“Macca!” She whacked her hand against his chest.
“What do you call me?” he growled.
“Daddy.” Something eased inside her. He was back with her.
“That’s right. And Daddy says that he wants to do this for you, right now. And before you keep arguing and end up with a red bottom, you should know that taking care of you is what makes me happy. It’s what makes me complete. So give me this, yeah? Give me your tears, sweet pea. Someone needs to cry for her.”
She relaxed into his chest at his words, her tears came free and easy. A sob wracked her body.
“That’s it, baby girl. Let it all out.”
She completely let go, crying like her heart was breaking. Which it was. And somehow, it felt like she was crying for the both of them as he held her, sometimes murmuring softly to her but never trying to quieten her.
Exhaustion came over her in a wave. Macca shifted around and she let out a small protest, not wanting him to let her go.
“Sh, baby. Just getting you a tissue.” He held it up to her face. She was too exhausted to try and take it from him as he wiped her face.
He threw the tissues away and moved his hands back into place. “Good girl. Now sleep.”
She didn’t need to be told twice.
18
When she woke, she was alone. She lay there, listening to the birds outside. She turned to look at the clock.
Whoa, it was ten already. She’d slept for hours. She moaned slightly as she rolled to the side of the bed. Her joints were aching. She felt her forehead. Didn’t feel like she had a fever so that was good. Her poor body had been through the ringer lately. The last thing she needed was another flare-up and ending up in hospital again. She got to her feet and stumbled into the bathroom, brushing her teeth and splashing some water on her face.
She stared at herself in the mirror. Still too pale and thin. Her eye
s were puffy from her crying session last night and she let the sadness wash over her. She’d known this was coming but that didn’t make it any easier to process.
Penny was gone.
But her grandson was here and he needed her.
Finally, she made her way out of the bathroom and went in search of Macca. She found him in his grandmother’s study. He had a large chest open and was pulling things out.
“Morning,” she called out.
He glanced up at her, studying her face. “Hey.”
“Sorry I slept so late,” she told him, walking forward. “What are you looking at?”
“Some old photo albums that Nan had.”
“Yeah? Are there any from when you were a baby?” she asked with interest. She carefully sat on the floor, hoping he didn’t notice how slowly she moved.
She should have known better. “You feeling all right, baby girl?”
“Yes,” she said quickly. No way did she want his attention on her. This was about him. He set down the album he’d been looking at and gave her a firm look.
“Want to think about that answer?”
She sighed. “Am I ever going to be able to hide anything from you?”
“No,” he replied. “And the best idea would be to never try. Wouldn’t it?”
“I’m just a bit achy this morning,” she admitted. “Think I probably slept too long in one position. Can’t believe I slept in that late.”