"I get that. But no job is worth getting sick over, sweetheart. I should've made you go to the hospital when we got back from the island. You should've gone to the doc before now, and I'm kicking myself that you've been too busy taking care of us to take care of yourself."
I can't argue that with any legitimacy, so I let the comment slide. "Well, I'm here now, and I'm fine. The doctor has me all fixed up. The medicine will keep the worst of the morning sickness at bay."
"It might. It might not," he says, his tone gravelly.
I pluck at the sheet to straighten it, telling myself I am not going to sit there and feel self-conscious about being naked beneath a hospital gown, looking like death warmed over in front of my too-handsome-for-his-own-good roommate and boss.
One whose voice is loaded with…something I can't quite name. Anger, yes. Some. But at me or himself? He's not responsible for me, but I can totally see Kace blaming himself for what happened all the same.
But it's more than that. There's a thread of…pain? Is that it? Unease? "You are not responsible for making decisions about me, big guy."
His phone rings, and he picks it up, frowning.
"It's a video call from the girls. You up for it, or should I decline?"
"No, answer it." I force a smile and nod, hating that I undoubtedly scared them, especially after what had happened on our trip.
I remember hearing Madi's voice while the EMTs were doing their assessment at the house, but I don't think Dani woke up during the chaos, thank goodness.
I watch as Kace gets up and hops to my bedside, sitting on the edge beside me as he swipes the screen. I revel in the warmth of his big body and the scent of him. After the chaos, it's most welcome. Like a surge of instant comfort.
Madi's stressed face appears, but it's Dani's inconsolable sobbing that leaves us both simultaneously asking, "What's wrong?"
Madi's gaze shifts on the screen like she's looking at me, and I force a weak smile and wave. "Hey, Madi. What's going on? Why is Dani crying?"
"Because you died!" Dani wails in the background.
"Mads?" Kace asks in a tight voice.
"Dani woke up last night as they put Lindsey in the ambulance, and she didn't go back to sleep, so we stayed up and watched a movie and stuff. Then she fell asleep this evening and had a bad dream where Lindsey…. I thought maybe if she saw you, she'd feel better."
Dani's tear-streaked face appears beside Madi's, and the little girl's expression breaks my heart. She's been crying for a while. And poor Madi has had to deal with it.
"I don't want you to die!"
"I didn't, Dani. I'm right here," I say.
"Dani-girl," Kace says softly, "it was only a dream. And see? Lindsey is feeling better."
I nod hurriedly and make a funny face for Dani, pulling energy from somewhere deep inside me. "I am. See? The doctor fixed me up and gave me medicine so I shouldn't get sick so much now. I'm fine, Dani. I'm so sorry I scared you. Please don't cry."
"No, no, no. You have to come home. I don't like the hospital. Please? Please come home."
Dani rubs her hands over her face and sniffles, but the tears keep flowing, and she doesn't falter with that oh-so-intense glare into the camera.
"You died. Daddy almost died in the fire, and then you died and they took you both away," she cries, fresh tears rolling hot and fast down her cheeks.
"Dani, honey, it was a bad dream," Kace says, seemingly at a loss as to how to get the point to hit home.
"I don't care!"
Kace opens his mouth, and I place my IVed hand on his arm to stop whatever man logic he's about to impart. I can tell from his expression he's tired and frustrated, and while he's great with Dani, he can't rationalize with a hysterical little girl.
"Bad dreams are so scary," I tell Dani. "They make bad things seem real, even when they're not. But look at us, Dani. See? Your daddy is right here, and so am I. I was really sick, but I'm okay now. Everything is going to be okay. You hear me? Your daddy will be home soon, and you can snuggle up and watch a movie together and get all the kisses and cuddles you want to chase away the bad dream."
"What about you?" she says, whining the word as fresh tears flowed. "If you're really okay, you come home, too. Daddy, make her come home. Bring Lindsey back."
My heart shatters, and tears fill my eyes, appearing too fast to blink them away. Emotions rock me, and suddenly my tears match those rolling down Dani's cheeks and filling Madi's beautiful gaze. "I can't come home just yet, Dani."
