Chapter 37

Annie's POV

Lucy's small hand clutched mine tightly as we walked through the hospital corridors. I could feel the slight tremor in her fingers and see the anxiety in her expression as her eyes darted around nervously.

Howard walked slightly ahead of us, unusually quiet since we left the preschool. The confrontation with Sarah clearly weighed on his mind,though he maintained his protective presence.

When Lucy's grip tightened to the point of discomfort, I knew we needed a moment. Catching Howard's eye, I gestured toward a quiet alcove near the window. He nodded, understanding immediately.

I knelt down to Lucy's level, noting how her other hand clutched her ever-present notebook like a shield. "Hey, sweetheart," I kept my voice gentle,private. "Would you like to take a little break?"

"Are you nervous about seeing them?" I asked gently, smoothing her hair.

"I want to tell you something later," Lucy whispered, her voice soft but clear. "When we're back home."

"Of course, sweetheart," I said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze."Take all the time you need. Your grandparents will understand."Howard stepped closer, his presence providing an additional layer of security. "The doctors say your grandmother is doing well," he added softly. "This is just a routine check-up." Lucy nodded,though her grip on my hand didn't loosen. After a few deep breaths, she straightened her shoulders in a gesture so reminiscent of Howard that it almost made me smile. With a determined little nod, she indicated she was ready to continue.

Howard opened the door quietly. Lucy immediately hid behind his legs,peeking around him at the room.

Mrs. Parker lay sleeping in the hospital bed while Edward Parker sat beside her, holding her hand. The simple gesture spoke of years of deep love and devotion.

Edward looked up at our entrance, his kind eyes crinkling with immediate warmth. "Lucy," he breathed, voice barely above a whisper. He made no sudden moves, no dramatic gestures, just opened his posture slightly in welcome. "I've been hoping to see you,little one."

Lucy remained half-hidden, but I felt the slight shift in her stance -curiosity warring with apprehension. Edward seemed to understand perfectly, content to simply watch her with gentle patience.

"She's been sleeping peacefully," he explained softly, his gaze returning to his wife with such tenderness it made my throat tight. "The doctors say everything looks good - just being cautious with some new medication."

Howard moved closer to the bed, Lucy shuffling along with him like his shadow. "We came as soon as we could," he said quietly. "Is there anything you need?" Edward shook his head, then gestured towardI the hallway. "Perhaps we could step outside for a moment? Let her rest?" We filed out silently, Howard's hand automatically finding the small of my back as he guided us through the door. The gesture was so natural,so protective, that I almost missed Lucy's thoughtful observation of it. Almost.

In the relative privacy of the hallway, Edward's composure wavered slightly. His eyes filled as he looked at Lucy properly for the first tíme,years of unspoken love and grief evident in his expression. "You've grown so much," he managed, voice rough with emotion.

Lucy pressed closer to my side, her free hand seeking mine while maintaining her grip on Howard. The position might have looked awkward to outsiders, but to us, it felt like the most natural thing in the world-this little triangle of trust we'd built.

"I want you to know," Howard's voicecarried quiet authority, "that Lucy is cherished and protected. She wants for nothing, least of all love."

Edward nodded, wiping discreetly at his eyes. "I can see that." His gaze shifted to include me. "Annie, I understand Lucy has begun speaking again, at least sometimes. Even if it's limited... that's more progress than we'd dared hope for."

"Lucy is incredibly brave," I replied, feeling her small fingers tighten around mine. "She works hard every day to overcome her challenges. Any progress is entirely due to her own courage."

Lucy's grip relaxed slightly at my words, though she remained pressed close to my side. I could feel the slight tremor running through her small frame-emotion or exhaustion, I couldn't quite tell. "Perhaps we should let you both rest," Howard suggested, ever attentive to Lucy's needs. "We can come back tomorrow when everyone's had some sleep." Edward agreed readily, though his eyes lingered on Lucy with such longing that my heart ached for him. This man had lost his daughter and then, in many ways, his granddaughter too. Yet here he stood, offering nothing but patience and love.

Once we were in the car, Lucy climbed into my lap and cuddled close,finally ready to talk. These quiet moments had become our special time for her to share things she couldn't say elsewhere.

"I wanted..." her voice was barely audible, even in the quiet car. "Iwanted to tell Grandpa that I'm okay now."

"That's very thoughtful of you, sweetheart." I stroked her hair gently,feeling the tension in her small shoulders. "What stopped you?"

Lucy's fingers twisted in the fabric of my blouse, a sure sign that we were approaching something difficult."The day of the... the accident," she began haltingly,"Grandma and Grandpa both collapsed. They had to go to the emergency room too."

My heart clenched as I began to understand. Howard had gone very still in the seat beside us, listening intently.

"Margaret Grandmother said..." Lucy's voice caught. "She said if I hadn't insisted on going on the boat that day... if I hadn't wanted to see the dolphins..." A small sob escaped her. "She said it was all my fault." The surge of protective fury that rose in my chest was matched only by the icy stillness thatseemed to emanate from Howard. I forced myself to focus on Lucy, to keep my voice steady and warm. "Oh, sweetheart," I gathered her closer, feeling her tears dampen my shoulder, "The accident wasn't something anyone could have controlled- not you, not your parents,not anyone. Sometimes terrible things happen that we can't prevent or predict."

"But Mama..." Lucy's voice broke completely. "Mama died saving me. If I hadn't fallen in..."

"Listen to me," I pulled back just enough to meet her tear-filled eyes."Your mother loved you more than anything in this world. Saving you wasn't a choice for her - it was as natural as breathing. Ifshe were here right now, she would tell you that she would make the same choice every single time, without hesitation."

Lucy's sobs grew harder, years of pent-up grief and guilt finally finding release. "Grandma and Grandpa were so sick afterward... Margaret Grandmother said they might die too, and it would be my fault..."

I felt Howard's sharp intake of breath, saw his hands clench into fists in my peripheral vision. But his voice, when he spoke, was surprisingly gentle.

"Lucy," he waited until she looked at him, her face still pressed against my shoulder. "Your grandparents were sick because they lost their daughter -your mother. They were overwhelmed with grief, just like everyone who loved your parents. But none of that was your fault. And I promise you,they never blamed you. They were grateful you survived." "That's right," I added softly, wiping tears from her flushed cheeks. "When we lose someone we love, sometimes our bodies show our sadness in physical ways. Your grandparents collapsed because losing your mother was the hardest thing they'd ever experienced. But having you - knowing that a piece of their daughter lived on in you - that gave them hope." Lucy hiccupped slightly, her crying beginning to ease. "But I still can't...I don't know how to talk to them yet."

"That's okay," I assured her. "You take all the time you need. There's no rush, no pressure. They love you, and they'll wait until you're ready."

She nodded against my shoulder, exhaustion finally overtaking her. As her breathing evened out into sleep, I looked up to find Howard watching us with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"I had no idea," he said quietly, his voice tight with controlled anger."All this time, she's been carrying this burden... and Margaret..." He broke off,jaw clenching.

"We know now," I reminded him softly, still stroking Lucy's hair. "And we can help her heal."

I caught Howard's gaze in the dim light of the car.

"Yes," he said quietly, his voice carrying a gentle warmth that made my heart flutter."We will."