Hell And Back(57)

“Not being able to be in that room when you were awake was hard. Watching you finally get better, but not being there to hold your hand while you did it was painful, but I didn’t care as long as you got better, as long as you were healing.” His hand folds together with mine.

“Every time the door would open, I would force myself not to look outside just in case you really did leave me like I asked. I pushed you away, yet I was scared you would actually listen to me and go,” I whisper to him in the dark, quiet room.

The only sounds in the room right now are our breathing, the sound of my heart beating in my chest, and the sounds of his soft snore as he drifts to sleep.

I lie awake again, this time because of the overwhelming peace and happiness I feel. The feel of his body next to mine, his hand in mine, his heart beating under my thumb, this is the feeling when your heart is filled to overflowing with happiness. That delirious happiness that sends people running up and down the street with their arms flailing all around them. It’s a good feeling.

I feel him kiss my shoulder, his head coming almost on my pillow. He hums softly then slowly I hear the telltale signs he has fallen asleep once again.

And in the darkness of this room, which was so empty when I first got here, but is now filled with pictures, filled with life and filled with love, I finally, finally, let myself go and follow him into sleep.





Chapter Thirty-Eight


Jackson





It’s the second day since we finally cleared the air between us. It’s also the second day I woke up with a knee to the balls courtesy of Lilah.

It seems she gets super excited when she sees us in bed together in the morning. So excited she jumps on the bed knees first right into the jewels.

I didn’t realize waking up with Bella would come with an ache in my balls that didn’t have to do with the woman lying next to me.

But now I stand in the kitchen, leaning against the counter drinking my morning coffee, looking at the little girl who owns the other part of my heart—Lilah.

She sits eating her waffles with extra syrup because ‘Momma says it okay,’ which I know is a lie.

I hear the shower turn off the same time I hear a key in the front door.

Brenda makes her way inside. “Good morning, my little heart,” she says, heading straight to Lilah and dropping a kiss on her head. “Jackson.” She nods at me while reaching to get a cup for coffee.

We don’t say much and just enjoy the quiet. Bella comes downstairs, her hair still wet from the shower. “Good morning, Brenda.” Walking toward the coffee pot, her cup is already sitting on the counter.

She stops in front of me, her eyes looking up.

Bending down, I place a kiss on her lips. “Good morning, angel.”

She quickly kisses me, moving on to join Lilah and Brenda at the table.

I take my phone out and check my messages. I’m going back into work today after taking the last couple of weeks off. It’s a good thing I had lots of vacation days saved up.

I get a message from Mick saying he’ll be in by one. I send him back a quick text, telling him I’ll already be in. Looking at my watch, I see it’s almost nine.

“Okay, beautiful ladies, it’s time to get back to the hustle and bustle,” I tell them while I put my mug in the sink.

“Girl party!” Brenda yells and throws her hands up in the air. Of course Lilah mimics her, but with the addition of syrup dripping all over her from the fork still clutched in her hand.

I laugh at them while Bella groans into her cup. “Whatever you do, you lock the door, yeah?” I look at all three of them, waiting for one of them to answer me.

“Yes, sir,” Bella says.

“Aye aye, captain.” Brenda salutes me, leaning forward to snatch a piece of waffle before it falls on the floor.

I lean down to kiss Bella’s cheek, and then over to the other side to kiss Lilah’s head.

Brenda puts her elbows on the table, cradling her chin in her hands as she looks up at me with puckered lips and says, “Put it there, hot stuff.”

Bella bursts out laughing.

“You kiss Ms. Brenda, Ackson?” Lilah asks while she tries to lick the syrup dripping down her chin.

I walk over, placing a big lip smacking kiss on Brenda’s cheek. “Be good, you guys,” I say as I walk out of the house.

There is a new security guy sitting in his car watching the area. I walk up to him as he’s stepping out of his car.

“Morning. Anything abnormal?” I ask him, almost holding my breath. Since Adam left the hospital, it’s been smooth sailing, but I’m not letting my guard down this time.

I didn’t know what I was dealing with before. Now that I do, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him get close to them again.