Page 22 of Bryson

"I know."

"You mean everything to me."

"I know that too." Taking her hand in his, he marveled at how delicate her skin was and how much she was aging. Granted, she still looked great for a woman in her sixties, but the fine lines around her eyes and mouth spoke of the things she had endured. He had often thought of her as being weak and useless, never standing up to his father's cruelty, but over the years, he realized that she had stayed because of him.

"I love you too."

"I want you to always remember that," she insisted.

"I will." He squeezed her hand. "Can't sleep?"

"It's the lightning." She laughed a little shakily. "Your father used to taunt me with how much of a coward I was. That a mere storm could freak me out like this."

"That man was a bully and a monster. You should try and put away the thoughts of him from your mind."

"I know." Lifting her free hand, she cupped his cheek and smiled. "Get some rest, my sweet boy, and I will do the same."

Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and stepped back. "Good night, Mother."

"Good night, darling." She watched him walk to his rooms before turning in.

It seemed to him that he had only closed his eyes for a few minutes before he heard the vibration of his phone in his ear. Growling viciously, he seriously thought about letting it go to voicemail.

But his sense of responsibility would never allow him to do such a thing. They were in a crisis with the storm, and it could be one of his men calling for help. Grabbing the phone, he slid the icon without opening his eyes. "This had better be a damn emergency."

"Bryson?"

His eyes snapped wide open at the sound of the achingly familiar voice. "Julianne?"

"Bryson. Oh God, I'm bleeding." There was a catch in her voice that had him bolting upright. "I'm losing my baby. You have to come. You have to come now."

Jumping off the bed, he raced to the closet and pulled out the first thing he could grab. "Baby, I'm on my way. I'll call-"

"I woke up and there was this awful pain and there was blood-"

"Sweetheart-" He struggled into the t-shirt, fighting to put it on, all the while keeping the phone at his ear.

"I'm on my way."

"Please don't hang up. Please. Oh God!"

His heart shattered at the sound of pain in her voice. "Hold on, baby. It will be fine." Putting on shoes, he raced from the room and made enough noise slamming the door to have his mother coming from her rooms.

"Bryson, what on earth-"

"Julianne is miscarrying. I have to go."

"Bryson-" She called out but was talking to the air as her son raced down the stairs.

Gripping her robe around her, she stood there for a minute before going back to her rooms. She lifted her head in thanksgiving for this boon.

He avoided the power lines strewn across the streets. It was pitch black, but somehow he got himself to the cottage in one piece. It was almost four in the morning, which meant people were sleeping and there was less traffic on the road.

Digging through the flower pot, he found the spare keys and let himself in. Dashing into the bedroom, he rushed to the bed and simply scooped her into his arms, sheets and all.

"I called the hospital and they're expecting us." Pressing a kiss on her brow, he strode from the room. Securing her in the front seat, he buckled the belt and ran around to jump in.

"We'll be there shortly," he reassured her as he touched the start button. "You'll be fine." He had seen the grimace of pain on her lovely face and realized that she was trying to be brave, trying to minimize the pain she was feeling. Worst of all, he had seen the awful amount of blood. His hands trembled and he had to tighten them on the wheel and take several deep breaths before navigating towards the hospital.