Page 84 of Night of the Living Manny
“They have some painkillers they can give you, just a little. Is that okay?”
Susanna nodded wildly. “Please.”
“Corporal, hand me the kit.” Liam drew up a syringe and stuck Susanna with a practiced ease. She didn’t so much as wince; she just tensed for a second and then began to relax.
Liam watched her, his eyes never leaving her face until she slid back against the metal behind her and fell asleep, her chest rising and falling much more evenly.
“Poor baby. She was a stud, Liam. Just… fearless.”
“She’s her mother’s daughter, no question.”
“She did you proud. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but mine. Britt wanted to go outside to play, and I lost track of her. Moose dragged her near the fence—” He broke off, swallowing hard.
“Shh. We got this, huh? I left you with no warning with three kids.” Liam gave him a loving look. “You held it together. I love that.”
“I know! We’ll have to talk about the leaving me.” Brenden winked, loving how Liam just swept in and made things better.
His magic man. Damn.
“Later. First, we settle the kids and get coffee.” Liam winked over at him. “It’s bad military coffee, but it’s coffee.”
“Okay. Peter made me coffee, but I never got to drink it.”
Liam stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes, playing with him.
Brenden laughed, feeling lighter. He knew this was still a major crisis, but for him, right now, the situation was miraculously better.
Now they had their family together, and they’d face this shit as a unit.
That was the best feeling Brenden had ever had.
THEYgot Susanna settled in the makeshift hospital, getting her fluids and more of the antidote. Liam sat close, watching her with eyes that felt like sandpaper.
God, he was tired.
“Daddy?” She sounded so much like she had when she was tiny, worried and a little quavery.
“Hey, baby girl. How’re you feeling?” Her fever hadn’t spiked again, and the distinctive boils hadn’t formed. It wasn’t a guarantee, but it was good news.
“Like shit.” She giggled when he didn’t call her on her language. “It doesn’t hurt so much in my belly.”
“Good. Good, the medicine’s doing its job, huh? Good thing your dad’s a brilliant old man.” A brokenhearted, incredibly grateful, brilliant old man.
“I love you. Brenden did good. I know how much you like him.”
“I do. I also love you very much. I’m sorry, baby girl.”
“Mmm, okay.” Her words were slurring.
“You are so much like your momma. She would be so proud.”
“Promise?” She squeezed his hand.
“I swear to God. We’re both so proud of you. My girl.” He wouldn’t cry. Not a chance.
“Okay. Hey, you should go see Britt and Peter. They’re scared, and I’m so sleepy now. It’s nice and warm.”
“Okay. You have your phone? You call me if you get scared.”
