He nods once, slow and steady. “What happened after Bill came?”
“He saved us, but it was messy. You lost some men, I’m so sorry.”
He goes quiet for a long, long moment. “I got you. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
“It’s over now,” I say, my voice shaky. “You just rest. I’m going to find Mom. She has been pacing like a cat on hot bricks since you came in here.”
He chuckles, but coughs and winces after. “I can imagine.”
I climb out of the bed and text her. Ten minutes later, she bursts in, face pale and red, tears streaking her cheeks. I smile at him, then step back and watch. She crumbles in his arms as I did, and he holds her in a way that makes my heart explode. He strokes her hair, murmurs soothing nonsense, and they melt into each other. Their lips meet in a trembling kiss, her hands clutching his hospital gown. I slip away, letting them have their moment.
Down in the cafeteria, I find a vending machine, needing something sweet to get me through.
The only machine that has what I want is near the ER, so I head in that direction. There is somewhat of a commotion going on, and when I round the corner, I come to a complete stop. Travis is standing, Janice in his arms, yelling at a nurse. My chest seizes when I see her swollen eye, bruised cheek, hair in disarray.
“Trav?” I call, and he turns slowly, staring at me.
I walk over. “What happened?”
“He found her, and he beat her,” he says flatly.
I swallow. “At your apartment? I thought he didn’t know where it was?”
“Guess he fuckin’ found it.”
A flicker of suspicion gnaws at me, but now isn’t the moment. A nurse hustles Janice onto a gurney, telling her that she will get a doctor. She clutches Travis’s hand, eyes huge.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispers. “I’m so scared.”
I press my lips together when her eyes meet mine, because something in my chest is telling me this is not at all what it seems.
“I won’t,” Travis assures her.
“Trav,” I begin, but he cuts me off with a look.
“I’ll call you soon, yeah?”
He’s dismissing me.
And it fucking hurts.
I turn and walk away because there’s nothing I can say without sounding cruel.
I return to Chief’s room. He and Mom are sitting side by side, and she has this smile on her face, so big it makes my mood a little better. He pats the space beside him.
“Come here, Mischief.”
I walk in, sitting on the chair beside the bed. “What is it?”
Chief looks to Mom, then back to me. “I just asked your mom to marry me.”
My mouth falls open. Mom throws her head back and laughs, tears in her eyes.
“Wait, what?”
“I know you probably don’t like the idea of us getting back together,” Mom says quickly, “but after nearly seeing him die...he is where I want to be, Violet. He is where I have always wanted to be. Can you be happy for us?”
I stare at the two of them, and I can’t help it, my heart warms.
