Her dad was asleep when they walked in, and didn't stir.
Alex's eyes grew wide, and he shook his head. He reached up and rubbed his chest as he glanced over at her. “Damn.”
“Right?” She moved up beside her dad and reached out, touching the side of his face. “He's doing really well, but it's going to be a long trek to being fully healthy again.”
“But he'll fully recover?” He moved around to stand behind her. His strong arms wrapped around her and she leaned back, resting against him.
“Yeah. I think he will.” She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. “Now we just need to get our lives in order so that stress isn't the center of everything.”
“I agree, but I'm stressed out just trying to think through how we're going to make that happen.” He chuckled and kissed the side of her neck. “Let's just get through this stuff with your dad and the situation with Paul leaving, and we'll figure things out from there.”
“I like that idea, but you know what I would like even better?” She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Me? On a platter?” He lifted his eyebrow.
“Yes, but even more than that... some chocolate cake at the restaurant.”
“Even over me?” He gave her a cute look.
“Yes. Even over you.” She winked. “Or on top of you.”
Chapter 10
One Month Later
Paul's transition from the firm went far more smoothly than Jamie thought it would, and though Jamie knew Mark still had the itch to try something new, he laid off talking about it. He seemed more committed to help Alex find some semblance of balance and, with all they'd been through, Jamie couldn’t have been more grateful for his increased involvement at the office. For a guy who loved being outside, he had brains and talent. They both did.
She glanced behind her as the wind picked up and blew her hair about. The sun was shining and it had somehow turned into a lazy Sunday afternoon. Mark and Alex were golfing, and she was at her parents’ house, trying to stay committed to spending more time with her family.
Her dad smiled at her as he walked out the back door, moving slowly. His house robe was tattered; it was the same one he'd been wearing since she was a kid. She made a mental note to get the poor guy a new one for Christmas that year. Or sooner, like the next time she came to visit him.
“It's beautiful out here.” He inhaled deeply, as if trying to take the heat and put it inside of him. He gradually moved toward her.
She started to get up, but he lifted his hand. He had made a full recovery, but the surgery seemed to have taken something out of him. He was moving more sluggishly than she had ever seen him move, but his disposition was good. He would get stronger over time.
“I’m fine.” He sat down beside her, the bench barely shifting from his light weight.
“It is. I love Sundays.” She leaned back on the bench in the middle of her parents’ back yard and closed her eyes. “Maybe when you get back to your full strength, you can join Alex and Mark on the golf course. I remember you used to play a lot when I was a kid.” She glanced over at him as he shifted carefully beside her.
“I'd like that.” He groaned softly before settling back. “I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and feel like my old self, but it just hasn't happened yet.”
“Dad, they had to cut into the center of your heart to fix that valve. The doctor said six months at the earliest for being back to a hundred percent.” Jamie reached out and squeezed his hand. “You look good.”
“I feel good.” He smiled. “I'm just ready to feel great, but enough about me. How are you doing?”
“I'm good.” She rubbed her tummy and smiled down at it. “I'm still in shock about having twins, but I guess we're just going to start a big family this first round.”
He chuckled. “Since when have you gone small on anything?”
“It’s never on purpose”,” she chuckled as she released his hand and lifted hers to the sky, stretching and letting out a soft groan. “I'm going to have to get going before too long. I've had my fill of Mom.”
“Speaking of your mother...” He coughed softly and pressed his hands to his chest as he did.
“What about her?” Jamie turned to face him, not liking at all the way his voice pinched. Was something wrong with her mom now, too? Whereas she didn't like the woman at all, she still very much loved her.
“I'm going to work to get better over the next few weeks, and then I'm leaving.” He glanced down at his hands and shook his head. “I thought I was going to die when I had the pain in my chest in the kitchen.”
“Dad.” Jamie reached out and touched his back as his voice broke a little. She'd never seen her father get emotional except at his own mother's funeral.