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Henry gathered Connor and Sylvia both into his arms and spoke with as much confidence as he could muster. “Sister is a fighter. Don’t you give up on her, son. She needs you to be strong so she can get through this.”
Connor let himself be consoled for another minute longer and then pulled away and dried his tears. “They’re taking her for surgery. I don’t know how long… I have to get back.”
“We’ll all be right here, son,” Henry assured him. He held Connor in one more tight hug then handed him to Sylvia who kissed his cheek and said to send Darcie their love prayers.
Sophie watched Connor walk away as if heading to his doom.
This was too much. She needed to get out of there. Sophie pushed through the hospital doors into the frosty morning air that slammed into her, but she barely noticed.
Her chest was too tight, her breath too shallow, her mind was spinning.
Darcie and the babies might not make it.
The thought sent a wave of nausea rolling through her. She gripped the railing by the entrance, knuckles white, fighting the sting of tears. Inside the hospital, her family waited. It was where she belonged. But right now, she couldn’t bear the weight of their fear pressing in on her. She needed air. She needed space.
She needed Liam.
Her heart ached with the want of him, of his steady presence and his quiet strength. He would know what to do, what to say—even if there was nothing to say at all. Why hadn’t she let him drive her? He would be there now, with her, beside her. She wrapped her arms around herself trying to hold herself together but it wasn’t enough.
The thought sent a wave of longing through her, one she couldn’t ignore. If Liam was the first person she wanted to call, the only one she needed in this moment, then why was she fighting so hard to keep him at a distance? She told herself it was about protecting her heart, about not making the same mistakes again. But was it really a mistake if she still felt this way? Whether it was just lingering affection, love, or warm friendship, she wasn’t sure. But she wanted to find out.
She dug into her coat pocket for her phone and dialed. It rang only once before he answered. “Sophie? Are you all right, love?”
“Not really. Liam, do you still want to give us a shot?”
“More than anything.”
“Then ask me.”
“Will you go out with me?”
“Yes.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I’m here at the hospital and,” tears burned her eyes as she choked up. “It’s awful. And the first thing I thought of was you. I wish you were here.”
“Look up, a stór.”
Liam was making long strides across the parking lot.
Sophie burst into tears as he rushed to her and took her in his arms. After a few long moments he led her to a nearby bench to sit and catch her breath. “There’s just one thing. You keep talking about the good old days and your Sophie but Liam I’m not a girl anymore. I look at myself in the mirror and I can’t find that girl.”
“I still see that girl, but you’re right. You have changed, so have I. I’ll tell you what, let’s make some new memories and get to know each other again, all right? We can take this as slow or as fast as you like. I’m not going anywhere, Soph. Not this time.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded. He’d always known what to say. “Liam, what if she dies? Or the babies?”
Liam didn’t have answer for those questions. He wished to God he did. If the worst did happen it would be beyond anything he could imagine going through. “Would you like me to stay with you?”
Sophie nodded and pulled herself together. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Why don’t we go inside and wait with your family?”
* * *
Sophie stepped into the waiting room with her hand clasped tightly in Liam’s. Nan and Shamus had arrived while they were outside. Everyone was staring blankly at the floor, and Sylvia clutched a rosary between her fingers. Worry was etched into everyone’s face as they waited for news on Darcie.
At first, no one noticed them. Then, Nan’s eyes flickered to their joined hands. Her breath caught, and for a moment, the worry lines on her face softened.
