Chapter 362
I slowly guide Sierra back to the car, listening as she murmurs incoherently about her baby.
The words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them back. I know I can’t say anything right now. She’s too fragile and too emotionally exposed, and it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. The only thing holding her together at this point is the belief that she’s going to see her baby.
If I have to lie to get her back to the hospital, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’d rather she falls apart there, where doctors can manage it, than out here where there’s nothing and no one to catch her.
Just thinking about what she was about to do sends a sharp wave of pain through me. Sierra has always been like a daughter to me, and the thought of losing her feels no different than losing Lilly.
“Hi, sweetie.” Gabe steps forward and pulls her into a careful hug, mindful of her condition.
“Hi, Uncle Gabe,” she replies, her voice soft and tired.
She leans into him, clinging just a little, her body sagging against his like it used to when she was younger. After long days of playing with Lilly, she’d be completely worn out, and when it was time to go home, Gabe would carry her while she rested against him just like this, too tired to even lift her head.
“We’ve got you, sweetie,” he murmurs, gently helping her into the car.
Once she’s settled, Gabe closes the door and looks at me, his expression searching and full of unspoken questions.
I shake my head slightly, letting him know we’ll talk later.
He nods, then opens the back door for me so I can sit with Sierra before moving around to the driver’s seat.
I shift closer to her, and the moment I do, she leans her head against my shoulder and closes her eyes.
She’s so quiet, so still, that for a second I think she’s fallen asleep. I wouldn’t blame her. She looks completely drained, both physically and emotionally.
“How long have I been out?” she asks, her eyes still closed.
“Five days, Baby,” I reply.
“That’s a long time,” she murmurs, a soft yawn escaping her.
“It is, but you needed that time to recover. And we’re not exactly happy that you left the hospital p>
“I know,” she says quietly.
“Ivy and Lilly are worried sick… Lilly called in a panic p>
“I’m sorry… But when the nurse wouldn’t tell me where my baby is, I couldn’t think straight,” she whispers, and I hear the catch in her voice. “All I could think about was my baby and how there was nothing for me here without him p>
My heart crashes all over again, and I blink back the tears threatening to fall.
I pull her closer, careful not to hurt her. I need this. I need to feel her here with me, because I can’t stop thinking about what could have happened if I’d been even a second too late… or if Andrew hadn’t appeared.
“It’s okay,” I murmur. “You’re safe, and that’s what matters p>
She nods against my shoulder but doesn’t say anything else. A few seconds later, her body grows heavier, and I realize she’s fallen asleep.
I take out my phone, careful not to disturb her, and send a quick message to Lilly and Ivy, letting them know we’ve found Sierra and that we’re on our way back to the hospital. After putting my phone away, I keep holding her, my mind racing with a thousand unanswered questions.
I’ve never been someone who believes in supernatural things. Do I believe in God? Sure. But ghosts? Dead loved ones reaching out through dreams? That’s never been something I’ve entertained.
At least… not until today. Not until Andrew showed up in my dream.
I still can’t wrap my head around it. I mean, how is that even possible? How was he able to do that, and why now?
How did he know Sierra would be at the bridge? And why did it seem like saving her mattered so much to him?
I’d understand if it were Lilly or any of my other kids. That would make sense. But why Sierra?