Eternal (Shadow Falls: After Dark #2)(106)

Holiday smiled. “I should have guessed.” She bounced Hannah on her lap. “Maternal bonds are pretty powerful.”

Della’s thoughts went to her own mom and the last time she’d spoken with her. She could only hope whatever problem had arisen at home had decompressed. But as soon as she had a chance, she needed to call.

Voices echoed from the bedroom and she heard Natasha talking to the doctor.

Della wanted to talk to Natasha right away, but Burnett insisted they get them medical help first. And rightfully so.

Finally, the doctor walked out. Burnett moved through the door. Holiday, Chase, and Della all stood up. The doctor smiled, and suddenly the air tasted sweeter to Della.

“They’re going to make it. I’m not sure how much longer they could have survived. It will take some time for them to get their strength back. They’ll probably have more emotional scars than physical, but they’ll be fine.”

Della leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and said a prayer of thanks. Chase leaned in and whispered in her ear, “We did it.”

She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

“The patients need rest,” the doctor continued. “But if you’d like to visit with them, that’s fine. Keep it low-key. One at a time and make it short.”

Burnett inched forward and looked at Della and Chase. “I have to go to the office to fill out some paperwork. Why don’t you two visit with them, and I’ll do my interrogation later.”

Della nodded.

“Oh,” the doctor added, “I tried to convince them they would rest better in separate rooms, but they refused to be separated. Which isn’t uncommon for victims who went through an ordeal together. I recommend letting them stay together for a while.”

Della would bet that Natasha and Liam would be together longer than a while.

Chase’s phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked up at Della. “It’s the council, I should update them.”

Della saw Burnett frown, but much to his credit, he didn’t say anything. He kissed his wife and child and left.

After a few seconds, Chase went outside on the porch to take his call. Della heard him recounting what happened.

She looked back at the doctor. “Is it okay if I go in now?”

“Sure. But if they’re sleeping, let them be.”

“I understand.” She started toward the door when Chase walked back inside. He moved over to her. “I need to go fill the council in on things in person. I shouldn’t be too long.”

“Good,” she said. Before she knew his intent, he leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t a kiss full of sexual tension, just a simple good-bye from someone who cared about another person. It was, Della realized, very much like the one Burnett had just given Holiday.

He smiled and then passed his finger over her lips. “I won’t be long.”

“We need to talk,” she said, prepared to tell him about the FRU ultimatum.

“That we do,” he said, and she saw in his eyes how much he cared.

He turned to go, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him back. And she kissed him. This kiss lasted just a little longer. She knew Holiday and the doctor watched, but for once, she didn’t care.

“Thank you,” she said when she pulled back.

“For what?” he asked, smiling.

“For everything.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She smiled and watched him leave. When she heard him take a flying leap off the porch, she felt like a part of herself had taken off with him. It hit her then, somehow, someway, she wasn’t going to stop seeing Chase. It didn’t matter if her feelings were due to the bonding. She still felt them. And their being together was right. Like Natasha and Liam. Like Kylie and Lucas. Burnett and Holiday.

When she looked back, she saw Holiday’s expression was less than happy. But Della refused to worry too much. Things would work out. She had to believe that.

“I’m going to check on Natasha and Liam,” she said.

“You do that,” Holiday said.

Della got to the door and paused. Taking a deep breath, and not completely sure what she was going to tell her cousin and her boyfriend, she eased open the door to their room.

*   *   *

Natasha and Liam were in separate twin beds, but someone had pushed them together. Each had an IV going into their arm. They both had their eyes closed.

Della paused at the door, her gaze going to Natasha. The doctor must have used a washcloth to at least get some of the dirt off her. She wore a gown, and Della suspected it was Holiday’s. She almost turned around when Natasha’s eyes fluttered open.

Della smiled at her, even though it hurt to see her with such dark circles under her eyes and her cheekbones so pronounced.

Natasha smiled back and sat up a little.

“Would you like to rest now? I can come back.”

“No, please come in.” Natasha motioned her in then checked on Liam, who was still asleep.

Della inched in. “I have doctor’s orders not to stay long.”

Natasha nodded. “I hear you and that guy who was with you are the ones responsible for finding us.”

Indecision flipped around her head. Should she tell Natasha the whole truth about the ghost? Yes, Della realized. Natasha deserved to know. Della moved in and sat down in a chair beside the bed.