Her Touch

I nod, her letting her know I’m not going to say anything. At least in this moment. But I’ll be cornering her soon when it’s just the two of us.

“He’s alive,” Alice says, and she gives a small smile, even though her eyes are filled with tears.

“They told you?” I ask, wanting any information as fast as I can get it. She pauses for a moment before grabbing my hand.

“Come and talk to them.” She pulls me into the living room, where my laptop is sitting on the coffee table. It’s already open. Eli sits down next to me on the sofa as I start typing to make the call.

“Come sit,” I tell Alice, motioning to the space next to me on the sofa. She’s still standing on the other side of us. She shakes her head, and my eyebrows pull together. “Alice, come sit,” I try again, not understanding.

“I think this is a family moment,” she finally says.

“You’re like my sister. What are you talking about? Major loves you like a daughter. Now get over here.” The tears that filled her eyes start to fall.

“Sweetheart,” I hear my father say, and I gasp. His face fills the screen, immediately capturing all my attention. I feel Eli pull me close and then kiss the top of my head.

“Dad.” My hand goes for the screen as I reach out to try and touch him. “Come home!” I snap, much crankier than I mean to sound. The command makes him smile.

“I love you, too,” he says with a little chuckle.

“I love you, Dad, but please tell me you’re okay and that you’re coming home.”

“I’m a little banged up, but I’m coming as fast as I can. I promise.”

Anxiety leaves my body at those simple words. I have so many questions, but I know now isn’t the time. And I also know there might be things he can’t tell me.

My dad’s gaze trails over to Eli, who’s holding me close. “You been keeping her safe?”

“Always, sir,” Eli replies.

“You better,” he tosses back, and I smile. “Where’s Alice?”

I look up at where she was standing moments ago, but she’s gone.

“She left.” I say the words more to myself, confused.

“What?” my dad asks.

“I don’t know. She was standing here a moment ago,” I inform him. “She’s taken this really hard. Not that we all haven’t, but you know Alice. She’s soft with stuff, and she’s already lost so much. To think she almost lost you has been a lot for her.”

I try to reassure my dad so he’s not worried something is wrong. Since she has come to stay with us, he has treated her like she’s family, like she belongs with us, and she does.

Pain is etched on my dad’s face, and he nods his understanding.

“All right. I’ll be home soon. I love you guys.”

“We love you, too, Dad.”

“Keep my girls safe, Eli. Or else.”

“Promise you that, sir,” he confirms. My dad nods, and the call ends. I throw myself at Eli, climbing in his lap and wrapping myself around him. He holds me tight, and we both share in this moment.

“We’re going to be a family,” he whispers into my ear. His words are filled with so much emotion. I lean back to look down at him, knowing he never really had a family before.

“We’re going to be the best damn family you ever thought you could have, Eli,” I tell him with confidence. I know it to be true. I lean down and kiss him soft and sweet before pulling back and resting my forehead against his.

“I have to go talk to Alice.” Eli nods. He knew I was going to say that. “Something is really up with her, and I’m worried.”

Eli cups my face with his big hand, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. “If anyone can get through to her, it’s you, sunshine.”

I wish that were true, but I love that he believes it. I think I’ve done something wrong with Alice, and I’m not sure what that is. She was there with me through this whole last year when I thought I’d lost Eli. Now she’s going through something, and I want to be there for her in any way I can be.

I slowly pull myself from him and head to her room. When I get there she’s walking out with a bag over her shoulder. She has on yoga pants and a baggy sweatshirt, trying to hide the baby bump. But now that I’ve seen it, there’s no missing it.

“Alice,” I say quietly, and she stops in her tracks. Her eyes widen a little. I know she’s trying to sneak out on me in an effort to avoid this conversation.

“I can’t do this anymore. It’s too much, and the doctor says it’s stressing me and the baby out.”

“Oh God.” I grab her and pull her in for a hug. So many questions flood my mind, but I don’t want to push. I’m worried I’ll stress her out or something. “But Dad is coming home,” I try to reassure her. He’ll murder whoever left her alone and pregnant.

“I know. It’s what I’ve been waiting for. I wanted to make sure he was okay before I left. I needed that.”

I pull back and plead with her. “Don’t go, Alice. Please.”

“I need to be alone for a little while and get myself together. I have this little one to think about now.”

I glance down at her belly. I don’t want her to leave, but I know I can’t stop her. She’s an adult, and it’s not like I can lock her up here.

I open my mouth, but she stops me. “Please don’t ask.” She says it softly in a voice laced with sadness.