Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

13 - Home

The ride from Longwood to Beacon Hill was too short for Doyle. Kasper kept talking about how glad he was that she hadn't broken anything. She looked out the window wondering what Gray was up to. Determining what Mick was doing would have been easier. The band should have been at a venue getting ready for soundcheck. She knew less about how Gray spent his time.

She sighed. Wasn't it a thing for a woman to fall for the guy who rescued her? Doyle hated to be cliche. As the car drove up the hill, she turned to Kasper. "What do they know? Is mother prepared for this?" She hadn't looked in the mirror yet and the prospect caused the juice in her belly to churn. The nurse had brought her graham crackers and apple juice, she felt five, but they had tasted good.

If she hadn't been so anxious, she might have looked forward to her own room, after a month with the band and, and nothing. Staying at Gray's had been peaceful with the ideal companion.

The car stopped, and she looked up at the building which had been her home her entire life. When the door opened, she had to step out. The hood hid her face as photographers appeared out of nowhere. Kasper quickly guided her inside the door held open by Percy.

"Miss. Doyle, welcome home!"

Percy hugged her, just as Tate, and Baxter appeared.

"Thank God." Baxter's words were simple, but his drawn face showed his concern. He hugged her tightly.

Tate joined in at Baxter's side adding to the embrace. "I love you."

"I know I love you too. The three of you."

"Jimmy showed mother the pictures of you. Hopefully, she'll be ready."

"I haven't seen myself. Let me go look."

Kasper grabbed her hand. "Let me go with you."

"No. I need to see it on my own." She stepped inside the powder room and held her breath as she slipped off the hood. She looked grotesque. A tear slipped out. Gray had called her beautiful. He had either been blind or lied. The puffiness around her eye kept it closed except for a slit. She had thought it might look better. The bruising from her eye to her jaw colored her face a swirl of black and purple.

When she woke on Saturday morning, she could have gone to each one of her siblings. They would refrain from judgment, but Baxter would have insisted on medical treatment. Tate would have associated Doyle trauma with her own just when she was finally happy with Jimmy. Then Doyle would feel guilty like she had since Tate's wedding. Tate was the family's victim, and Doyle didn't want to take her place. As much as she would have liked to call Kasper, he lived at home. She shut her eyes to hide her face. Kasper would look at her like she was a bird with a broken wing. Staying with Gray had seemed like the right choice, because she assumed her family thought she was with the band.

She jumped at a knock on the door. "Darling, are you okay?"

Big breath in and slowly out, she put on her hood before opening her door. Amelia stood looking like a woman she hardly recognized. Her red eyes looked tired, and she hadn't done up her face. Amelia never left her room without makeup.

The older woman embraced her daughter. "My baby. I was so worried you were hurt and alone or so much worse. We thought we lost you."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know or I would have called. I'm sorry."

"I'm just so glad you're alive."

Doyle felt the tears. Without Gray she might have died. "Thanks to a hero." She didn't want her mother to change her focus.

"Amelia, let me have my girl."

Doyle turned to her father. He looked like he aged. Once in his arms, she felt like a little girl, safe and protected. Guilt filled her for the worry she gave her family. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't know."