Page 83 of Finding Forever

“Mr. Lanigan?”

I looked up at the nurse who had walked into the room.

“Alex Quinn is waiting for you by the nurses’ station.”

I checked my watch and frowned. It was five-thirty in the morning. “Thanks.” I pulled myself out of the chair and quickly made my way down the corridor. For Alex to be here at this hour, something must have happened.

Rounding the corner, I stopped. My friend stood beside the desk with a pink helium balloon in one hand and two takeout bags in the other. The balloon read: Welcome to the world.

“Riley hasn’t had a baby,” I said, a hint of confusion mixed with exhausted humor in my voice.

Alex smiled. “It’s the best the drug store could manage at this time of the morning. I thought he’d appreciate the sentiment better than wishing him a great 70th birthday. The nurses will look after the balloon while we have breakfast.”

“I’m staying with Riley.”

“We won’t go far.” He held up the two bags. “I have pancakes, hash browns, breakfast muffins, and coffee.”

Emotion choked me. I’d cried so much over the last few hours that I didn’t think I had any tears left, but I was wrong.

Alex handed the nurse the balloon and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “I know I’m a great guy, but don’t get too excited about the quality of the food.”

A watery smile tugged at my lips. “It can’t be that bad.”

“We’ll see. Let’s go to the family room. The nurse said she’d call me if anything changes.”

“Riley had a rough night. I should be there when he?—”

“He’ll be okay. Come on,” Alex urged. “The eggs will turn to rubber if we don’t eat them soon.”

I walked with Alex along the corridor, glancing into the rooms we passed, hoping those patients had a better night than Riley.

“Later this afternoon, Jonathan’s bringing Riley some clean clothes.”

“Thanks. I didn’t think about what Riley would wear today.”

“I’ve got a change of clothes in the truck for you, too. I can’t guarantee they’ll all fit, but you’re welcome to try them. The kennel texted me last night. Sherlock’s okay. He ate all his dinner.”

More tears welled up in my eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

Alex held open the family room door. “You don’t need to say anything. You’d do the same for me if the situation were reversed.”

Thankfully, the large room was empty. My tired gaze traveled across the navy blue sofas and chairs. Last night, a handful of people had been there, waiting for news about their family and friends. Everyone’s voices were hushed, speaking in whispers as they tried to console each other. When I needed to call Riley’s mom or reply to a message from the police, I took refuge outside the ward. Sitting on the hard plastic chairs in the corridor was better than getting more stressed by what was happening in the family room.

Alex emptied the bags of food onto one of the tables. “You’d better sit down before you collapse. Did you get any sleep last night?”

“I don’t think so. What about you?”

“I went home for a couple of hours, then came back. I booked into a hotel not far from here. Sit.”

I did as I was told—I was too exhausted to do anything else. The smell of bacon and eggs made my stomach rumble.

“Did you eat anything after I brought you dinner last night?”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t hungry.”

“It sounds like you are now.” Alex bit into his muffin and sighed. “I’m happy to report that breakfast is delicious.”

I lifted the muffin to my mouth and took a bite. Alex was right. “Thanks for being here.” I wiped my face with the back of my hand as more tears fell. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

---