Page 65 of Choosing Skyler

I feel Brady step behind me and wrap his arms around me before whispering in my ear, “We’re going home, Beautiful.”

I nod and lean back against him. I can go anywhere with him at my back. I don’t have to be afraid to live. I don’t have to be afraid to love. I just have to choose him the way he’s chosen me.

Devon smiles at me. “You ready to blow this place, Sweets?”

I nod excitedly and Dr. Henley laughs. “Well, let me go get your release papers signed. The nurse will be in within the hour with your medications. We’ll fill them at the hospital pharmacy for you so you can go straight home when you leave.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Henley,” I tell him.

“You are so welcome, Skyler. I’ll schedule a follow up appointment with you in a couple of weeks to check in. If you need me before then, feel free to call, okay?” he says, waiting for my reply before leaving.

An hour later I’m walking out the front doors of the hospital with Brady while Devon pulls the car around to pick us up. They wanted to push me out in a wheelchair, but I refused. I may have been wheeled in here, but I’mwalkingout. Devon pulls up in Chelsea’s SUV and I look for Tracey in the passenger seat, but she’s not there. I’m a little surprised—and disappointed—that the only ones here for my ride home are Devon and Brady. I try to hide my disappointment as I climb into the back seat.

The ride home is quiet, and I think Devon and Brady are just giving my mind the space to wrap around finally going home. I’m happy to be going home, but I’m also nervous. The last time I was there I kissed Brady and told him I was going to work.Will I ever be able to do that again? I can’t even imagine going anywhere alone, let alone working in the coffee shop before sunrise—alone. I don’t even know if I’ll ever be able to step foot back inside the coffee shop.

I’m letting my mind get away from me.One step at a time, Skyler,I remind myself of one of Dr. Anderson’s favorite quotes and take a deep breath to steady myself.

Brady squeezes my hand, pulling me the rest of the way back from my spiraling mind. “I’m right here, Beautiful.”

I look up at him. “I know. I’m okay. Just let my mind get away from me for a minute.”

He nods. “It’s okay to not be okay as long as you know we’ve got you,” he says, pulling our hands up to kiss the back of mine.

When we pull up in front of our apartment building Devon tells us he’s going to take Chelsea’s SUV back to the coffee shop and pick up his car. He seems a little excited and I think he’s just itching to go see Tracey, but I don’t call him on it. I get out and kiss his cheek through the open driver’s window before turning with Brady to head into the apartment building.

When we step into the elevator, I realize that Brady and I will be going homealone,and my mind gets away from me in an entirely different way than it did on the ride home.

Every time I’ve kissed Brady and wanted more the during past week, someone would walk in, or he would stop me because someonemaywalk in. The only truly intimate moments we’ve had were in the shower, but even that was just washing each other and enjoying being close. By the time we got in there, I was too exhausted to push for more anyways. But now, we’re going home where we’ll be truly alone together. I’m so excited by the thought I’m practically bouncing.

“I’m glad you’ve got your homecoming excitement back.” Brady chuckles, wrapping me in a hug just as the elevator doors open on our floor.

I start jogging down the hall, dragging him with me and bounce on my feet as I wait for him to put his key in the door and open it. I’m so excited by the prospect of more than a chaste kiss that my fingers are tingling. I drag him into the apartment ready to climb him like a tree the second the door closes. But before I can…

“WELCOME HOME!!!” Everyone shouts as soon as we’re in the apartment, making me jump and my hand fly to my chest.

Brady’s hands go to my hips to steady me, before leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Did you really think theywouldn’tbe here? We’ve got time, Beautiful. Let’s celebrate with the family first.” He kisses my cheek before standing back up straight, leaving my blushing face on display.

Devon hoots and laughs. “Oh, you had a different homecoming party in mind, huh, Sweets?” He runs to me, wrapping me in a hug, hiding my face from the room.

I punch him in the side. “You all scared the shit out of me. How did you beat us here?”

“You love us anyways and I took the stairs. That elevator is slow as hell,” he says, kissing my cheek before backing up for me to see the crowd here to celebrate with me.

Everyoneis here. Chelsea, Tracey, Timothy, Julie, Jenny, even Joey. They all take turns giving me a “welcome home” greeting.

Then, I notice that there’s a spread of party food from TG’s, pastries from Chelsea’s shop and a full bar set up with none other than Tony, the owner and bartender at TG’s, ready to make anything our college hearts desire. I eye the handle of my favorite coconut rum before turning around to look up at Brady, frowning because I’m not supposed to mix alcohol with my medication.

He smiles knowingly. “Devon talked to Dr. Henley and Dr. Anderson. They both agreed that alcohol is okayin moderationas long as you don’t take your Ativan or pain medication while you’re drinking.”

I feel my face light up as I go up on my toes and kiss him quickly before turning to drag him to the bar.

“Whoa, Beautiful!” he says, laughing and dragging me back into him. “It’s barely eleven o’clock. Let’s have lunch first, yeah?”

We all pile up plates and sit around eating and talking. I’ve never felt so loved by so many people. It may have taken the worst thing in my life to make me see it, but I finally realize that Iamloved. I have a family even if it’s not the one I was born into. I’ve found a place that I belong and a love I never thought I’d experience. I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet.

Brady

Devon and I didn’t agree on the homecoming party for Skyler. I thought it was too much, too soon. But I was overruled by him, Chelsea, and Tracey. They arranged everything and promised me that at the first sign of Skyler being uncomfortable they would pack it all up and leave. I hesitantly agreed and I’m so glad I did. She’s having a blast. She is more carefree than I’ve ever seen her.

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