Chapter 34 – Three Years Later

“I don’t like him,” Trebor said, keeping his voice low so only Braylin would hear him. They were standing to the side as Lonnie introduced Marcy’s father to their parents. 

“Is your overprotective big brother mode kicking in?” Brayling teased giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.

“Probably,” he grunted, keeping his eyes on the older dark haired man as he talked to Verity. Even after all these years Trebor knew who he was. Lonnie had her bedroom walls plastered with his posters. He was once every preteen girl’s dream from his days in a popular boy band to his solo career. “He was in prison…”

Putting an arm around Trebor, pulling him close “for a crime he didn’t commit. He thought he was protecting Lonnie.”

“It didn’t work,” Trebor muttered leaning into Braylin like he wanted to melt into him. Lonnie had told him the story including how she had a one night stand with Barrett that had resulted in Marcy’s conception. How she knew Barrett had denied other women’s claims to have had his child and how cold and ruthless he was in dispatching them. She hadn’t told him she was pregnant. Hadn’t meant for him to find out but he found out from the guy who had framed him. No Barrett wasn’t someone he wanted his sister to be with.

“Hey,” Braylin tilted Trebor’s chin upwards, searching his face. He could see the anxiety building behind his eyes, he could feel the tension in his boy. “Is this just about Barrett or is it something more? Is this too much for you?”

Trebor’s eyes locked with Braylin’s. He wanted to deny that he wasn’t becoming anxious but Braylin knew him too well. “Can we go outside? I just need some air.”

“Sure,” he gave a gentle smile, taking his hand and guiding him to the back door in the kitchen. It had taken them three years to pick up the pieces after Kara had shattered their lives. Still there were times that it felt like it just happened yesterday. 

Closing the door behind them, Braylin pulled Trebor close, just holding him. When he felt some of the tension release from his body Bray asked “want to tell me what you’re thinking? Feeling?”

Sighing Trebor leaned into Braylin as if he needed the reassurance of his touch. “I’m okay really. I just needed some air…”

Brayling raised an eyebrow “you can tell me if you’re not okay.” There had been a time when they had trouble sharing their feelings. They both tried to shield the other from their problems, afraid to overburden the other. “I’m always here for you. No matter what.”

“I know,” Trebor pressed his lips against the skin just beneath Bray’s chin. “I love you.”

Chuckling a little “tell me something I don’t know.”

“I would but you seem to know everything,” he pretended to pout.

Poking a finger at Trebor’s nose, Bray shook his head “not everything.” He let his hands wander down Trebor’s body stopping at the hem of his shirt. His fingers slipped beneath skimming the smooth warm skin and the rippling muscles responding to his touch.

“What don’t you know?” Trebor asked between kisses leading up to Bray’s lips.

“Like where are we going to find some privacy for us to be together with a houseful of family.” His hands were exploring Trebor’s chest and stomach now, pulling his shirt ever higher even as their bodies pressed closer together leaving no doubt they both needed some release.

“We’re alone now,” Trevor’s voice was weak with need as his hands trailed down Bray’s body like he was feeling it for the first time. 

Smirking a little as he smiled down into Trebor’s lustful gaze “anyone could see us? Our neighbors, someone could come outside…” His breath caught in his throat as he felt Trebor’s searching hands as they sought his zipper.

“Let them watch,” Trebor said close to Braylin’s ear as he released him from his jeans.

“Are you sure?” Braylin asked before he lost himself to the moment.

“Positive,” Trebor brushed his lips across Braylin’s, nipping at his bottom lip. “I need you…”

Groaning a little, Braylin leaned Trebor back, guiding him to the ground, kissing him deeply. “If it becomes too much all you have to do is tell me…”

Trebor whimpered with neediness, “just kiss me and take me far away from here.”

“Baby I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he promised.

