Gibson
I walked back to the waiting room, fighting the urge to dance my way there. Sacha loved me. I wasn't sure I believed in fate, but if Dahlia hadn't given me the free drink ticket that fateful Friday, I might not have gone to the Frisky Beaver and met Sacha. Whatever it was, whether serendipity or divine intervention, I owed it a world of gratitude.
As I entered the room, my mouth fell open in surprise for the umpteenth time that day. Audrey waved, and the rest of my family turned their faces toward me. As I reached the group, Mamma grabbed me in a hug.
"Oh, Gibbie. Tell me she's all right."
"Yes, she's going to be fine, and the baby is fine. She just needs some rest."
Murmurs of relief came from my father, my brother-in-law, Richard, and from Audrey. I had called her on the way to the hospital, never expecting them all to rush down here. To be truthful, I was glad to have them here. I had pushed them all away over the past few years, but when I needed them most, they came through.
They all began asking questions about what had happened. Reliving it was the last thing I wanted to do, but they needed to know. It helped to pass the time, anyway, because I wasn't going anywhere until Sacha was released.
When my sister and Mamma finally sat down, my father pulled me aside.
"Listen, son. If you need a bit more time to settle things with your…with Miss Sacha, I understand. Take what time you need. I only pushed you because I hate to see your time and talent wasted. It's not the money, you know."
It was the first time my father had ever been so understanding. Even after we had buried Bianca, the man had prompted me to get back to work. It occurred to me now that perhaps it had been a way of helping me to cope, by forcing me to focus on something other than feeling sorry for myself. But it had only made me hurt more, so I rebelled by running away.
"I know, Dad. And I know why you pushed me so hard. But I had to figure things out for myself."
"Yes, I get that now. But we'll manage. I'm sure Spencer can continue filling in until you work things out."
"That won't be necessary. I'm coming back."
I'd already decided what I needed to do on the drive to the hospital. Sacha and the baby were no longer in immediate danger, and my promise to myself if they were safe and healthy was to take care of them to the best of my ability. Which meant making a good living and relocating to be near them.
I had a purpose and a challenge-to take responsibility for my new family. I no longer needed to hide away and pretend to be something I wasn't.
I was John Gibson Colebank III, and damn proud of it.
My father was looking at me now with trepidation. "Are you sure? When?"
"As soon as I can wrap things up in Tilly. Maybe a few weeks?"
"Sure, that'll work."
The thought of Marvil gave me a chill. It wouldn't be the same living in Tilly, anyway, without my grouchy old friend. But I still needed to do what I could to sort things out with the cabin and Marvil's belongings. It was the right thing to do.
Then I'd move back home or stay with Sacha, if she'd let me.
Just then a nurse appeared, pushing a wheelchair. Sacha waved from her seat, her smile lighting up the room. Everyone went to greet her, and I stood aside.
"Sacha, oh my gawd."
A woman's voice was loud above the din. I looked up to see Melanie running to the wheelchair. She hugged Sacha then released her.
"I came as soon as I heard. My neighbor told me they took you away in an ambulance. I about had a heart attack myself."
Sacha patted her friend's hand, which was still on her shoulder. "It was a false alarm. I'll mend. They're keeping me overnight for observation, so while they moved me to another room, I asked to come down here, hoping you'd arrived."
"Well, thank God you're okay. I'm sorry I wasn't home to help."
Melanie was then introduced to everyone. As I stood back, watching, a warmth filled my heart. I pictured family gatherings and holidays, with Sacha, me, and a bunch of kids. Maybe the events of the weekend had made me maudlin, but it had been so long since I dared to dream again.
This time, I'd make sure our dreams came true.