Dylan (The Murphy Series Book 5)

by Holly C. Webb

  “Of course I would,” Dylan said, giving her a warm smile, but feeling stunned that she would want him to. “I mean, only if you’re sure you’d like me to.”

  “I… I’d like you to meet my dad,” she grinned, looking the happiest Dylan had seen her since the first time he met her, her whole body suddenly vibrating with nervous energy.

  “I’d like that too,” he said giving her another smile. “Now, let’s get you in there before you explode with excitement.” Brook just laughed as she undid her seatbelt.

  When they both climbed from the car, Dylan took hold of Brook’s hand; partially to offer her support as her legs were still a little weak, but mostly because he liked holding her hand, and he could now that she was no longer in the hospital. Walking through the door, Brook led Dylan to the front desk.

  “Brook!” The nurse sitting behind the desk said, giving her a warm smile. “It’s so good to see you back on your feet. How are you feeling, Sweetie?”

  “I’m good, thank you, Linda,” Brook replied giving the woman a genuine smile before she turned and looked towards Dylan and began to introduce him. “This is Doctor Dylan Murphy…”

  “Doctor Murphy!” Linda exclaimed as she stood up and offered Dylan her hand. “It’s good to meet you finally.”

  “You’re Nurse Regan,” Dylan said, realising who he was actually talking to. This was the nurse that he’d talked to almost every day for the last four weeks.

  “I am,” she confirmed as he shook her hand. “It’s lovely to finally meet you too.”

  “You too,” Dylan replied, giving the woman a friendly smile. “And thank you so much for all your help over the last few weeks.”

  “It was my pleasure,” she said, before turning to Brook, reaching out, softly squeezing her arm. “Your dad’s down in the day room. He’s been asking about you. Today he is having a good day.”

  “Great,” Brook replied before glancing at Dylan, and he could see the relief on her face.

  Brook led him down the hallway, each step she took, he could feel the excitement grow and emanate from her.

  When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped for a moment, taking a deep, calming breath.

  “Are you okay?” Dylan asked, watching her closely.

  “Yeah,” she nodded, but he could see she really wasn’t. “It’s just. I know I will get upset when I see him, and I don’t want to give him anything to worry about. He’s having a good day, and I don’t want to steal that from him. They are too few these days.”

  “Do you want to sit?” Dylan said, pointing to the chair behind them. “Take a few more moments?”

  “No,” she shook her head, giving him a grateful smile. “I don’t want to miss more time than I need to.”

  “Okay then,” Dylan smiled, taking hold of her hand once more. “Then let’s do this.”

  Brook led Dylan into the day room. As they walked in, a man who was sitting in a chair beside the window looked up. The moment he spotted Brook, his face lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “Dolly!” He exclaimed as he stood up to greet her. “There you are!”

  “Hi, Daddy!” Brook replied, quickly closing the distance between her and him, hugging him so tightly, he could barely breathe. Dylan stood back for a moment, allowing Brook to have her private moment with her father. He smiled when he saw that David McKay adored his daughter as much as she adored him.

  “Dolly, what is it?” David asked, holding his daughter tighter. “What’s happened, sweet girl?”

  “I’m just being silly,” Brook whispered, finally releasing her father from her embrace. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too,” David said, taking her face into his hands. He smiled at her, but then he saw the now almost healed bump on her forehead and his smile quickly faded. “Dolly, what happened to your head? Who has hurt you like this?”

  “I’m okay, Daddy,” Brook assured him, but even in his weakened mental state, he knew this wasn’t the truth. A look of sadness settled on his face, and Dylan knew that her father already knew the truth.

  “This was Warren,” he said, looking her in the eyes. “Wasn’t it?”

  “Dad…” Brook whispered, but David wasn’t finished.

  “I never liked him,” David said, the look on his face almost breaking Dylan’s heart. “I should have never let you marry him. I knew he wasn’t a good man.”

  “Daddy,” Brook whispered once again.