***

“There you are,” Lonnie exclaimed as soon as they stepped into the kitchen. “What were you doing out there?” Without waiting for a response she turned to the man at her side “I want you to meet Barrett.” She gave the older man adoring smile

Trebro couldn’t deny the fondness he saw reflected back in the man’s eyes as he gazed down into his sister’s eyes. Still he couldn’t help but wonder he saw in a girl more than ten years his junior. Shrugging he forced a smile to his lips “it’s nice to meet you,” he took the offered hand trying not to grimace when the other man took it.

Sensing Trebor’s discomfort Braylin put an arm around his shoulders. You better watch yourself,” he teased “or Trebor and I might have to beat you up if our girl isn’t happy.”

Barrett gave them a woeful smile “don’t worry I aim to keep her happy. I’ve had plenty of time to think about what I want and don’t aim on messing it up this time.”

“I hope so,” Lonnie said glaring at him, “you won’t get another chance.”

Pulling Lonnie close Barrett stared into her eyes a moment. Nodding his head as if he had found all the answers to all the questions that had eluded him till now he said. “I think I’m a lot more worried about what you’ll do to me than what either your brother or parents will do to me if I mess this up. You’ve given me something that I never thought I ever wanted.”

“Which is what exactly?” Trebor asked, interjecting the question as if he knew it would pull them apart.

Lonnie rolled her eyes “here it comes. The whole big brother act.”

“It’s not an act,” he snapped, “ I need to know he’s going to take care of you and Marcy.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” she huffed, lifting her chin upwards as if daring him to challenge her. “I can take care of myself.”

Looking between the two siblings Bray knew neither one was going to back down. “That’s not what he’s saying,” adding before Trebor could contradict him “we know you’re capable of taking care of yourself besides I’m Barrett has heard this all from your parents.”

“You can say that again,” Barrett enthused, “your mom is a little scary. I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.”

“See,” Lonnie raised an eyebrow at her brother, her eyes holding a silent challenge.

“Fine,” Trebor rolled his eyes. “I guess I’m very good at the whole big brother intimidation routine anyway.” He started to turn away, his shoulders slumping in defeat. 

“Hey,” Lonnie reached out a hand touching his shoulder “You’re a great big brother. I just don’t need protecting.”

Trebor lifted troubled blue eyes that reminded Braylin of a cloudy sky on a windy day. His lips twitched before he managed a lopsided smile. “Yeah. Alright.” He gave Barrett a firm look “but I reserve the right to kick his butt if he doesn’t treat you well.”

“You’ll have to stand in line,” she giggled wrapping an arm around Barrett “I get firsties.”

Shaking his head Barrett had an uncertain look in his eyes “I don’t know if I should be scared or glad that I belong to a family like this.”

“Be glad,” Braylin advised “I know I am.”

“It’s good advice,” Garrett said, coming into the room leaning heavily on his cane. “I’d take it too if I were you.”

“Dad, should you be up?” Trebor asked, rushing to his side.

Waving his son’s hands away, “I’m fine,” he sounded somewhat irritated “I’m tired of sitting. It feels good to be up on my feet again.” Garrett knew they all worried about him. It had been a rough three years and two surgeries since he was shot. But somehow he had managed to get out of his wheelchair and learned to walk again even if it were for short amounts of time. “Your mother wants to know if she should start dinner.”

“I thought we were going to order in,” Lonnie said.

“It thought we were grilling,” Trebor said “I have the streak already marinating. All we need is for Bray to start the grill.”

“Isn’t that what you were doing outside,” Barrett asked, frowning in concern when Trebor’s face turned a brilliant shade of red.

“Fresh air my ass,” Lonnie giggled “you just couldn’t wait to be alone.”

“Err,” Trebor opened the fridge hoping to hide his face and the cool air was welcome on his flushed skin. “I’ll get the salad ready,” he announced, trying to ignore all the knowing looks and giggles behind his back.

“Well I hope you remember to wash your hands,” Verity deadpanned to the delight and amusement of everyone in the room.

Chapter 33 – What Happened?

Lonnie stepped out of Trebor’s room confident that Marcy would be alright while she searched for someone who could give her some answers. Looking up she found Braylin on his way to see Trebor. She put a hand out, touching his arm “we need to talk.”

