Page 52 of The Soldier's Homecoming

Daniel chuckled, reaching for Penny’s hand again.

“You read my mind. I was just remembering the night we rushed in here,” he said.

“I was so scared,” Penny told him, her eyes never leaving the bed their daughter lay upon. “It all happened so fast, and the next thing I knew we were holding Gabby.”

Daniel looked up at the overhead lights to blink away a row of tears as they filled his eyes.

“No matter what happens, Penny, we made the most beautiful little girl.”

Penny swiveled to look at him before moving away a step and sinking into one of the chairs beside the bed.

She reached out to hold Gabby’s hand—a hand that looked so tiny tonight he hardly recognized it.

Daniel sat down in the chair beside her.

“She’s going to be fine, Pen.”

“I know,” she replied. “But I’m just so glad that we’re both here beside her.”

When she met his gaze, when her soft brown eyes hit his, a warmth spread through him.

Because it was the first time in what felt like forever that he thought they might have a chance of being what they’d once been.

Best friends. Lovers.

Life partners.

10

PENNY woke up with a dry mouth and her head resting on something that was somehow familiar.

She stretched her legs out and raised her head.

Oh.

“Hey.”

A warm flush spread across her cheeks and down her neck.

It had been a long time since she’d woken up beside Daniel like this, felt his eyes trawl hers, watched the soft dimple crease at the side of his mouth as he spoke.

“Morning,” she croaked.

It took her a second to realize where she was. Why they were sitting side by side, in the early morning, rather than with their heads on pillows.

Then it all came crashing back to her.

“Gabby?” Her voice was even weaker this time. Daniel’s smile hit his eyes. “She’s fine.”

“How long have I been sleeping?” She should have been holding Gabby’s hand all night, waiting for her to wake up. Instead of falling asleep and leaving her alone.

“It’s okay,” Daniel told her, skimming the side of her face with one outstretched finger before standing. “She’s just nodded off again, but she’s been talking.”

He must have seen the question mark on her face.

“Talking and eating,” he added.

Penny took the hand Daniel held out and pulled herself up to her feet.

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