Chapter 27 Going Home

(Lydia)

It was finally Mabel’s last day in the hospital. I gazed at my daughter adoringly, deeply grateful that she looked healthy again. The past four days had been a whirlwind. I had taken a leave from work and stayed by my daughter’s side round-the-clock.

Thankfully, I had heard from neither Thomas nor his mother during this time. I felt at peace knowing that drama had subsided but I couldn’t help but deny that I missed Thomas. Even the briefest exposure to his old self had been enough to unravel me. But I shook away these thoughts and feelings.

I was throwing my daughter a little party and Ruby had snuck in some streamers, balloons, ribbons, and flowers.

While Mabel was out for her final round of tests, Ruby and I cut and curled the ribbons and taped them to the wall. Miles helped us pump the helium balloons. He put his weight down on the pump and laughed with glee as each balloon expanded. Together, we tied the balloons down to a weight and placed the colorful arrangement by the