Bray’s eyes tried to avoid hers as he made it obvious that talking was the last thing he wanted to do when the single most important person lay just beyond the closed door. “Can it wait?” he demanded, his voice every inch as unfriendly as he meant it to be.

“No,” she shook her head at him. “I know you want to see him but coddling him isn’t going to make any of this better.”

Bray’s nostrils flared as instant irritation bubbled up inside him at her words. “Coddling him? That’s not…” he took a deep breath attempting to pull in his raging emotions. “After what he’s been through don’t you think he deserves it?” How dare she come in here after three years and criticize how they were doing things.

“”Why haven’t you told him?” she demanded pushing for answers, ignoring his comment.

Blinking he took a step backwards “what?” His mind reeling trying to grasp what she was talking about “tell him what?”

“That she’s still out there,” she waved a hand vaguely towards the cityscape just outside the walls of the hospital. “Don’t you think he deserves to know the truth? Can’t you see he’s terrified?”

“Of course he’s terrified,” his eyes slid towards the door as his thought returned to the man inside. Sighing, he turned his attention to the young woman “what makes you think she’s still out there?”

“Trebor said so,” her voice was loud “what’s being done to hunt her down?”

“Lower your voice,” he hissed, grabbing her arm and pulling her in the direction of the waiting room. “Trebor doesn’t need to hear his.”

“Why?” She pulled herself free “don’t you think he can handle the truth? He’s not made of glass.”

“I didn’t say he was,” he kept walking hoping if she wanted answers she’d follow him to the waiting room. “There are reasons why we need to keep this from Trebor.”

Lonnie dithered uncertainly in the hallway before she followed him. Her heart sank inside her. She hated secrets. Been a part of one too many in the last few years. “If this has to do with my brother I won’t agree to keep secrets from him. He needs to know whatever you’re keeping from him.”

“You can’t just come here and assume you know what’s best for anyone.” His voice was raw and angry. He could sense the nurses turning to look at them as they passed in the hall. He took several deep breaths fighting a losing battle with his rising emotions.

Lonnie was staring daggers into the back of Braylin’s back as she followed him into the mostly empty waiting room. “I know what secrets do to people. Secrets eat you from the inside out. I don’t want that for my brother. He’s too good for that.”

Bringing a hand up Braylin squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Ordinarily I’d agree with you. I don’t like keeping things from him. But what worries me most is how he’ll handle it. If he finds out before he’s ready it could shatter him.”

Stunned silence hung between them as shock replaced the anger etched on Lonnie’s face. “Maybe you should tell me what happened. I asked Mom but she didn’t seem to know…”

“Because she doesn’t. We haven’t told her yet,” Braylin led her over to some chairs faraway from everyone else. “Only I and a handful of others know.”

Something in Braylin’s tone had her shaking her head and shivering from the cold. “He didn’t…” her voice faded. It wasn’t possible. Not her brother. He couldn’t hurt a fly. She lifted her eyes, meeting Braylin’s and read the truth they held. Nodding, she sat beside him steeling herself to hear what she realized she didn’t want to know “you better tell me.”

***

They sat in silence while Bray tried to collect his thoughts. The only sounds were the low murmurs of conversations going on around them. The distant sound of someone crying as someone lost their fight for life. They were all connected in this fragile network between life and death. Glancing out the window he began to say “your dad…he saved my life. He pushed me away.” His mouth snapped shut as tears rolled down his cheek “I should be the one struggling to live. Not your dad.”

Lonnie wanted to reach across and take Bray’s hand. She wanted to tell him it was alright but she couldn’t move. She felt as if she’d been turned to stone, her emotions trapped inside this body of stone. Her thoughts turned inward and she could see a little girl giggling in the arms of her father. It took her a moment to realize that she was the little girl and the strong, firm voice was her father telling her how much he loved her. She could feel the wetness of her own tears as they cascaded down her face unimpeded. Why had she wasted so much time?

