Page 62 of Royal Beast
She looks up at me, her face pale and her eyes brimming with worry. It’s like the world has dropped out from under her feet, and I can see her struggling to hold herself together.
I don’t hesitate. “Go to him,” I say firmly.
“But Rose…”
“I’ll take care of her,” I interrupt, stepping closer and taking her free hand in mine. “You don’t need to worry about anything except being there for your father right now. I’ve got this.”
Her lips press together, and I can see the war raging in her head. “I don’t want to leave her,” she murmurs, her voice shaky.
I cup her cheek gently, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Darcy, listen to me. Rose is safe with me. You need to go to the hospital. If you need anything—anything at all—call me, and I’ll be there in minutes. But you need to be with him right now. He’s your father, and he needs you.”
She hesitates, her brows knitting together. “I don’t want to leave you…”
“I know,” I say, my voice soft but insistent. “But this is what you need to do. For him. For yourself. I’ll take care of everything here. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Her lower lip trembles, but she nods, the fight in her yielding to the weight of the situation. “Okay.”
I squeeze her hand. “Go get your things. I’ll make sure Rose is set for the night.”
She hesitates again, glancing toward the hallway where Rose is playing, then back at me. Finally, she nods once more and disappears down the hall, leaving me standing there with the weight of her worry pressing down on my shoulders.
I inhale deeply, already running through a mental checklist of what needs to be done. Rose will be fine, I’ll make sure of it. Right now, Darcy needs to know that someone has her back. I’m not about to let her down, not now, not ever.
Darcy leaves in a blur, grabbing her bag and coat with shaking hands and giving Rose only a brief hug and a rushed explanation. “I have to go check on Grandpa, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon, okay?”
Rose, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her stuffed animals, looks up with wide, confused eyes. “Is Grandpa okay?”
Darcy hesitates, her face tight with worry, and it’s me who steps in. “Your mom’s going to make sure he’s alright, Rosie Posie,” I say gently, crouching down to her level.
Rose’s gaze shifts to me, uncertain but trusting. “Really?”
I nod firmly. “Really. Your mommy is the best person to take care of him, and she’ll call us if there’s anything we need to know.”
Darcy presses a quick kiss to the top of Rose’s head. “I’ll call you later,” she murmurs, and with that, she’s out the door.
Rose turns back to me, clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit. “Is Grandpa sick?”
I sit down on the rug beside her. “He’s not feeling well, but your mommy’s going to help him feel better.”
She frowns, mulling that over before tilting her head at me. “Kellan?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
She hesitates, then blurts out, “Are you and Mommy gonna get married so you can be my daddy?”
The question hits me hard, like a sledgehammer to the chest. My breath catches in my throat, and as Rose’s big, hopeful eyes lock on mine, I have to take a moment, trying to figure out what to say to her.
Finally, I clear my throat, making my voice soft. “Your mommy and I are already married, Rose. But you know what? You don’t have to call me Daddy for me to care about you like one. I already care about you like you’re my own.”
Her little face lights up, and she gives me a shy smile. “You do?”
“Of course I do,” I say, ruffling her hair gently. “And I’m not about to go anywhere. You’re stuck with me, kiddo.”
She giggles, leaning into me, and I feel my heart ache in the best way.
“Now,” I say, shifting the conversation, “Let’s get your dinner. Mommy was making our plates when she had to go. I bet it will help her if we eat it all up while she’s gone and she can see we were good for her. Then we can get some ice cream. I think you deserve a special treat tonight.”
She nods enthusiastically, the worry in her eyes replaced with excitement. As I stand up and head toward the kitchen, my thoughts are already racing ahead, filled with plans and promises.
