The lovely 2brown-eyes read the last bit of this part yesterday! She reads all the words :)

NOW
JUNE 1993

No song naturally, so…

Have I Told You Lately—Rod Stewart

"Love you," I tell my mother as I pull away from her hug. "I'll call the house if anything changes."

"Okay, baby. I won't be long."

I watch her head off toward the elevator before turning to the vending machine. Something new catches my eye, and I drop in my coins, pressing C and 4. The pack of Warheads moves through the spiral and drops to the slot.

I rip the top and pop one of the sour candies in my mouth. My entire face twists at the unexpected tartness. I mean, I expected sour, but this is next level. I fight through it, and the taste becomes more manageable the longer I keep it in my mouth.

Taking the stairs, I head up one floor toward Charlie's room. He hasn't woken yet, but Dr. Jenks doesn't think we should be alarmed by that. He'll undergo a few tests later this afternoon and the procedure will be first thing tomorrow if everything checks out.

I smile at the nurses as I pass, finally chewing the remaining Warhead and swallowing the remnants. As I get close to my dad's room, the low murmur of male voices confuses me.

Pausing, I slowly peek inside. Edward is there and he's holding Charlie's hand as they speak quietly among themselves. My breath stalls as I stretch my neck in an attempt to hear their conversation.

"…going to be fine." That's Edward.

"You can't know that." Charlie.

Edward mumbles next, so I only hear the last part. "…a nonstarter."

I take a quiet step, then another, closing my eyes and focusing solely on them.

"Just promise me, son." Charlie is insistent, and I scoot a little closer, careful not to make a sound.

"You know you don't even have to ask."

When I try to move again, my stupid Fila sneaker scuffs against the shiny floor, and all eyes turn to me. "Hey." I let out an embarrassed chuckle.

Both men smile.

And I blow out the breath I've been holding as I run to Charlie's side. "Dad," I say as I take his hand. "It's so good to see you awake."

He's weak and pale, but his mustache twitches as he offers a smile. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily."

A lone tear rolls down my cheek as I drown in relief. I swipe it away, unable to ignore the warm body that occupies the chair right behind me.

"Mom just left," I say, looking for his room phone. "She's going to be so upset you waited until now to wake up."

He snorts a laugh, and it causes a coughing fit to overtake him. Edward jumps into action, pouring Charlie a cup of cold water from a nearby pitcher and moving past me to help him sit up a little more.

I step back and watch the scene unfold with gratitude in my heart. After everything we've been through, Edward's right by my side during one of the most trying times of my life.

I always imagined this specific summer, the one when I was done with high school and ready to attend college. Even after the worst of us had passed, I still clung to the hope that there'd be something salvageable from the wreckage.

That this would be our time.

But it isn't.

I see that now.

I saw it the other night.

In the way he looked at her.

He did what I wanted. He opened his heart to someone else, and she filled it in my absence. He's able to look beyond what we've been through and just be here because he has her love and support at the end of the day.

It stings.

But I'm happy for them.

"There you go," Edward tells my dad after straightening his pillows. He refills the cup and sets it within reaching distance. "In case you need it again."

I step forward, ready to take over. It's my responsibility after all. "I got it, Edward. Thanks for stopping by."

He's killing me with these soft looks, and I avert my eyes, but he steps into my space and touches my arm. "I was hoping you'd meet me in the cafeteria in a bit. Maybe grab a bite together or something?"

I motion to my father. "I should probab—"

"Nonsense," Charlie grouses, grabbing the remote to his TV. "Don't you even think about using me as an excuse."

I shove my hands in my back pockets, rocking back on my heels. I guess the time to air out the past has come. "Food sounds better than those stupid Warheads. What time are you thinking?"

"I'm off at five."

"I'll meet you there."

Mmmm

What do we think that's about?

See ya Monday :)