“My dad the hero,” she meant it to sound flippant but it fell flat and lifeless. Taking a shivery breath “you better tell me,” she said her words coming out in a soft whisper. She no longer wanted to know. She wanted to remember her brother the way he was. He wasn’t the sort to do what she now believed happened. Not her brother. Not Trebor.

Turning from the window Braylin stared at his hands lying listless in his lap. Maybe if he looked hard enough the answers to life’s biggest questions could be found there. After a moment his eyes lifted, swimming in tears “He killed her. To save me.” He shivered despite the warm sunshine coming through the window “she came running out of the building, gun raised. She was going to kill us. Me.” He doubted he’d ever forget that moment. The way she looked. The wild half crazed gleam in her eyes as she raised the gun in her hand, pointing it at his chest.

Lonnie pressed her fingers over her mouth to keep from crying out. “But…” she swallowed hard. She wanted to protest the reality of his words. Groping for something, anything she said “mom said the undercover cop shot her.”

Nodding Bray ran a shaky hand across his face, squeezing his eyes shut wishing he could wipe the entire scene from his mind where the images seemed to have imprinted on the back of his eyelids replaying every time he closed his eyes. “Wally he…” licking his lips wishing he had something to drink “he followed her after she shot Garrett.” He started picking at his nails “she was quick. Set a trap.” He remembered the way Trebor jumped beside him when guns went off inside the building.

Lonnie had the unreasonable desire to shake him, to hurry him along. She didn’t know why, though, it’s not like she really wanted to know. Not anymore. “Did she kill him?” she asked, urging him to continue. Maybe that was why she hadn’t met this Wally guy yet.

“What?” Braylin asked, jerking his head up, a puzzled look on his face.

“The detective. Did she kill him?” She tried to reign in her growing impatience with his halting story telling. “Is that why Trebor had to defend himself and you?”

“Wally?” he asked, puzzled.

“Who?”

“Wally. The detective,” he said, frowning a little. “That’s his name. Wally.” His thoughts went back to that day. He had his hands practically inside Garrett’s chest as Trebor told him what to do. There had been so much blood. He didn’t know how long it was between the shots inside the building and Kara stumbling towards them, hand pressed to her side, blood dripping onto the pavement. “She was out of her mind. Crazy. You could see it in her eyes. Obsessed.” He shivered at the memory. He’d never seen anyone look like that before. The only way he could describe it was evil. Pure evil.

Lonnie’s brows creased as she tried to fit all the pieces together. “So…Wally died in a shootout with Kara inside the building. Then Kara, knowing she was done for came out to finish you two off.”

Pulling himself from his memories Bray nodded “no…I mean yes…except…” Sighing he hated having to remember the details. The details that he never could fully rid his mind of no matter how hard he tried. In a way he envied Trebor. Overall he hated knowing Trebor did what needed to be done for them both to survive. 

Taking a deep breath he continued “she was carrying a gun. Pointing it right at me. She couldn’t have missed.” He looked outside where everything looked normal. Normal people living normal lives. He wished he was one of them. “She wanted Trebor to suffer. She was going to shoot me and make him watch.” He turned to look at her “I didn’t know he had a gun. Didn’t know that Wally had given him his backup just in case…” 

Reaching for his hand, Lonnie squeezed it. “It’s alright. You don’t have to tell me anymore.”

Nodding he stared at the floor “Wally wasn’t dead. He was hurt. Bleeding bad. I remember how I was watching him. He had his gun raised …” He swallowed the bile that rose “the next thing I know Kara was lying on the ground making these awful gurgling sounds as she drowned in her own blood and Trebor was clutching his arm.”

“Maybe the detective shot her,” Lonnie suggested.

Shaking his head “she was shot from the front…Trebor was in the right place.”

“Do they know that was the kill shot? Maybe she was already mortally wounded before Trebor shot her.” Grasping at straws she continued “have they accounted for all the bullets? Determined which was the kill shot? The autopsy would be able to tell.”

“Maybe,” he mumbled unconvinced but there was hope in his eyes. 

“Until we know for sure Trebor didn’t do it.” She nodded, she liked this better than believing her brother was capable of killing someone.

