Page 85 of Night of the Living Manny
“I totally will.” She patted his hand, then turned on her side and was asleep in seconds.
He watched her for a long minute, then turned away and headed to speak to the soldier standing guard. “I have a radio. Let me know if she wakes up.”
“Yes, sir. She’s very brave, sir.”
“Thank you. She’s special.” And he would never forgive himself. He’d done what he thought was best, and he wasn’t sure that was right, not anymore.
Liam made his way up to the family quarters the general had rigged for them. He wasn’t a flight risk with his kids right there, and he felt like the compound was safe. Brenden was dozing on the couch, and he went first to check on his kids. Britt was curled around Moose, and he sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her hair from her forehead.
Her eyes flew open. “Daddy?”
“Yep. In the flesh. I just wanted to check on you.”See your face.
“Oh. I need to walk Moosey.” She smiled at him, and he had to smile back.
“It’s late, baby. He’s okay for now. Sleeping.”
“Okay. They’ll let me walk him when he needs to?”
“Wake me and Brenden up, but yeah.”
“Night, Daddy.”
“Night, kiddo.”
Peter was next, because his boy had been shooting infecteds like an avenging angel. His baby boy.
“Hey, son.”
Peter was playing something on his phone. “Dad. I left my tablet at the cabin.”
“We’ll find you something to replace it. You doing okay?”
Peter looked up. “Should I feel bad? The soldiers keep looking at me like I’m weird, but they were trying to eat my sisters.”
“No. They were sick. You protected your family. That’s what we do.” He put a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “You did really well.”
Peter gave him a brief smile. “Thanks, Dad. How is Susanna?”
“She’s getting some fluids and stuff, but she’s looking better. She’s sleeping right now. How are you doing? I’m glad you’re here.”
“I am too. Dude, it was scary at the cabin, even when nothing was happening.” Peter smiled for him. “It kinda smells here, but it’s way less terrifying.”
“Yeah. You’ll be able to hang out too. There are some other kids, and more coming from around.”
“I guess we’ll all have something in common.” Peter was as practical as Susanna in his own way.
“I guess you will.”
“Hey, Dad? Are you gonna marry Brenden? I heard him tell Susanna he loved you.”
“I don’t know, son. We’re not there yet. Right now we’re just learning about each other.” And fighting an epidemic.
“I just thought I’d ask. Love you.”
“Love you too.” He’d been dismissed and he knew it, but really, that was fine. That meant Pete was better than he’d feared. “If you need me, I’ll be in the room at the front.”
They were letting him sleep tonight, thank God.
