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I’m sobbing into Ben’s shirt, and he lifts me up, cradling me against his chest. Striding through the kitchen, he heads to the living room and settles us on the couch. “Ah, Thea,” he breathes, pain lacing his words. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
While I cry, he gently comforts me—stroking my hair, rubbing my back, and pressing soft kisses to my head.
He keeps repeating the same murmured words. I’ve got you. You’re safe. I love you.
By the time my sobs have subsided to hitching gasps and little sniffles, I’m exhausted. My chest feels sore, my nose is all stuffy and my face feels tight. But it’s not all bad. It feels like I’ve released all the scary feelings and now I can breathe again.
“I’m sorry,” I finally whisper. My voice is hoarse and scratchy from crying. “I didn’t mean to just… lose it like that.”
“Oh, Thea.” Ben shifts, adjusting me in his arms so he can meet my gaze, his expression achingly soft as he looks at me. “Do not apologize for that. What you’ve been through… you have every right to be upset. And if you need to cry, that’s okay. I’m here for you, however and whenever you want.”
“I was doing okay… But then I saw Daisy. And it made me think of how scared I was that I’d never see her again. That I’d never—” My voice cracks. “I was terrified I’d never see you again. Or Laila.”
His face crumples. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I should have… I screwed up. I should have figured it out.”
“Ben, no.” I can’t let him keep blaming himself for this.
His hand comes to my face, fingers brushing feather-light over my bruised chin. “You were hurt, Thea. Traumatized. If I had only—”
“What? Researched every person in town? There was no sign, Ben.”
He sighs, shoulders sagging. “Still.”
“I should have been wearing my earrings,” I admit, mad at myself all over again. “I remembered them when I was in the car, about to bring Laila to school. But I didn’t want to take the time to go back inside. And if I’d had them on… I could have signaled for help right away.”
“You thought it was safe.”
“I did. But it doesn’t change things. If I’d worn them, you would have found me sooner. And I wouldn’t have left Laila”—my throat goes thick—“at school. Wondering where I was. You wouldn’t have thought that maybe…”
He didn’t say it to me, but I overheard Ben tell the police officer he was terrified I’d been killed. Or that he’d never find me. If I’d been wearing the earrings, that never would have happened.
“Thea, it’s not your fault. I don’t want you blaming yourself.”
“Then will you stop blaming yourself, too? Please?”
A range of emotions play across his face—but he finally nods at me. “Okay, Thea. I’ll try. As long as you do, too.” He gives me a gently stern look. “And I don’t want you blaming yourself for not picking up Laila. That was not your fault.”
I still feel terrible about it. Imagining her at school, watching for me, worried, wondering if I’d forgotten about her…
“Thea, sweetheart, it’s okay.” Ben brushes dampness from my cheeks, tears I didn’t realize I was shedding again. “She’s okay. I called Laila last night, she knows you’re safe.”
“When is she coming home?” There’s a new ache in my chest. “I want to make sure she knows everything is alright.”
“Whenever you’re ready. I just wanted to give you some time, after being at the hospital and talking to the police all night.” He kisses me tenderly. “I figured you’d need some quiet time first.”
I look into Ben’s eyes, and it feels like coming home. “I want to see her. After everything… I want to be with both of you.”
As many times as Ben’s reassured me, I’m still a little nervous to see Laila.
I want to see her. I want to hug her and tell her how sorry I am about missing our special shopping trip, and promise I would never forget her.
When I came back to Sleepy Hollow, I never dreamed I’d not only find my soulmate, but that I’d fall in love with his daughter, too. I never imagined my heart could feel this full.
But with love comes fear, too.
Ben keeps telling me it’s not my fault, and that Laila won’t blame me. But she’s just a little girl. How do I explain why I wasn’t there without scaring her?
“Thea, stop worrying.” Ben rubs his hand up and down my arm. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