  “What did he do to you, my beautiful girl?” David asked as his voice cracked with unshed tears, still holding her face in his now shaking hands. “Tell me that you’ve left him. Tell me that you are safe.”

  “I’m safe, Dad,” Brook breathed out as tears spilled down her face. David reached up and gently wiped them away.

  “Please don’t cry, my Dolly Daydream,” David whispered as he gently kissed her on the forehead. “You’re safe now, my sweet girl. Your dad will take care of you.”

  “I know,” she nodded, blinking back her tears, giving him a smile before he turned to look at Dylan, giving him a questioning look. Brook looked at Dylan too. “Dad, this is Doctor Dylan Murphy. He is the one who took care of me, and he’s been like my knight in shining armour.”

  “You took care of my little girl?” David asked, giving Dylan a questioning look.

  “Yes, Sir, I did,” Dylan replied, giving him a nod. “I’m Dylan Murphy. It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. McKay.”

  “You can call me David,” he replied, giving Dylan a half smile before he offered him his hand. Dylan took it, shaking it firmly. He was surprised by just how alert her father was, but then that was the cruellest nature of this disease. It doesn’t take you all at once. It takes you piece by piece. Each time you come back from god knows where you go when inside your own mind; there is a little less left of you. “So, you’re a doctor?”

  “Yes,” Dylan replied, with a smile. “I am, Sir.”

  “Your folks must be proud,” David said, this time the smile on his face was a lot more friendly.

  “I hope so, Sir,” Dylan replied, before he glanced at Brook, giving her a broad, reassuring smile.

  “So, are you in love with my little girl?” David asked, not pulling any punches.

  “Daddy!” Brook exclaimed, giving her father a scolding look before glancing at Dylan. Dylan couldn’t help but laugh at the look of embarrassment on her face.

  “What?” David asked, giving his daughter an amused look. “My time here on this planet is limited, Dolly. I made the mistake of letting you marry the wrong man already. I need to be sure that the next time you fall in love, it will be with someone who is worthy of your heart.”

  “Really,” Brook sighed, giving him a pleading look before she finally looked at Dylan. “I’m so sorry, Dylan. Sometimes my father thinks it’s hilarious to embarrass me every chance he can get.”

  “It’s okay,” Dylan replied with a laugh, before he turned to David, giving him a broad smile. “I care about Brook a great deal, Sir. She has grown to become very special to me, and I give you my word, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to make her as happy as she deserves to be.”

  “I believe that, Son,” David said, giving him a warm smile. “Now, let’s all sit down, and you can tell me what the hell has been going on.”

  Brook reluctantly told her father what had happened, leaving out some of the more serious injuries she’d suffered, included the fact she had a recurring bleed in her brain. Dylan knew she was trying to spare him the details because she didn’t want him any more upset than he needed to be.

  “So, he’s in jail?” David finally asked, when Brook had told her story.

  “Yes,” Brook confirmed, with a smile. “So, I don’t need you to worry about me, Dad. Dylan and his family, well they have been amazing.”

  “But it’s my job to protect you, Brook,” David said, a look of sheer heartbreak on his face. “Since I lost your mother…”

  “Daddy,” Brook said, reaching out taking hold of her father
’s hand. “This is not your fault. None of this was your fault.”

  “I just want you to be happy, Dolly,” David said, giving her a sad smile. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

  “I am happy,” Brook assured him, leaning forward, softly kissing him on the cheek.

  They sat with David for another hour, talking and laughing. David told Dylan about when Brook was a little girl, about how she was always in trouble when she was in school for daydreaming, and that was how she got her nickname, Dolly Daydream, or Dolly for short.

  Dylan loved seeing Brook so happy, and also so relaxed. He loved how much she loved her father. He knew their relationship was special. Finally, he understood why Brook had done what she had to get her father out of Warren’s clutches.

  “Look at the time,” David said, looking down at his watch when they’d been there a little over an hour. “I think it’s time for your young man to go home, Dolly. You have your homework to get done.”