“Do you really think so?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she smiled. “We won’t know until we know the autopsy results. For now all Trebor needs to know is that she’s dead and can’t hurt him anymore.”

“You’re right,” he agreed. “I hate that this will be in all the papers and media.”

“Let’s tackle one problem at a time,” she suggested with a smile. Standing she said “for now let’s go back and check on them.”

Chapter 32 – Bad Dream

“She came?” Trebor searched Bray’s eyes for confirmation. What was he worried about? It was his sister. His little sister. The same girl who he had protected from pirates when they had tried to make her walk the plank. 

Nodding Bray lowered himself into the chair next to Trebor’s bed. His eyes drooped making him look like he hadn’t slept in days. “She did,” he confirmed, taking Trebor’s hand in his “she wants to be accepted…”

Trebor’s eyes narrowed as the suppressed suspicions rose inside him. “Did she say that? Is it really what she wants?” This is what he’d always wanted ever since he found out she had quit college. Why was he so afraid? So … distrustful?

Bray squeezed Trebor’s hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of his hand. He could hear the doubt, the anger mixed with fear. “No,” he shook his head, wishing he could say differently. “Not in so many words at least. Does she have to? She’s your sister. Family supports each other no matter what, right?” Trebor had told him that plenty of times. He was starting to believe it. His parents had dropped everything to be with him while Trebor was missing. Despite everything he’d put them through in the past they were there for him.

Tugging his hand free, Trebor rolled onto his side, facing the wall. “I don’t know….my…Aunt…”

There it was. The root cause of the doubt. The fear. The distrust. Helpless Bray watched as tremors ran up and down Trebor’s back. Everything inside him wanted to gather Trebor in his arms and tell him everything was going to be alright. That his sister was there out of concern for him and his parents. She wouldn’t hurt them. How? When someone from inside his own family had done so much harm. For that Bray could easily see himself choking the life from that woman…if he had the chance. Clearing his throat he reached a hand out, touching Trebor’s shoulder “she’s not like that. I think … She’s wanted to come home for a while and didn’t know how.” 

“You don’t know that,” Trebor’s voice rose reminding Bray of someone waking up from a nightmare unsure of where he was or if they were safe.

Squeezing Trebor’s should “no I don’t. I wish I could be sure. I wish I could say no one will ever hurt you again but I can’t. We don’t know.” He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, smiling a little when Trebor rolled over, his eyes peering up at him. “I’ll be here. You won’t be alone.We’ll figure it out together.”

“You promise,” Trebor’s eyes peered up anxious for reassurance.

“I promise,” he ruffled Trebor’s hair. “Wait until you meet your niece. She’s a pretty little thing. Looks like your dad.”

“Lonnie had a baby,” Trebor murmured into his pillow, unable to picture his sister as a mother.

“I’m not a judge of age but I think she’s about two or three years old.” Braylin continued to describe his meeting with Lonnie and her daughter. “If I were to guess, I think she’s been afraid to come. To explain how she became a single mother. Afraid of disappointing everyone.”

“So instead she just cut us off like we didn’t even exist,” Trebor huffed. He knew he was being unfair. He hadn’t been all that understanding the last he had spoken to his sister. Getting all sanctimonious when she let it slip she had tried some recreational drugs, smoked a little weed, enjoyed drinking a little too much. The party girl who instead of going on academic probation decided it’d be better to just quit. 

Watching the conflicting emotions play across Trebor’s face, Braylin stroked a hand across his cheek, “hey this isn’t your fault. She made her own decisions.” 

Trebor shook his head, his mind conjuring up the last conversation he had with his sister. He’d called her a disappointment. He brought his hands up, covering his face as if he hoped it would block out the memories of his harsh words. “It’s my fault. If I had tried to understand. I should have been a better brother….” A sob tore through his chest “if I hadn’t been so judgemental maybe she’d have come home. Asked for help.”

