Page 123 of The First Cut

“No matter. I’m not going anywhere.”

I squeeze his shoulder in thanks and head toward the door with Elmo and Ferris behind me. I walk toward the waiting room, stopping at the nurse’s station to let them know that Lola woke up briefly before falling asleep once more. The nurse tsks at me for not letting her know sooner, but I shrug and walk toward the elevator. I’m a few feet from it when it dings. The doors slide open to reveal Byte, Germ, and Jolene with Evan in her arms. Standing just in front of them with her head down and her hands fisted at her sides, looking pale and tired, is Millie.

As she steps out of the elevator, she looks up, her eyes locking with mine for a moment before she pauses. “Dad?” Her voice breaks, and the sound, along with the word “dad” slipping so effortlessly from her lips, cracks something in my chest.

Before I can say anything, she runs toward me and flings herself into my arms. I catch her and wrap my arms tightly around her as she sobs into my shoulder.

Byte walks up and gives me a nod. “Kid’s been beside herself. If I didn’t bring her now, she’d have found a way to sneak out and walk here herself.”

“It’s alright. I needed to see them, too.” I didn’t realize how true that was until just now.

As Millie pulls back and looks up at me with eyes so like mine, I feel something I’m not sure I can put into words. I wipe my thumb across her cheek before sliding a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m sorry. I should have made her get in the tunnel with us. Or stayed and helped her somehow. She’s hurt because of me, because?—”

“No.” I shake my head, cutting her off. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. You protected your brother. You protected yourself. You did everything right. If you had stayed, you’d have been used as a means to make Lola comply. Without you there, she fought like a wildcat. None of this is your fault. Do not take that on.”

She takes a deep, shuddering breath before nodding. “How is she?” She bites her lip.

There’s a kinship between Lola and Millie that surprised me. Not in a bad way, but just in a way I found unexpected. I’d forced Lola into the role of stepmother. And Millie, for all intents and purposes, should have hated her for taking her mother’s place. Sure, there might have been some hiccups, but neither of them acted the way I expected them to. Somehow, amid all the uncertainty, they recognized something in each other. Instead of letting it drive a wedge between them, it pulled them together.

“She woke up for a little while. She was lucid and told me off for being an idiot, so I’d say she’s on the mend.”

Millie giggles, and the sound helps bleed some of the tension out of not just her, but the rest of the circle standing watch.

I look over at Evan, who’s fast asleep, before addressing Jolene. “How’s he been?”

“He’s been an angel. He’s been fed, and he’s enjoying being the center of attention. The little guy has just tired himself out.”

She walks closer so I can see him better. I drag my finger down the slope of his nose and watch as his eyelashes flutter briefly before he settles again.

“Thank you for bringing him here.”

“I get it. It doesn’t matter how many people tell you they’re fine. Sometimes you just gotta see them with your own eyes.”

I nod because that’s exactly it. “You okay with keeping him for a little longer? They’re going to keep Lola in for a few days, and I need to figure shit out.”

“You don’t even need to ask. Can I get some of his things?”

I look at Germ, who nods. “I’ll get him everything he needs. You don’t need to worry about your boy, Hannibal.”

“Appreciate it.”

“What about you, Millie? You’re welcome to stay with us, too.”

“I wanna stay with Lola. I don’t want her to wake up scared.”

I tug her toward me and press a kiss to her temple. Perhaps the smart thing to do would be to send her home with Jolene, but fuck it. I wasn’t going for the parent of the year anyway, and if she needs this, then so be it.

“You can stay, but I’ll have a brother here too. You don’t leave this hospital without protection.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Good. Byte, see if you can grease some palms. Hell, I’ll make a donation if I have to, but I want a bed for Millie. And I do not give a fuck about visiting hours.”

“Leave it with me.” He looks from me to Millie.

Getting the hint, Jolene jumps in. “Hey, Millie. Do you want to come down to the gift shop so we can pick something up forLola? You can also tell me what you think she might need, and we’ll pack a bag for her. I dread to think what she’d end up with if we left it up to Germ.”