AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Standing from the chair, Steven moves to Aiden’s bedside. He cups his son’s cheeks and bends forward to kiss him on the head. “You’re right. If you can fight, so can I.”
Lilly exhales her relief in a loud rush as she moves to her dad’s side and puts her arm around his waist. He immediately reciprocates, leaning to kiss the side of her head. Lilly takes Aiden’s hand and they all stand quietly for a moment.
“What do I need to do?” Steven asks, twisting his neck to look over Lilly’s head at me. “I assume you know what to do?”
I take a moment to explain the options to him and then Lilly pipes in, stating she’d like him to give the medical detox and outpatient rehab a try so he can continue to visit Aiden rather than check into an inpatient program. “If that’s not effective, we can look at inpatient.”
“I like that idea,” Steven says and even manages a small smile. “When would I go?”
“Right now,” I say in a tone that doesn’t invite argument. “It’s best to get it done and I’m going to take you so Lilly can stay here with Aiden.”
Surprisingly, Steven nods in agreement. He even seems a little relieved.
“I packed a bag for you. It’s in my car.” Lilly moves to her purse and retrieves her keys.
I hold out my hand. “Tell me where your car is and I’ll get the bag. I’ll leave the keys at the reception desk in the main lobby.”
“Okay, thanks,” Lilly says as she drops them in my hand, then moves to her dad to offer some last words of assurance.
I go to Aiden, bend over his bed and put my hand on the side of his neck. “Remember… don’t let her decline that ticket.”
Aiden grins at me. “I’ve got it handled.”
We do a side-handed shake and I wink at him as I pull away.
Aiden, Lilly and Steven engage in one more hug at the side of the bed and then Steven follows me out of the room where we dispose of our gowns.
We’re quiet until we get on the elevator. “You okay?” I ask.
He nods. “Yeah. I mean… no.” His gaze comes to me. “I’m scared.”
“Of?” I prod, but I know the answer. My dad was scared too.
“Of failing,” he replies. Exactly as I suspected.
“You’ve already succeeded, Steven. You’ve decided to get sober. That’s a win today.”
He manages a smile. “I guess I’ll have to take that, huh?”
“I’m no expert on the matter but I know it’s possible to get sober. I watched my dad do it and his driving force was so his family would stay intact. You have the same reason. You’re doing this for your kids and we both know that you hit the lottery with those two. I have all the faith in the world in you.”
The elevator is full when it opens and we make our way down in silence. Lilly’s car isn’t too far from mine and I find it easily, grabbing Steven’s bag and loading it into my car.
I pull out of the parking garage and circle back to the front of the hospital so I can leave Lilly’s keys with the receptionist. When I walk in through the sliding doors, I see Lilly standing there holding the envelope I’d left with Aiden.
I immediately hold up my palms to her as I walk her way. “Don’t even think about trying to give that to me.”
She smiles, the corners of her eyes creasing above her mask. “Aiden said he’d never speak to me again if I tried. I just ran down here to thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” I reply, handing over her car keys.
“I really shouldn’t do this,” she laments as she shakes the envelope at me. “That means Aiden will be all alone tomorrow night.”
“He has nurses who dote on him.”
“I know. He said the same thing. He told me to stop treating him like a baby and essentially shamed me into accepting this.”
“Your brother is awesome.”
