The Amendment (The Contract 2)

I startled. “What?”

“First off, stop swearing. And second, do you not realize what just happened?”

“Yes. My neglect almost killed our daughter.” I huffed.

How could I be so careless?

Katy shook her head. “Babies instinctively swim better than adults. She swallowed some water and her diaper is saturated, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

I ran my hand over Heather’s wet hair, pressing a kiss of remorse to her little head and inwardly thanking God, the heavens, and anyone else listening for my baby girl being okay. I pressed Gracie close to my side, keeping her safe beside me. “What are you talking about, Katy?”

She grabbed my hand. “You walked Richard. In fact, you ran. You were in the pool and had her out of the water before I could even call her name. And you’re standing right now.” She shook her head. “You’re not even aware of it.”

I looked at my feet, then at the wheelchair that was lying on its side, knocked over by the way I launched myself out of it. I felt Gracie’s arms wrapped around my thigh.

I sensed the decking, hot and rough, under my toes.

“Holy fuck,” I breathed out.

“You’re walking, my darling. Whatever was holding you back blew out of your head when your child was in danger.” She clutched my hand. “You did it, Richard.” Tears glimmered in her eyes. “You did it.”

I dropped to my knees and gathered all my girls in my arms.

And I wept.The room around me buzzed with activity. Voices, people moving, talking to me, trying to get my attention. I held Gracie on my lap, keeping her close. She played a game on my phone, happy to be held by me.

My focus was on one thing. The doctor examining Heather. I had insisted, and finally Katy relented, seeing how upset I was about her. My wife glanced up, smiling as she lifted Heather to her shoulder. She tilted her chin, letting me know everything was okay. A fact that she was certain of, but I needed to be sure. She escorted the doctor out and I relaxed, pressing a kiss to Gracie’s head. She looked up, wrinkling her nose.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, baby girl.”

She patted my hand. “Boo-boo better,” she cooed. “Good.”

“Yeah, Daddy feels better.” I brushed a curl off her face. “How did you know?”

She pushed on my cheek with her tiny finger. “You Daddy again. You smile.”

I dropped my head, pressing kisses all over her sweet little face. “I’ll be Daddy from now on, okay?”

She giggled. “Otay.” She lowered her head back to her game. That was far more interesting than the activity around her.

It hit me how correct Katy had been. Gracie didn’t care if I walked. She didn’t care if I’d been stuck in that godforsaken chair the rest of my life. All she wanted was me. My love and my closeness. To be there for her. A wave of shame hit me and I looked up, meeting Katy’s gaze. We held a silent conversation across the room. She knew what I was thinking and feeling at the moment.

She always did.

With a gentle look and a slow shake of her head, she told me to let it go. Move on.

I gave her an imperceptible nod, letting her know I had “heard” her. She winked.

Colin crouched in front of me. “How you doing, Richard?”

I met his gaze. “Great.”

“You ready to show off?”

“Sure.”

Laura bent, smiling at Gracie. “Daddy needs to get up for a while.”

Gracie frowned, cuddling closer, and I had to laugh. “Take the phone, Gracie. You sit over there, and once Daddy is finished impressing people, you can sit on his lap again, okay?”

She slid off happily and wandered to her favorite spot on the sofa, not even remotely interested.

While we were still outside, Katy had given me Heather to hold and made some phone calls. Not long after, Colin appeared, helping me up into my chair and wheeling me inside. Graham and Laura showed up, and then finally the doctor, who came as a special favor to Katy. She was the one I was most concerned with, and I refused to do anything until I knew Heather was okay.

Since my daughter was now happily snuggled into Katy and asleep, I knew I could lay my fears to rest.

Colin pushed the rolling walker in front of me, locking the brakes. I didn’t argue or fight. I knew I needed the help. I gripped the handles and pulled myself upright.

I grimaced. “That was a lot harder than I expected. I mean, I ran earlier.”

He nodded knowingly. “Adrenaline rush. Take your time.”

With a deep breath, I released the brake. I didn’t look down; I didn’t think. I kept my eyes locked on Katy and walked toward her. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t easy or fast, yet I did it. I walked until I was in front of her, then I kissed Heather’s unruly curls and my wife’s soft mouth.