488 Family Dynamics

(Jayden)

I stand at the door the next morning as Anne steps in with the kids, managing the chaos with her usual calm authority. Abby clings to her arm, eyes darting nervously around the suite. "You remember this place, don't you, sweetheart?" Anne asks gently.

Abby nods but doesn't let go. "It's where the doctors made my heart better," she whispers, glancing at me for reassurance.

"It is," I say, crouching to her level. "But this time, we're here for Mom. She's going to need all of us to help her get better. You up for the job?"

Abby hesitates, then nods firmly. "Yes!" Then she opens her eyes wide. "Am I supposed to be really quiet?"

"No darling. You can just be yourself. But we'll try for no arguing and shouting with your brothers and sister, okay?"

"Okay. Can I go see Mom now?"

"Mom is having special medicine to keep her asleep for now, but I think she can still hear us. Go tell her about your day and we'll join you soon. Keep her company for me. You know how she loves all your stories." "I can make her feel better."

I brush her hair back and kiss her forehead. "I know you can. Mom will be proud of you."

Bobby and Sarah look like they aren't sure what to do. I motion to the bedrooms off the main living space. "You two share a room, Abby will be in with Henry. No fights. Take your things into the bedroom and then come give me a hug and tell Mom and I about your school day." They smile and run down the short hallway.

Henry, meanwhile, wriggles wildly in Anne's arms, squealing for freedom. I step in and take him, propping him on my hip. "Don't worry, Anne. He's my shadow from now on. Everywhere I go, Henry goes."

Anne raises an eyebrow, adjusting her cardigan. "You sure about that? He's like a hurricane in tiny sneakers."

"I've handled worse clients," I reply. Henry, delighted by my attention, grabs my face with sticky fingers and laughs. "See? Easy."

you say so. Just don't come crying to me when

Abby is now perched beside her mother, quietly telling her about her new friend

me, her expression

I reply simply. I'm

long moment, "You've had

I was

would've reacted the

the call about her fall. I'm done with letting anger rule me, or anyone else. Mother is gone, the circumstances are tragic and confusing, but I have to admit there's a sense of

be done and I'm

They make their peace with their decisions. That was Lance. He lived every minute of his life knowing that one day he'd make the ultimate choice. You aren't to blame. None of you

at Anne and

do feel some sense

just slightly. "He betrayed me with Winona but most of all he betrayed me by leaving me like this. I

what life is going

I wish he'd talked to me. wish I'd seen his pain through my anger. I wish I'd at least let him say his piece, listened to him,

do this. Judy was a wildcard but he did that for all the right reasons. He gave you what you'd never be able to have otherwise, freedom to love and

to my other hip. "I'm not even close to dealing with Lance stuff yet. But I am moving my life forward with my family. However that looks when

choices. But I need a

enough. I'm going to get started

Henry and I need to sign over Brennan

brow lifts. "To Greg's

with. I'm waiting

and Sarah run back out and I pop Henry down while I give them hugs. "You go see Mom, I'll go grab a tray of snacks for morning

and I ruffle his hair.

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