Page 31 of The Chance
My dad’s face was ashen with sunken eyes and thin lips. "Very well, doctor," he replied with little effort, the energy absent from his body.
"He'll be okay?" I asked from the high back chair that I'd resided in for the last few hours.
I'd left Sebastian's apartment and reached the hospital within three hours. Then I’d rushed to my father's bedside and sat with him until the sun began to rise. My mother had fallen asleep on the spare bed next to him, once they confirmed she was stuck with him for the foreseeable future.
"He'll be fine, but he needs to rest and take it easy for a while." The doctor scribbled on his notepad and nodded before leaving.
My father sighed heavily. "Lexi..." he muttered.
I lifted from my chair and perched on the edge of his bed, finding his cold fingers. "I'm here."
"Yes, honey, you always are." He paused to breathe. "You're my only child, my daughter. I've always wanted the best for you, and I thought following in my footsteps would be the right thing. I know you have a talent in design, and you need to follow your dreams. Even if that means living in Dublin."
I sucked in sharply. The past few days had flown by in a blur, and I hadn't told my dad about the job interview, or the fact I would have to work in Dublin half of the time. "I got a job, Dad. It's a dream job but it comes at a cost. I’ll have to split my time between here and Dublin. "
The creases around his eyes softened and he squeezed my fingers. "That will work. You’ll be able to see Sebastian and still make your old man a coffee, just the way I like it. It was only a matter of time before you told me you were leaving home. This way I still get to see you grow into the successful woman I know you’ll become."
A lump bobbed in my throat. “You scared me.”
“I know, darling. I’m not going anywhere just yet. Anyway, I have a good feeling about that man Sebastian.”
Sebastian.
I ran out on him before telling him how I felt.
"I'm not going anywhere either, Dad. I know I’m all grown up but I’ll always be your little girl." His thumb brushed my knuckles when my words tremored.
"I love you, darling. I have a feeling he loves you too. So promise me that you’ll live your best life. I have your mother to drive me crazy."
I leaned over his fragile body and pulled the sheet closer to his neck. “I love you too, Dad."
"You should go and talk to him."
"I will, once you’re better.”
"Lexi, I don't think he'll wait that long. He's been lingering outside the bloody room for the past hour."
My eyes bugged and I flicked my head around to see Sebastian, Monica and Jules in the hallway. Sebastian was pacing the floor like a bear in captivity, and the two women were hugging paper coffee cups.
"You need to put that guy out of his misery. I'd like to be alive by the time you two actually get married." He swatted my arm lightly. "Go on, you’re a Knight. Go forth and conquer." He chuckled lightly.
I kissed my father's clammy brow and brought my gaze up to meet the waiting crowd. Pulling the door open, a body rushed forward and clamped my shoulders in a tight hug. "Is he okay, Lexi?" Linda almost knocked me back into the room. “They won’t tell us anything because we aren’t family.”
"He'll be okay." I nodded thankfully. “I can’t believe everyone is here.” My croaky voice was muffled as she squeezed me in full body cuddle.
Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest in a self like hug. My heart wept for the situation he was in, knowing his own father had died, he still came to support me.
Linda's overbearing embrace slackened, and she glanced back over her shoulder. "He's been here longer than I have," she whispered.
Monica and Jules joined my side. "Everything okay, Lexi?"
"He's a tough cookie. The doctor said he’ll be fine, as long as he rests and watches his diet. Thank you so much for coming. How did you know?"
"I saw the ambulance coming out of your house. Then I phoned Sebastian and he told me that you'd been at his office, in Dublin, looking for him." Monica stroked my arm with a caring sweep.
Jules sipped her coffee, nodding as Monica spoke, then she added, "I told him everything, Lexi. How you travelled down from Belfast, turned up at the office and that you’d been waiting for him in his apartment." Jules smiled faintly, like she really wanted to hug me but wasn't sure if it was appropriate. "I'm staying at Monica's tonight. We can catch up tomorrow if you like?"
I blinked slowly, exhausted and barely able to think straight. "I'd like that. Thanks for coming. All of you, thank you so much."
