Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I get up, and finding the prescription bag on the island, I tear it open and look through the bottles for the right medicine. I shake two pills into my palm and hurry back to the couch.
Placing my hand behind her head, I bring my palm to her mouth and feed her the pills. I quickly grab the bottle from the table and take off the cap so she can have a few sips of water.
“It will help with the seizures,” I say. I lean over her again and brush my hand over her hair as I lock eyes with her. “I love you, Rachel. Everything I’ve ever done has been for you, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.” Tears blur my sight, and I blink them away. “I will give Lainey the world and make sure she never forgets you.”
She nods, then manages to say, “Lasts.”
“We’ll do everything tomorrow. Just give the medicine time to work.”
She nods again before her lashes drift shut, and it looks like she’s fallen asleep.
“Is it safe?” I hear Nova ask.
“Yes.”
She comes back into the living room with Lainey, and panic laces her words. “How’s Rachel?”
“I’ve given her medicine, so she’ll sleep for a while.”
I only realize it’s getting late because Nova switches on the light in the kitchen. “I’ll make Lainey a sandwich. She hasn’t eaten all day.”
“Good idea.”
What a fucking day.
I get up, and grabbing a blanket that’s draped over the back of the couch, I spread it out over Rachel.
When I turn around, Lainey’s just standing and staring at her mother. I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen, where I grip hold of her hips to set her down on a stool.
Taking a seat beside her, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and ask, “How are you doing?”
Her bottom lip juts out. “My heart hurts.”
“I know, sweetheart.” I lean closer and press a kiss on her forehead. Worried about what this will do to Lainey, I ask, “Do you want to stay with Porsha and her family for a little while?”
She quickly shakes her head. “I don’t want to miss any time with Mommy.”
Unable to hide the brutal reality that’s become our lives, I say, “Mommy will only get sicker until she passes away. I’m not sure you should see that.”
“I’m staying,” she snaps, then her face crumbles. “Don’t send me away. Please, Uncle Easton.”
I pull her onto my lap. “Okay. I won’t. Shh. It’s okay.”
Nova gives me a compassionate look, then says, “I’ll make sure to leave the room with Lainey if something happens that she shouldn’t see.”
I nod. “Thanks, Nova.”
Holding my niece, I glance at the couch, not sure how we’re all going to get through the next few weeks.
That’s if we’re lucky. We might only have days left.
Chapter 16
Nova
Last night, Easton told me about Rachel’s request, so we’re all getting ready to go to the beach.
I braid the last of Lainey’s hair and tie it at the end before saying, “Let’s go downstairs.”
When we leave Lainey’s room I glance into Rachel’s bedroom. Yesterday, when I went to grab her pajamas, I found most of her clothes packed in boxes. There was also a stack of letters, memory cards, and important documents on her dressing table. She even thought to make a list of all the phone numbers we might need after she’s gone.
I think every night when she went to bed early, it was so she could prepare everything for her death to make things easier for us.
We walk down the hallway, and taking the stairs down to the first floor, we see people carrying a hospital bed into the living room. The couches have been moved to the side to make space for everything Rachel will need.
Easton notices us and says, “Hospice just arrived. Give them a few minutes, then we’ll get going.”
“No rush,” I reply. “Where’s Rachel?”
“Out on the veranda with Frances.”
I walk to the sliding doors and exit the house. “Easton says we’ll leave soon.”
Rachel struggles to lift her head but manages to look at me. When she sees Lainey behind me, a weak smile forms on her face. “B-beautiful.”
My goddaughter puts on a brave face as she walks to her mom. “Nova braided my hair so it won’t get in the way when I build you the biggest sandcastle you’ve ever seen.”
A soft chuckle escapes Rachel. “V-very big.”
Lainey nods and places her palm against Rachel’s cheek. Her tone is too serious for a ten-year-old as she says, “I love you the most in the world, Mommy.”
Rachel basks in her daughter’s touch. “L-love . . . you.”
Easton comes out accompanied by a woman who seems to be in her forties and says, “This is Harlow. She’s a nurse and will be with us during the days to help.”