Page 90 of Coastal Rewind

“You’re everything she deserves,” Maeve added.

The three of them backed away and wiped at their eyes. “We’re going to grab some coffee and snacks. It’s going to be a long night.”

They turned on their heels and headed to Nolan’s SUV before backing out and driving away from the hospital.

I was sitting in the dimly lit waiting room tapping my fingers against my knees. It was well after midnight, and most of the Kellys had gone home to get some sleep with the promise to call if we heard anything. Keegan and Luke relieved Zane and Mack from watching MJ, and promised to stay there until the morning.

I couldn’t even think about how I was going to tell MJ about this. It was going to break his little heart into a million pieces. That little boy had fallen just as hard for the little nomad as I had.

A coffee appeared in front of me and I looked up to see Mr. Kelly standing there. I’d met the man on a lot of occasions over the years but I’d never seen him in his current state. He was always put together, even when he was dressed casually. Right now he was in joggers and a CCU football sweatshirt. His hair was sticking up at different angles and there were dark circles under his eyes.

“Would you mind if I sit?” He gestured to the seat next to me.

I shook my head and he sank down into the chair, letting out a breath.

“I know Ryleigh told you about her struggles, but it’s a different experience to live through it than it is to watch the woman you love live through it.”

I looked over at the man and suddenly it clicked that he was watching his daughter go through something his wife may have experienced in her lifetime. It was like the most horrific form of déjà vu.

He looked back at me. “This shit isn’t ever going to get easier. If you’re going to be with her, then you need to know that.”

“Did this ever happen to Maureen?”

He shook his head. “Not this, exactly. But I watched her experience the excruciating pain. The kids don’t know this, but she had miscarriages, too. I was grateful none of them were like this, but there was always the risk.”

“But you took it anyway?”

“She wanted a family, and I would’ve done anything she asked me to.”

“That’s how I feel, too,” I whispered.

“Good, because she’s going to need the support. I know my daughter. She’s going to feel guilt over this. She’s going to want to run. She’s going to try to isolate herself, but just keep showing up for her. She’s going to need consistency.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

He clapped my knee. “You’re good for her. I’m glad you finally found the balls to tell her how you felt.”

My lips tipped up as I scoffed. “I had to wait until she was ready to receive it.”

“And that right there is exactly why you’re good for her. You love her in her own time in the way she needs.” He moved to stand but turned back to me. “You weren’t wrong to go off on Owen, but give him a little grace, too. My kids are watching their sister potentially go through the same thing they watched their mom go through, and that brings out some emotions that may have sat deep below the surface for a long time.”

I could give Owen Kelly grace to make it up to Ryleigh, but I refused to ever let someone try to dull her light again because they didn’t see how bright she truly shone.

I stayed silent, and he started to walk away.

“Mr. Kelly?” I called after him. He faced me. “When you found out about Ryleigh’s tumor, why’d you let her leave?”

He shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? She was an adult. I couldn’t tie her down and force her to stay. She felt like she had a life out there to chase, and I had to trust that she would find her way home.”

“And you think she has now?”

His lips tipped up. “Yeah, I think she has.”

thirty-eight

Ryleigh

I squinted my eyes open into the dimly lit room as the incessant beeping continued. God, what was that sound? I tried to lift my arm to shut it off but winced in pain. I opened my eyes more and the panic started to rush in. My eyes tracked from the sterile white sheets to the IV pole sitting next to me.