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The need to make her his was growing strong.
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TEN MINUTES LATER,Aidan finally found the ward. The hospital was like a damn rabbit warren, and while he’d only been there a few hours earlier, he’d been jetlagged and honestly still a little topped up on champagne and whisky.
He knocked gently and opened the door. The room was dark with a small light coming from above the bed. Aidan saw her mom first, her head lying on the bed. She didn’t move. He glanced around and found Lily curled up in the large armchair.
God, she looked so precious.
He was just about to back out of the room when he heard her small voice.
“Aidan?” Lily whispered.
He walked to her as she sat up and rubbed her face.
“Hey,” he said, crouching and running his hand over her hair. “How are you so beautiful, even in this state?”
She gave him a shy smile. “Liar,”
His hand flew to his chest, all faux wounded. Then he stared over at her dad on the bed.
“He’s in a coma now,” Lily said, and tears filled her eyes.
Fuck.
Aidan pulled her down into his arms, and they just sat on the hospital room floor while she silently wept. After a few minutes, he lifted her chin. “Do you want to get some fresh air or stay here?”
Lily wiped her face and glanced over at the bed.
“Go, Lily. I’ll stay with your dad. I’ll text you if anything happens.”
Oh. Wow.
Her mom had been awake the whole time. Aidan figured she was in a state of complete grief just holding on to the last moments with her husband.
What would it feel like to be that in love?
“I should stay,” Lily said.
Adian nodded. “Okay. Do you want me to stay with you or out in the waiting room?”
She climbed off him, and he stood. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arm around her back and Lily leaned into him.
“Sweetheart, go. Take a break,” her mom pressed.
Lily took a moment, then agreed. “Okay,”
He grabbed her coat and took Lily’s hand. Then they headed down the long hall until they reached the waiting room. The bright lights felt harsh under the circumstances.
“It’s snowing outside,” Aidan said. “But there’s an atrium downstairs if you want to get a drink and some cold air.”
He’d seen it on his way in earlier.
Lily nodded. “Yeah, sounds good.”
God, his heart was aching seeing her so sad, but this was a part of life, and Aidan was just happy he could be here for her.
“Aidan, this can’t be fun for you,” Lily said when they had two cups of steaming hot coffee. “I appreciate you coming to Chicago, but perhaps you should go home, and I’ll call you after the funeral. I promise.”
