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BECKET
“Daddy, why isn’t Ms. Winter coming with us?” Zoey asked, pointing at the closing electronic doors.
“They said family only, kiddo.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and sent me a glare that gave a pretty good idea of what her teenage years would be like. “Sheisfamily.”
The nurse wheeled us into a nearby space and closed the curtain behind her as she left, letting us know she’d be right back.
I scrubbed my hand over the back of my neck.Shit.What was I supposed to say? “Zo—”
The same nurse pulled back the curtain and gestured toward us. “She’s right in here.”
“Let’s talk to the doctor first and then we can discuss this,” I put her off, not wanting to have this conversation in front of a stranger.
When Marjorie and Glen stepped through the opening, I choked on my spit. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Daddy!” Zoey admonished me. Her eyes narrowed once again.
I needed to pull my shit together or I’d be having an entirely different conversion with my daughter. Seriously though, what the fuck were the two of them doing at the hospital?
“Zoey! Oh God. Are you okay?” Marjorie burst into the small space.
“Grandma? What’re you doing here?” Zoey reached out to hug her and winced when she shifted her head.
“Oh sweetheart, the school called me when they couldn’t get hold of your father.” Marjorie sent me a reproachful look.
I held my tongue. They were lucky Zoey was here.
“That’s not true. Ms. Winter called him right away. Even before the ambulance came to get me.”
“Oh, they must not have realized it. I’m sorry we assumed they couldn’t reach you, Beckett.”
Shock gripped my tongue and no words escaped my mouth. That was the last thing I thought she’d say.
“We rushed over here as soon as we got the call,” Marjorie said. I could acknowledge even in my angered state that Marjorie and Glen loved Zoey. I knew deep down they wanted what was best for her.
Marjorie sat on the edge of the bed while Glen stood off to the side. He nodded at me. “Beckett.”
“Glen.” I could be civil if he could be too.
“Is she okay?” Marjorie’s eyebrows drew together as she patted at the blanket, smoothing it over Zoey’s legs.
I drew in a breath. They were Heather’s parents, I reminded myself. “The EMT’s think she’s completely fine. The school wanted to be careful and make sure she was all right. Although the doctor will be here soon to discuss next steps.”
Marjorie nodded. She patted at the blanket one more time and stood. Her gaze darted to me and then back to Zoey. “Ah, well, okay then. If you have things handled, maybe we should go, right, Glen?”
Glen’s lips pursed into a thin line. He clearly didn’t agree. “Right.”
“No, Daddy, tell them they can stay,” Zoey pleaded. She had to sense the awkward undertones of this conversation.
“Oh, sweetheart. It’s okay. We’ll see you soon and…” Marjorie’s voice trailed off. It was clear she didn’t know what to say, and based on me heeding my lawyer’s advice, she didn’t know when she’d see Zoey next.
“Stay,” I bit out. I wanted to swallow my tongue and tell security to usher them out of the building, but I would do anything for my daughter, even allow her grandparents to stay.
Tears shimmered in Marjorie’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Grandma, are you okay?” Zoey’s voice pitched higher. She snagged Marjorie’s hand and tugged her to sit down again.