Accidental Homecoming

by Sabrina York

  Watching Nan cut a slice of cake and hand the plate to Emma, she smiled. It was a charming sight—Emma elated, playful, childlike once more. How wonderful would it be if, after all this, she could have a normal childhood again? But what would that look like?

  Danny had mentioned how lovely it was in Butterscotch Ridge, what a great place it was to raise children. Had he been hinting that they move there when Emma got better?

  He hadn’t been specific. Was it silly for her to start imagining a life with him? Other than one brief kiss, he hadn’t given her a clue. It was far too soon for that. Wasn’t it?

  She wasn’t sure, but her heart wanted that. Wanted that more than it should.

  “Mommy?” Emma thrust a slice of cake under her nose.

  “Thank you, honey.”

  “There’s no ice cream.” An apology, perhaps. Or maybe an indictment of Lizzie’s shopping skills.

  “Cake is fine. Mmm. Is this chocolate?”

  “With chocolate icing.” She hadn’t needed to mention that. It was all over her face.

  “Are you even using a fork?” Lizzie chuckled as she used her napkin to wipe the smears from Emma’s cheeks. And her fingers. And that spot behind her knee.

  “I licked the bowl,” she said proudly. “What should we do next? To celebrate?”

  Nan grinned. “I vote for a bath.”

  Lizzie chuckled at Emma’s disgruntlement. “I second.” Because really. Frosting was everywhere.

  Later, as Lizzie tucked Emma into bed and kissed her good-night, she felt that flare of hope again. She couldn’t wait until Danny joined them in Seattle, and this time, he’d be with her every step of the way.

  * * *

  As Danny headed down the stairs for supper, he was in a great mood, and bursting with the news. It was a testament to his growing relationship with his siblings that he knew they’d be just as happy as he was to hear that Emma had found a donor.

  When Mark saw him, he flashed a brilliant grin. Actually, Sam, DJ and Luke—Luke—were grinning, as well. Since Danny hadn’t just fallen off a horse, that was not normal.

  “What’s up?” he asked as he took what had become his usual seat. Right next to his gruff brother, as it happened.

  “We have news,” Sam said.

  Luke snorted. “We have news?”

  “Oh?” Another glance around the table at those smiles, and something prickled on Danny’s nape.

  Sam nodded. “We got a call today—”

  “Just tell him already,” DJ said.

  “Okay fine,” Sam muttered to her older brother. “The doctor called to say they found a donor for Emma!” She looked so proud of herself, he hated to burst her bubble.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I already know.”

  Odd, then, that none of their smiles dimmed. Luke’s, in fact, widened. “But do you know who the donor is?” he asked.

  Danny stilled, stared at him.

  “Just tell him already,” Dorthea snapped from the end of the table. “It’s Luke.”

  Sam nodded. “It is. It’s Luke. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  And what could he say? Because it was wonderful. Even if it was Luke. “It is. It is wonderful. Thank you all, again, for getting tested.” He leaned over and hesitated, then gave his brother his hand because Luke seemed to be more of a handshake kind of guy. To his surprise, Luke grabbed him in an awkward one-armed embrace, then shoved him away, saying, “We told you. Stirlings take care of each other.”

  “This is going to change things,” DJ said as Danny was still processing a hug from Luke. From Luke. “They want Luke to come in for more tests.” He waved his hand. “I think you should go, too. Lizzie and Emma will need you.”

  “My three months isn’t up yet.” It was only fair to remind him.

  DJ shook his head. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

  “I can’t help worrying about a debt that needs paying.” People who didn’t worry about debts to Mikey tended to end up in traction.

  “Well, I, ah, already took care of that matter.”

  “What?” Danny gaped at him. His pulse thudded in his temple. “When?”

  “The first night you arrived.” DJ grinned.

  Another tsunami of incredible relief and gratitude rolled over him.

  His brother grinned. “I also paid off the repairs on your car. George is delivering it next week. Had to send out for parts.”

