“It’s good to see you up. You had us all worried sick.” He leans down and kisses my forehead.
Was it all a dream? Callum, Caleb? The walls close in on me, and I gasp for breath.
“Give her some space. Where’s the nurse gone?” Mum shouts, but their faces spin in a blurry haze all around me.
The nurse comes into focus. “Breathe slowly. You’re having an anxiety attack. Have you had them before?”
I can’t take a deep breath as it hurts too much, so I just take small shallow pants. Slowly, everyone comes back into view. My kids are staring with worry written all over their faces, and Justin is on the phone.
“Do you want a cup of tea and a biscuit? Get your strength up?”
I nod at the nurse, and Mum passes me another water.
“Caleb?” I say, “Where’s Caleb?”
“Callum has him,” Justin says. “I’ve just called him. He’s on his way.”
I lean back and exhale. My eyes water as a wave of relief washes over me. The door opens. Adrenaline spikes through my heart, and I wince as my body jerks upright, expecting to see Callum and my boy.
“A nice cup of tea for you, Mrs Bailey.” The nurse hands me a warm tea in a sippy cup.
I grip it with a shaky hand. “Am I that bad? I can’t hold a proper mug?”
“You’ve been asleep for days, poppet.”
“Mummy, we missed you.”
“Drink your tea, dear. It’ll make you feel better.”
“It’s one way to get out of doing the cooking and cleaning, aye, Steph?” Justin chuckles, but I don’t see what there is to laugh about. Who’s going to help me with the kids, the cleaning, cooking? Feeding Caleb? My breasts are tender but not bursting with milk like they should be.
The door opens again. My eyes move upwards and lock onto his. I freeze, sucking in a breath at the sight of Cal. It’s only been a few days—I think—but it feels longer, like a lifetime since I’ve held my man and my boy.
“Hey, mate.” Justin stands, making room for Cal and Caleb to come to my bedside.
He leans over, kissing my cheek. “How you feeling, baby?” he whispers, tickling my neck with his words. My hand shakes and tears pool in my eyes. He always has this effect on me.
“Now look what you’ve done.” Sue takes the drink from my trembling hands. “I told you she doesn’t want you here.” She holds her arms up to Caleb. “Come to your Nanna.”
Cal steps away from Mum and swallows. “Steph, do you want me here? If you want me to go, I will.”
My eyebrows pull together as I look between the two of them. “Don’t go,” I whisper, still not able to speak fully.
“Mamama.” Caleb holds his hands to me, but I’m not strong enough to hold him, even though I want to more than anything.
“Yeah, Mummy. Clever boy.” Cal perches Caleb on the bed next to my arm. I lift my hand and stroke his cheek and let the tears of joy roll down my face. It was real, it’s all real. I just can’t figure out what’s going on with Mum and Callum. Why on earth would I want him to go? I love him.
Sam bursts through the door. “You’re alive.”
I laugh, then hold my breath and my side while the pain abates.
Sebastian follows. “Hey sis, good to see you’re still here.”
“Bloody-hell, I must be bad, if you’re here.”
He chuckles and walks towards Justin, patting him on the back. Looking around the room, everyone I hold dear is here. Even though I’m not in love with Justin, I do still care for him, and the fact that he’s here shows he feels the same.
* * *