“Don’t…” Bray started to say as he gathered Trebor into his arms, rocking him back and forth. He didn’t finish his thought. There wasn’t much he could say that wasn’t cliche or could make him feel better. 

***

“No,” Trebor murmured, kicking the blankets from on top of him. His legs tangled in their folds. “No,” he whimpered as a shadowy figure approached him. A stray glint of light shone on pointy, fake nails elongated by the shadows that distorted everything around him. “No. Please,” he cried head tossing back and forth on the pillow, hair matted on his feverish brow.

“No,” he shouted, bolting upright in his bed. The light streaming through the mostly closed shades cast strange and eerie shadows on the floor and walls. “Where?” his voice was hoarse like he’d been talking for a long time or yelling. He rubbed a hand across his face. Another nightmare. She was still out there. Lurking in the dark. Waiting for her chance to pounce.

His eyes fell on a worried little face who had long hair the same color as his dad’s. His thoughts turned to the last time he’d seen him, running towards him, shouting. Reaching Braylin as the moment a bang shattered the air around them. If he’d been a little slower, a fraction of a second later and it would have been Braylin fighting for his life. “Who?” he croaked at the little girl staring up at him.

Marcy put a hand out, patting his “I dream of the bad man too.”

Her words sent a shiver of shock down his spine. His fingers clutched at the blanket, pulling up around his shoulders “bad man?” he asked. 

Nodding she leaned in close as if afraid someone would overhear what she had to say. “The bad man tooked me away.” Tears shimmered in her eyes “I wanted mommy but they wouldn’t let me go home.”

“Me too,” he murmured once again that little two year old boy cowering in the corner, calling for his mommy and daddy and wondering why they didn’t come. The memories felt like a weight upon his chest, crushing the air from his lungs, squeezing, hurting. 

“Did the bad man tooked you?” she leaned her chin on the bed, peering up at him.

“Bad woman,” he confided in her, a bond neither of them deserved or wanted. He reached a hand out, stroking the top of her head, it shook but she didn’t seem to mind. He wanted to wrap her up somewhere safe but he knew only too well the nightmares found you anywhere even in the arms of the one you trusted most. You weren’t safe anywhere.

“I’m sorry,” he leaned across the bed, giving the top of her head a kiss. 

The door to his room swung open, a silhouette of a woman appeared talking over her shoulder “found her.” Stepping inside the room, the door slowly closing behind her.

Instinctively Trebor tried to shield the little girl, throwing his arms around her. His heart pounding inside his chest, sure that the woman was there to take them both and he couldn’t let that happen.

Flipping the light on, the woman stood with her hands on her hips staring down at the little girl. “How many times have I told you not to run off? You have to wait for mommy.”

“I’m sorry mommy,” the little girl’s bottom lip quivered as she stepped out of Trebor’s sheltering embrace. 

A smile softened the woman’s face, erasing lines of worry and stress. “Were you in a hurry to meet your uncle?” she asked, nodding towards Trebor.

Nodding Marcy took his hand “he had bad dream. Like me.”

“Lonnie?” Trebor asked frowning up at her as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room. “This little girl? She’s your daughter?”

“What if she is?” her tone was brittle as ice.

“”I’m so sorry you had to go through all of this alone,” he murmured, struggling to sit up. “I’m sorry I made it impossible for you to come home. To ask for help.. ”

She blinked like she couldn’t believe her ears. She had thought all she wanted was to hear her brother apologize to her. To admit he was wrong. Now she realized it wasn’t what she wanted. Not really. “I should have come home. I was stupid,” her face crumpled as she fought the sobs forcing their out. Her shoulders shook “if I hadn’t let my pride get in the way…”

“Hey,” Trebor stood from the bed, knees bowing with the effort. “Don’t cry,” he soothed.

Her hands reached for him “I’ve missed you so much.” Out of all the things she thought she’d say those words were not it. But it was true. She had missed him. More than she realized.

Pulling her close, he hugged her tight “I’ve missed you too.”

