Wrapped In Us by MJ Fields

Author:MJ Fields [Fields, MJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Valley Publishing LLC
Published: 2022-08-22T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

I fell asleep next to Brody in his hospital bed for three full hours. In that time, London asked where “Aunt Rebecca” was, and Brody told her what had happened. Maddox, apparently, helped her understand and explained that’s why I was so tired.

Dr. Porter decided to keep Maddox another night, and Brody, as well.

When we left the hospital, London held my hand tighter and stood closer to me, and Lexington being all “Mad, Mad, Mad” gave us some comic relief.

Walking out, I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and told her, “Everything is okay now.”

She nodded firmly.

I’m grateful for those hours of sleep, because it gave me enough strength to sit through Carlos fixing the mess I made of my hair, and he gave London a trim and a couple highlights, as well.

The girls both slept in my room, and so did Mom … and Dad on a cot.

When I wake, I quietly slide out of bed and basically crawl past Lexington’s crib so that I can have just a few moments to reflect.

In the kitchen, I try not to look out the window but fail, and when I do, I am forced to walk outside.

“Clive, what are you doing?”

“As I was told,” he says, sticking the shovel in the ground.

“Is that going to be a sandbox?” I ask, looking at the frame.

“Yep.” Clive wipes the dirt from his hands on his pants.

“Why?”

“Well, Brody wanted something here that wouldn’t upset you, and I informed him that his idea wasn’t a good one.”

“Why, what did he want?”

“He wanted a dance floor.” Clive tries not to smile as he peers up at me.

“A dance floor?”

“He wanted you all to dance on that bitch’s—”

“I got it.” I shake my head. “Did Maddox hear him say that?”

“Oh yes, and he laughed for a very long time.” He runs a hand through his blond hair. “She put him through—”

“I know.”

“Then do me a favor and stop beating yourself up for ‘un-aliving’ that rotten twat.”

To say I’m shocked by not only his bluntness but his choice of words is an understatement.

“Hey, Clive?”

“Yes?”

“If I do that, will you call me Emma?”

His lips twitch up, but briefly, and he nods.

“How were they when you left?”

“Sleeping easy. Maddox looks so much different now. I know the first time you have to end a life is the hardest. It gets easier.”

My jaw nearly hits the deck floor.

“Yes, Emma, sometimes it’s necessary. You were a hero. You are a hero. So strong.” He shakes his head. “Stupid, but strong.”

“Excuse me?”

“I didn’t stutter. You could have been killed. Do you know what that would have done to Brody? He would have been an even bigger pain in my ass. And those three children …” He shakes his head. “Don’t do that shit again.”

I stare at him as he picks up a roll of plastic.

“Don’t wait for an apology that won’t come.”

I scowl. “Fine.”

“Good. Now, you want to help me roll this out and fill it with a rainbow of colored sand?”

“Sure. Is there a cover so the kids are not playing in raccoon poop?” I ask.

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