Chapter Twenty-Six

She opened her eyes and they immediately met with his in the dark.

"I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered the apology, referring to the kiss he'd given on her forehead a few seconds ago.

"I wasn't really asleep," she sat up and turned to Nat right away, who was still sleeping next to her.

"How is he?"

"He hasn't woken up since I arrived," she checked his forehead, which wasn't that warm anymore.

"Then you probably should let him sleep and come to your own bed," he suggested, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I can't do that," she turned in his direction.

"It's not the first time he's been sick and it surely won't be the last, there's really no reason for you to feel guilty."

"Do you think that's why I'm here? Because of guilt?"

"No, I'm just trying to help, to make you feel better."

She appreciated his support and she did feel a little guilty that she hadn't answered his call right away, she could have come home much sooner.

"I hate how this day ended, it started out so perfectly," she sighed, thinking back on their morning.

"I know, tomorrow can only be better."

"Unless Tim will be charged with murder, can you believe it?"

"What are his chances?"

"I'm not even sure what were his chances two hours ago. Kate might never forgive me if he gets charged."

"I'm sure you left him in good hands, right?"

"I did, but I even turned off my phone," she looked at her cell phone, that was lying on the table.

"Come here," he took her hands in his and pulled her up from her seat, "You've made the right choice coming home to Nat, probably turning off your phone wasn't the smartest thing to do, but what's done is done. You can either turn it back on now to check in with the police station or you do that in the morning, it's your call."

"It must be terrible of me not to care about what's going on there, right?"

"You do care about Tim, you've proven it already, it's only natural you care about your own son more."

"I just want to be with him when he wakes up, so that he knows I've been here for him."

"He will be really happy to see you."

"I've screwed up today, I'm obviously not fit to lead a firm if I leave everything behind to run back home to my children whenever they have a little fever."

"The first time is always the hardest, next time it will be much easier."

"That's comforting," she finally smiled at him, grateful for talking her down.

"Mommy," they suddenly heard Nat's voice and Diane rushed back to his side again.

"I'm here sweetie, how are you feeling?"

"It's warm."

"I didn't want you to feel cold, does it hurt?"

"No, I'm sleepy."

"Then go back to sleep, I'll be here."

"I love you, mommy."

"I love you too," she placed a kiss on his cheek and kept smiling at him until he closed his eyes again. Whatever would happen the next day, it was already worth coming home that night, "I'm going to stay here with him," she turned back to Will.

"All right," he said smiling.

Diane lay down next to Nat and Will helped to cover her before giving her a goodnight kiss. And despite all that had happened during the day, finally everything seemed right again.