  “Oh, man. My ’Vette. Thank you.” It might seem odd for a man to get worked up over an old car, but Danny had always loved that ’Vette. Even though it was kind of a clunker, it was the first thing he’d bought with money he’d earned. He’d kissed Lizzie for the first time in that car. It mattered to him.

  How incredibly wonderful that DJ had taken care of that, as well as the monumental debt that had been weighing on him.

  Oh, he couldn’t stop himself. He hugged DJ again. It was a hug that went on for a while. There might have been some manly sniffles, too.

  “I...ah... Thank you. Thank you very much.”

  DJ disentangled himself, caught Danny’s gaze and held it for a moment. “You don’t need to thank me. We’re family. We’re all in this together.”

  * * *

  The next day, Luke flew them both to Seattle in his plane, which was a little terrifying, because Danny had never been in a plane that small. He was white-knuckled most of the flight, which Luke found amusing. Fortunately, his brother remained silent for most of the trip, leaving Danny to his thoughts.

  He was still gobsmacked by DJ’s munificence. He’d done everything he’d promised, despite the fact that Danny hadn’t yet met his obligation. In the past, his inclination would have been to distrust such a man and his motives, and to fortify himself from impending betrayal. How strange it was that those suspicions seemed ludicrous with these people. DJ had always been straight with him. As had Mark, Sam and, to be honest, Luke, as well.

  It was strange and wonderful to trust people, and to have their trust, as well. It made him want to be a better man. Lizzie and Emma made him want to be a better man, too. It was a scary thought, but the thought of disappointing them was scarier.

  Lizzie met them at the airfield. He wanted to kiss her, but held back. He regretted it immediately, though. When would a celebratory kiss have been more appropriate?

  They drove straight to the hospital as Luke had tests scheduled, as well as a briefing on what to expect, and Lizzie had made an appointment with Dr. Blake so he could brief Lizzie and Danny on the process to come. They dropped Luke at the lab and headed upstairs.

  As the elevator ascended, Danny took Lizzie’s hand. She didn’t object, which he took as a good omen. “You okay?”

  She shot him a wobbly smile. “Nervous.”

  He huffed a laugh. “Me, too.” Nervous and excited. And relieved he didn’t have to do this alone. He had Lizzie by his side.

  They sat in the pair of chairs in front of the doctor’s desk and held hands as he explained what was coming next. The only reason Danny was able to follow along was because he’d spent much time surfing the internet for articles on aplastic anemia, bone-marrow transplants and the like.

  “What we’re going to do is an allogeneic stem-cell transplantation,” the doctor said. “It’s highly successful, with a seventy-five-percent survival rate. Our goal is to induce remission, to eliminate bleeding complications and neutropenic infections.”

  Danny nodded, as though he understood all the words. Didn’t matter. He’d researched this enough to get the gist.

  “We’d like to schedule the transplant as soon as possible,” the doctor added. “There’s some prep work for Emma to get through first, which takes about ten days.”

  “What does it involve?” Danny asked.

  “We’re going to give Emma some treatments to prepare her for the transfusion, includi
ng a reduced intensity conditioning—”

  Danny frowned. Oh, wait. He was going too fast. “Reduced intensity conditioning?”

  The doctor nodded. “We need to prepare her body for the transplant so she won’t reject Luke’s bone marrow, and make room for the new bone marrow to grow. But since she’s already compromised, we use smaller doses. If necessary, we’ll do a TBI—total body irradiation. And then after the transplant, of course, she’ll be on medicine to help her use the new marrow.”

  Lizzie nodded. “And the side effects?”

  Dr. Blake sighed. “The usual. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea. Fatigue. Sore mouth. Skin sensitivity.”

  “Will she lose her hair?” Lizzie whispered, as though, if she spoke louder, Emma might hear. Danny’s heart gave a painful thud.

