Page 113 of Forgotten Desires

“She’s okay?” I ask.

“She’s doing great.”

I go to Brynn, pulling her to me to savor the way she wraps her arms around me. “I don’t know if I’ve felt that level of fear ever in my life. I couldn’t get here any faster. I couldn’t do anything.”

“I’m sorry, babe,” Brynn says, her brown eyes filled with emotion. “I’m sure it was impossible for you.”

“Knowing you had her made me at least be able to stay calm.”

“Good.”

That was the only thing I kept holding onto in my head. Brynn would never let anything happen to Layla. She loves her and wants a better life for her, which is why she married me. Also, I know how Layla feels about her. The way she smiles when Brynn is around, always wants to sit by her, tells her stories...and Brynlee listens to each one.

I lean down, kissing her again, and then we just hold each other.

Layla’s footsteps come barreling down the hall and I release my wife.

“Look! It’s a chicken!”

I’m not sure I’d be able to see that if I wasn’t being told it’s a chicken, but I nod and go along with it. “It sure is. I love it.”

“See, Rin, I made a chicken.”

Brynn laughs. “You did and I love it too.”

I look at my watch and see it’s way past her bedtime. I’m glad she stayed up so I could see her, though. “I’m not going to work tomorrow, and I was thinking, maybe we can go in the movie room and all cuddle up on the couch. What do you say?”

“Can we watch the princess movies?” Layla asks with big eyes.

Brynn sinks down to her level. “Always the princess movies if I’m here.”

She throws herself into Brynn’s arms and they both laugh, and my world is back on its axis.

* * *

Jacqueline was released from police custody twenty-four hours after the accident. Her lawyer was unable to pull any strings thanks to my lawyer’s connections. While I didn’t love the idea of having the mother of my child spend a night in jail, I’m not unwilling to do what I have to for Layla.

The judge agreed to us having sole custody for the next three weeks leading up to the official custody hearing. Ms. Banks suggested that tomorrow we meet with Jacqueline and her lawyers to discuss an agreement to avoid the court hearing and keep Jacqueline’s name out of the papers.

“I’m not doing this tomorrow,” I say to Brynn as she’s going through her overnight bag for the sixth time before we head to the hospital in the morning.

“The hell you’re not! Call your lawyer, and get Layla officially.”

I sigh, running my hand through my hair. “And leave you alone in the damn hospital? You are having major fucking surgery tomorrow. It can wait until after.”

Brynn groans, tossing things back in the bag. “No, it can’t! The whole reason any of this is our reality is for Layla. Damn it, Crew, don’t let this even be a thing. I’ll be fine. I’ll be in the hospital, my brothers will be there, and you can take care of what you need to for her. She’s what matters.”

Now it’s me who wants to shake some sense into her. “And you don’t matter?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No? It’s pretty much what you did just say. I’m not leaving you during your liver transplant, Bee. I’m not going to have some meeting that can wait a day or two while my wife is undergoing surgery. It’s not happening.”

She throws the bag to the floor. “Then I’ll cancel the surgery.”

I roll my eyes. “Right.”

“I’m serious.” She fakes a cough. “I think I’m sick.” Brynn coughs twice more. “Can’t do it.”

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