Page 45 of Finding Home (Willow Valley #1)

FORTY-FIVE

EVERETT

C hloe is fast asleep, lying on top of me, when a nurse walks in. She smiles at my girl snoring as I run my fingers through her hair.

“Emotional day for her,” she muses. “She was crying in the waiting room earlier. Nearly collapsed when Dr. Maxwell showed up.”

My hand pauses in her hair, and I look at the nurse. “Her brother’s here?”

She nods. “Him and his wife. Recognize them from when the family was in for poor Mr. Maxwell earlier this summer. Real nice people.” She makes a note in my chart before looking back at me with a smile.

“Your stats are looking good, I’m sure we’ll be able to discharge you soon.

In the meantime, Dr. Maxwell and Hannah were asking if they could come back. ”

I nod, and she leaves. A few moments later, the door opens with Grayson and Hannah walking in. I offer him my hand, and he shakes it, taking in his little sister asleep against my chest. Hannah takes a seat in the corner, silently watching us.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen her as much of a wreck as she was when we walked into the waiting room,” he says, running a hand down his face.

My heart breaks that I made her feel like that—that I was the cause of her pain and tears.

“How is she?” he asks. “She hasn’t said anything to me since she called. ”

“We haven’t talked much. She told me about Lila and passed out shortly after.”

Grayson takes a seat and leans forward, resting his arms on his legs as he contemplates something. I let silence fill the air, giving him the time and space to make his decision. After a few minutes, he looks at me.

“You need to get her to talk. I know Chloe, and I guarantee she’s all in her head right now.

She’s going to be thinking about everything, and while she’s usually very talkative to the point of annoyance at times—” I glare at him, and he flashes his hands at me palms out.

“She’s my little sister. You didn’t experience teenage her.

” He sighs. “When big things happen, she turns inwards, trying to think about every angle, and she’ll do what she thinks is safest, not best.”

Hannah makes a sound that’s almost a scoff. “Wonder where she gets that?”

Grayson looks at his wife and shakes his head as the corners of his lips tip up slightly.

“When are they releasing you?” Grayson asks.

“Nurse said should be soon.”

He nods. “I’m assuming you know what to look out for in the coming days. Shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in your chest, blurred vision, headaches, dark mucus, dizziness.”

I nod. “Yup, not my first rodeo. Plenty of fluids, cool showers for the next twenty four hours.”

“We’re in town until Friday morning, and then we’re heading back to the city for New Year’s. Call if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

A nurse comes in again with a clipboard and says, “Okay, so your doctor has reviewed your stats and is going to discharge you. You’ll need to take it easy for the next week, so no shifts.

You’ll need to watch out for any symptoms that come up, and if they do, you need to come in immediately.

Failing to do so could lead to lasting damage. ”

“Just got the spiel from this one,” I point at Grayson, and he tips his chin.

“Okay. We’re going to get you to sign some discharge papers and then you’ll be on your way. I’m sure your girl would like to get home.”

I smile down at Chloe still peacefully passed out on me and take the clipboard from the nurse, signing the papers before handing them back to her. She grabs my clothes that have been shoved in a bag and places it on the foot of the bed.

“We’ll be outside when you’re ready,” Grayson says as he and Hannah leave, giving me privacy to change.

I take a minute to take in Chloe before I’m forced to wake her up. I kiss her forehead and whisper her name as I tuck hair behind her ear. She nuzzles into me, and I chuckle.

“North,” I whisper and scratch at her scalp. Her eyes flutter open, and she looks up at me. “It’s time to wake up. They’re releasing me.”

She rubs at her eyes and takes in our surroundings before she silently slides off the bed and into the chair Grayson vacated.

She rests her elbow on the arm of the chair and her head in her hand, eyes shutting again.

I smile as I climb out of bed and change.

My clothes smell like fire and smoke even though they were under my turnout gear.

I pick up Chloe, and she just manages to wrap her legs around my waist, and my hands find purchase on her ass as I carry her out of the room. I get the side-eye from the nurse that told me to take it easy, but I’m gonna carry my girl when she’s this tired.

Grayson and Hannah are waiting for us in the waiting room, Hannah offering me a warm smile when she sees me carrying Chloe.

They lead us out to their car, and I get Chloe settled and buckled in the middle seat in the back before buckling myself in.

She leans against my side, still completely out, as Grayson makes the drive back to town.

I give him directions to my place, and I thank the two of them as they pull up out front.

Grayson takes my number and texts me, once again telling me to call if I experience any symptoms. I carry Chloe inside and up to my bed, tucking her in before heading back downstairs to find Brinley on my couch reading.

Chloe was right, the house is a disaster, but it tells me Lila had fun and was probably way too distracted to be asking about me .

“How is she?” Brinley asks.

“Exhausted. She passed out as soon as she got to my room.”

She smiles softly and nods. “Lila was perfect tonight. We played, ate pizza, and watched movies. She took a shower, and I got her settled into bed.”

I smile and chuckle. “Chloe said you’d order pizza.”

“My best friend knows me well.”

I sigh deeply. “Thanks for hanging out with Lila today. Lila and I haven’t had a lot of people we can count on. It means everything that you stayed with her today.”

Her smile is soft as she pats my arm. “Just a big softy behind that grumpy exterior, I see.” I stare at her, but she doesn’t back down. “I like you for Chloe,” she says as she gets up and gathers her things. “Tell Chlo to text me in the morning.”

I nod, and she leaves. I bury my face in my hands before running them through my hair and taking a deep breath. I’m in desperate need of a shower and to climb into bed with my girl.