Stay awake. Stay awake. Stay awake.
He felt like he was roasting from the inside out, felt like he wanted to puke his guts out even though his stomach was empty, and yet he was trying to stay awake so he could get potentially reamed out by three women who were largely responsible for his continuing to breathe.
If they’re yelling at me, I’m still alive. That’s what matters.
Phelan winced as Jacqueline pressed cold fingers against his forehead. “I’m still here,” he murmured. “Thanks to you.”
“J.T. had something to do with that, too,” she said quietly. She’d turned down the lamp after she and J.T. had finished working on him. The worst of the initial reaction to the Dirae’s poisoned wounds had passed on the road, shorter in duration than his past experiences but no less unpleasant. He wasn’t sure what Jacqueline had done for him while they were on the road, or what J.T. had done after they’d reached home again, but he was still alive, which wasn’t something he’d expected after he realized that he’d been slashed by a Dirae’s claws while he tried to get Cameron and Jacqueline to run.
“You didn’t have to come after me,” he said. “You probably shouldn’t have.”
“That ship’s sailed,” Jacqueline said. “Are you going to stop belaboring the point?”
He cracked an eye open just enough to see the tears glittering on her cheeks. He swallowed hard. “Jac.”
She met his gaze in the dim, her eyes red-rimmed from too little sleep and too many tears. “I love you, Phelan,” she said quietly. “I meant it when I said it and I still mean it now. I should have told you sooner.”
His throat grew tight as he inched his hand out from beneath the covers, seeking hers. Jacqueline took his hand and squeezed his fingers.
“Don’t scold them,” she said softly. “You’re our family. The only thing we were worried about was keeping the family together and keeping you safe.”
He shook his head slightly. “I’m not going to scold anyone. Do you really love me?”
Her expression softened and she nodded. “Yeah.”
Phelan squeezed his eyes shut and for the first time in decades began to weep.
Good to read they rescued Phelan again and seem to have put him back together.
Fiction or non-fiction.. it is hard for some people to let someone love them. I have run into that a couple times in my life. Certainly hope Phelan handles it maturely and in a kind manner.
Thanks for the update. Have a Happy New Year!