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“Right, baby girl. Time to go home.” He claps, reaching for Riley.
“Aw. Can’t we stay?” she pouts.
“No, baby. You’ve been here all morning. You have schoolwork to catch up on.”
“I’m coming home tomorrow. We can have a movie night,” I offer, hoping to calm her.
“Maybe.”
My head snaps to Leonard.
“We’ll see what your doctor says.”
Like hell!After a week of being monitored and tested, I’m more than ready to get out of here.
“I’m going home.”
Wherever that is now.
My eyes fill.
A large hand smooths over the back of my head before he presses his lips firmly on my forehead.
“We’ll see,” he whispers against the skin.
His thumb is gentle as it wipes away my stray tear.
“I’ll be back in two hours. Try to sleep while you can.” The back of his fingers smooth down my wet skin. “You’re not sleeping enough.”
“Nurses come in and out in the night.”
Leo adjusts the pillows behind me. “I know, baby.”
We both freeze at his choice of words. I watch as he shuts down right in front of me.
“Rest,” he tells me.
Riley climbs up on the bed to hug me. Wrapping my arms around her, I squeeze her tight, breathing her in.
I press my cheek to her hair, and my heart calms.
“See you tomorrow.” I kiss her head.
“Bye, Momma,” she whispers. The word punches me in the throat the same way that it has since she’s been calling me that after the accident.
I hold her tighter, avoiding her father’s gaze.
Words are lodged in my throat. I press two quick kisses to her hair before releasing her with a sniffle.
“I’ll be back soon,” Leo promises, lifting Riley off the bed.
My eyes stay glued on them until I can’t.
Tilting my head, I groan.
I’m definitely going home tomorrow. I can’t stare at these white walls anymore.
I fight as my eyes grow heavy, but it’s useless. Leo was right. I am tired. Actually, I’m exhausted.