  “Daddy,” Brook said, smiling, but this time it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I don’t have homework. I came to see you, with Dylan, do you remember?”

  “Of course I do,” David smiled, but the look of confusion on his face was clear. Dylan knew it had been a long afternoon for him, and he was beginning to get a little mixed up. “But I don’t want you in trouble with that teacher of yours again.”

  “I won’t be,” Brook assured him, giving him another smile, before she leaned in, kissing him softly on the cheek. “I will walk Dylan to the door.

  “Good girl,” David replied, smiling at her, but his smile faded as his gaze fell on the fading bump on her head once more. “Dolly, what happened to your head?”

  “I bumped it playing basketball at school,” Brook replied, and Dylan could see she was fighting to keep her tears at bay. “It’s no big deal.”

  “You and your basketball,” David chuckled. “If it’s not a basketball, it’s a book.”

  “You know me so well,” Brook whispered, her voice cracking, and she wrapped her arms around her father, holding him tightly. “I love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you too, Dolly Daydream,” David replied, hugging her back.

  Twenty minutes later, Brook and Dylan were back in the car, heading back to his parents’ home. As they drove, Brook quietly stared out the window, lost in thought, so Dylan didn’t say a word. He knew she needed a little time to process the thoughts that were swirling around her head.

  When they reached the house, Brook told Dylan that she was tired, and asked if it was okay for her to go lay down. He told her it was absolutely fine, before kissing her on the cheek.

  He stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching Brook as she tentatively climbed the stairs.

  Once she’d reached the top, Dylan made his way into the kitchen, then out onto the patio where he found his parents sitting together, having lunch.

  “Dylan,” Nell said, giving him a broad smile. “You’re back. Why don’t you and Brook join us for lunch?”

  “Brook’s actually gone to lie down,” Dylan explained as he pulled out a chair and sat down at the table with his parents. “I think today took a lot out of her, and I think she’s a little upset too.”

  “That poor girl,” Nell said, giving Dylan a sad smile, before she glanced at Sean, who was sitting on the far side of the table, giving him a strange look.

  “What was that look?” Dylan asked, feeling like there was something he was missing.

  “There was no look,” Nell replied, but the flush of her cheeks told Dylan that his mother was in fact not being truthful.

  “Yes, there was,” he said, sitting forward in his seat watching his mother closely. “You gave Dad one of your looks you give when you think someone is wrong about something. What’s Dad wrong about?”

  “It’s nothing, Dylan,” Nell said, as she pushed her chair back from the table, standing up slowly. “Let me go get you a plate.”

  “No!” Dylan said, giving his mother a determined look. “There is something going on here; something to do with Brook, and I want to know what that something is.”

  “Dylan, Sweetheart,” Nell sighed, sitting back down in her seat. “It’s nothing for you to worry about?”

  “Then if it’s nothing for me to worry about,” Dylan said, looking from his mother to his father. “Why can’t you tell me?”

  “Because it’s not important,” Nell said, once more glancing toward Sean.

  “And there’s that look again,” Dylan sighed, now it was his turn to push his chair back from the table. “So clearly it is important.”

  Nell stared at him for a moment, but she didn’t speak.

  “Dad?” Dylan said, turning his focus to Sean. “How about you tell me what the look was for?”

  Sean released a deep sigh before he set his napkin down on the table.

  “I just feel that Brook being here isn’t the best idea in the world,” Sean said, completely stunning Dylan.

  “Why not?” Dylan asked, giving his father a questioning look.

  “Do you really need me to spell this out for you?” Sean asked. “Her husband is a cop.”

  “Ex-husband,” Dylan corrected him, unable to believe what he was actually hearing. “And what happened to no one was above the law?”

