Page 39

I open my eyes and blink a few times, moving to sit up.

"Oh thank fucking god." I hear Brandt's voice next to me and turn my head to see him squatting next to me on the balcony. He's crying and the phone is to his ear. "He's awake now. Yeah. No, please still come, at least to get vitals. Yes, thank you."

"What's going on?" I have a crick in my neck from falling asleep with my head to the side.

Brandt's hands are on me, but not in a comforting way.

His fingers go to my neck and I can see him mouthing the numbers in time with my heart beat.

Then he holds his flashlight up to my face.

Instinct is to recoil, but I can see the fear in his eyes.

"Brandt, what's wrong? Why are you checking me out like this? "

"You weren't waking up." He finally drops his phone from my face and his whole body sags forward. He rests his head in my lap. "I texted you earlier and then you didn't answer me when I came in. I found you out here and I tried to wake you up."

His arms are wrapped around my legs, hugging them to his chest. I run my fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry. I promise, I just fell asleep. I ate the leftovers from the other day and took my medicine. The breeze was nice out here and I must have been more tired than I thought."

Brandt lifts his head, resting his chin on my knee now. His eyes stare into mine. I don't know what thoughts are going through his mind right now, but I can see he's still scared. More scared than he should be. He looks tired too.

Before I can ask him how his shift went, I hear a knock at the door. We're on the backside of the apartment building, hidden from any flashing lights. "Paramedics," someone calls from the other side.

Brandt stands up and pulls me to my feet. "Just let them check you over, okay?"

"Okay." I'm not going to argue it. Not when he is squeezing my hand like he is.

I sit on the couch and let the paramedics do their job. They take my blood pressure, temperature, ask me questions, and even get my oxygen levels. All things that Brandt could have done, but I can see he's exhausted now. I want to get him in bed and take care of him tonight.

"Everything looks good," the male paramedic says. "All normal levels."

"I can see why you were worried when he didn't wake up," the woman says. She points to my medical alert bracelet. The only time I take it off is when I'm showering. I start fiddling with it out of habit when someone mentions it. "That can be a serious thing."

"Yeah, I passed out a couple months ago and went into a crisis.

" I stand up and start following them to the door.

Brandt stays behind in the kitchen. "I've been managing with medication and other resources.

It helps that my boyfriend is a nurse too.

He sometimes worries a bit too much, but that's just who he is. Thank you both for coming out."

"Make sure to keep hydrated, okay?" The man holds his hand out to shake mine. The woman simply nods and I close the door when they turn around to leave. I make my way back to the kitchen and find Brandt standing in front of an open fridge.

"You're going to spoil everything if you leave that open," I say softly. I crowd behind him, wrapping my arms around his stomach. "How about you bring that food into the bedroom and we'll have an easy night? I'll grab my laptop and we can watch a movie."

Brandt turns in my embrace and holds me tight. He buries his face against my shoulder and we stay like that, unmoving, for a few minutes. I'm not exactly sure how much time has passed when he finally lifts his head again. It's my turn to push his hair away from his face and comfort him.

"I changed my mind," I say. "You sit at the table and eat. I'm going to run a bath, we're going to share it, then we'll go lay down and you're going to tell me how your shift went."

"I don't want to talk about it," he says immediately.

I muster up every bit of the controlling one I am not and look him squarely in the eyes. "This isn't up for debate. You're exhausted and we both have to work tomorrow. You're going to relax and you're going to let me take care of you tonight."

I see his lips part like he's about to protest once more, but then he stops. He closes his mouth and just nods. I direct him to the table and bring the food over. It's getting cold, but I don't think he cares. He starts munching on a fry before I leave him to get the bath ready.

I turn the water to the hottest setting and let it run while I go across the hall into my room. I grab the candle I keep on my dresser. It's lavender scented. I add some bath salts and bubbles to the bath as it starts filling. The smell is soft, inviting. Definitely relaxing.

Brandt is finishing up a chicken sandwich when I walk back down the hall. I stand behind him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. "Everything is ready when you are, Daddy."

