Page 103 of Healed Hearts

He looks down his nose at Holden when he says it too. Not that Hold backs down at that look. Honestly, I kind of got lostsomewhere around continued blood transfusions and possible iron build-up from too many blood transfusions. Oh, and the part where even though shedoesn’t have cancer, she’ll still need fucking chemotherapy to prepare her body for transplant when that time comes.

“I think we have the medical supervision covered,” Holden says, steel in his voice.

Dr. Mays gives a curt nod and turns, leaving the room. I stare after him, slightly bothered by the way he comes in, drops awful news, and then walks back out without a hint of kindness. I see Lydia step forward out of my periphery, and she gives my thigh a gentle squeeze. “Are you okay?”

I drag my eyes from the door to look at her. I can hear Holden talking to Henry and Ruby, but I tune them out so I can focus on her. I nod. “Yeah, I think so.”

She gives me a smile that looks so much like Beck’s compassionate grin that it almost makes me laugh. Almost. “Kids are very resilient. They can handle more than most adults. She probably won’t even remember this when she gets older. And if she does, it won’t be as bad as you’ll remember it. You’re a good dad. I can tell. She’ll get through this and so will you.”

I nod, afraid that if I try to talk, I’ll cry instead. She reaches out and caresses Wren’s cheek. “You’ve got a great Daddy, Miss Wren. Between him and Holden and those new uncles of yours, everything’s going to be just fine.” My nose burns with incoming tears. Okay, so maybe I’ll cry even if I don’t talk. Love that for me.

I clear my throat, trying to loosen the sudden tightness there. I usually hate when people talk to me through Wren, but I’m finding I don’t mind this time. Is it wrong to be thankful for Holden, not only for all the things he’s given me, but also for the support system that has suddenly dropped in my lap? I know Isaid I could do this on my own, and Icould—if I had to. But fuck, am I glad I don’t. “Thanks, Lydia.”

She nods. “Do you have any questions?”

I’m tempted to tell her no and talk to Holden instead, but I don’t want to put him in a bad situation. “How often do you think she’ll need transfusions?”

Lydia hums. “Well, that depends on a few factors. But as it stands, her numbers are already dipping low. So I’d say she’ll need one soon. Then hopefully not any more than once every couple of weeks.”

“Okay. And as far as the transplant? Can I be tested?”

Lydia smiles. “Of course. The best matches are usually family. Dr. Mays hasn’t talked to you about this already?”

I shake my head. “No. He’s barely told me anything.”

She lets out an annoyed huff. “Yes, family is usually the best place to find a match. We can have you tested today if you’d like.”

I nod, trying to take in that information when Roman clears his throat. “I’d like to be tested for donation too, Lydia.”

I turn to him quickly, slightly shocked. What the hell. “Me too,” Holden says.

“Us as well," Ruby adds.

Roman’s phone dings, and he glances down at it quickly, a small smile spreading across his face. “Beck too. We know the most likely match would come from Julian, Ruby, or Henry, but we still want to try.”

That proves to be too much for my tattered emotions. I take a hitching breath a split-second before a sob bubbles up and tears through my lips.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Lydia whispers, stepping forward and wrapping me in a huge hug. Holden’s hand lands on my back. I’m vaguely aware of Ruby ushering Henry out of the room and Roman stepping out with them, but I’m too busy crying intoLydia’s shoulder to pay them too much attention. “It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to get you taken care of.”

I nod, trying to get my emotions in check. Wren pats my chest. “Crying, Daddy?” she whispers, then she’s crying too. Holden gently pulls her from between me and Lydia, and I can hear him softly comforting her. The tenderness in his voice as he tries to calm her down makes me cry harder. Such a difference to my last freak-out in this same room when she was crying alone, waiting for me to pull myself together. Now she has him too, and not only me. Even so, crying on your boyfriend’s adopted mom is sonotthe move, but I can’t help it.Jesus Christ, Julian. Get it together.

Lydia doesn’t seem put out or irritated, though. She just keeps her arms around me, making soothing noises in my ear as I air out all my grief over the situation and the fucking relief of having all these people in my life. All these people who are willing to do this for my daughter. Ruby and Henry aren’t a surprise. Not even Holden, if I’m being honest with myself. But Beck and Roman? That has me all the way fucked up.

When my tears have finally slowed to a trickle, I sit back and inhale a shuddering breath. Lydia’s kind eyes come into focus. “Sorry,” I whisper.

Before she can even respond, Holden’s giving my hair a tug. “We don’t apologize for our feelings.”

I turn to him, and he’s glaring at me playfully—the corner of his lips turned up in a little smirk. I nod. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

He gives me a pointed look, and I replay my words, then grin. “I’m sorry for being sorry for being sorry.”

He laughs, startling Wren, who’s sucking her thumb with her head against his chest. “Well, Beck is waiting for us all to go get our blood drawn, so whenever you’re ready, we’ll head down.”

A new wave of emotions sweeps through me, making my eyes fill again. God, this is too much. “I’m ready.”

Holden gives me a breathtaking smile, then steps toward Lydia. “Thank you,” he whispers before pulling her into a side hug.

“Come have dinner with us soon, Hold. Okay? Bring Julian and Wren. Danny wants to meet them.”

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