was in the thick of it with our grandfather.

Adrian: She’s taking care of some things today and leaves for New York tomorrow. It’ll just be me and Fin.

Hutch: No one to stop me from stealing some baby snuggles from my kid.

Adrian: Not your kid, fuck face. See you in a few hours. Need me to break Pen out of Lena’s?

Hutch: She can walk over. Thankfully she wasn’t home when he fell. I don’t want her to see him like that.

No one wanted to see him like that. But you couldn’t avoid dementia just because you didn’t want to lose someone mentally before you watched them fade away physically.

Taking a deep breath, I rested my palm on Fin’s stomach before I pulled open the next text message.

Isobel: Tried to call a few times. I’m back at my apartment trying to sort through the nightmare of packing my closet so I can unbury my suitcase.

Isobel: I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner. It wasn’t fair of me to just disappear.

Isobel: I totally get it if you hate me right now. I’m trying not to hate myself. I love both of you so much.

Deciding it was easier to talk to her while I tried to get ready, I called her, and she answered on the first ring.

“Hey,” her voice was quiet, but for once she didn’t sound exhausted.

“Hey,” I responded, using my shoulder to hold the phone to my head as I went to the dresser to find clothes to wear.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and I could tell she was still beating herself up about prioritizing her needs.

“You don’t need to apologize, babe. You shouldn’t feel guilty for asking for help when you have other responsibilities you need to handle.”

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