Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“I’m on my way, okay? I’m going to leave within five minutes. I’ll be there in a few hours.” I headed out of the library with my friends hot on my heels.
“But you’re—”
“Don’t worry about me. I can reschedule tomorrow’s meeting. It’s only with Max, and he’s here now.” I glanced back at him, and he nodded. “Are you at the hospital with her? What about your mum?”
“Aunt Vi took Lucy and Granny home, but me and Mum are here. We’re waiting for her to be admitted.”
“Okay. Stay there. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I held the phone between my head and shoulder. “Text me her ward information when you have it.”
“O… Okay.” She sniffled. “Fred?”
“Yeah, Deli?”
“Hurry up.” Her pained whisper sent an ache through me. “I’m scared.”
And those words?
They fucking broke me.
“I know,” I said softly. “I’ll be there soon. I promise.”
25
* * *
FRED
Islammed my car door behind me and locked it as I broke out into a run towards the main entrance of the hospital. I’d made it here in record time—there was at least one speeding ticket heading my way, but the tension and worry that’d knotted itself into every fibre of my being would only be soothed at the sight of Delilah.
“Idiot!”
I heard her before I saw her, and I felt her before I saw her, too.
She barrelled into my arms, knocking me backwards. I wrapped my arms around her as I fought to steady myself against the whirlwind that was my wife, and as soon as I was on stable footing again, I held her tightly to me.
Deli pressed her face into my chest, and I cradled the back of her head, burying my face in her hair. A thousand questions whirred through my mind, but now wasn’t the time.
Right now, she just needed me.
And so, I stood there at three a.m., bathed in the dim glow of the hospital’s lights, holding my wife as she silently cried into my chest.
All that passed between us was the twitching of her fingers against my shirt and her sniffs, interrupted by the occasional wipe of her cheeks. I adjusted my head so my chin was on top of hers, tucking her face against the curve of my neck, but my hold on her never loosened.
I would hold her for as long as she needed me to.
“You didn’t answer the phone. Why didn’t you answer the phone?” Deli’s voice was bad and tired, barely a murmur.
“I’m sorry. I was talking to Max. He only just missed your call, too. If I’d known…”
She smacked her fist into my lower back. “Always.” Punch. “Answer.” Punch. “The.” Punch. “Phone.”
“Yes, my pretty wife,” I replied, kissing the side of her head. I pulled back and laid my hands against her cheeks, twisting and turning her face so I could examine every inch of it.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure you’re okay.”
“I’m not the one in hospital.”
“But you are the most important one to me,” I replied. “Remember what you said to me and Mum while Dad was in surgery?”
“‘Everyone is worried about Uncle Eric, but who’s worrying about you guys?’” she muttered, averting her eyes. “Fine, you win.”
“Thank you.” I scanned her face one more time. “You look exhausted. Have you slept at all?”
Deli shook her head. “Only one person can stay in the room with her now she’s been admitted. I came in the ambulance with her, but Mum…”
“Okay, it’s fine. I’m here now.”
She sniffed. “Yeah. You’re here.”
“Always, Deli. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” I hugged her to me again. “For now, let’s go home. You need to sleep, and we can gather the things Aunt Bonnie and Nana need once you’ve rested.”
“But I—”
“Can’t do anything here,” I said gently, steering her lagging body towards the carpark. “I’ll text your mum and let her know I’m taking you home, but you need to rest. You’ll be no good to anyone if you don’t sleep.”
She dropped her chin to her chest and leant into my side. “Fine.”
“Have you slept at all?”
She shook her head.
I pulled her to a stop and moved in front of her, then bent down. “Hop on.”
“What?”
“I’m parked at the other side of the hospital. Hop on,” I repeated. “I’ll give you a piggyback to the car.”
“You’re insane,” she said, stepping back. “No way.”
“Just do it.”
“We could be at the car by now.”
“Yeah, we would be if you weren’t arguing with me.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” She closed the distance between us and positioned herself for a piggyback, and I stood up, lifting her with ease. She let out a little huff, and I smiled, carrying her towards the carpark.
Deli rested her head against mine, tightening her grip around my shoulders. Her body was cold against my back. How long had she been waiting for me outside the hospital in this chilly air? Why wasn’t she waiting inside? Why hadn’t she had anyone bring her a coat?