AllFreeNovel
Share Us
> Melody’s voice came into my mind. Don’t coddle him.
Bending down, I picked him up and reached out for her hand. “Okay let’s go, but he might be tired from the trip okay?”
They nodded. Sedric wrapped his arm around my neck, holding on to me like a little monkey as we walked. I didn’t say much. There wasn’t anything to say and I grew more nervous with every step we took until it felt like I was about to vomit out my own heart when we finally made it to the door. The guard opened it and Neal just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his eyes red.
“Daddy.” Sedric wiggled out of my arms, sliding down me and onto the ground. Neal’s head shot up as he stared at me angrily.
“Hi—”
The both rushed him. Nari broke out and cried. “I missed you, Daddy. I was scared.”
“I wasn’t scared! I knew you’d be okay!” Sedric sat up on the side of the bed. “Ethan and Wyatt said you were really cool! I knew it! Can we play when you get better?”
“Me too!” Nari raised her hand. “Daddy’s on my team.”
“Not fair! You were on his team last time!” Sedric frowned.
Neal just stared at the both of them, his eyes welling up with tears.
“We can play two rounds. I’ll play with both of you,” he finally managed to say, though it sounded like his throat was closing up.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?” Nari poked his cheek.
“Nothing.” He shook his head, then looked at me and smiled. “I’ve got you all, how can anything be wrong?”
“That’s what I’m saying.” Sedric raised his hands up, the little smarty, and we all just laughed. Walking over to him, I leaned in to kiss his cheek, but he turned, kissing my lips.
“I love you.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you,” he repeated.
“I love you too.”
EVELYN
“My heart can’t take this shit,” Cora gasped out, pacing back and forth. Her whole body was shaking as we stood outside Melody’s room. “And you made it worse with your whole ‘you better prepare yourself’ speech.”
“Baby, why don’t we go get some horrible food at the cafeteria with the kids?” Declan came over, placing baby Darcy’s car seat down on the chair beside Helen, who was also nodding off.
Cora took a deep breath, her chest falling slowly as she faced me. “I feel like you are hiding something, Evelyn.”
I smiled. “Yes, a raging headache dear. Go spend time with your family and be happy…we won.” Not without wounds though.
She made a face at me before coming over and hugging me. Cora wasn’t a hugger, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed her, and looking to Declan, I could see that he was still so in love.
“Okay already, go.” I pulled away.
She nodded, reaching in the car seat for Darcy while Declan picked up Helen. She opened her eyes sleepily and seeing me, she waved. Waving back, I watched as they went into the elevator.
“Ma’am.” The guards nodded to me, opening the door to Melody’s room. She sat up, looking better than she had an hour before, but not by much.
“You’re angry with me, aren’t you?” she whispered softly. I had a lot of feelings going through me, but I just sat down beside her, letting her express what I already knew she was feeling. “I couldn’t do it, Evelyn, not yet…I can’t. I tried. It would have been the perfect chance, but I’m not ready…it hurts.”
Reaching for her hand, I squeezed, blinking the tears from my eyes. “I know. If anyone in this world understands, Melody, it’s me…but this was close. Far too close. You don’t have much time. There is a price to pay for having this life, you have to make tough choices. Luckily you’re good at those.”
She nodded, blinking her tears away before getting fed up and using her other hand to wipe them away. “Damn family of yours has made me so bloody soft.”
I snickered. “Family of mine? Or family of ours? And after being so damn strong Mel, I think being soft for a little bit is a good thing, don’t you?”
“Ask me tomorrow.”
