Page 103 of Catch My Fall
Ray pushes off his chair. “Come on, let’s get you home, honey.”
“But… I can’t leave Alec.”
“You’re no good to him like this. He needs you to be strong and healthy, he wouldn’t want to see you so exhausted,” he insists.
“Ray’s right. You need to take care of yourself as well. You don’t have to worry, Alec’s in the best place,” Della adds.
“How about we get you home and you get a few hours sleep? We can come right back once you’ve rested? You heard what the doctor said, it could be another few days before they even think about bring him round.”
I chew on the inside of my lip, my gaze drifting over to Alec. The thought of leaving him makes me want to cry, but they’re right. I’m no good to anyone when I’m feeling like this.
“Alright,” I resign, too weary to fight. “But only for a few hours.”
As we move to leave, I lean over Alec’s sleeping form and press a kiss to his stubbled cheek. “I love you.”
The drive home is short, and after so many months away, pulling up to the front gate feels weird, almost like I don’t belong here, a stranger in my own house. But that feeling dissipates as we pull up outside and see my niece racing up the driveway towards the car, the chunky gravel crunching under her feet.
“Auntie Si! Auntie Si!” Ivy chants, charging towards us before I’m even out of the car.
I only have a couple of seconds before she launches herself into the air just in time for me to scoop her up into my arms.
“Auntie Si, you’re back!” She squeezes her arms around my neck.
Seeing my five year-old niece instantly puts a smile on my face. She’s a ray of sunshine we all need in this shitty situation. “Hey, munchkin. It’s so good to see you! Did you miss me?”
“I missed you sooo bad! Are you staying for good this time? Are you?” The excitement and hope in her voice is unmistakable.
“Yeah, Ives. I am.”
“Yay!” Ivy cheers, her eyes flicking to Ray. “Who’re you?” she asks curiously, her head cocked to the side.
“This is Ray, Alec’s uncle. Ray, this is Rafe’s daughter, Ivy.”
“It’s an honour to meet you, Ivy.” Ray’s eyes are soft as he takes in my niece.
Reese is waiting on the doorstep for us as we near the house. My best friend’s smile is wide as she pulls me in for a lung-crushing hug. “She was so excited when she heard you were at the gate she begged me to let her greet you.”
“It was a lovely welcome home.”
“I’m so happy you’re back. I missed you,” she says, pulling back and glancing to the man beside me. “You must be Ray, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Reese, is it?”
“One and only,” she beams.
“I said he could stay here while he’s in town,” I say.
“Of course! Come on in.”
Ivy’s hand is wrapped tightly in mine as we follow Reese inside, guiding me through like I haven’t lived here all my life.
“Are my brothers home?” I ask.
“They’re at work, they’ll be home in a few hours,” Reese replies.
I turn to Ray. “Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”
“Nope!” Della interjects. “I’ll show Ray to one of the guest rooms. You are gonna get your butt upstairs and straight into bed.”