Melting into his embrace, she remembered how sofe she’d always felt near him. Like they could conquer the world as long as they were together. Why had she ever doubted him? She could feel how weak he was. The way she was holding more of his weight than he was. The bruises, though fading, are still horrific. Anger boiled to the surface. She wanted to hunt down that woman who did this to him. For the first time she understood what drove Shania into pulling the trigger. At least Marcy didn’t have to worry about her kidnapper coming back for her. 

“I hear I’m an auntie,” she grinned, helping back into bed. She saw the anguish in his eyes and she realized he had spent days mourning his son while being tortured. One way or another she was going to find that woman and end her. She knew exactly where to start. The undercover officer was in a room right here in the hospital.

Chapter 31 – The Visitor

Lonnie clutched her daughter’s hand as she walked through the formidable doors of the hospital. All she knew about the place was it was the teaching hospital where her brother was doing his residency. A part of her wanted to turn around. Leave. Pretend she never received the message. Slowing she half turned, poised to leave when a young man with light pink hair approached them, calling her name.

“You must be Lonnie,” he held his hand out in welcome “I’m Braylin.”

She stared at his hand a moment before taking it in a jerky motion, murmuring “it’s nice to meet you.” His knowing smirk told her he wasn’t buying the polite words.

“Trebor has told me so much about you,” he said, filling in the silence that fell between them as they waited for the elevator. Smiling down at the little girl clutching Lonnie’s hand “is this your little girl? Trebor never mentioned…”

“Of course not,” she snapped, pulling the girl closer to her. “Trebor doesn’t know anything about me.”

Frowning, Braylin followed her out of the elevator, shaking his head at her. He was beginning to understand why Trebor was always frustrated when he’d managed to have a couple of words with her on the phone. Prickly was just the tip of the words he’d use to describe her. But one thing he did know was “he’s missed you…”

She made a sound like a derisive snort “don’t make me laugh. All he’s ever done is criticize me and the way I choose to live my life.”

His skin prickled at her disdainful words. Reaching out he touched her arm, blocking her from entering the door into the ICU. “If you don’t want to be here, turn around and leave. Your family has been through enough. They sure as hell don’t need your attitude.”

Some emotion Bray couldn’t identify flickered in her eyes. She turned her face away “they don’t need me,” she murmured.

“Not like this, they don’t,” he confirmed. “They care about you. Trebor has only ever wanted to help you and you’ve thrown all of his suggestions back at him. You haven’t spoken to your parents for over three years. It was my idea to call you. I thought that maybe you’d want to see your dad before …” he cut himself off. He couldn’t say it. The doctor’s weren’t being optimistic on Garrett’s chances. “Look, your mother needs you. They all do.”

Staring at the cold, impersonal tile, she swiped a hand across her cheek drying a tear before it had a chance to roll down her face. “Fine I’ll stay but I,” she swallowed over the lump in her throat. Lifting her eyes she met his “I’ve made a lot of mistakes…they may not want me here.”

“We’ve all made mistakes,” he gave her an encouraging smile “I’ve made more than most and my family’s still here supporting me. I used to think that my family was better off without me. By staying away all I did was make things harder.”

“Trebor’s lucky to have you,” she surprised them both with her words. Smiling, she hastily dried her tears “I don’t know if you’re right…”

“Of course I am,” he chuckled a little before taking her by the elbow and guiding her to some chairs. “Let’s sit for a moment before seeing your mom.” Once they were settled he winked at the little girl “is this your daughter?”

Sniffing a little she nodded, running her hand down her daughter’s hair “she’s my little sunshine.” She could have added that she was also the reason why she hadn’t come home too. She knew how disappointed her parents would have been in her. Quitting college. Getting mixed up with drugs. That culminated in a one nightstand with Barrett Trevino, a rising solo singer who had spent the past few years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. 

“Mom, can we go now,” Marcy asked, “I don’t like it here. It smells funny.”

Leaning in close to the little girl “I don’t like it here either,” Braylin said like they were sharing secrets. “Hospitals aren’t any fun. But once we’re done here I can let you hold your new baby cousin.”

“I have a cousin?” she asked, looking up at her mother, eyes wide with wonder. 

