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He stepped inside, unsure and just as scared as he’d been, alone in that car with his mother. One of the nurses stepped back, and he ducked to the side to stay out of her way. And it was then that he saw a pair of dark eyes looking at him. A small boy who was finally awake.
He looked scared, but that wasn’t surprising considering the doctor was removing his breathing tube. After that, things were a bit of a blur. He knew Regan was beside him. Her hand had somehow found his. He knew that Patrick was going to be okay. At least for the time being.
It seemed like it was hours later that they were able to sort things out. The change of meds had started to work, and the infection was under control. As for the tumor itself, a CT scan was ordered and the doctor was shocked to see that the tumor was smaller. Not by much, but enough that they were hopeful the seizures would stop.
It was midnight before the four of them were left alone with Patrick. He kept trying to speak, but his throat was sore from the tube. After a while, it was better, and he was able to tell one hell of a story.
He told them that he’d traveled in the night sky. That he could see into his hospital room and saw his parents, Regan, and Wyatt. He wanted to talk to them, but he couldn’t. His throat hurt, and his eyes were heavy.
Patrick said he got tired of flying in the night sky and asked his friend why they were up there. He was cold and wanted to go home. His friend told him he could go home, but he had to fight a little longer. So they kept flying.
“What do you mean, fight?” Gwen smoothed back his hair.
“I don’t know, Mom. She said I had to fight. She kept saying that, keep fighting. And then when I was so cold and didn’t want to fight or fly anymore, she said it was time to go home. She was so pretty.”
Gwen kissed her son on the forehead. “She was your angel, sweetie.”
“No.” He frowned and shook her his head. “That was her name.”
“What?” Wyatt took a step toward the bed.
“The pretty lady who flew with me. She had long blonde hair and a pretty smile. She smelled like summer, like the grass in the backyard when Daddy cuts it. She’s not an angel. That’s her name.”
It was later, much later, when Wyatt tried to process Patrick’s words. The kid was finally asleep, and his exhausted parents had been given beds as well. Wyatt was waiting for Regan. She was having one last conversation with Patrick’s doctor.
She looked as tired as he felt. No wonder. It was nearly three in the morning. He watched as she shook the doctor’s hand and headed toward him. Her steps got slower, more hesitant the closer she got, and he could tell something was bothering her.
“What is it?” he asked, reaching for her.
“Where am I taking you? Are you flying back to Florida?”
“No.” He pulled her close so he could whisper into her ear. “You’re taking me home, and home is wherever you are.”
“Are you sure?”
He knew what she was asking.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I’m not going to lie. I love racing. I love everything about it. But if racing means I can’t have you in my life, then I’m good giving it up.”
She started to shake her head. “You say that now, Wyatt, but you’ll resent me.”
“No,” he said slowly, as realization hit. “No. I won’t. I don’t have anything to prove anymore. It’s time for me to look ahead and find that future. Thing is?” He nuzzled her cheek. “You’re in it.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He kissed her. “I was hoping you would”
“But what about, your father and…all of that?”
“I don’t know.” And that was his honest answer. “You’re the only thing I’m sure about at this point. I love you.”
She dropped her hand into his, and the two of them strolled out of the hospital, looking forward to whatever life was going to throw their way. They had each other, and as long as he had Regan in his corner, he knew he could face anything.
Even his past.
Epilogue
“You never told me about prom.” Wyatt leaned on his elbow in bed and gazed down at the woman who’d stolen his heart. His world. His life. She owned him. And he was okay with that.
