“Good, she’s in place.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“You’re certain she’s out?”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Then get the frame attached. I want to get this fucker out of her head before it can wrap around her ICAs.”

“Why the hell are hospitals always so cold?” Holly rubs her arms up and down.

Cassidy’s teeth are chattering. “I don’t remember it being this cold when I was stuck in here.”

“You were too busy healing.” Caleb’s face takes on a dark cast, even as he wraps his arms around his wife. “Besides, they give the patients warm blankets. Why do you think I snuggled next to you so much?”

Cassidy laughs. “Yeah, that’s the only reason why.”

“When were you a patient?” I ask just for something to talk about. It’s been more than an hour. We’ve heard from the patient liaison things are progressing smoothly—whatever the hell that means. Em and Holly are cuddled together in a corner, talking, while Jason and Phil are running their mouths about what Corinna will need when she gets home.

Cassidy replies, “Three years ago, Thanksgiving weekend. I was shot at a wedding.”

I’m floored. “When the hell did the wedding business become so dangerous?”

“When my family decides not to let old ghosts rest where they should.” Caleb frowns at me.

Warning received. I nod and continue to do nothing. Nothing but wait for more news that tells us nothing.

“Seriously, Keene. Go and donate another wing or something to get us a heater. Why is it so damn cold?” Ali complains. I can’t help but huff out a laugh. The request is so ridiculous.

“Sorry, everyone. Hospitals are notoriously cold to keep the germs away,” Jason explains. “Do you want me to run back to the farm and grab everyone some jackets?”

I’m pretty sure everyone’s about to jump on that suggestion when the door slams open. Alarmed, we all look up.

What the hell’s going on now?

Charlie comes stumbling in with an awkward-size box under one arm, while trying not to drop a tray of coffee on the floor. “Freaking hell—can someone grab the coffee? I’m running low on caffeine already today.”

Holly jumps up and snags the stacked trays, as much to hold the warmth to her as to help out the avuncular figure to the Freeman clan. “Got it, Charlie.” And from the blissful look on her face as her hands wrap around a cup, he’ll have a hell of a time getting it back.

“Three under the age of one children have been dropped off. Sweet baby Jesus, do I have a new appreciation for the mothers of this world.”

Dropping the box right next to where Em had just dropped off in a nap, she jumps up yelling, “I’m up! What’s happening? Where’s Corinna?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know, girl? I just got here.” He shakes his head at her.

“Jesus, when did it get so cold in here?” Em asks the room at large.

We all groan.

Suddenly, the alarm goes off on my phone, and a stillness permeates the room.

7:50 AM: Charlie should be there with a brown box. Have him play the video in his email after you open it. Love, Corinna PS - You have something to read.

“Charlie, open that box.” I snap a picture of the entry and then hand it directly to him.

“Email?” he asks, confused as he tears into the box. “I don’t have any…” I hear a discrete ping. “Well, I guess I do have a new email.” Then he starts to laugh. “What the hell do we have here?” He pulls out a bright magenta square and shakes it out.

It’s a fleece blanket with “I Love You” stitched on the edge. My eyes fill with hot tears. Judging from the number of hands reaching up to wipe beneath their eyes, I’m not the only one. “Charlie, shove the box over. Pull up her email,” I say roughly.

There are enough blankets for everyone in the room, plus a few extra, as if she knows there will be others coming by later. Soon, people who were complaining a few moments earlier about being cold are wrapped in the warmth Corinna provided.

And then I hear her voice.

“Hey, y’all.” My head whips around so fast because it’s like she just stepped in the room.

I know you have to be freezing by now. Every hospital I’ve ever been to has been like this. I get the reason why, but I figured none of you all dressed warmly despite my warnings. I’m hoping the blankets come in handy.

Think of them like a hug.

That’s your assignment for the next hour. Give everyone in the room a hug from me.

Okay?

I love you all.

And then she’s gone.

I don’t hesitate a second.

I clasp the shoulder of the person closest to me and pull them in for a hug. It just so happens to be Keene. “That’s from Cori, man,” I manage to choke out. Before I can pull away, Keene’s arm hooks over my shoulder.

“She’s everything to us too, Colby. You’re not alone in this room,” he murmurs. “You just can’t be alone as a member of this family.” Pulling back, Keene meets my eyes for a second before he nods and moves over to Ali. Picking her up, he twirls her around and kisses her soundly. Before I can smile at the spectacle, I’m pulled into an embrace by Holly, then Em, then Jason.

I nab Cassidy and Phil in a three-way hug. Charlie and I meet as we’re crossing around the room, him to Cassidy and me to Caleb. Finally, I’m back in my chair with her blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and I pull out the journal. Opening it to where I left the bear bookmark, I start reading.

Hello, my love.

I need you to calm down.

I snort out loud. Good luck there, Cori.

No, seriously. Everyone’s going to take their cue from you. They probably suspect I’ve told you more than I’ve told them (which between us, I have, but shhh…).

Close your eyes.

Don’t keep reading. Shut them, Hunt. For at least a full minute.

She knows me too well. I shake my head, but do as she asks.

In my head, I see her as she was the other night, in a dress that almost perfectly matches the blanket I’m wrapped in. Glorious color dancing between the black-and-white memories of our history. Finding beauty in facing our past pain before digging in to fight for our future.

I don’t realize I’m crying until I taste the salt of my tears against my lips. Opening my eyes, I reach for her, for her words.

I need her. I’ll never be complete without her.

Now that you’ve let some of the pressure go, you can be there for the others. Just know my arms are holding you tight. Every time you think I’m slipping away, wrap the blanket a little tighter around you.

Because I’m not letting you go.

Never letting you go.

Not ever again.

Love,

Corinna

Now, stop reading. Mark your page with the bear. You’ll get another alarm later. XOXO