Page 55 of Fractured Grief

I shook my head at him and his silliness. “Stay, please.”

“You have to watch with us,” Hazel added, clapping her hands together in excitement.

Lyric’s eyes looked misty as he whispered, “Okay,”and started to fill a plate.

Once we all had food, Greek feasts for the adults and cheesy fries for Hazel, we sat back and started the movie.

Hazel sat between me and Indy, and even though she was eating her dinner, she still bounced and bopped in her seat at each song. I couldn’t help but smile at her antics.

I caught Lyric watching us out of the corner of my eye. He had a weird, almost sad look on his face as he shook his head and turned back to the TV.

We were all stuffed full and sleepy as the movie came to an end. Hazel had jumped up once she finished herdinner and did sing along to every song. It was so cute, I had more fun watching her than the movie. However, the movie was surprisingly good and had a few hidden jokes for older viewers that kept it interesting. In terms of a princess movie, it had a good message, and I could see why Hazel and Lexi loved it, girl power and all that.

“Can we watch another one?” she asked as soon as the credits finished.

“Not today, sweetheart. It’s past your bedtime,” Indy said from his place on the couch. “We need to get you ready for bed.”

“All the stuff is in Seb’s room,” Lyric said.

I wasn’t sure what would be best. Hazel and Indy could have my bed, and I could probably make it upstairs. Or Indy and Hazel could go upstairs, but that bed wasn’t that big. Did Indy even want Hazel in the same room as him?

Thankfully, Lyric spoke up then. “How about I get the rollaway out of the spare room, and Hazel could sleep out here, and then you and Indy could share your bed. That way you’re all on the same level and close by without being in the same room or moving things around too much.”

I turned to Indy. “What do you think?”

“That sounds like the best solution.” The secret smile he sent me had heat pooling low in my gut.

“Alright, I’ll get the rollaway, and you grab the sheets Ma added to the bags earlier.” With those instructions given, Lyric rushed upstairs.

“Let’s get you changed, little lady, and brush those teeth,” Indy said as he and Haze made their way to my room.

I cleaned up the food and put away leftovers before Lyric came back with the rollaway frame and mattress. He moved the coffee table out of the way and set up the bed in no time.

Indy brought out sheets, and I made Hazel’s bed.

“I’m going to take off and go stay at Ma’s,” Lyric said.

“You don’t have to. You can stay here. No one’s gonna be upstairs.”

“I think you need some alone time,” he waggled his eyebrows lasciviously at me.

I couldn’t help my responding eye-roll even if I tried. “He’s still sick and needs rest. Not whatever you’re thinking,” I said in a hushed voice, not wanting little ears to pick up on our conversation.

“Still, you should play family,” he winked at me. “I’ll be fine with Ma and come back over for breakfast.” Without another word, he left.

Hazel and Indy came back in. “Lyric left?” Indy asked.

“Yeah, he’s going to stay with Ma.” I didn’t want Indy to feel uncomfortable, so I added “He insisted.”

“Okay, I hope we didn’t put him or you out.”

“You haven’t. We’re,I’m,happy to have you here,” I smiled at him. “Let’s get this little one to bed and turn in, too.”

Indy helped Hazel as I said my goodnights and went to get ready myself. I had my stretches and exercises to do before bed.

Chapter 28

Indy