Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(51)

“I’m so sorry.”

“I need him to come home.” He begins to cry and my heart splinters into a million shards. My legs start to shake. I need to sit. “She’s not going to make it, and they said to get the family here, but it’s just me and Liam left.” His Irish brogue grows thick as his emotions swell.

“Is he?” Aaron says, and I shake my head.

“I can help. I need some information from you. He’s out on a mission, but I’ll do everything I can.” Tears well in my eyes as I think of how badly this is going to wreck Liam. His sister died and that was horrible, now his mother is barely hanging on.

Liam’s father gives me all the information about his mother’s condition and where she is. I write everything down, and Aaron rests his hand on my shoulder in silent support.

His father lets out a deep breath, “I can’t tell him.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Dempsey, I’ll get Liam home.”

We disconnect and Aaron looks at me with empathy. It gives me a tiny amount of hope that we can all find a way to get along. “This is going to break him, Lee. When Krissy died, he almost lost his mind. I was there.” Aaron reminds me.

He went with Liam to his sister’s funeral. Aaron told me when he got back from Ohio how bad he took it. How the guy who would laugh and joke could barely smile. Even now, it’s difficult for him to talk about her. She developed a blood clot that killed her in her sleep.

I look at Aarabelle and my emotions flood like a dam that opened. I imagine being that mother and entering her room. Seeing her asleep and knowing I was right there. It becomes overwhelming and I start to sob.

“It’s too much,” I cry out.

Aaron crouches down and grabs my hands. “I can’t believe I’m saying this . . . but you need to be strong. He’s going to need you. I can handle Aarabelle for a bit if you need to go. I would offer to go, but I don’t think we’re quite there yet.” Aaron looks away.

“Are you sure you can handle her for that long?”

He sighs, “I’m sure, and if not, I’ll get help.”

“I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I don’t want her around our daughter.”

Aaron looks away and then back at me. “I was never with her. I said it to piss you off.”

“Great.”

“I’m sorry,” he says with shame painting his face.

He lied. Again.

“I need to get an AmCross in.” I stand and head over to my binder. The American Red Cross has to put the information in and then it goes to his command. Being that it’s his mother, I can’t see his command denying him the chance to come home.

Once I get the message in, Aaron and I sit quietly. Aarabelle is asleep and I wait for Liam or his father to call. He’d fly into Virginia, and then I don’t know where we go from there.

Aaron clears his throat and I look up. “I can stay here if that’s okay with you,” he offers.

“I appreciate you helping out.” Throughout these past few weeks, we’ve grown as friends. There’s no spark or connection, at least for me, but the friendship that was always there is still strong.

“Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll stay here and if something happens, at least I’ll already be here.”

I nod and look at my phone. It’s been hours and still no call. I know these things can take some time, but it’s not something we have the luxury of. Every minute is precious and I feel like we’re waiting for the clock to stop ticking.

Once in my room, I lie down and my mind won’t quit. I’m distraught over the fact that Liam will have to endure any pain. I love him and know what it feels like to lose someone you love. I would never wish that on anyone. The hands of time haven’t been fair to either of us. We’ve both endured immense pain, but through it found the beauty in each other.

I close my eyes and clutch my phone waiting for his call. I don’t know how much they’ll tell him, but I hope Mason knows enough to let him call me after. Hopefully, in less than twenty-four hours, we’ll be together, where I can be the rock he needs.

I awake with the sun shining and leap out of bed. Glancing at my phone, I see there are no missed calls. That makes no sense. He should’ve called home by now. It was an emergency. No matter if he was on a mission or not, he would have communication with the base unit.

Aaron will know. I rush down the stairs where he’s drinking coffee while Aarabelle plays with her toys. “Morning,” he says and takes a sip.

“Hey, I’m worried. He didn’t call.” I waste no time explaining my fear.

“If they’re out in hostile territory, he won’t be able to. He may have to finish out the mission and then come back. He’ll get in touch when he can. Sucks he was out and not at base,” Aaron tries to reassure me. “I know this sounds f*cked up, but we know the risks when we deploy. We know we may never get to say goodbye to someone dying. We miss births of babies and a lot of holidays. It sucks but it’s also the way we live.”

“Do you miss it?” I always wondered this.

When he got out of the Navy, I always felt it was more for Mark and Jackson. Jackson was the leader and he was the first not to take another commission. Mark was enlisted and he followed suit. But Aaron wavered. He wasn’t hurt in the firefight like they were. Aaron came back different though.