Page 51 of Saving Scarlett
The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside the cramped space. As we ascended, Bane brushed his fingers against my cheek, whispering in my ear, “It’s going to be okay.”
I nodded, willing myself to believe him. I wasn’t just worried about myself, but about his niece also.
The doors opened again, revealing a long hallway lined with rooms. Monitors beeped and nurses bustled by, their rubber soles squeaking.
Leading me to a door halfway down, Ethan turned around to face me, planting a small kiss on my lips. “Ready?”
I inhaled slowly, steadying my nerves before nodding. “Ready.”
With no more hesitation, he pushed open the door and we stepped inside.
Morning light filtered through half-drawn blinds, falling in slanted bars across the bed. Beneath a maze of wires and tubes lay a small, fragile girl with the top of her bald head wrapped in gauze. Her skin held a grayish pallor, but her eyes shone bright as they fixed on her uncle. Just seeing her in that state, but still smiling, brought a smile to my own face, warmth blooming in my chest.
“Uncle Ethan!” she cried, her voice hoarse but delighted.
Letting go of my hand, he rushed forward, enveloping the little girl in a gentle hug. “Hey, troublemaker. Told you I’d come back, and what did I promise to bring you?”
With a brilliant grin on her face, she pulled away from him, looking around his back to where he was holding a stuffed pink llama in his hand.
“My llama!” she squealed as she held out her hands.
Bringing my hand to my mouth, I stifled a giggle at their interaction even as it made my ovaries explode. Ethan would be an amazing daddy, and I fully intended to let him impregnate me.
Over his shoulder, the little girl’s gaze met mine, and despite her sickness, a glimmer of light shone there.
Reflecting her smile, I approached the bed. “Hi, Evelyn. I’m Scarlett. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “You’re Uncle Ethan’s friend?”
I nodded, touched by the sweet lilt of her voice. “That’s right. He’s told me so many wonderful things about you. I hear you’re incredibly brave.”
Pink spots appeared on her pale cheeks as she gave a small shrug. “The medicine makes me sleepy, and sometimes I get scared.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she squeezed the llama to her chest. “But I don’t tell anybody that.”
My heart melted. Perching carefully on the edge of the bed beside Ethan, I took her small hand in mine. “It’s okay to feel scared sometimes. Even brave girls like you, but you know what?” I leaned into her, whispering conspiratorially, “A little secret? I get scared too. All the time.”
“You do?” Her mouth spread into a toothy smile, the two in the front missing in action.
“Oh, yes. More than I’d like to admit.” I smiled ruefully. “But you know what helps me when I’m afraid?”
She shook her head, leaning in closer.
“Having people who care about me. Like your Uncle Ethan.” I nodded toward him. “And now you too. Because if we stick together, we don’t have to be afraid. Not really.”
Evelyn considered this for a moment, then gave my hand a determined squeeze. “And my mommy too!”
For the next several minutes, I remained on the bed next to Evie as she told me all about her new llama, giving it a name and letting me hold it. Bane watched us from across the room, a mix of emotions playing across his rugged features. Relief. Pride. And something deeper that made my heart skip.
As Evelyn’s eyes started to droop with fatigue, I helped her lay down, covering her with her blanket. Once her eyes were closed, I stood and crossed over to him. He wrapped an arm around my waist, his touch anchoring me.
“How’s she doing today?” I asked, my voice just above a whisper. “Did the nurse give you an update?”
Bane sighed, the corners of his mouth turning down. “The same. Her blood counts are still low. But...” His eyes flicked back to Evelyn. “She seems happier since you got here. And she’s conscious, so that’s a good sign.”
Leaning into him, I took comfort in his solid strength. “She’s an amazing kid. So resilient. And beautiful too. She certainly loves her Uncle Ethan.”
Nodding, his jaw tightened. “Yeah. Yeah, she is, and that, she does. She’s very special to me. My sister and Evie were the only family I had left… until you came into my life.”
His words brought so much warmth to my chest, but I only responded with a smile and a kiss, letting him pull me into his side.