Page 125 of Healed Hearts

She releases me, giving me a sweet kiss on the forehead. “It won’t be a problem at all.”

“Okay. I bet he’s freaking out. I better get back in there.” And it’s probably even worse without his medication.

“Let’s go then.”

I head back into the room with Lydia. The second I step inside, Julian’s eyes lock onto mine and his lips tilt up at the corner. Huh, so he’s not freaking out after all.

Dr. Mays looks back at me, then turns to Julian. “If you don’t have any questions?”

Julian shakes his head. “No. Nothing that I can think of right now.”

“Alright. Please let me know if that changes,” Dr. Mays says, then he and Lydia walk out together.

I cautiously approach Julian, not quite sure what to expect. He smiles at me, but there’s a hint of worry in his eyes. “Are you okay, Jules?” He holds his hands out to me. I do him one better and climb into his lap. His arms wrap around me instantly.

My fingers find their way into his hair as he inhales deeply. He still hasn’t answered me, though, and that’s making me a bit nervous. “Jules?”

He hums, burying his face in my hair and inhaling again. “I’m okay, darlin’. This is good news. And sure, we have a long way to go, but I know that we’ll make it through. I’m mostly relieved. It’s like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, you know?”

I do know. It’s a distant light because this will be a long process, but I’m glad he has a good outlook on it. “I told Lydia I needed off work when Wren gets her transplant.”

Julian pulls back quickly and cups my face in his hands. “You didn’t have to do that. I know how much you love your job, Hold. We can handle things.”

I shrug. “Yeah, I know. And I do love my job. But it’s not like I’m quitting. I’m just taking some time off to make sure you and Wren are taken care of. It’s not a hardship. I’m happy to. Iwantto.”

Julian sighs, then drops his lips to mine. “Part of me wants to tell you not to do that. But something tells me I won’t win, so instead I’ll just thank you and let you know how grateful I am for you.”

I grin at him. “I’m glad you’re finally learning that I’m always right.”

“Phone died, Hold,” Wren says, so I turn to where she’s sitting on the bed. She holds my phone out to me. She’s been perfectly content playing on the coloring app. Maybe for her birthday, I’ll buy her an iPad. I wonder how mad Julian would be at me if I made his daughter an iPad kid. She grins at me, all toothy and bright. Yeah, it’d be worth it.

I stand and take the phone from her and slip it into my pocket. “Are you ready to head home, pretty girl?”

“Yes. Carry me, Hold.” She holds her arms up in the air, so I scoop her up and prop her on my hip.

When I turn back to Julian, he’s smiling at us. “You ready to go?”

He stands. “Yes, sir. I have bad news, though.” I narrow my eyes at him, but it doesn’t affect his grin. “Ruby wants Wren for the night. And since we’ll be spending quite a bit of time at the hospital in the near future, I can’t deny them.”

I sigh heavily. It’s put upon, of course. I’m glad she has such a loving family who wants her around and supports her. “Fine. I guess if we have to.”

He leans in close. Until his lips are right against my ear. “I was thinking we could use the time to get you moved in, and then we could celebrate.”

His words are a low rumble in my ear and yeah, okay, I’m on board with that. He steps back. “Are you ready to go see Mamaw, Wren?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she chants. I press my lips to the side of her head and smile when she giggles. Damn, I love this kid.

“I love you, Wren.”

She giggles again. “Love you too, Hold. Mamaw’s house?”

“Mamaw’s house it is, pretty girl.” I drop another kiss on her cheek and take Julian’s hand. “Lead the way, Daddy.”

After we dropped Wren off at Ruby and Henry’s house for the night, we stopped by my house. Or, well, I guess not my house anymore. Since I’m now standing by Julian’s bed, unpacking clothes while he makes trips back and forth to the closet to put them away. We’ve worked out a pretty good system if I do say so myself.

“Are you doing alright, darlin’?” Julian steps back up to me, holding his hands out expectantly while I get another stack ready.

I grin at him. “Yeah, just didn’t realize how much clothing I had. You said come home and celebrate, and we’ve been unpacking for an hour.” I stick my lower lip out at him, only slightly playing. I’m really so down for, ahem,celebrating. And I’m sort of grumpy that we’re doing this instead.

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