Page 91 of Jace 4Ever
Nelson
He was alive.
He was going to live.
Despite the heart attack, despite the cancer, I still had my father in this world.
“Pabbi,” I whispered as he turned and looked at me from the bed.
“Nils.” His smile was bright even though he was probably still three-quarters out of it from the anesthesia. Holding out his hand, he beckoned me closer. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I didn’t know what to do when Móeiðr called. I didn’t. I thought I’d lost you without seeing you again. I’m so sorry,Pabbi. I’m so sorry…” I wasn’t going to stop the tears.
“Stop, stop, Son. Please. You’re here. I’m alive. This is all good. I’m going to be fine. I’ve almost beat the cancer and the doctor says I’ve beat this.”
“I didn’t…”
He clutched my hand. “No one could have known. I just thank the powers that be Gunnar was there when I started to feel terrible. He was very quick to act when I curled my arm and gasped. Make sure you give that boy a lot of love and a lot of reassurance. He’s a little freaked out.”
“I will tell him.” I squeezed his hand. “Dad, I swear to you, I’m going to be here more.”
“You have a career, Son.”
“And I’m now in a place where I can dictate what I want, when I want. I can control the shooting schedule, and the location schedule. I’m a high-powered star, and people work around me. I am going to use that. My dreams have come true,Pabbi. Now I get to do what I want with them. And that’s coming home to see you and Helene and Móeiðr, Gunnar and Ólafur. Taking you on vacations and spending the money I have making memories, not investments.”
“So much of your mother in you, Nils.” He smiled, and I could see that he was sleepy. “But make sure you have time for your heart, Son. Make sure that young man who makes you smile and laugh knows how much of you he owns.”
I glanced at Jace standing next to my sister against the wall. He’d gotten me here. He’d done what he had to do to make sure I could see my father. He made me laugh and smile all the time. He put up with my ridiculous schedules and helped me keep my goal posts moving. I let out a little laugh and turned back to my father.
“He owns all of me,” I said.
“Don’t let him go, Nils. Give him everything.”
“I’m going to.”
“Good. Now go home with your sister and come back tomorrow. I need a nap.”
A laugh tumbled out of me and I let go of his hands. “All right. We’ll be back tomorrow. Just rest and feel better.”
“I’m in a hospital, Nils. There’s not much else to do.”
Shaking my head, I paused to give him a quick kiss on the forehead and headed back to the door. “We’ll head to the hotel and come back tomorrow. I’ll introduce you then. We need some sleep…”
“God, do we ever,” Jace agreed.
Helene nodded, and we started down the corridor back the way we came. “I’ll have Ólafur set up the air bed—”
“We’re staying at a hotel, Sis,” I said. “We didn’t want to impose, and I think Jace said he had something all set up. We’re the invaders, there’s no need to put you out when we have the room.”
“Rooms are expensive.”
I touched her elbow and gave her a meaningful look. “One thing you’re going to have to get used to, Sis, is that I’m stupid rich and I’m going to start spoiling you all with that rich. We’re staying in a hotel, because we can, and you don’t need us crowding in after such a day.”
“You’re just my little brother.”
“I’m your sick-rich little brother,” I said. “And it’s time I started spoiling my family.”
She stared at me. “I want to go to Machu Picchu.”