“Yes you do,” Lonnie confirmed having read about how the undercover cop had saved her brother’s baby. 

“You sure do,” Braylin patted her head “his name is Blake.”

Turning to her mom “I want to see Blake now.” 

“You will, I promise.” Standing she said as if facing the hardest thing she could imagine “first we have to see grandma.”

“I have a grandma?” Marcy asked.

“And an Uncle,” Braylin winked at her, taking her hand and walking with them towards the ICU.

***

At the sound of the door opening behind her, Verity moved to confront whoever it was disturbing her time with her husband. Her face pinched tight as if trying not to cry, it took her a moment to recognize the young woman standing in the doorway. Moaning she brought a hand to her mouth, “Lonnie” she sobbed, “how?” she stumbled forward reaching for her daughter, needing to feel, to smell to assure her eyes that she wasn’t just imagining things.

Lonnie grasped her mother’s reaching hand, pulling her close, hugging her tight. She had never seen her mother so lost, it almost scared her. Her mother had always been so strong. The family foundation. If she crumbled how would they ever be a family again?

“Mom…I’m…” she wanted to say she was sorry but the word stuck in her throat. She’d promised herself that she would never apologize for the decisions she had made or why she had cut off all ties with her family. Stepping back she asked “how is daddy?” Her eyes flicked towards the still figure on the bed. It seemed surreal to her that this was her dad. He had always seemed so strong and invincible to her.

“Oh,” Verity straightened, wiping her eyes dry on the back of her hands. Moving towards the bed where she had sat so many long hours waiting, hoping for any sign of change. Taking his hand, patting it, “he’s going to be just fine. He’s going to wake up and see you standing here and he’s going to be so happy.”

Lonnie wasn’t sure about that. If she were her parents and Marcy had ghosted her the way she had them she didn’t think she could forgive her. Sure she’d be happy to see her again but always in the back of her mind she’d wonder when she’d leave again. She listened to the machines keeping track of every life sign on the still form on the bed. Would he really be alright? Was her mom just saying what she hoped would happen? 

Blinking back tears she looked down at her daughter when she tugged on her hand wanting her attention. “What is it, Marcy?” she asked with barely restrained irritation.

“Mom,” Marcy pointed towards Verity “who is that lady?”

“That lady is your grandma,” she knelt in front of her daughter. “why don’t you go say hi to her?”

Shaking her head suddenly shy, “no,” she buried her head on her mom’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry I’ll be right here the whole time,” Lonnie promised.

Marcy gave her an uncertain look before she took a step towards Verity. “Are you really my Grandma?”

Looking down at the little girl Verity looked over at her daughter unsure what she should say. “Is this your mom?” she asked instead, feeling her way through this maze she found herself in.

Nodding Marcy took another step closer “my mom says you are. Is it true?”

“I don’t think your mom would lie about that, do you?” She wished things were different between her and Lonnie. She didn’t understand where she’d gone wrong or why Lonnie didn’t want to be around them. There were so many things she wanted to say but felt she couldn’t. Not if she wanted this tenuous meeting to continue. “Would you like to meet your grandpa?”

Marcy glanced over at the bed “is that him? Is he sick?”

“He’s getting better,” Verity nodded, her jaw hardening in determination.If she said it enough times it’d come true. It just had to.

“Should I sing to him?” the little girl asked, “mom always sings to me when I don’t feel good.”

“I think he’d like that,” Verity stretched out her hand, smiling when Marcy slipped her little hand in hers. “Maybe your mom would like to sing with us?”

Lonnie nodded, blinking fast as her hand gripped her mother’s. Their voices were a little quivery as they sang a song they all knew well. One that Verity had sung many times to Lonnie to help her sleep better after waking up from frequent nightmares. 

When the song was over Verity leaned in close, whispering so that Marcy wouldn’t hear her. “When you’re ready you can tell me anything. I’m just glad you’re here.”

“Thanks,” Lonnie sniffed, leaning into her mom taking comfort from her even without saying a word.