Page 34 of Silent Echo

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

S ebastion was quiet as they pulled into the driveway.

He had been in the hospital for four days, and during that time, Charlotte had stayed with him, telling him stories of his life before Penelope and showing him pictures of their family life.

He was exhausted and weak from the surgery, so their conversations were sporadic, and she spent most of that time just watching him, reveling in his presence and being grateful for his return to her.

Her therapist, Dr. Morrison, was brought up to speed on everything, and despite Eli’s desire to fly to Atlanta to be with Sebastion, advised them to wait and let Charlotte and Sebastion have time to bond again so he wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.

Now they were home, and Charlotte looked at her son nervously, unable to tell what he was feeling.

“Are you ready to go in, honey?”

He nodded, biting his lip.

“Daddy and Harper can’t wait to see you.”

He didn’t answer as they got out of the car. She held out her hand and he took it, grasping it tightly.

“It’s okay to be scared. But it’s all going to be okay.”

When they opened the door, she saw that the living room was filled with balloons and signs that said “Welcome home.”

Sebastion looked around in wonder. Eli and Harper walked over to him tentatively. Charlotte could see the tears in both of their eyes and could feel their eagerness, but they held themselves back as the therapist had advised.

Sebastion looked back and forth between the two of them, a slow smile spreading across his face. Eli crouched down and opened his arms. “Hi, buddy. I am so happy to see you.”

Sebastion took a small step toward him and then Eli closed the distance and hugged his son, tears falling down his cheeks and his shoulders shaking in sobs. Harper ran over and hugged Sebastion from behind, crying as well.

Sebastion patted Eli’s shoulder and spoke softly. “It’s okay, Daddy. Don’t cry.”

Charlotte joined the trio, wrapping her arms around them, and knew in that moment, that they would survive.