We’d visited with Thorn, who, despite his adamant arguments, was being kept overnight for observation. Roxy had arrived looking frantic, and we’d given the two their space, knowing they needed it.
I nodded in agreement, eager to check back in with him as well. Seeing Thorn shot was a shock the system and a wake-up call of how much he really meant to me and to our family. Which made Layla’s idea all the more perfect.
“Wait for me,” I commanded quietly, opening my door and moving to her side.
“I can walk,” she protested.
“I know you can,” I assured her, lifting her into my arms and holding her close to my body as I carried her inside.
Grace opened the door for us, Wren and Tatum behind her. I reluctantly set Layla on her feet so she could receive the hugs I knew her girls were wanting to give.
“Have you talked to Emmie?” Layla asked Grace, who nodded.
“She’s staying with her folks for the night. She’s acting a little weird, so I’m gonna go over there in the morning and see what’s going on.”
“Let’s get you to bed, chief,” I murmured in her ear, my hand pressed to her lower back. I looked up at our friends. “Thank you,” I added sincerely.
“Not a thing,” Tatum replied. “We’ll let ourselves out.”
I guided Layla up the stairs and into our room. I sat her on the edge of the bed, crouching to remove her shoes. She placed her hand on my head as the reality of what we’d just been through hit me like a brick wall.
I dropped to my knees, burying my face in her lap and wrapping my arms around her waist. Everything up until this point had felt like a nightmare that I’d worked methodically through, remaining as unfeeling as possible, knowing I had to go into battle mode to survive it.
Now, in the quiet of our bedroom, finally having her back in my arms, I wondered if I’d ever be able to let her go.
She curved her body toward mine, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m okay,” she murmured quietly.
I looked up at her tear-filled eyes. “I could have lost you.”
“But you didn’t,” she insisted. “I’m right here.”
“Yeah, you are,” I murmured hoarsely. “For so long I’ve had my brothers, I’ve had a life I thought I was happy with. But I didn’t realize I’d been alone until the first time I saw you. You and Riley, you gave me the life I didn’t know I needed and now can’t live without.” A tear slid down her cheek, and I reached up to wipe it away. “Marry me.”
She smiled. “I will.”
“Tomorrow.”
She laughed through tears. “I don’t think we can do it that fast, but as soon as possible, I’ll be there,” she agreed.
“Mama?” Riley’s incredulous voice sounded from the doorway a second before she was running toward Layla, who sat up straight, opening her arms for her.
“Hi, baby,” Layla crooned, holding her close, kissing her head.
“You were gone!” Riley wailed. “Daddy said he was going to get you, but it took a really long time!”
“I’m here now,” Layla soothed. “Everything is fine. I missed you, my sweet girl.”
“I missed you too.” Riley sniffled. “Grandma stayed with me. She did my nails.” Riley held out her hands so they could see the bright red nail polish.
Layla smiled affectionately. “That looks like Roxy’s work. Baby, it’s so late. We all need to get some rest. Do you want to sleep with us tonight?”
At Riley’s nod, I took over, lifting her up and tucking her in the middle of our bed, giving Layla a chance to get herself ready for bed.
Layla and I wrapped our arms around Riley, snuggling her in between us, and with my arms around my girls, for the first time since this nightmare began, I breathed a sigh of relief.
I had my woman. I had my daughter. We were a family. Which meant I had everything.
****