Page 94 of Everything Has Changed
Rowan’s eyes fill with tears as she tucks her head on Ophelia’s shoulder. Her tiny bottom lip juts out with a wobble that’s clear, even from across the room. “Can I sleep in Grandma’s room?”
My chest aches for her, knowing she doesn’t really understand what is going on, but can still feel that something is wrong enough to not want to leave. Jacks told her that Ophelia had a little fall, and she had to visit the hospital this morning. The truth, but not the whole truth. Just enough to let an eight-year-old know something is going on, not enough to cause more worry for a child.
Jackson shakes his head. “Sorry, bug. You’re a bed hog and Grandma needs all the rest she can get without your little buggy feet digging into her side.”
“Your dad is right, Row.” Ophelia places a kiss on her great-granddaughter’s forehead. “I’ll be right down the hall, like always, though. I promise.”
“Okay.” Rowan drags out the word as she slides down from the chair and walks over to me. “Goodnight, Aunt Gwenny.” Her little arms go around my neck, and I take the chance to soak up her hug. I bury my face in her wild curls, squeezing a little tighter than usual when a single tear escapes the corner of my eye, sliding down my cheek. I swipe at it quickly when she pulls back.
Looking over at Logan wearily, I can see Rowan weigh whether or not she wants to tell him goodnight as well.
“Goodnight, Princess Rowan,” Logan offered with a grin.
She stares at him another beat. “Do you want a hug, too, Mr. Logan?” Leaning forward slightly, she adds in a whisper, “You look like you could use a hug.”
We all choke on a laugh at how blunt my niece can be.
Logan chuckles and leans forward, opening his arms for her. “Yeah, kiddo, I would love a hug.”
She doesn’t wait another second before launching herself in his arms. I notice Logan’s eyes glisten before closing his eyes and squeezing her back. I try not to enjoy the look of Logan being sweet with my niece too much, but it’s hard to hold back the emotions when they are already heightened.
When she releases him, she turns back to her father, not giving him a second to prepare before she’s launching herself at him.
“Let’s go, Daddy!” She points toward the staircase that leads to all of our old rooms. Mine was converted into a princess palace just for her when I moved out a few years ago. Jackson rolls his eyes at his daughter, but I see the small smile playing on his lips that he reserves just for her.
“I think I’m getting too old to carry you up the steps, bug,” he grunts when he takes the first one. Even though he might not be joking, I know that he will always carry her if she wants it.
Rowan gives a princess wave to everyone as he continues up the steps. Her little hand goes lower for us to still see her until they disappear from view.
“Why don’t you two head home?” Ophelia pulls my attention back to her.
The oversized recliner I’ve barely allowed her to leave aside from bathroom breaks makes a small screeching noise as she lowers the footrest. I immediately pop up from my place on the couch opposite her, making my way over when I see she’s trying to stand. Her legs slightly wobble, and she reaches out for the armrest. I latch onto her to make sure she stays upright.
“Phee!” I chastise. “I would have come to help you. What do you need? Some water? Another blanket?”
Her eyes cast down to the mountain of blankets I had already tucked her into before coming back up to meet mine. There’s still a sparkle of humor twinkling within them amidst the tiredness. Seeing that eases my hammering heart a little, but speeds back up again when I notice a wince she attempts to cover up.
“Do you need some more pain medicine? I think you can take more now. Is it your stitches?” I eyeball the bandage on her forehead that covers up a couple stitches that were needed. When she fell this morning, she caught the corner of the bathroom counter. Luckily, she didn’t lose total consciousness, and the doctors said it was just a mild concussion. I don’t know how you can sayjustwhen saying concussion. To me, they all seem more thanjustanything.
Ophelia pats my cheek, looking deep into my eyes. “Honey, I say this with the most love in the world, but please stop. I’m going to be okay. It was a bump on the head. They wouldn’t have sent me home if it weren’t safe.”
“What about…” I swallow against the lump in my throat forming at the thought of why she lost her balance in the first place.
Her green eyes soften. “I’m going to be okay,” she repeats. Only this time there’s a wobble in her voice that makes me wonder who she is trying to reassure.
“I wish you told me,” I say quietly. Feeling bad that I’m bringing this up right now, but also needing to let it out. “Why didn’t you?”
“My sweet girl,” she sighs. Her face lifts to look over at the couch I previously occupied, smiling at the man watching us from over there. “Let’s go have a seat on the couch. That’s where I was headed for one last cuddle with my girl tonight before Supergirl flew over to rescue me.”
Guiding me this time, we make our way over to Logan, who stands from his spot to make room for us.
“You don’t have to go anywhere, Logan. Sit back down.” Ophelia urges him to sit. which he waits to do until after both my grandmother and I have taken our spots. He situates himself right next to me again. The length of his thigh is lined up with mine, his arm going around the back of the couch to angle himself toward us.
I catch Ophelia watching our connection, a smile playing on her lips. When she looks back up at me, she grins harder with a wink. The heat radiating from my skin tells me I probably resemble a tomato.
“First of all, I am so sorry I cut your trip short.”
She raises her hand to stop me when I open my mouth to speak.
