The doc, who knew Clay well, had smiled sadly and told him that seeing Lila would do Clay far more good than hurt.
Clay held her close as if afraid she would disappear. “It’s good she’s home. You and your brothers can take care of her now. I know I made you promise to let her be and perhaps that wasn’t right of me to interfere. I just thought I was doing what was best.”
Gavin nodded, staring at Lila lying so peacefully on the bed in full slumber. “I know. We all knew that you only ever wanted what was best for us.”
Grasping his hand, Clay gave it a weak squeeze. “Just don’t scare her away and don’t let her go. She needs to feel safe and loved. She needs to know she has a home.”
“I know,” Gavin agreed. “We’ll take care of her.”
They chatted for a while until Clay started to drift off.
“We should head home,” Gavin said.
Clay nodded with regret, giving Lila a squeeze. “I don’t want to let her go. Wake her up easily. You know how she hates waking up suddenly.”
Gavin smiled and walked around to where Lila lay. “You always were softer on her,” he teased. “I remember you pouring a bottle of water on me one morning to force me out of bed.”
Clay snorted. “Teenage boys, you’d have spent all day in bed if I let you. This one, she used to get up before all of us. I finally had to make a rule that she couldn’t leave her room until I came to get her. At least until she got older. I was terrified she’d hurt herself after I caught her trying to cook us all breakfast. There she was, seven years old, standing on a step stool, frying eggs. She couldn’t understand why I was so upset. She was just trying to do something nice. I think she thought she owed me for bringing her home. What she didn’t understand was that every day was a blessing with her around.”
Gavin knew how he felt. He shook Lila lightly.
“Baby girl, it?
?s time to wake up now. Lila, its Gavin, you’re safe.” She sat up, gasping for breath and looking around in fright. Gavin’s heart clenched, knowing this stemmed from a childhood of moving around constantly, of never knowing where she was going to wake up.
Clasping her face between his hands, he forced her to look at him. “You’re in the hospital with me and Clay, Lila. You fell asleep.”
“Oh, oh.” She shook her head as though to clear it. “Clay.” She glanced down at the older man, concern on her face. “I fell asleep, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Of course, angel,” Clay told her with a tired smile. “I’m just going to have a nap now.”
She climbed down and Gavin moved back, but only slightly. “You go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Clay frowned. “I don’t think so, angel.”
“Lila, it’s time we went home now,” Gavin told her.
She glanced up at him. “I want to stay with Clay. I’ll be quiet so he can rest. You can go home and pick me up later.”
Gavin shook his head. “No can do, baby girl. You’re coming home now.” He made sure his voice held zero flexibility.
“Well, if you can’t pick me up, I’m sure I can make my own way home.”
He frowned. “Lila, have you forgotten you’ve been sick? You need to come home and get some rest.”
“I can rest here,” she replied stubbornly.
“Lila, honey,” Clay spoke up before Gavin could. “Go home now. I’ll still be here tomorrow. I promise.”
She bit her lip, obviously wanting to argue, but then her shoulders slumped and she nodded, leaning over to kiss Clay on the forehead. “Sleep well. I love you.”
“Love you too, angel.”
*****
Clay died a week later, surrounded by the family that loved him. Lila held it together through the arrangements, quietly organizing everything. They attended the small funeral together, leaning on one another and sharing family stories about the man they all loved with those who joined them at the house afterward.
“I thought Laken would have been here, supporting you,” a deep voice commented as she stood at the sink, washing dishes. The crowd was thinning and she needed some time alone.