Page 31 of In All My Dreams

I turn, relishing in the small brushes of his fingers on my neck as he moves my hair aside before he places the necklace around my throat, buckling the clasp quickly before shifting my hair over it.

Reaching up, I lay my hand on the locket now sitting perfectly between my collarbones. “All right, we need to go inside and see Dad before I turn into a giant puddle of tears in your car,” I say as I laugh, opening the door at the same time as Ian and stepping into the chilly spring night of Texas.

The cool breeze hits me, making me shudder. Ian’s jacket is wrapped around my shoulders moments later. I look at him and smile as he grabs my father’s bag from the back seat.

“Ready?” Ian holds out his hand, and I place mine in his without any hesitation. We head into the hospital hand in hand. It’s moments like these with him that make me yearn for the kids we used to be, young and in love, when the only secrets we kept between us were the ones we whispered between stolen kisses and tender moments.

Moments like this remind me how easy it would be to stay here, with him.

15

Georgia

Now

To both of our surprise, my father is awake and very alert when we reach the open door of his room. He’s yelling at the TV in the corner as his Braves lose. The nurse brushes past us in a huff of frustration before turning back toward Ian and me.

“Dr. Foster, if you can’t get your patient to behave, then you won’t be leaving until he does,” she hisses out, pointing a finger at him and then back at my father.

I laugh under my breath, causing the angry nurse, with a name tag that reads Olivia, to scowl at me. Ian chuckles next to me before Nurse Olivia throws her hands up at both of us, turning on her heel and storming down the hall.

I nearly have a heart attack right along with my dad when I see how animated and lively he is. It’s a damn miracle to see after seeing the way he looked on the floor of his bedroom. I make a mental note to keep a closer eye on him once he gets home.

We walk into the room together, holding hands and giggling like love-sick teenagers. “Dad, are you pissing the nurses off again?” I tease.

“I wouldn't piss them off so much if they’d get me something real to eat besides this nasty-ass Jell-O. Who even likes green Jell-O? Do I look like I want to be puking green shit all over everyone like that girl fromThe Exorcist?” Dad looks at me, then his eyes land on Ian’s hand still gripped in mine, and he winks, making me blush all over again. “About time you two figured your issues out,” he jokes.

What he doesn’t know is that my heart is more confused than ever. We haven’t worked anything out. We are just making it all so much more complicated.

Ian releases my hand, steps forward, and shakes my dad’s hand before grabbing the chair from the corner of the room. “You sit and visit with each other before Olivia comes back and kicks us all out. I’ll go see what I can scrounge up from the break room for you.”

“A man after my own heart, or stomach.” Dad beams at Ian as he walks out of the room, then turns his attention fully to me.

“You seem in better spirits this evening,” I tease. I can’t remember the last time my father made jokes, let alone laugh while being in the same room as me.

He shifts in the bed so he’s sitting up. “Something about being out of that house makes me feel more alive,” he says somberly. “I’m sure you know that better than anyone, Bug.”

My heart starts racing in my chest. Partly due to the fact that my dad wants to actually talk to me, another part due to the fact that he wants to talk to me about my leaving Crane Manor ten years ago.

Before I decided to start applying to colleges outside of Texas, I asked my father if he would be okay with me leaving him. I remember vividly—like it was yesterday—the nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. Almost like he could care less if I left. He certainly didn’t ask me to stay.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have left the way I did.”

He shakes his head. “No, Georgia. I’m sorry for not being the father you needed after your mother’s death.” He takes a shaky breath, and I reach forward, grabbing his hand tightly. “Her passing destroyed me. Destroyed me down to my very core. I didn’t know how to be your father without her to guide me.”

I blink rapidly, trying to stave off the tears. We’ve never talked like this. About her. Ever.

“Dad, it’s not your fault. We were both broken, trying to pick up the shattered pieces after she did what she did. I don’t blame you. I don’t even blame myself. It’s just what life had in store for us.” I shrug, a sad smile reaching my lips.

“You’ve grown into such a strong, beautiful woman, Bug. Your mother would be so proud of you. Whatever you feel for her, I hope you know that. She loved you. Really, really loved you.” He squeezes my hand gently. “I am so proud of you, too. Auden was a bit of a surprise. But the best surprise you could have given an old, grumpy man like me.”

We both laugh, the strained atmosphere in the room lifting at the mention of my daughter.

“Oh, that reminds me. She made this for you,” I say, standing and reaching into the side pocket of the bag we brought for him. “She loves you, you know. Her Papa,” I tell him, handing him the card she made before taking a seat again.

I watch as he opens it, reading her words silently to himself and smiling a smile I haven’t seen in many, many years.

“She’s quite the artist. I especially love the furry brat she added in.” He points to Horton. “That demon cat keeps sneaking into my room and biting my nose in the middle of the night. But he’s cute, I guess. Can’t forget to shut the door behind me with that one haunting the halls.”

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