Piece by Piece (Riggins Brothers 2)

“Let her be, son,” Dad tells me. “You know once she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her.”

I nod, knowing he’s right. It warms my heart that my mother wants to take such good care of Layla. I talk with my parents for about fifteen minutes or so. “Here’s a bag of clothes. When she wakes up, there are some toiletries as well. We stopped by your place on the way here. I had to sweet talk those police officers to let me in,” she says with a grin. “I’m not sure how soon until they will let her shower, but when she does, she’s going to feel better having her own things.”

“Thank you, Momma,” I say, standing and walking to where she stands on the opposite side of the bed, giving her a hug.

“We love you both. There’s a room ready for the two of you whenever you need it. And the offer stands if you want to go get some sleep. I won’t leave her side.”

“Thanks, but I’m not leaving.”

“We didn’t think you would,” Dad says from behind me.

“Call us when our girl wakes up. I’ll be back this evening to bring you dinner.”

“Mom, you don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Oh, there are some clean clothes for you in that bag as well.”

“Thank you both.”

“We love you. Both of you.” Six words spoken by my father that just about bring me to my knees. I won the lottery when it comes to parents, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that they’re going to shower my girl with all the love and affection she can take once I spring her out of here. Hell, they already are, and she doesn’t even know it.

They shut the door softly behind them, and it’s just the two of us. I take my seat next to her bed and hold her hand in mine. I’ve done this a thousand times over the last couple of days. My thumb runs over her ring finger, and I can’t help but wonder what my ring will look like on her finger. Taking the box from my pocket, I pull back the lid and look at the ring.

“I bought this for you,” I tell her. I don’t know if she can hear me, but the doctors tell me to talk to her; they feel like it helps the patients. “Royce went with me. Just like I went with him. Sawyer was in on it,” I tell her with a chuckle. “Little did I know that it would turn into a routine for the two of you, but that’s okay because I love it. I love that you have a friend in Sawyer and that she’s going to be my sister-in-law and by default yours.” I pull the ring out of the box, setting the box to the side.

“As soon as I saw this one, I knew it was perfect.” Without thinking, I slide the ring on her finger. “Fuck, Lay, seeing my ring on your finger, it does something to me. I wish I could find the words to explain this pounding in my chest or the way that I feel… lighter.” Carefully, I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the ring.

“When I walked into the house and saw you, I wanted to kill them, but I also needed to get to you. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life. It’s going to be a while, a long fucking while, baby, before I let you out of my sight. I know they’re behind bars, but fuck me, I could have lost you, and he could have—” I swallow hard, not able to speak about what that depraved son of a bitch could have done to her. What the police claim he was planning to do to her.

This time I don’t choke back the emotion as I let the tears begin to fall. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner.” My voice cracks. “I should have been there to protect you. I let you down, and I’m so sorry. You were protecting my family and me, and, baby, I would have given them the money. It’s only money. Nothing is more important than your safety. I wish you would have told me sooner, but I know you were trying to protect me. To protect my family.”

Lowering my head to the bed, I keep her hand in mine. I let the tears fall. I’ve been trying so hard to be strong for her, for my family, but here in this quiet hospital room, I lose the battle I’ve been fighting. I don’t bother to stop them or wipe them away. Instead, I let them fall unchecked as I hold her hand in mine. “Please, baby, wake up for me. I need to see those big blue eyes when I ask you to be my wife.”