  “No one is!” Sean replied, as he too sat forward in his seat. “But then there’s this thing with Landen going after the other cops. Your brother arrested a fellow police officer, even if he is a bad cop. Your other brother is suing the department, and now I have the victim staying here in my home. Dylan, I was the Police Commissioner. I can’t be seen to be taking a stance…”

  “And giving the victim of a violent crime a place to stay is taking a stance?” Dylan asked as he stood up from the table. “Jesus Dad, that makes you sound no better than the guys who covered for this asshole.”

  “That’s not what your father means,” Nell said, trying to defuse the tension.

  “Isn’t it?” Dylan said. “Then what does it mean? Do you have any clue what he did to her? Of the beatings she took off him, while the police, your men, looked the other way.”

  “I’m not saying that what happened wasn’t wrong,” Sean sighed, giving Dylan a worried look.

  “Then what are you saying?” Dylan asked, feeling a little disappointed in his father right at that moment.

  “It’s just complicated,” Sean sighed, giving Dylan a pleading look.

  “But you don’t want her here?” Dylan replied, looking from his mother to his father.

  Before either Sean or Nell could reply, a sound from behind Dylan, made him turn around. A sickening feeling formed in the pit of his stomach the moment he spotted Brook standing in the doorway.

  “Brook!” Dylan said, knowing from the look on her face that she’d heard everything that was said, or at least the part about his father not wanting her there.

  “I’m sorry,” she croaked, her voice cracking, as fat tears pooled in her eyes. “I forgot I needed to take my medication. I needed some water…”

  She stared at Dylan for a moment, as he held his breath, having no clue what she would do next.

  “I should… I…” She said as tears suddenly spilled down her face.

  “Brook,” Dylan repeated, but she turned and headed back into the house, heading straight for the stairs. Dylan stood there for a moment, knowing that everything had just become a million times more messed up. “Fuck!”

  Chapter 20

  Brook

  By the time Brook reached the bedroom, tears were freely flowing down her face. She was completely mortified that she had caused an argument between Dylan and his father. She hadn’t heard everything that was said, but she’d heard enough. Dylan’s father didn’t want her there, so there was no way she could possibly stay there now.

  She hurried into the walk-in closet, grabbing her bag that was on a shelf inside, and began stuffing her belonging into it.

  “Brook!” Dylan called from outside the bedroom; she didn’t
respond. She knew there was nothing he could stay to get her to change her mind now. She couldn’t stay here any longer, not if it meant that it would cause trouble between Dylan and his father. Suddenly he appeared in the doorway of the closet. “Brook, please don’t do this.”

  “I have to,” she sobbed. “Your father doesn’t want me here, and this is his house. I don’t want to be the reason you argue with him. I don’t want to be the reason that there is trouble in your family.”

  She stopped what she was doing, turning to look at Dylan.

  “I saw how your family were last night,” she continued, swallowing hard the lump of grief that was almost choking her. “You guys love each other, more than I have ever seen in any other family. I will not be the person that comes between that…”

  “You’re not!” Dylan exclaimed, walking further into the closet. “Every person in this family is behind you every step of the way.”

  “Except your father,” Brook sighed as she set her bag down. She gave Dylan a smile before she slowly walked towards him. “Dylan, it’s okay. Honestly. I’ve been on my own for so long; I’m used to fighting for myself.”

  “But you’re not on your own,” Dylan whispered as he took her face in his hands, looking down into his eyes. “You have me.”

  Before Brook could respond, Dylan pressed his lips to hers softly.

  “Please don’t walk away from us,” he breathed out against her lips. “You said you would give me a chance, so I’m begging you; give me this chance.”

  She looked up into his eyes, wishing she could give him the answer he wanted. She truly did. But Sean didn’t want her there; it was that simple. So there was no way she could stay, no matter how much she wanted to.

  “Dylan,” she sighed, looking up into his eyes. “Your father doesn’t want me here in his home, and this is his home.”

  “Then we won’t stay here,” Dylan said matter-of-factly, surprising Brook with his response. “Finish packing, I’ll be right back.”

  Without waiting for her to respond, Dylan turned and hurried out of the closet. Moments later Brook heard the door to her room closing too.