Destiny's Wish (6 page)

Wrapped in Brian’s arms, Nora wanted to say something to convince herself that what they were doing wasn’t wrong. She wanted to push her doubts away, but they kept creeping back at the worst moments. He was her husband’s best friend, shouldn’t he be the one person who was off-limits?

She couldn’t stop her body from reacting to him, her thoughts entangling themselves with him, and she couldn’t stop this desire to be with him. She had never felt this way with anyone but Jim, and now he was gone. She couldn’t be the lonely widow her whole life. Brian was just the man to change that.

“Mommy!” A screech tore through the house and through Nora’s heart.

“Destiny.” She stepped back out of his embrace and tried to push away the fears that were rising within her. She knew going so far from the hospital was a bad idea.

“Don’t panic.” He followed her toward Destiny’s room. “It might be nothing.”

“We’re so far from the hospital if something’s wrong.”

“Little mother, it’s going to be fine.”

She pushed open the door to Destiny’s room. “Sweetie, what is it?”

Greta peeked out of her bedroom. “Is everything okay?”

“Mommy, the light went out. It’s dark.” Destiny was curled up in the corner where her bed met the wall, hugging her teddy bear to her chest, tears running down her face.

“Everything’s fine,” he told Greta before stepping into the room behind Nora. “The light bulb just went out. I’ll get another one.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and turned on the flashlight application, holding it out to Destiny. “Here, sweetie, will this work until I can get the lamp fixed?”

Her little hand reached out and grabbed it. “Thank you.”

Nora sat on the edge of the bed while Brian slipped out of the room to get the new bulb. “It’s okay, sweetie, Brian will have a new light in the lamp in a few minutes. Why don’t you lay back down?”

“I woke up and it was so dark.” Destiny scooted down into the bed and Nora covered her. “I don’t like it.”

“I know, sweetie, you’ve gotten used to having the light from the hospital. It’s hard to sleep in the dark and in a new place, but it’s going to be okay.” Her stomach started to calm, now that she knew her daughter was okay. Everything was going to be all right.

“I’ve got a new light bulb.” Brian held it in his hand as he strolled across the room toward the lamp. “We’ll have this room bright again in a few moments.”

“I’m thirsty.” Destiny pointed the flashlight toward where Brian was changing the light.

“If you’re okay now, I’ll get you a glass of water. Brian will you stay with her.” She patted her daughter’s arm.

“We’ll be fine, go ahead.” He twisted the new bulb into place and the room lit up. “How’s that, sweetie, bright enough?”

Destiny nodded. “Thank you.”

With one last glance at Brian, Nora rose from the bed and headed toward the door. She knew her little girl was safe with Brian even if all the lights in the house went out. He had comforted her with the flashlight and had come to her rescue, just like he had done with Nora. The knight in shining armor. Or rather, the doctor in the white lab coat.

With the light working again, Brian dug a little flashlight from his pocket and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Look what I have for you. It’s a flashlight with a little arm strap, you can wear it around your wrist in case the lights go out again. Then you’ll never be in the dark again.” He held it out to her.

“Thank you.” She reached out and took it, placing his phone in his hand in exchange for the miniature flashlight. Pressing the button on the end, she tested it to make sure it worked before slipping it around her wrist.

“You’re welcome. Anything else I can get you?”

She twirled the flashlight between her fingers, her gaze locked on it. “A daddy.”

Her voice was so low, he wasn’t sure he caught what she was saying. His heart lurched into his throat. “What was that?”

“I want a daddy.” She looked at him. “Mommy says if you wish upon a star your wish will come true. I’ve always wished for a daddy but I’ve never gotten one. Other girls have one.”

“You do have a daddy, and he was a good man.” He nodded to the picture of Jim and Nora that sat by the bed. “He’s in Heaven watching over you.”

“I want one that’s here. I want one for Mommy. I’ve been so sick and she’s been so sad, I want a Daddy to make her happy again. You make her smile and I like you.” She looked up, turning her big green eyes on him. “Will you be my daddy?”

He took her small hand into his much larger one. “Sweetie, anyone would be honored to be your daddy. You’re a bright little girl and we’re going to make you all better soon.”

“Then will you be my daddy?”

It pained him that she wanted him to say yes but he couldn’t. He couldn’t give hope when he wasn’t sure what would happen between him and Nora. “That’s not up to me. We need to see how things work out with your mom and me, but I’ll always be there for you when you need someone.”

“I need someone now. I need a daddy now,” she demanded with intense determination. “There’s a daddy daughter tea party at the hospital but I don’t have a daddy to take me.” She frowned, her bottom lip poking out.

