Page 135 of From Best Friend to Bride
“Good. So, stop arguing with me. I’m not going anywhere. Deal with it.”
She reached over and took Nana’s hand, placing it between hers. “See what you did, Nana?” she whispered. “Look what kind of bossy man I married because of you.”
My lips pulled to one side, and our eyes briefly met, and a flash of the Deli I knew passed through her gaze for a moment.
“She knew exactly what she was doing,” I replied. “I’m the only person you listen to. As if anyone else could deal with you like I can.”
“Shut up,” she murmured, turning away from me. “You’re so annoying.”
I smiled, leaning back in the chair. I’d let her have the last word this time—she needed it more than I did, and she wasn’t exactly wrong.
I lived to annoy her.
I also lived to look after her, and sometimes, letting her win was doing just that.
We sat in silence for the next half an hour. The room was filled with the beeping and whirring of machines and the gentle sound of our breathing. Deli’s gaze never strayed from Nana, while mine flickered between the miserable view of the hospital carpark and two of the women I loved more than my own life.
“Hey,” I said softly, walking over to Deli. “It’s going to be a long night. Go and rest a bit with your mum and Lucy.”
She drew in a deep breath, and her shoulders sagged as she sighed it out. “Yeah. Are you sure you’re okay with waiting here with her?”
“Of course. Just bring me back a cup of tea or something when you return.” I helped her to her feet and wrapped my arms around her. “She won’t be alone, don’t worry.”
She nodded gently, hugging me back. She stayed in my arms for a moment, and I rested my chin on top of her head, breathing in the soft scent of coconut from her shampoo.
“Fred, I… I’m so scared.” Deli’s voice cracked. “What if this is the last time I see her alive?”
I closed my eyes and brought my hand up to cradle the back of her head, drawing her into me a little more. “It won’t be. Youknow Nana. She’ll wait until everyone is here to see her so she can be the centre of attention one last time.”
Deli laughed, but there was no brightness to it. “That would be just like her.”
“Exactly. It’ll only be me here, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.” I kissed the side of her head, and when she pulled back, I cupped her face and dropped my lips to her forehead. “Go and make sure your mum rests, okay? Try to rest a little yourself. I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, grabbing hold of the front of my shirt. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out, baby.” I kissed her forehead again and let her go. “Go on, now. I have stories about baby Judy to share with Nana.”
She smiled, and this time, it was real. “Behave yourself,” she said softly to Nana, touching a fingertip to the back of her hand before turning towards the door. She stopped next to me and took my hand, leaning against my arm for a moment.
I threaded my fingers through hers and squeezed her hand.
As if that was exactly what she needed, she left the room.
I dropped into the seat she’d just vacated and stared at Nana. “I thought she’d never leave.”
Nana’s eyes twitched, and her weary gaze locked onto mine when her eyes opened. “Me, too,” she rasped.
“You’re a terrible actor, Nana.” I took her hand between mine and leant against the side of her bed. “They’re all just blind.”
She smiled weakly, curling her thin fingers around mine. “So are you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh, really?”
“I know,” she whispered. She paused, coughing, then sank her head back down onto the pillow. “Iknow, Freddie. About you.”
Shit.
I sighed and hung my head. “Are you angry at us?”
