Page 28 of Christmas Wishes

"You didn't promise."

I sip some of the water the nurse gave me and use that as an excuse to think of what to say.

"Lilah…"

"Gene, if someone is in trouble I have to help them. That's just the right thing to do. Don't you understand?"

"I'll go crazy without you."

"You don't have to. I'm right here."

"But to put yourself in harm's way? What if you are pregnant? The baby could have been hurt."

"I'm fine. They would have told me if I was pregnant."

That is a scary thought, but I don't let Gene know that.

"Will you take me to watch the parade?"

"You're hurting. Maybe you should stay here longer."

"If the doctor says that I'm good to go, I believe him. Let's go to the parade."

The doctors and nurses start to come and go from the room, making sure everything is in order for me to leave the hospital. Gene helps me shower and change into clean clothes he brought for me and then he goes to find Connor.

They need to do the wheelchair thing so Gene pulls the car around and waits for us. He's very tender with me when he opens the passenger door then buckles me up. I'm fully aware I still haven't promised him I'll stay safe. I don't know if I can make that promise.

I'm waiting for Connor to get in the car, but he just leans against my window.

"I need to find out what happened to the twins. I'll check back with you a little later, okay?"

"Be careful. I love you."

"Ditto."

He kisses my forehead and then runs off somewhere. Gene watches him for a bit and then comes into the car.

"They wouldn't give me any information on the kids. I told them I let them stay at the house some nights. I didn't want them to arrest them for trespassing. I don't know about the fire though. The mayor said there were electrical problems. The kids didn't know they weren't supposed to use those outlets on the first floor."

"Thanks, Gene. For taking care of me and Connor and his friends."

"That's what family does for one another, Lilah. You know that."

I look at him in awe. I want to tell him how I feel about him. How my thoughts while trapped in that inferno were all of themissed opportunities between us. Instead, I keep silent and we go find a place to watch the parade.

Woodland Falls knows how to throw a party. The parade was beautiful and the food and drinks they offered afterwards were divine. The group of old ladies we call the old biddies outdid themselves with their baked goods.

Some people came by to say they were sorry about the fire and that they'd help with the repairs. Their support for the youth center was appreciated and only one or two people were openly rude to Gene. He shrugged it off and said he deserved it.

"You are a good man, Gene Mitchell."

"I want to be a good man. For you."

We walk toward a hot chocolate stand and Gene orders mine exactly the way I like it. While we're sipping the delicious concoction we see Connor breathless and red in the face, running towards us.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

"The twins are in trouble."

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