I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s not up for discussion. Harper has enough on her plate with a baby and my needy brother. You’re coming with me.”
“If I’m too much trouble for Harper, I’ll go home.”
“You are not going home,” I say through gritted teeth. Boy, she can be stubborn.
She blows out a breath. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
Harper slides off the bed. “Ummm, let me interrupt before this disagreement turns into a war. Alyssa, you can’t stay home alone. Something might happen.” Alyssa opens her mouth to speak, but Harper raises her hand like a stop sign. Wow, she’s only been a mom a couple of months, yet she’s already got the hand gestures down pat. “Avery wakes up crying two times a night to be nursed. I’d hate for her to disturb you. You need rest. I think the best place is with Hayden.”
I puff out my chest like I’ve won a prize. Alyssa narrows her eyes at me like a sore loser, but she doesn’t argue.
She tilts her head back on the pillow and sighs. “Fine. I’ll go to Hayden’s house. Does that make everyone happy?”
“Yes,” Harper says at the same time I say, “Absolutely.”
“There better be a guest room for me to sleep in, because there’s no way I’m sharing a bed with you.”
“We’ll work out the sleeping arrangements when we get home.”
This is not the time to remind her that the guest bedroom is now Lily’s dance studio.
“Absolutely not.” Standing in my bedroom with her hands on her hips, Alyssa stares at the king-sized bed in the middle of the space. “I am not sleeping in your room. Withyou.”
I drop her luggage bag by the door. After she was released from the hospital, we made a quick stop at her apartment to collect her clothes and other items she’ll need for her stay. On our way home, we stopped to pick Lily up from Finn’s house. Ican tell the time out of bed has exhausted Alyssa; she is in no condition to stand around and complain.
During the car ride, I could have told her multiple times about the sleeping arrangements. I kept them to myself because I’m sure, had she known, out of stubbornness, she’d refuse to stay at my house. I’m to blame for the fall. Taking care of her is my responsibility. And deep down, I’m holding onto her for every second I have left before she leaves the country.
Lily jumps onto the bed and bounces on the mattress. “Miss Alyssa can sleep in my bed with me.”
“She is not sleeping in your room. You kick about in your sleep. She already has a concussion, I don’t need you breaking any of her bones.”
Lily giggles, dangling her legs over the edge of the bed. “If Miss Alyssa is sleeping in your bed, where will you sleep, Dad?”
“I’ll make a bed on the floor. That way if Miss Alyssa needs something, I’m not far away.” I still need to talk to Lily about the story she told her teacher about Alyssa and I getting married. But after the fall and trip to the hospital, there hasn’t been time. I’ll have a chat with Lily when things settle down.
“Can I sleep on the floor too? We can have a slumber party.”
I shake my head. “Miss Alyssa needs rest. Go wash up for dinner. I’ve ordered pizza.”
“Yummmy!” she cheers and races from the room.
Alyssa looks worn-out on her feet, so I guide her to the bed and nudge her shoulders to sit down.
She makes an impatient sound. “I’m not an invalid, you know.”
“Do you want to keep standing until you fall? Make yourself comfortable and relax.”
She pulls a face like she doesn’t like being told what to do but sits on the bed. She shuffles up along the mattress and leansagainst the headboard. “Are you really going to sleep on the floor?”
“No.”
“You’re not sleeping with me.”
“I’m staying close in case you need me.”
She slides down onto her back, propping her head on the pillows. “I don’t need you.” Why does it feel like she’s not talking about this moment but in her life?
“I won’t try anything if that’s what you’re worried about. What kind of sick person would that make me?”