“How about this, if your mom is okay with it I’ll be your daddy for the day and take you to the tea party. What do you think?”

“Really?” She perked up.

“Yes, but your mom has to say it’s all right.” He patted her hand. “I’ll talk to her and we’ll see what she says.”

“What who says?” Nora stepped into the room, a glass of water in her hand.

“Busted.” Destiny smirked.

“Nothing.” He winked at Destiny and stepped away from the bed so Nora could give her the water.

“What’s this?” Nora questioned as Destiny reached up for the glass.

“My light.”

“It’s a miniature flashlight, in case the lights go out. She’ll have something to use until we can get to her,” Brian explained as he stepped closer to the door. “I’ll wait for you in the living room.”

Knowing that when Destiny had settled back down into bed, Nora would follow, he slipped away. It would give him a moment to get over her wish. The poor little girl wanted so much to have a dad. One who would do the things with her she’d seen other girls do. It was sweet and sad all at the same time. He could do the tea party and other activities with her, but he’d never replace Jim.

“You promised to go to the daddy and daughter tea party with her?” Nora strolled toward him but he wasn’t sure if she was angry or not.

“Yes, but if you’d rather I didn’t—”

“No.” She went to him. “I think it’s wonderful. Thank you. That tea party was something she’s wanted to go to but I wasn’t sure how to make it happen. They wanted only fathers for the event, since it’s Valentine’s Day.”

“Come sit.” He sat down on the sofa and patted the cushion beside him. She sat down beside him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Do you realize how much she wants a father of her own?”

“What?” She tipped her head towards him, her eyebrow raised.

“Destiny asked me to be her daddy. That she’s wished on a star every night hoping to have one but even though you said it would, her wish never came true. She wants a daddy for you, too.”

“For me?” Her eyes widened.

“She doesn’t realize that her daddy wouldn’t also be yours. She just wants someone to be there for you. With her being sick she knows you’re worried and wants to make sure you’re comforted. She thinks the two of you having a daddy will make you happy again.”

“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I’ll have to talk to her in the morning about this. I mean, I know she wanted a father but she can’t just go around asking people.”

“She didn’t pick a stranger. She picked someone she knows makes her mom smile, someone her mom likes. I think in her own way, Destiny has given you her blessing on what’s happening between us. That’s important, not only to you, but to me. I want her to be comfortable.”

“Taking on a child is a lot. Most men would be running the other way from a single mother.”

He cupped her chin and turned her head enough to look at him. “I’m not most men.”

“No, you’re not.” She laid her hand on his leg. “You’re amazing and so much more than I could have asked for. Especially with all that’s happening.”

“You’re worrying again.” He let go of her chin and laid his hand over hers.

She frowned. “Monday is looming and the closer it gets the more nervous I become. When I’m busy I can push it away from my thoughts, but in moments like this everything comes rushing back to me stronger than before.”

“Well, I think we can find something to keep your mind off it.”

She nuzzled her head closer to his neck. “What did you have in mind?”

“How about a dip in the hot tub? The hot water can ease your stress.”

“That way you get to see me in my suit again.” Her lips curled into a smile.

“Hey, this is for you. I’d have suggested a movie, cuddling in bed, but if you can’t get into the movie than you’ll just think about everything we’re trying to get your mind off of.”

“Hmm, I was thinking of something more fulfilling.” She slid onto his lap, stradling him. “Something in bed, but it has nothing to do with a movie. Cuddling, sure, but no movie.”

“Now, that I can arrange.” He leaned forward and claimed her lips.

Sometime during the night, Nora had managed to fall into a deep sleep in Brian’s arms and slept the rest of the night. It had been the first truly restful sleep she’d had since Destiny’s cancer returned. Sleeping in the hospital recliner, with the nurses in and out all night, did nothing for her. If it wasn’t the nurses waking her, there was some other kind of excitement. No matter how she’d tried, she had never managed more than a few hours’ sleep.

She awoke more refreshed than she had in months. The sun was streaming through the windows, casting rays of light across the floor and the bottom of the bed. She rolled onto her back and stretched, enjoying the moment. The comfortable bed meant she didn’t have kinks in her neck or back like she was used to. When his hand slipped across her waist she stilled for a moment, remembering everything that had happened the night before.

She wanted to curl back into his embrace where she was content, safe, but most importantly she’d found something she had been missing—love. What they had was special, almost perfect. It was more than she could have ever asked for. He was amazing with her daughter.
Love.
She was falling in love with him. Her heart fluttered until she thought it would fly away.