When I finally end my call and I’m suddenly aware that I have been on the phone longer than I expected, and that Lucy is no longer crying. I rush toward the living room.
I wasn’t expecting the sight that greets me. Ethan is standing in the middle of the room, cradling Lucy, his tears flowing. My poor lost brother, so upset. He turns as if sensing me watching him.
“Help me, Libby. Please,” he begs me, through his tear-filled eyes.
I go to him and wrap my arms around him in comfort and support. This is the turning point; I’ve been waiting for the last six weeks.
“Will you help me?” he asks.
“I’m always here to help you. You are never on your own.”
I watch him as his tears continue to fall. He is a shadow of his former self. He’s lost so much weight and looks as though he hasn’t showered since the day of the funeral. All this changes now. He’s made the first step, in finally acknowledging his daughter, now it’s up to me to keep him on the right path. And the only path for him is moving forward.
Lucy lies peacefully asleep in her father’s arms, blissfully unaware of this huge milestone in both their lives.
“Libby, will you show me how to care for her? I need to be able to do this properly.”
“Of course I will. But first things first, go and shower and I will make you something to eat. You need to look after you first, or you won’t be in any fit state to look after our beautiful girl.”
I take Lucy from his arms, and watch as he struggles to walk away from her. “She’s safe with me, on you go. We will both be right here waiting for you.”
I put Lucy back in her crib. I smile as I watch her settle herself. Returning to the kitchen, I start making Ethan some breakfast. I decide to phone Mum, I know she is unwell today, but she would still want to know this.
“Libby, is everything okay?” she asks, coughing as she finishes speaking. She does sound terrible.
“Yes, everything is more than okay.”
“What is it?” she asks, sounding hopeful.
“Ethan is going to be fine. I know he is, now,” I tell her. “He has finally picked up Lucy. Oh Mum, I’m so happy for him, yet I also feel sad.”
“Sweetheart, of course you do. You have been in our little girl’s life constant for the last six weeks; you’re bound to feel sad. But you know you are always going to be in her life.”
“I know that. Listen, Mum can you let Dad know I’m going to take the rest of the week off. He has asked me to show him how to care for her. I want to ensure he is fine.”
“Yes, of course I will. We won’t interrupt either of you over the next few days, that way he gets quality time with Lucy. I will also let Tom and Moria know they will be so pleased. So if you need us, just phone and we will be there.”
“I will, Mum.”
“Sweetheart, why don’t we arrange for you all to come here on Sunday for dinner.” She starts coughing again.
“We should wait and see how you are feeling.”
“I want to see my family and no silly cold is going to get in the way. I expect the three of you here Sunday. No ifs, buts or maybes. Understand?”
“Yes Mum, I love you.”
I end our call feeling much happier. I already knew today was going to be a beautiful day, and it’s getting better by the minute. I’m sure Ethan will want to come on a walk to the park with me now. I was prepared to have an argument about it, but I have the feeling I won’t need to argue with him.
I hear footsteps crossing the floor, it can only be Ethan, but I don’t turn. He comes and stands next to me, wrapping me in his arms in a warm embrace.
“I love you, sis; I can’t believe what you have done for me and Lucy. I owe you.” He kisses me on the cheek. I turn now to face him.
“You don’t owe me anything. I would do it all again, although I hope I don’t need to,” I tell him. As I say it I can hear the sadness in my own voice.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. Now sit down and eat.”
“Okay, bossy.” I smile at his correct assumption of me.
“I was planning on going for a walk to the park, would you like to come? Or is there anything else you want to do?” I ask him.
“No, the park sounds good to me. I just want to spend time with you and Lucy. You need to fill me in on everything I’ve missed out on.” I nod at him, before leaving to check on Lucy. I swallow the lump in my throat and try to hold back my own tears, as I think of the last six weeks.
Lucy is lying in her crib, wide-awake when I enter the living room. I pick her up and walk to the window, stopping I stare out into the street outside. There are a few kids out playing on bikes, a few others running about. This is going to be a great street for Lucy as she grows up, with lots of children to play with.
I’m still standing at the window, when Ethan enters the room. “Are you okay?” he asks me.
“Of course I am.” I turn and hand him Lucy. “Now, you may as well take her. She needs changing.” I smile warmly at him.
Our morning is spent with me showing Ethan how to change her, feed her, and make up her bottles. At times, he looks really relaxed with her and at other times he looks so uncomfortable with her. Part of me thinks that he is overthinking everything he does with her.
By the time we leave to go for a walk, he looks a thinner version of his old self. He takes the pram outside and I lock the front door. Stopping, he draws in a deep breath and turns toward me.
“Are we ready to go?” I ask him.
“Almost.” His single word takes me by surprise. He looks a little hesitant; maybe this is too much too soon. “Can I say something?”
“Of course, you don’t need my permission.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For looking after Lucy. For not giving up on either of us, especially with everything else going on in your own life. I will never forget what you’ve done for me.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You would’ve done the same for me. Now, no more looking back, only forward. Let’s go and enjoy this beautiful day.”
I place my hand at the side of the pram and leave Ethan with the task of pushing it. Yes, today has been a turning point, but I’m sure there will be a few hurdles along the way for us all. But I do believe everything will work out. Ethan will need to believe in his own abilities to be the best father he can be to Lucy. Yes, I think he will make mistakes along the way; he wouldn’t be human if he didn’t.
Today I finally see light at the end of the tunnel for them both. Even my own sadness can’t overshadow the happiness I see in my brother’s eyes.
“I love you.” His words bring a huge smile to my face as we walk.
“I love you too, don’t ever forget that.”
The End
THE CAPTURED SERIES
Family Ties, A Captured Series Novella
He’s Captured my Heart, book 1
He’s Captured my Trust, book 2
He’s Captured my Soul, book 3
She’s Captured my Love, book 4 coming 2016
KAREN FRANCES, AUTHOR OF THE Captured Series, currently lives just outside Glasgow, Scotland.
She lives with her husband, five children and two dogs. For many years she has helped and worked alongside her husband in the family business, but this year has taken some much-needed time out, and has spent it concentrating on her writing.
She spends her free time, when she gets it, trying to keep fit and prepare healthy meals for all the family. But busy working schedules for her oldest two sons and husband means they don’t get to sit down at meal times together.
She loves nothing more than spending time socialising with her closest family and friends, whether that’s a day out or more often than not a BBQ or meal at her home for everyone.
When she is not a taxi service for her kids in the evening, she sometimes gets to enjoy some reading. But it seems her two daughters share their mother’s l
ove of reading and writing, and evenings can be spent talking about books.
Find out more at www.karenfrancesauthor.co.uk or follow on Facebook or Twitter.
Family Ties: A Captured Series Novella Page 8
