Page 86 of Where We Fall

“You can. You are always more than welcome.,” the doctor says. “But she will be sleeping the rest of the night. It would be good for you to get a good night’s rest, too. You can be here first thing in the morning before she wakes up.”

With that, he leaves us alone in the room. I look over at Mom, so fragile looking in her hospital gown.

Life was supposed to get better for her. I was looking forward to giving her grandkids, letting her retire and live the second half of her life a hell of a lot better than her first.

“It’s not fair,” I whisper.

His hand finds its way back to my shoulder. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry this is happening, babe. I think you should come to the hotel with me. Like the doctor said, you both need a good night's sleep tonight.”

I turn my head to look up at him. “You don’t think that makes me a horrible daughter? I don’t want her to wake up and be alone.”

“Babe, you’re an amazing daughter. You taking care of yourself and getting sleep is so that youcanbe there for her tomorrow.”

I guess that’s true. She’ll be in pain and immobile tomorrow. I need to be ready to do what I can to make her more comfortable and support her.

I stand up and kiss her on the forehead.

“Goodnight, Ma. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When he leads me out, holding my hand, I realize how much better my life is with him in it. I can’t imagine doing this without him. His support is everything to me.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Marcus

Thebathroomdooropensas Lexi steps out in a towel. I just made her eat dinner and then told her to take a long, hot shower.

Hopefully, it will all help her relax enough to get a good night's sleep.

“How was the shower?” I ask her.

“It was good.”

She starts to sort through the bag on the desk.

“I can’t believe you paid someone to buy us clothes. You’re either really lazy or have too much money.”

I laugh. “Probably both. Plus, I love you and didn’t want you to have to worry about such trivial shit right now.”

She steps into her pajamas and throws on a top. She crawls into bed and falls into my arms, one leg wrapped over mine.

I squeeze her into me, wishing that, somehow, I could transfer some of my strength to her.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “For everything. I…” she pauses, choking up when she starts to talk again. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“Don’t mention it, babe. I’m just happy to be here with you. Thanks for letting me come along.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I let you?”

I look up at the ceiling, trying to figure out how to articulate my insecurities. “I don’t know. I was worried that maybe I was overstepping by wanting to come. I thought maybe we weren’t there yet. This is a pretty intimate thing.”

“You’ve put your finger in my ass. I think we’re intimate enough.”

I begin to crack up. “Oh my God. Lexi. I’m talkin’ emotionally intimate, that’s being physically intimate.”

“I beg to differ. Letting someone do that to you takes a lot of trust. Trust is emotional intimacy.”

I shake my head. “Whatever you say.”

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