Page 61 of Pain
"Family," Beau said in a low whisper.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Matt caught on to what Beau was saying. "He's my…" He didn't know what to say.
Beau smiled. "Your fiancée? Congratulations." Beau grinned as Xander cast a quick glare at him.
Matt ignored them. He didn't care what they called Xander as long as they hurried and let him back to see Faith.
"All signed in?" Beau looked to the lady behind the desk.
She nodded and held out two wristbands. "You can scan these to get in the main doors. If you don't have them on, or should you want to remove someone from the approved list, just go to any of the information areas and someone can help you." She put the band on Matt's wrist before putting another around Xander's.
"If you'll follow me." Beau led them through a door and into the main part of the emergency. "We can talk in here." He opened a door to what looked like a small waiting room. Once the door was closed, Beau seemed to relax. "I'm going to be blunt because I know you saw the file and the pictures."
Matt nodded, glad that Xander reached for his hand and stepped closer to him.
"She's got some vaginal bruising and tears, but other than that I can find nothing wrong with her. The tears are nearly healed, and the bruising should heal quickly. Understandably, she's scared and worried. She's a strong little girl, Matt. She has cried, but answered every question I've had to ask her. I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you to be with her while I examined her, but there was a rape crisis team present the whole time to get her through it."
Xander glanced up. "You don't need parent permission to run a rape kit?"
"Not when she's brought in as an emergency case. We had to make sure there were no medical issues that needed immediate attention. From here on out, all questioning and exams will be approved by Matt," Beau told them. "She's going to need counseling, but that is for later. Tonight, just let her know you're there and she's safe. I've given her some medication to help with any pain she has, and something to help calm her, so if she seems tired, it's probably from that. The best thing to do right now is let her rest. I'll give you a bit to reunite, then I'll move her up to the medical wing. They've already been told to bring in a cot, so you can stay with her."
"Thank you." Matt gripped Xander's hand tighter.
"Let me know if she complains of any pain or if you're concerned about anything. There will be a few more tests to run tomorrow, but for the most part, we just need to keep her a night or two for observation." Beau stepped back. "Ready to see her?"
Matt nodded.
Xander released his hand. "This is where I go. You don't need me in there scaring her the first time you see her. I'll run and get her things. Call me if you need me, but I should be back in an hour or two." Xander leaned in and brushed a kiss over Matt's lips. "Go see your daughter."
"Thanks." Matt almost asked Xander to stay, but he was right, taking a stranger into her room right now wasn't the best idea. He'd get through this himself for now and let her know Xander was coming later.
"Good luck." Xander slipped out of the room, leaving Matt with Beau.
"Anything I need to do or say?"
Beau shook his head. "Just listen if she needs to talk and let her know she's safe."
"Thanks." Matt took a deep breath. "Okay, let's do this."
In his mind over the last few months, he'd always imagined himself running into Faith's room, a crazed parent, so excited to get his daughter back, but it was nothing like that. He was scared to death as he followed Beau down the hall, hoping that when he stepped into the room, Faith wouldn't hate him.
"She's in here." Beau stood to the side of the doorway.
Matt took another deep breath, forced a smile on his face, and walked through the door.
A nurse was sitting beside Faith as he walked in, but the moment Faith looked up and saw him, it was like there wasn't anyone else around.
"Daddy!" Faith sat up, tears flowing down her face as she stretched her arms out for him.
"Baby!" Matt was at the bed in two long strides, pulling Faith into his arms as he turned and sat down on the bed with her. "I'm so glad you're home." He didn't even try to fight his own tears as he kissed her head several times before pulling back and looking at her.
Faith cried as she clung to his arms.
"You're okay?" He ran his hands down her arms, holding them out as if he was inspecting her.
"I think so, but I was so scared." She threw herself against his chest again, her tears wetting his shirt.
He smelled her hair, ran his hand over her back, memorizing everything about her. He'd taken so much for granted before, but now, he knew better. He was going to make sure she was safe, make sure she healed, and more than anything, he was going to make sure she knew she was loved.
