Until Arden

Chapter 16

Dash

I'mconsciousofevery clack of the crutches under my weight as I follow Talon through the quiet, sterile white halls toward Holden's room. According to the last update, he’ll be released soon, and Talon volunteered to pick them up since he could bring a change of clothes and car seat for Holden. I couldn’t wait to see them, so I demanded to come along. Even if it means getting right back in a car and heading home.

I take a moment to peek around the curtain. Arden is slouched next to the bed, staring down at a stack of papers, while Holden sleeps peacefully next to her. He looks so tiny in the hospital bed, with the large white blanket wrapped around him.

When I take another step, the sound catches her attention and her head jerks up. “You should be resting.”

Somehow, she whispers and screams in utter harmony as she jumps from her seat and rushes over to us.

“Not without the two of you.”

She looks from me to Holden, then back to me again. “How did you—”

I nod toward Talon who's still hidden by the curtain.

Her face softens as she clears the way for me to approach the bed. “He ate a little while ago and fell right back to sleep. Doctor said we're good to leave as soon as our ride gets here.”

“And I have arrived,” Talon says, holding up the small bag. “With fresh clothes, and I'm pretty sure Mia packed some cookies in there as well. I'll just wait outside while you—” He smirks and waves his hand between me and Arden.

I lean over Holden, tracing my thumb along his tiny jawline. He's okay. Barely a scratch on him.

Arden clears out a space on the edge of the bed, and motions for me to sit. “At least get off your leg.”

She sets my crutches aside as I squeeze into the narrow gap between Holden and the edge of the bed. Then she helps me lift my injured leg onto the bed as well.

“You’re a very demanding caretaker.” I try not to groan as I settle into place.

“Get used to it.” Her eyes dance as she leans forward and presses a kiss to my cheek.

“Oh, I wasn't complaining.” I catch her hand before she can move away and kiss the back of her knuckles.

She hums as she returns to her seat next to the bed, and it’s amazing how something as simple as that can put my fears to rest.

I look over at Holden and see his lips curl up into a smile. I can’t resist. I lean over and press a kiss to his forehead.

Holden stirs, his breaths deep as he twists and drapes his tiny arm over me. I let him sleep, closing my eyes and trying to shut out the memory of looking in the back seat and finding him gone.

Arden’s fingertips trace patterns on my arm, finally settling on the inside of my wrist, but I can’t stop staring at the way her hair falls over her shoulder as she leans over us. “You’re not going to believe who put in the call when Shane brought him into the ER.”

A prickling, cool sensation forms at the base of my neck. “Brandy?”

Arden nods. “She was in here reading him stories when I arrived.”

Knowing she worked here, I had already wondered if their paths had crossed, but the realization that I have her to thank for Holden laying in the bed alongside me hits like a ton of bricks. “Despite our history, she’s not an inherently bad person. We just bring it out in each other. Like dropping potassium in water.”

Holden stirs again, opening his eyes twice before he seems to realize I’m here. “Dash.”

He slams into me with a hug that takes my breath. Arden gasps, but I wave her back and cuddle him against my aching chest. He holds on for a moment, then peeks up at me. “Does it hurt?”

“A little, but it’ll be okay. How are you feeling?”

“I wanna go home.” He sits up, rubbing his eyes. “I’m hungry.”

“For waffles and pizza?” I ask.

Arden nudges me in the shoulder, but if the kid wants pizza on a waffle after today, I’m damn sure going to get it for him. I will buy a waffle iron and make it from scratch.

“You just ate,” Arden says, tickling him where his neck meets his shoulder.

“It was yucky.”

Arden rolls her eyes and grabs Talon's bag from the foot of the bed. She rifles through for a minute then pulls out a Ziplock bag with chocolate chip cookies.

Holden's face lights up as he reaches for the bag.

“Let's change your clothes, and then you can have a cookie.”

He nods and bounces a little on the bed.

I try to scoot out of the way so Arden can help him, but Holden isn't having any of it and clings to me as she changes him. I do my best to help, but I'm more of an obstacle than anything.

Once he's mostly changed, Arden steps back, putting her hands on her hips. “I think he's going to be clinging to you for a while.”

“I'm not complaining.” I wrap my free arm around him and rest my chin on his head.

“But it might be a problem when you're trying to walk on crutches with him hanging from your neck.”

She has a point, but for now, I don't want to move.

When we're finally packed up and ready to go, Holden relents with the promise of another cookie and agrees to let Arden carry him to the car. We meet up with Talon in the waiting room, but a familiar face catches my attention from behind the nurse's station. “I need a minute.”

Arden follows my line of sight, then nods. “We'll wait here.”

I hobble over to the nurse's station and Brandy looks up. “You're looking rough.”