He tilts his head back and purses his lips for a kiss. "I love when you call me that." Another kiss. "I love being your Daddy, Ty."

I don't have the right words to respond to that.

Instead, I rub his shoulders while he finishes his food.

Then I take his hand and lead him down the hall.

When I open the door, the steam billows out, the candle is flickering on the counter top.

I turned the overhead light off, so the candle is our only light source.

"This is perfect, Ty. Thank you so much. You are perfect."

We strip out of our clothes and Daddy gets in first. I slip into the water and lean back against his chest. His legs are bent slightly and I wrap my elbows around his knees.

I brush my fingers up and down either of his calves.

I turn my head to see he's resting with his eyes closed.

His arms are wrapped around my shoulders, holding me against him. I wouldn't move even if I could.

"How did your shift go tonight?" I ask in the silence of the bathroom. I feel his chest rise with a deep breath.

"We had a car pileup. I got pulled into the Emergency Room to help.

" He tells me about Bobby, about making sure the baby was safe.

Then he drops the bomb. "I was told that an older gentleman from another car didn't make it.

I didn't have the heart to tell Bobby's parents that.

From what I gathered while giving my statement and getting more details, their car was the one that hit first. I don't want Bobby to think he did that. "

"I'm sorry." I don't know what else to say to that. I run my hands up and down his legs, timing my breathing with his. "I didn't mean to scare you, either."

"It's okay," Brandt says softly. I can tell he's half asleep right now. "I was tired and scared, baby. I wasn't thinking straight. I know how much you love your sleep."

I give a small chuckle at that. I'm always the one fighting to wake up in the mornings. "It's not my fault when I have the perfect person in bed to cuddle with."

"You're cute, Ty." I hear and feel him yawn behind me. I sit up and turn what little I can in the tub to look at him.

He's definitely about to fall asleep in this water. I cup his face with one hand, scratching lightly at the stubble there. I let my hand fall to his chest. "Let's get you cleaned up and in bed."

We drain the water and turn on the shower. He's sleepy, so I take control and get him washed up. He's had a long day and I know he has to do it again tomorrow. I grab both of us towels and we dry off to not drip water on the floor.

Fluff is sitting outside the bathroom door and meows when I open it. "Did you—"

"Yeah, I fed him when I ate dinner. I think he just misses you." The orange fluff ball walks with us to the bedroom. He jumps on the bed and claims his spot in the middle. He'll move down to the foot of the bed when we lay down. It's the same routine each night now.

I drop my towel and open his drawer to grab one of his shirts to wear tonight. I'm looking for my favorite faded blue one when I feel his body press against mine, wrapping his arms around me like I did to him in the kitchen. "You're amazing, you know that? Thank you for taking the lead tonight."

"Everyone needs taking care of from time to time," I say.

I turn my head and kiss his cheek. He spins me around and kisses me properly.

It's soft and caring. His hands explore my body as our tongues slide together.

I tilt my head slightly to deepen the kiss.

Our lips make low smacking noises as it turns from sweet to a bit more heated.

He pulls back first. We're both breathing heavier and take a moment. He grabs my hand and pulls me away from the dresser and toward the bed. Without a word, he drops his own towel and pulls down the blanket to get in. Guess we're going no clothes tonight.

"Let me get my laptop," I say quickly.

"Can you put the rest of the food in the fridge while you're out there?" I nod and try to be as quick as I can without actually running. My mouth waters at the food, even though I'm not hungry and it's definitely cold by now. It's my favorite meal from that place though.

I double check that the door to the apartment and the balcony door are both locked.

I flip off the main living room light and head into his bedroom.

Brandt doesn't move when I walk in. He's laying on his back, eyes closed, with his arm out in the perfect position for me to cuddle up next to him. Like I do every night.

"Daddy?" I don't speak too loud. It's not even ten yet, but he is out cold. I set the laptop on the dresser and climb in the bed beside him. I settle my head against his chest and smile. "Goodnight. Sweet dreams."