  “She could.” Lizzie’s hold on Danny’s hand tightened. “But Emma’s strong. She can handle anything if she’s mentally prepared.”

  “Right.” The message was clear. Prepare Emma for losing her hair.

  “Then, after the transplant, we’d like to keep her in hospital for at least a month and then do regular tests for six or so, depending on how she’s doing.”

  “Okay.” A nod. Danny glanced at Lizzie. There was tension painted on her face. He hoped his rising anxiety didn’t show. Had it been like this for her, for so long? All alone?

  He could barely stand the churning in his gut as he contemplated his baby girl suffering one treatment after another. How on earth had Lizzie managed it all by herself?

  The thought broke his heart, but strengthened his resolve. From now on, he’d be here for her. And for Emma. For everything.

  No matter what it took.

  * * *

  That night, there was a party. Granted it consisted of only five people—everyone wore masks—and a stuffed rabbit, but there was pizza and root beer and ice cream. Emma was over the moon to have her uncle Luke on hand. It was clear she adored him, which warmed Lizzie’s heart.

  Not as much as it moved her to see Emma and Danny together, though.

  “Are you all right?” Nan asked while they were clearing the table.

  Lizzie glanced over at where Luke, Danny and Emma were playing old maid. “I’m just happy, I guess.”

  Nan nodded. “It’s been a long time coming. And you deserve some happiness.”

  “Thanks, Nan.” She pulled her sister into her arms and hugged her. “You’ve been great through all this, you know.”

  Her sister grinned. “Yeah. I know. I’m awesome.”

  “You are.” Lizzie turned back to the card game, which, in her opinion, was starting to get a little too unruly. “Emma Jean,” she said. “Time for bed.”

  They had agreed that Emma would sleep with Lizzie and let Luke have her room, but now that it was actually bedtime, she changed her mind.

  “I want to have a sleepover with Aunt Nan,” she said. A sleepover in Aunt Nan’s room was a special treat, but since Nan was willing, and they all agreed Emma deserved a treat, Lizzie agreed.

  After everyone else turned in, Lizzie and Danny sat up talking. It was so...nice. Just the two of them, there on the sofa. Talking. About nothing. And everything.

  She reached out and took his hand, marveling in its strength and warmth. “Have I told you lately how glad I am you’re here?” It needed to be said.

  He smiled. “I’m glad I’m here, too. I can’t tell you how much it means to have you in my life again. And Emma. She’s just...” He shook his head.

  “Yeah.” Lizzie took a sip of her wine. “She is.”

  “I’m still absorbing what it means to be a father. This is all new to me. But one thing’s clear.”

  “Hmm?”

  “You, Lizzie... You’re a great mom.”

  Such simple words. But they hit home. She turned away as a wave of emotion swept over her. “I can’t tell you how—” she swallowed her sob “—how hard it’s been.”

  He stilled, took her hand. “How...”

  “Yes?” she prompted when he didn’t continue.

  “How are you so...brave?”

  She swallowed heavily. Tears stung at her eyes. Brave? Hardly. She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “When your child depends on your being there—being strong—it’s your job to be there for her. So you either do what you need to do, or you don’t.”

  “Hey.” He touched her chin and guided her back to his earnest gaze. “Don’t cry. I’m here. I’m here now.”

  His lips were gentle on her cheek. Nuzzling away her tears. But they found their way to her lips and he kissed her. Slowly. Softly. Perfectly. “I’m here now,” he murmured. “Right here with you.”

  She touched her lips to his, letting him know she wanted more. As he gave in to her, she opened her mouth to him. Drank him in. His fingers stroked her hair, her cheek, so gently, as he kissed her. She needed more, so she pressed against him.

  When he cupped her breast, an amazing jolt of electricity hit her. It sizzled down her spine and she moaned. He circled her nipple and it swelled. Delight sluiced through her. She buried her fingers in his shirt. God, it had been so long. Too long. Her body tingled.

