Layla yawned and stretched. “Did you get my coffee with two creams and two sugars?”
Michael frowned and twisted his lips to the side. “Are you seriously being picky all the way over in another country? I can barely read the signs, so you better be glad I got your coffee, period. Take what I got and be happy.”
Smiling cheekily, Layla reached for her drink then kissed him on the side of his face. “Sorry. I’m cranky in the morning.” He whispered in her ear so their parents couldn’t hear. “Your ass is always cranky. I don’t know how your husband puts up with it.” His eyes sparkled, so I knew the back and forth between them wasn’t serious.
Layla sipped her coffee, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. “Oh thank gaaawd. It’s perfect. You little turd! You could have just said yes.”
Lauren and Lisa got up and went over to get their coffee and donuts too. Lauren laughed. “It’s too much like right for this guy.”
“Really? This guy? You mean the one who walked over to that restaurant across the street to get coffee for my ungrateful ass—” He looked over at his parents who were smiling at them. “Sorry, Mom and Dad. I mean ungrateful sisters?” He shook his head from side to side with a slight smile of his own. He turned and directed his last comments toward Brody. “The crap I have to put up with, dude. You need to wake up before I strangle them.”
Mrs. Windham spoke to Layla and Lisa. “Did you ladies call home to check on my grandchildren? I’m sure your husbands are worried sick.”
Lisa snorted. “Antonio is fine. I texted him a few minutes ago. Let the kids drive him crazy for a few days.”
Layla laughed. “Right. I’ll call Rob soon. It won’t hurt for him and Antonio to get a taste of mommyhood. Maybe they’ll have a little more respect for the jobs that we do when we get back.”
I watched the banter go back and forth between Brody’s family. I felt like a voyeur; an outsider more like it. I’d never experienced this kind of freedom and love within a family. It was strange and new.
Michael finally walked over to me. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought you a black coffee, but there are some sweeteners, sugars, and creams in the bag along with a few different kinds of donuts. Luckily, my greedy sisters didn’t take them all.”
I sat up straighter in my chair. I was hit with an overwhelming sense of loss for what I’d never had, and what I didn’t know I wanted—a real family. The first time I attempted to speak was unsuccessful, but I was finally able to croak out a thank you.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone thought enough about me to do something nice that wasn’t on my payroll. Brody. He was an extension of his family. If they were half as kind as he’d been to her, then she was lucky to share their company.
My throat still hadn’t opened up. I tried to clear it a couple more times before the lightheartedness died when the doctor entered the room.
He said a lot and I listened intently to every word. “Mr. Windham has survived the past forty-eight hours. That is a great sign for his recovery. His vitals seem to have stabilized, and we’re very hopeful. He’s not completely out of the woods. He lost a lot of blood. We’ll do everything in our power to keep him comfortable and to aid in his recovery.”
The relief was palpable as it swept through everyone.
He continued to speak. “Ms. Lee-Xiou has made sure that Brody is getting the best care in China. I can assure you of that.” The physician answered a few more questions and then left the room.
Lydia Windham went over to her son and held his hand. She leaned over and whispered into his ear, but her words were loud enough for everyone to hear. “We’re all here and just waiting for you to wake up. Gina’s here too. I can already tell that you two have a fascinating story to share, but I’ll wait until your eyes open before I ask you to disclose it.”
Knowing glances between the members of the Windham family were exchanged at the mention of my name. Ethan was standing near me and reached for my hand. He held it for a moment. It was warm, comforting. “Thank you for making sure that Brody’s getting the best care.”
I couldn’t believe this man was thanking me when all of this was my fault. In my world, when people messed up they paid with their lives. Forgiveness only happened in heaven. I was surprised, stunned even.
I wasn’t quite sure how to react to Mr. Windham’s concern. “It looks and sounds like you’ve been through a lot too.” I was sure the bruises and scratches on my hands and face were more pronounced today, but they were nothing compared to what Brody had suffered. Still, this family showed me kindness.
Mr. Windham wasn’t finished. “If Brody wanted to protect you, then we’ll have to do it for him until he can do it himself.” Heads were nodding up and down throughout the room. “The Windhams are a force to be reckoned with when someone messes with one of our own.”
For a moment knowing someone else had my back, even if only for the time being, helped to ease the weight of the world that sat upon my shoulders—until my phone
