“Oh my God, Edward!”
The tears I’d been holding back since our reunion finally spilled over when I saw his face, slightly scratched but miraculously unharmed. If Dr. Horan hadn’t been there to steady me, I would have launched myself from the chair and into his arms.
Edward was already scrambling from his bed, a small frame tumbling into my lap.
I heard Dr. Horan gently scolding him about his IV line, but I barely registered the words as I gathered my brother close. Sobs wracked my body as I held him, my hand smoothing over his brown hair, the other squeezing him tight. I hadn’t hugged him this fiercely in my life.
“Oh baby, you’re okay. You’re okay.”
I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring him or myself.
“I’m okay, Annie. How are *you*? Niall said you had a boo-boo too, just like me.”
The innocent question pulled me back from the edge. Edward pulled slightly away, settling on my lap and looking me up and down. I nodded, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips.
“Yeah, I’ve got a boo-boo or two. But don’t you worry, mister, we’ll be back to playing footie in no time.” I swept his hair off his forehead, examining the stitched cut on his skin.
“Niall said he likes football too! Isn’t that cool! Maybe when we go home, he can come over and play with us!”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Edward noticed the tears streaming down my cheeks and cupped his small hands around my face, gently squeezing my cheeks.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m just so happy to see you, that’s all.” I released him from my lap, watching him stand beside the wheelchair, touching the wheels and handles.
He’d always been fascinated by new things, and I realized he’d never seen a wheelchair up close. His little head drooped as he studied it, and a pout formed on his lips.
“Where’s mummy and daddy?”
The question felt like a punch to the lungs, and my eyes burned with a fresh wave of tears. I’d known he’d ask eventually, but I’d hoped to delay it.
“Um…”
“Hey, Edward.” Niall stepped forward, patting my shoulder. “Bud, let’s get back into bed, yeah?”
Thank God for Niall. I didn’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t intervened.
Edward forgot his question and walked to Niall, his small body barely reaching Niall’s hip. Niall lifted him onto the bed, carefully checking the IV line and wires. Surprisingly, they were still intact, despite Edward’s earlier attempt to escape.
“Annie, is Niall your doctor too? He’s really cool. He gave me two green jellies when I got my stitches! I love green jelly. And he said that if I behave and be polite, I’ll get a chocolate custard for breakfast.” Edward’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
A smile touched my lips, and I glanced at Niall, who was grinning back at Edward.
Edward always had a prodigious appetite, day and night. He especially loved my baking—cinnamon rolls, mascarpone cheesecake…anything I made.
“Did he now? Well, I haven’t gotten any jelly or custard yet. You should feel lucky.” Edward gasped dramatically, turning to Niall as if food was the most important thing in the world. “Niall, we need to get my sister some jelly. She’s probably starved!”
The boy’s change of subject brought a genuine laugh from me.
“Baby, my doctor isn’t a meanie.” I cleared my throat, hoping to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics. “Actually, baby, do you remember the man who pulled us out of the car?” I watched Edward’s face carefully.
He settled back into bed and nodded, picking up a stuffed animal he hadn’t had in the car. He didn’t seem fazed by the mention of the crash, the car sinking into the river.
“The one with the brown, curly hair? Yeah, he was nice, but kind of like dad.”
“In what way?”
Edward shrugged. “He was crying, and he told me not to be scared anymore, because he wasn’t going to let anything happen to us. And then he wiped my tears away like daddy does.”
“Ah—”
“Are you two dating?”
I narrowed my eyes, utterly confused. Where had he gotten *that* idea? He’d barely seen Dr. Styles outside of the crash site and this room.
“Um, no. Why do you think that?” I asked, glancing at Niall, who seemed equally absorbed in the conversation.
“Because he kissed you.”
I nearly choked on my own saliva. Niall and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.
I had no recollection of a kiss.
“Excuse me?”
“Yeah, he kissed you. But you must not have liked it because you spit everywhere afterwards.”
Both Niall and I burst into laughter. Edward, oblivious to the nuances of the situation, simply shrugged.
“Oh no, Edward, I believe he was giving your sister mouth-to-mouth, CPR if you will.” Edward didn’t seem to care, simply shrugging. I continued to laugh, though the memory of Harry performing CPR on me sent a shiver down my spine.
“Whatever it was, you must not have liked it.” I shook my head, wondering how we’d veered off course so quickly.
“Anyways, that man who gave me mouth-to-mouth and got us out of the car is my doctor. His name is Dr. Styles.”
“But you can call him Harry.” Niall interjected, taking a seat at the end of Edward’s bed.
Usually, doctors left quickly, but Niall and Harry seemed determined to stick around.
“Oh, does he kiss all his patients?”
Oh, my God.
“Only the special ones, bud.” Niall quipped, patting Edward’s knee. I glared at him playfully, and he simply shrugged. “He actually came to see you here, to check how you were doing, but you were asleep.”
“Will he come back?”
“Probably. Hey, how about I have the nurses bring you both some food? I know you both must be starving.” I smiled at Niall and sighed.
Before the wreck, before the car plunged into the river, we’d been on our way home from Manchester. We’d spent the entire day shopping and having dinner. The last time I’d eaten anything was around five in the evening.
“Actually, Dr. Horan, that sounds…” My voice trailed off as I glanced at the clock on Edward’s wall. “Bloody hell, it’s almost two in the morning. Edward, baby, you should be asleep. It’s way past your bedtime.”
“Oooo you swore!”
“Edward.”
“But I’m not tired.” I opened my mouth to protest, but Niall beat me to it.
“He’s done a lot of sleeping since he got here, and it’s been a bit of a unique day, wouldn’t you say, Annabelle? I think letting him stay up a bit longer, at least until he gets some food in him, won’t do him any harm. Doctor’s orders?”
“Please Annie? Please! I’m quite hungry.” Edward gave me a pleading look, and despite my head telling me one thing, my heart told me another.
“Alright, food does sound good right now. Thank you, Niall.”
“Please, call me Niall. Dr. Horan sounds too professional for me. Gotta keep it casual.” I nodded, and Edward and I watched Niall rise from the bed. “I’ll fetch you some food, keep an eye on your sister while I’m gone.” He instructed Edward.
The joy that flooded Edward’s face was adorable. He loved being included. Whenever Dad worked around the house, Edward was always there to help. Whenever Mum needed help with dinner, Edward was always lending a hand.
“Ah man, she’s crying again.” Edward muttered to himself. Niall stopped at the door and looked back at me, but I waved him off and discreetly wiped away my tears.
“Maybe you hurt my feelings.”
“I could never.” I chuckled softly, shaking my head at the boy I loved.
“If you say so.”