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Mrs. Delaney lets out a small sob before turning to her husband and throwing her arms around him in a hug. I give them time to comfort each other and try not to watch their embrace. It makes me long to feel Alice’s arms around me once more, and that’s not something I need to want.
“Surgery went well?” Mrs. Delaney asks in confirmation after breaking apart from her husband.
“It went a bit longer than I’d thought it would, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. We accomplished everything we’d wanted to, and I think Abigail’s recovery will be textbook. Kids seem to bounce back quickly; it’s amazing what they are capable of.” I slide across a care packet that explains what they can expect for her recovery plus the monetary funds allotted from Heartful to cover their stay. “Thank you for trusting me with your daughter’s care.”
I give them a smile, and Mrs. Delaney suddenly stands up from her chair, rounding the table to bend and give me a hug. I stiffen in surprise and then awkwardly pat her arm wrapped around me.
“You don’t know what a godsend you’ve been for us. The way you championed for us and were able to get us in to take care of our daughter. It’s more than we could have ever hoped for. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” She wipes a tear from her cheek and gives me a bright smile. “Do you have children, Dr. Morrow?” she asks.
I nod. “One daughter,” I tell her.
“She’s a lucky little girl to have a father like you.”
“Thank you. Sometimes, I feel like I could do better, but I think that’s the plight of parents everywhere—always worried you aren’t doing enough.”
“Exactly right. It’s the good parents who worry about that sort of thing. I’m sure you and her mother are doing a wonderful job,” she says.
I stiffen a little. I try to relax and hope they didn’t notice my change.
Mr. Delaney scoots her chair back and clears his throat. “Here, come sit back down,” he says, motioning to his side, and she does. “We didn’t mean to pry,” he tells me.
I nod again. “It’s okay. My daughter’s mother is out of the picture.” I tap the top of my file for lack of something better to do. I hate the awkwardness that has taken over the room.
“Oh dear. I spoke out of turn. I’m so sorry.” Mrs. Delaney wrings her hands. “I’m sure whoever is lucky enough to snag your heart next will be amazing.”
“She is,” I say before stopping myself.
It seems everyone wants to talk about Alice today, and I can’t get away from it.
“Do you know how long we will need to arrange to stay here?” Mr. Delaney asks, and I shake my head.
“We will keep Abigail a few day to monitor her before sending her home.” I stand and tap the packet I gave them. “Since we moved your daughter’s surgery up, we didn’t have time to go over this but there’s a charity set up for families like yours, where it pays for the expenses of lodging and care, so you don’t have to worry about anything beyond your daughter.”
I smile at them, and Mrs. Delaney stands, pulling me into another hug.
“Thank you, Dr. Morrow.”
“No need to thank me; it’s the least we could do. Your daughter is being taken to recovery, and a nurse will lead you there, so you can be by her side when she wakes up. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call. You still have my number, right?”
“Yes,” Mr. Delaney confirms.
He stands and holds out his hand for me to shake. After a third hug from his wife, I leave the room, indicating to the nurse that they are ready.
Finally, I’m back in my office, leaning back in the chair and closing my eyes, Alice’s face swimming in the darkness behind my eyelids.
It’s been three weeks since Alice came like a thief in the night—not literally—and took all of her stuff out of my house, leaving her dog behind as a memory I don’t want. I never should have said yes to Ivy. But the way she’d looked up at me with her wide eyes as she asked made it impossible for me to say no. I couldn’t have her upset with me too.
With Alice gone and Vicky deciding not to come back, I had to hire a temporary nanny. She’s fine, but every time I see her, I want to fire her on the spot. It’s not her fault. She’s a sweet little lady, but she’s not Alice, and that has made me irrationally angry these last few weeks.
I finish making my notes and close the folder. I check around for any unfinished work and then stand, taking my white coat off to hang on the rack. I grab my keys to return home. It’s a place I’ve been avoiding lately, as it’s filled with memories of her. I can’t even count the times I’ve picked up my phone to call her, but ultimately, I put it down and don’t go through with it.
What would I even say? Would I beg and plead for her to come back?
Probably. And I’m not that kind of man, am I? Pining after a woman who doesn’t want me. I was able to let Jane go. It fucked me up, no doubt, but I can’t get rid of Alice from my mind. I’m a mess, a shell, and not in the same way I was before.
I step outside, making my way to the parking garage when the first raindrop hits me. I glance up, noting the rain falling faster in the blink of an eye. It’s fitting weather for my mood right now. Dark and gloomy. My phone rings in my pocket, and I step underneath the protection of the concrete garage and take it out.
“Hello?” I furrow my brow when I see it’s the nanny.