  His hot mouth made his way down her shoulder, right to that spot that made her collapse like a gooey soufflé.

  “Maybe we should...” She waved toward her bedroom. It wouldn’t do to collapse all over the living room floor.

  “Oh. Yeah.” He stood and held out a hand, tugging her to her feet. And they kissed all the way to her room.

  * * *

  Danny’s mind spun. Ah, Lizzie. She was warm and willing in his arms. It had been so long, he had wanted her for so long, he could barely contain himself.

  It didn’t help that she seemed to be just as needy as he was. Her lips were warm, her kisses drugging. His sanity waned.

  She released his mouth to nibble on a spot beneath his ear that she knew made him wild. “Hush, now,” she said when he growled in response. “We don’t want to wake anyone up.”

  He noted his agreement by pulling her closer and closing his mouth over hers. She stilled. Stroked his shoulders. Ran her fingers up into his hair. Then her nails.

  Shivers walked over his skin as pleasure flooded him. “Damn, Lizzie,” he whispered into her neck. She was so sweet there, right at that spot. He couldn’t resist a taste. A suckle. She moaned. Yeah. She’d always been tender there.

  He explored more as she writhed against him, eyes closed, chin tipped high so he could reach the spot she wanted, craved.

  “I’ve missed this,” she whispered.

  “Me, too.” He dipped his head and caught her nipple through her blouse in another wet suckle.

  “Oh, Danny.” She arched against him. It felt very much like bliss.

  “Lizzie.” He pulled off her shirt and her bra and found her again. This time skin to skin. As he tasted her, licked and sucked and nipped, he stroked down her hip, her thigh, the backside of her knee and back up again, slowly finding his way up under her skirt to the warm, wet heart of her. She stilled when he touched her there, gently, on that hard nub. He could have sworn it throbbed beneath his touch. But he had no time to contemplate that, because she opened to him.

  His heart pounded. Everywhere. Ah, but it felt good.

  He slid his fingers inside and his breath stalled. She was ready. So ready.

  It nearly killed him, but he had to break away and meet her gaze.

  Hers was annoyed. “Why’d you stop?”

  “I just... Are we ready to do this?”

  “What?”

  Uh-oh. Now she was really annoyed. “I mean, we’ve been taking it slow. Are you...? Are you ready to do this?”

  She stared at him, and her expression softened. She ran her fingers through his hair. “Yes, Danny. I’m ready.”

  He grinned at her. “It’s been way too long, Lizzie.”
>
  She rubbed her nose against his. “It has been.”

  “I’d really like to take this slow—”

  “Oh, please don’t.”

  “But it’s been a really long time.”

  “Hey.” She grabbed him by the chin. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  So he did.

  He kissed her everywhere.

  He kissed her until she was begging and pleading, until she totally forgot to be quiet.

  And then, when he entered her, glorying in the amazing feel of her body around his, they both lost complete and utter control.

  It was wild. It was hard and it was fast.

  It was magnificent.

  Transcendent, in fact.

  They barely even heard Luke banging on the wall.

  * * *

  When Lizzie woke up the next morning, she was alone in her bed. She had no idea why her mood drooped. Of course he’d left her in the night. What had she expected?

  Certainly not to find him in the kitchen with Emma making bacon. He shot her a broad grin. “Good morning,” he said.

  “Mommy! We made breakfast.”

  “I see that.” She wandered to the counter and helped herself to a crispy slice. “Mmm,” she said as she crunched it. Just the way she liked it.

  Danny brought her a steaming mug of coffee, which he presented with a kiss. Lizzie was surprised, but his affection was not unwelcome. “Thank you.”

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked in a smooth tone.

  “Yeah,” Luke said gruffly from behind her. “Did you sleep well? Because I didn’t.”

  She whipped around and shot him a horrified glance. The fact that he was grinning didn’t cool the heat on her cheeks.

  “Why didn’t you sleep, Uncle Luke?” Emma asked.