Chapter 8 - The Awakening
The drive back from Tacoma to Seattle felt like the longest thirty minutes of my life.
By the time the Yukon pulled into the ambulance bay at St. Catherine, the rain had stopped, leaving the night sky clear and studded with cold, brilliant stars.
I took the private elevator straight to the fourth floor. Gabe was still standing post outside Room 417, his face relaxing when he saw me walk down the corridor.
“She’s awake, Boss,” Gabe whispered, stepping aside. “Mrs. Gable brought the girls back twenty minutes ago. They’re inside with her now.”
I stopped outside the heavy glass door, taking a slow, steadying breath. My hands, which had remained completely steady while confronting assassins and mob bosses, were trembling as I reached for the brass door handle.
I pushed the door open softly.
The room was warm, filled with the gentle golden light of the bedside lamp.
Claire was sitting up against the raised hospital pillows. She looked frail, her skin still pale, but the oxygen mask was gone, replaced by a simple nasal cannula.
Ellie, Hannah, and Sophie were all piled onto the edge of her bed, holding her hands, talking over each other in excited, childish whispers.
“...and he has a big fireplace, Mommy!” Sophie was saying, pointing her rabbit toward the window. “And Mr. Buttons got real cocoa with tiny marshmallows!”
“And he brought the blue box, Mom,” Ellie added softly, her blue eyes turning toward the door as I stepped inside. “He saved us.”
Claire turned her head slowly toward the doorway.
When her pale blue eyes met mine, the five years of separation, pain, terror, and longing seemed to collapse into nothingness. Tears instantly welled in her eyes, spilling over her pale cheeks.
“Julian...” she whispered, her voice weak and hoarse.
I walked over to the bed, dropping to my knees beside her mattress. I reached out and gently cupped her face in my hands, wiping her tears away with my thumbs.
“I’m here, Claire,” I said, my own voice breaking with raw emotion. “I’m right here.”
The three little girls grew quiet, watching us with wide, curious eyes. Ellie gently took her sisters’ hands and whispered, “Let’s let Mommy and Julian talk.” They slid down off the bed with surprising grace and walked over to the small sofa near the window, snuggling together beneath a blanket.
Claire reached up, placing her cold hand over mine, pressing her cheek firmly against my palm.
“I’m so sorry, Julian,” she sobbed softly. “I’m so sorry I ran away. I was so scared... Sterling’s men sent me photos of you leaving your office, and then they sent a copy of my ultrasound... They said if I didn't vanish, they would kill you and the baby.”
“I know, Claire,” I whispered, leaning forward to press my forehead against hers. “I know everything. I found the letters in the blue box.”
Claire gasped, fresh tears streaming down her face. “You read them?”
“Every single one,” I said, looking deep into her eyes. “You spent five years living in the dark to protect me and our daughters. You bore the weight of the entire world on your shoulders, Claire. But it’s over now.”
“Sterling...” she stammered, her eyes filled with residual fear. “Is he—?”
“He’s gone,” I said firmly, holding her gaze so she could see the absolute truth in my words. “Sterling, Hayes, and everyone who ever threatened you or our children have been dealt with. They will never, ever hurt you again. You are safe, Claire. You’re home.”
Claire closed her eyes, letting out a long, ragged breath that sounded like a woman finally putting down a burden she had carried for far too long.
She reached out, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me close against her chest. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her fragile frame with all the protective love I had buried five years ago.
From the window sofa, Sophie’s small voice broke the quiet room.
“Mommy?”
Claire pulled back slightly, smiling through her tears as she looked at our daughter. “Yes, sweetie?”
“Is Julian going to stay with us now?” Sophie asked, clutching Mr. Buttons.
Claire looked up at me, her pale blue eyes searching my face for the final answer.
May you like
I stood up, took Claire’s hand in mine, and looked over at my three beautiful daughters sitting on the sofa.
“No, Sophie,” I said with a warm, permanent smile. “You, Ellie, Hannah, and your mommy are coming to stay with me. Forever.”
