Page 57 of Wildest Forever

I nod.

“It's just...” I pause for a moment as I look up at the house. “I have had such a lovely day with your family and the Warrens and now reality has hit me in the face at what is going on,” I drop my head, looking at my bit to fuck nails.

But his hand is there, scooping mine up into his.

“I know,” he says softly and he could have said so much more and tried to give an explanation about what is going on, but I am grateful that he doesn't.

“Come, let's go and sit with him. I'll make the tea,” his thumb brushes back and forth across the back of my hand and I bob my head.

“Will you come with me to see him?” my voice is quiet.

“Of course,” his smile widens before he drops my hand into my lap. Opening the door, I step down and walk side by side with him as we enter the house.

He takes my hand in his as we climb the stairs and the nurse is just walking back into his room.

She gives a soft smile and then steps aside so me and Pacey can enter the room.

I pause for a moment, my legs suddenly feeling heavy as I take a deep inhale, holding it for five then releasing as we walk through the door.

He stays right beside me.

My pops’ eyes find mine and a small smile spills onto my lips as I walk cautiously into the room.

“Hey,” I say softly, looking down at him and pushing his hair away from his face, my brows furrow when his hot skin molds into my cold hand. He has tubes up his nose and a drip running into the crease of his elbow, a bag full of liquid and I know it's the strong stuff to make him comfortable.

“Hey sweetheart,” his voice grumbles and his hand trembles as he reaches for my hand that is resting on the bed.

“You doing okay?” I ask but his eyes have drifted over my shoulder to Pacey, a hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips before his main attention is on me.

He gives a soft nod.

The sound of the bedroom door closing has me looking over my shoulder, the nurse walking towards us.

“He has had his meds, we're going to head off now if that's okay and we will be back in a couple of hours.” She asks and she looks so cautious.

“Of course,” I turn fully and place my hand on the top of her arm. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“He is comfortable, but if there are any changes then please do give us a call,” she glances over at Gerry and gives a warm smile. He holds his hand up at an attempt of a wave before she is walking out of the door and it's just the three of us.

“Are you hungry?” I ask, sitting on the edge of my pops’ bed and he nods.“Let me go...” I pause when Pacey's hand is on my shoulder.

He continues, “Let me go out and grab something... will you be okay for like...” his voice trails off as he looks at his watch and then his eyes are back on me, “twenty minutes, thirty max?” and I am a little hesitant, but I give him a nod anyway.

“I'll make sure Dusty is close by, I'm going to pop into Sunny's, what would you like?” he asks the both of us and I look at my pops before I twist my upper body to him.

“I'll have a meatball sub,” I lick my lips and my pops grumbles then holds his thumb up.“Make that two,” I smile at my husband and his eyes glisten when they find mine.

“I won't be long,” he whispers and for a moment, I feel like he is going to step towards me and place a kiss on my forehead, but he doesn't. He turns slowly and walks out the room, pulling the door two.

Sighing, I watch my grandad like a hawk, plucking conversation from the air to try and keep him awake until Pacey comes back.

I am terrified of something happening whilst I am alone.

I hear the front door close and the sound of Dusty's voice drifting up the stairs as he calls my name.

“All okay?” he asks and the sound of his footsteps hit the landing, his head pokes around the door, cowboy hat in hand.

“Yup,” my chest aches as I look at him lying in bed.

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