Page 140 of Denial
She only manages two steps in her hospital socks before I reach her. We collide, her body slamming into my chest as I lift her straight up into my arms. Her legs wrap tightly around my hips, her face disappearing into my neck. Her torso trembles, and her fingers grip my shoulders as if she’s trying to burrow deep and seek safety in my arms.
“You’re safe, Alice,” I murmur against her hair, squeezing my eyes shut as I breathe in her scent. For a long moment, I stand beside her hospital bed and rock her.
“I’m so sorry!” Her body bucks against me as she sobs. She wrenches her face from its hiding place, thick tears dripping steadily down her cheeks. “You have to believe me.”
“What do you possibly have to be sorry for?”
“I didn’t protect her, Sutton. I didn’t protect your daughter. I need to see her and tell her I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”
Dropping heavily onto the bed, I run my flat palm slowly up and down her spine. “You did. You kept her safe. Eleanor’s fine.”
“Her screams?—”
I cut her off, not wanting her to relive the memory for a second longer. “They weren’t real. They used a recording to manipulate you. Nellie has been with us the whole time. Ever since I got the call from dispatch and found her alone at the park.”
She rips her face from my neck, her teary red eyes searching mine.
“You got the… oh god, Sunny. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh.” I stroke her back, touched by her concern. Even lying in a hospital bed, she’s still looking out for everyone else. “I’m fine.”
“You’re sure Nellie’s okay?”
My lips twitch. “Other than worried about you, she’s keeping her aunties company. They should be coming by soon.”
The fight finally leaks out of her, and she collapses back against my chest. I press a lingering kiss against the top of her head, resting my cheek there.
“For the rest of my life, I’ll never forget what you were willing to sacrifice for me. For my daughter. I owe my life to you.”
Alice sighs softly, her fingertips lightly caressing my cheek. “I think by saving mine, you made us even.”
I stroke my hand softly over her hair and lower my mouth to her ear. “And just to say, if you ever fuckin’ do that again, I’ll turn your ass red, Firecracker,” I murmur where only she can hear.
She cups my cheeks, my stubble prickling against her soft skin. “I’d do it again, Sunny. You have to know, if it ever came down to it, and god, I hope it doesn’t, I’d do it again. For her. And for you.”
“Loving someone is living with the fear of losing them, but never letting that fear stop you from loving them despite it.”
Her breath catches.
“You taught me that.”
“Sutton…”
“I wouldn’t survive losing you, Alice. But I’m not going to let that stop me.” Finding her chin with my index finger and thumb, I hold her eyes. “I love you.”
Her lips part. “How do I know this is real?”
My thumb strokes along the lower curve of her mouth. “I would walk through a thousand tragedies to get to you. How could it be anything else but real?”
Tears pool along her waterline. “I love you too.”
Forgetting all about the audience, I dip my chin and take her lips in a gentle kiss. Resting my forehead against hers, I ask, “Can we let them get you hooked back up now? The sooner you recover, the sooner I can take you home where you belong.”
Alice’s expression turns sheepish. “Sorry,” she mumbles, stretching her arm flat on the bed beside her.
Olivia, the nurse, crosses the room and tugs on a pair of gloves. “That’s okay, honey. You barely got me.”
“Tell me your favorite food, and I’ll send you dinner.” Alice lays her cheek on my chest. “Or Sutton will go get you dinner since I’m stuck here,” she amends.
