Page 210 of Come Back To Me

She tries to read between the lines assessing all of us. “What does that mean?” Her tears fall.

I grip the chair, pushing myself to stand. I’m weak, but I soon find my strength. Taking her head in my hands, I wipe away a tear with my thumb. “It means Lauren’s safe. It means her brother can come home now.”

“Dean.” She cries, and I pull her into me.

Before long, the four of us are making our way down the hospital corridor. It feels good to be leaving, even if I’m being pushed like a geriatric. I said I’d walk out of here, but Travis can take me to the door. I’ll humour him.

Mads walks beside me, her pace slow.

“You okay, babe?” I ask.

I notice her cheeks have flushed. “I’m fine. Pleased we’re finally leaving.” She waddles side to side as we walk. “It’ll be nice to get some proper rest.” With that she yawns. “Excuse me,” she apologises, her hand going to her hip.

“Did you get any sleep without me?” I don’t know why I ask because I know the answer.

“Some,” she lies. She’s hanging on here. She lets out a breath. “So… Jack.”

I drop my head, ashamed she didn’t know sooner. “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.”

“I’m just glad he’s back.Andthat I’m not losing my mind.”

I give her a slight grin. I felt bad for letting her believe shewas going crazy.

Mads raises a small smile. “What about Lauren? Where will she go now her uncle’s... gone?”

Travis stops as we round a bend, seeing the exit.

I stand, taking Mads’ hand in mine.

Travis keeps wheeling the now empty chair as I tell her, “Mollie drew up some papers before all this shit went down.” She looks lost as we walk slowly side by side. “They’re guardianship papers, Mads.”

She stops. Frozen. “What?”

Turning, I look at her properly, finding her eyes swimming.

With no living parent or carer, I applied to become Lauren’s guardian. “She’s sixteen now. She can live with us if she wants.”

Mads’ jaw drops. It’s like she’s in a trance. Tears overflow, and I see a tremble in her bottom lip.

“Babe.”

Mads covers her face with both hands.

I step forwards, enveloping her in my arms, letting her sob. She’s wanted nothing but peace for Lauren. And now she’ll get it. They both will. When she pulls her head back, I can’t help but push my lips to hers.

“You’re the most beautiful man I know.”

I give her my cheeky grin. “Anything for my girl.”

On a laugh, I hook my arm over her shoulders, turning us back towards the exit. “Come on, let’s get you home. I have plans for you.”

She nudges me playfully. “Oh no you don’t. Nurse said no physical contact. You’re under strict orders.”

My face drops. The thought of not touching her as soon as I get her home is unbearable. Bullets in my lung or not, I’ll get my way. “We’re not married yet; don’t nag me.”

“I don’t have a ring yet; listen.” No, she doesn’t. But she will as soon as I get her home. “Shit,” she grimaces, taking a hesitantstep forward.

“What is it?” I ask. I pull her into me as her body goes rigid.

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