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1
Charli
He’s alive. Finn’s alive.
Charli repeated it in her mind—a desperate attempt at self-soothing. She wiped the tears that hadn’t seemed to stop since she got the news five days and almost three thousand miles ago.
The sterile scent of the hospital stung her nose. She placed her hand on her growing belly.
“Your papa is going to be okay.” She hoped it wasn’t a lie.
She rested her palm on Finn’s limp and clammy hand. His silver wedding ring was safely tucked away with his personal effects. This was the first time she’d seen him without it since the twenty-year-old version of himself vowed to love her and cherish her until death did they part. Thick white gauze had been wrapped around his head. Superficial wounds peppered the side of his rich-brown handsome face.
Could he hear her through the fog of the coma? Wait and see. That was what the doctor had said.
“Come back to me,” she choked out.
“He will. My Finn is a fighter,” Claire, Finn’s mother, said, wrapping her arm around Charli.
When did she walk in? Charli tore her eyes away from the only man she’d ever loved.
Claire’s warm brown gaze met hers with sympathy and shared pain. The woman’s midnight complexion was a complete contrast to her own fair skin. But Claire was the closest thing Charli had ever had to a mother.
“I can’t lose him, Mom.”
Claire pulled her closer. Charli rested her head against Claire’s heart, the side of the uncomfortable hospital chair cutting into her ribs.
“Finn has a lot to live for. He’s got to meet his child. Not to mention, my son would never let anything get in the way of finding his way back to you, Charli.” Claire’s voice shook, as if speaking the words would will it into being.
“I don’t think I can do this without him,” Charli confessed as she sat up.
“No matter what happens, you’re still our daughter. We’ll be here for you,” Zeke, Finn’s father, said as he came into the room.
He opened his arms to her, a rare display of vulnerability and affection. She got to her feet and walked into his embrace on shaky legs. He patted her back with his big palm as she released a sob.
“There. There,” he said awkwardly. Zeke was a man of few words and even fewer emotions. Much like his son.
“Why don’t you go get some coffee and a hot meal? A walk will do you some good,” Claire suggested.
When was the last time I ate? Charli turned towards Finn’s unconscious body. Her stomach churned with anxiety. “I don’t want to leave him.”
Claire stood, taking her hand and ushering her to the door. “You have to take care of yourself too, Charli, or you’ll be no good to him when he does wake up. Besides, it isn’t just you you have to think about. You’re carrying my grandbaby.” Claire pressed her hand gently to Charli’s small, fifteen-week baby bump.
Charli nodded. “Yeah, okay. Call me if anything changes. I’ll have my phone.”
“Of course.” Claire’s eyes flashed with sympathy.
Charli put one leaden foot in front of the other. The tug to her heart to go back to the room was strong. But her mother-in-law was right. She needed to stay strong for her baby, and for Finn.
Walking through the large hallways in a daze, Charli found her way easily enough to the cafeteria. The smell of grilled meat permeated the dining area. Her stomach grumbled in response. After grabbing a simple sandwich and a juice, she paid before numbly walking towards the seating area. Charli made herself sit at an empty table and dig in. She didn’t taste her food, rather devoured it quickly in hopes of nourishing her body and getting back to Finn. The phone rang in her pocket, and she jumped. Heart racing, she pulled out her cell.
Mason.
Oh.
Her heart sank. Not Claire with news on Finn.
She clicked accept and answered. “Hello?”
