Page 52 of Gunner

Chapter 22

Standingon the doorstep of the private, secure home where his grandmother and sister now lived, Gunner felt sick. This was only the second time he’d seen them since the kidnapping, and the first had been more about making sure they were safe and assuring them and himself that they’d stay that way.

This was entirely different. He had the woman he loved holding onto his hand, anchoring him and keeping him from running. He had to expose parts of himself that he hated, the weak, uncertain boy who’d ruined his sister’s life.

His feet felt rooted to the spot as if he were physically unable to move as he eyed the door like it was his biggest threat, and in some ways, it was. Once he walked through, he couldn’t undo anything Lacey saw or heard. His past would crash wildly with his future, and he prayed at that moment to a God he wasn’t sure he believed in that it didn’t end with her leaving him.

A tug on his hand made him look down into a stunning smile full of encouragement and love.

“Come on, stop stalling.”

Gunner tipped his lips into a smile and gave a small nod, and he walked purposefully to the door and knocked. Seconds later it opened and they were greeted by the guards who ensured the safety of the residence. After checking his identification and going through the protocols Zack and Fortis had put in place to make sure Milla was safe, the security guard admitted them.

He glanced around and noted how warm this building felt, not from the heat, but it felt like a real home, not a hospital. The building was an old estate home that had been refurbished to its former glory but with the added specification for people with special physical and mental needs.

A nurse met him and Lacey at the door with a smile, her clothing relaxed but smart, a pair of slacks giving her an air of professionalism but still keeping the homey feel that she was more of a friend visiting than a medical caregiver.

“Good afternoon, I’m Carol, and I’m Milla’s nurse. Would you like to follow me?”

“How is she?” His biggest fear was that she had in some way been hurt and he didn’t know it and now lived in her head with the horrors.

Carol looked back over her head with a smile. “Good, she loves the sunroom, and when I told her you were visiting, she got very excited. She sure loves her brother, and it certainly brought a smile to your gran.”

“She always loved the sun.” He let memories assail him of Milla saying one day she’d live where it was always hot and not in the ice-cold. He’d never cared, loving the cold brutality of the ice and snow. That had lost its appeal after the accident though, and he now preferred a milder climate too.

They rounded a corner and his heart began to kick-up, beating fast as the sickness in his belly made it cramp. He saw his amma first, and emotions flooded him, the tiny woman who now rushed up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist had given up so much, lost so much, and still, she never gave up on either of them. Loving them and guiding them every step of the way.

Gunner let go of Lacey’s hand and gently hugged his grandmother to him in a warm embrace. She barely came to his chest, but he could feel the strength in her even now that she was well into her eighties.

“Hey, amma.”

“My boy, how I have missed you.” She cupped his face and brought him close so she could look him in the eye. Her weathered skin wrinkled but soft against his cheeks and he felt so much love for this woman.

“I missed you too. I’m sorry I haven’t come before, I…”

His amma patted his hand. “It is all well, I know you struggle, my son, but you are here now, and you have brought someone for us to meet, I see.”

Her eyes turned to Lacey, and he followed her gaze, noting the tears in her eyes, which she didn’t bother to hide. He stepped beside Lacey and slid his arm around her, pulling her close. “Amma, this is Lacey, my girlfriend.”

“More than a girlfriend I think if I am meeting her.” His amma was astute and not one to curb her thoughts.

“Yes, she’s everything to me.”

Lacey leaned into him but put her hand out for his amma to shake. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Eivinsdóttir.”

His grandmother pulled Lacey in for a hug. “Enough with the formality, my grandson loves you then I am amma to you too.”

Lacey laughed and returned the hug, and it was beautiful for him to see two women who meant so much to him smiling at one another.

“Yes, amma is perfect and just a little secret, between us,” Lacey looked at him as she said it and then back to his amma who was still holding Lacey’s arm, “I love him too.”

Amma laughed a loud guffaw full of happiness. “How could you not? Look at him. We do not make ugly children in our family and Gunner is a handsome boy.”

“That he is.”

Gunner felt his cheeks heat and shook his head at the two smiling women. “Stop it, you’re embarrassing me.”

He looked behind his amma and saw his sister and his heart soured with love. Milla had been a beautiful girl, and as a woman, she was still beautiful. He saw the love in her eyes as he approached the motorised chair she sat in.