“Thank you.”
“Go in peace, Harry.” I push the first of the three medications through his IV.
“I have … a letter … for you. Top drawer … of the … bedside … table. Took me … awhile … to write it. Read it … privately.”
“As you wish.” I slip the envelope into my interior jacket pocket. I connect the second syringe to Harry’s line and take my phone from my pocket. I push the medication as I make the call that is going to devastate my wife. “Bonny. I think you and Ellison should come back. Quickly.”
I connect the third to Harry’s IV. “They’ll be here soon.”
I’ve timed the walk from the cafeteria to Harry’s room a dozen times. I have around two minutes with a brisk walk so I count to sixty and then push the last syringe slowly over the last thirty seconds.
Bleu and Ellison burst into the room half a minute later. Each rush to Harry’s side. “What’s happening?”
“I think this might be it.”
“I’m calling Marge,” Ellison says as she moves toward the door.
Harry stops her. “No, princess. Family only.”
I suddenly feel like an outsider, not fit to stay. “I’ll step outside.”
“Stay, Sinclair.” Harry struggles to catch his breath. “You are my family too.”
His fingers move toward Ellison, not more than an inch. “Come.”
She moves to his bedside and takes his hand. “What is it, Dad?”
He moves his other hand in Bonny’s direction. “You … come … too.”
She does as he says, taking his hand in hers.
“I’ve loved each of you differently, but always equally. Both of you have been my pride and joy but for different reasons. You’ve been the best daughters a father could hope to have.”
Bleu and Ellison are sobbing, each proclaiming their love for their father. It brings me to tears.
Bleu presses her father’s hand to her face and kisses it.
“Girlie girl. You’ve … done good … with Sinclair. He’s going … to be … a fine husband.”
Bleu’s attention temporarily turns from her father to me. “I know. That’s why I can’t be sorry for the way things have gone.”
“Sinclair is … going to … watch over you.” Pause. “Be your protector … and Ellison’s … until she has … a husband … of her own.”
“Both Sin and I will protect her.” Ellison looks from her father to Bleu with her brow wrinkled, her eyes narrowed. It’s the same confused expression I’ve seen Bleu wear.
“Elli … never settle … for less … than you deserve.”
“I never have, Dad. I certainly won’t when it comes to a man.” She brings his hand to her face. “He’ll have very large shoes to fill.”
Harry struggles for his next few breaths. His voice is so soft and low it’s barely audible. “I’m very tired. I’m going to rest my eyes now.”
His lids close and the depth of the rise and fall of his chest shallows with each breath.
I’ve watched many men die but never like this—peacefully, without fear.
“Jules.” It’s the last word he utters before his breathing ceases. His face is relaxed, no longer grimacing from pain. Harry is finally at peace.
* * *
Bleu and Ellison are busy making Harry’s final arrangements. They’re choosing flowers, something they don’t need me for, so I decide to steal away for a private moment to read my father-in-law’s final words. “Bonny, I’m going to step out for a minute. Can I get you anything? Maybe a coffee or a snack?” She’s eaten so little the last few days. I can’t imagine that being good for her body considering the blood sugar medication she takes.
She shakes her head. “I’m good.”
I decide to visit the chapel since it’s quiet. A good place to expect no interruptions. That’s where I take a seat and open Harry’s letter.
Sinclair,
In case you’ve not yet figured it out, Bleu isn’t your typical woman. The events of her childhood caused great, lasting damage. Avenging her mother’s death is only one piece of her; she became obsessed with making sure no one ever hurt her again, physically or emotionally. In the process, she closed herself off, unable to connect with others. Until you.
If you’d asked me a year ago—a month ago—I wouldn’t have chosen you for my daughter. But today is different. With the depth of your love, you’ve healed her heart. It’s a father’s hope and dream for his daughter to find such a man.
You’ve come to know how easy Bleu is to love. Always remember that, even when she gives you reason to forget. Because she will. Please be patient with her when she does.
I’ve heard it said that those who cannot forget the past are condemned to relive it. Sinclair, I fear the only way for Bleu to forget is to finish this once and for all. Do it for her. Help my girl forget the hurts of her past.
Harry
I fold the letter and return it to the interior pocket of my jacket.
No worries, Harry. I’ll do whatever it takes to heal this hurt for our girl.
Chapter Nine
Bleu Breckenridge
Edinburgh, Scotland
My life has been a whirlwind the last few weeks. Amazing love. Crushing grief. I basked in the light of one while curling into a ball in the shadows of the other. In my blackest hours, Sin executed his role as my supportive husband perfectly. I needed him and he was there, my beacon in the dark. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect source of light and strength.
Today marks a fresh beginning in our lives. Sin and I have come home to Edinburgh. I’m sad about leaving my sister behind but excited to begin my life with Sin. The events of the recent weeks consumed us to the point that we were unable to explore our new roles to one another. Now, I finally get to be a wife to my husband.
As Sin’s wife, my position within The Fellowship has changed. Everyone within the brotherhood has expectations for me. And I have no idea what those are. Stepping into this unfamiliar part is frightening.
I fear we won’t have time to breathe before our lives are thrown into yet another tailspin—beginning with our home. Sin claims his flat is no longer a suitable place to live since we’re married. He says we should live in a house and would like to begin looking for one immediately. He’s already phoned realtors and has them searching for estates with a minimum of four bedrooms.