One Dance for Case (Possessed 2)

“Great, I just need fifteen minutes of both of your time, and we’ll be on our way.”

Relief swamped him as he woke Ev up. “Kitten,” he whispered in her ear. “The social workers are here. Wake up.” Her head popped up when he mentioned that, almost knocking him in the nose. “Careful you don’t wake him,” he cautioned.

As she stood, her eyes still blurry from sleep, introductions were made again. Helen explained everything she’d told Casey. Soon enough, papers were signed, and Andy would be going home with them before the night was over.

“If you need anything at all, even what you might think are the silliest of things, please call. Nothing is unimportant or too small. There will be a child psychologist getting in touch with you in the next few days that is goin

g to want to meet Andrew to assess how he’s handling everything that has happened with his mother, as well as, living with new guardians,” Liberty explained.

“Wait!” Ev yelled quietly. Up until then, she’d remained silent. With all eyes on her, he took in the sad lines around her eyes, the worried frown, and the terrified eyes. “What do I do?”

“What do you mean, dear?” Helen’s body screamed empathy for Ev, and for that, he was grateful.

“I don’t,” she paused to look back at her nephew. With tears in her eyes, she begged them. “Please, I don’t know what to do.”

Until that point, everything had been fundamental, sterile, formal almost. He thought that’s what might have had her on edge—the unsurety of what she was doing.

Clasping Ev’s hands in her own, Helen said to her, “You’re going to take that little boy home. You’re to be the terrific aunt I have a feeling you are. You’re going to love him and show him the world isn’t such a bad place.”

Ev nodded. “What about when Lacey is well enough to leave?”

“The hospital has already started detoxing her of the drugs in her system. This is going to be a long and hard process, especially for her. I’ve seen it, been there with families as it happens, and there’s one thing you need to remember as she goes through it.”

“Yes….”

“She is going to be in tremendous pain, even more so because of her injuries. She is going to be mean and vile. She is going to blame anyone close to her. This will not be easy for any of you. While she goes through this process, I want you to keep Andy away from her. When you do come to see her, be sure someone is with you because you will likely leave in tears.”

“What if she doesn’t want to get clean?” Her words were apprehensive.

“While she’s in the hospital, they will force her to be clean. Visitors for her have to be signed in and approved by you so no one can slip her drugs. Hopefully, by the time she’s ready to leave, she will realize what life is like without the drugs and want to stay that way if only for Andy. Just don’t give up on her while she’s here.”

“Thank you,” she responded sadly as they left.

Drawing her into his arms, Case held her through her sobbing and the pounding on his chest in anger. The apologizing for hitting him. He took it all, and when Andy woke up crying and scared, they comforted him together.

Three days, they’d been home now. Three days of no changes in Lacey. Three days of Andy waking up with nightmares. To top all of that off, Ev still felt sick. She didn’t know what was going on with any of them, but she was ready for something to give. She felt like a zombie. She’d even told Hardy it would be a while before she was back. That if he chose to fire or replace her she would understand, and she was no longer terrified of not having that income.

The psychologist had phoned the day before and was coming to meet them all later that afternoon. Dom and Dee had an appointment with her obstetrician, so Ev and Casey had agreed to watch Jaxson since he and Andy got along so well.

Playing with his new friend seemed like the only time her nephew smiled or laughed anymore. She hated the changes she was seeing in him.

Anger at her sister held her back from going to the hospital as often as she could have. Her selfishness had gotten them all to where they were now at, and Ev was terrified of where it was going to land Lacey. She hadn’t been known for making the smartest of choices in the past, so Evelyn had a suspicion Andy would become a permanent resident in their home.

“Hey, Kitten.” Casey kissed her head while she sat on the deck watching Jax and Andy play with their construction trucks and dig up the yard. “How you feeling?” He handed her a cup of tea and sat beside her.

“Stressed,” she replied honestly. It seemed like that was all she felt anymore.

“Dom and Dee are going to have Andy stay for a sleepover on Saturday,” he told her matter of factly. “We need to get you relaxed, so I’ve got plans for us.”

“I can’t leave him. What if he has nightmares and needs me?” She couldn’t believe he would make such a suggestion.

“He’ll be all right. Dom’s pulling out the tent, and he’s going to rough it with them for the night. Dee’s exhausted, anyway. Says she needs her beauty sleep.”

“I –” She had nothing else to argue.

“Unca Case!” Jax called, and both boys came running for him at full speed.

“Oh shit,” Case grunted as they landed on him, making him fall backwards.