If Only (GxG)

Chapter 54 My Side Of The Bed

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Alison's POV

The door opened with a soft knock.

Blake stirred but didn't lift her head. She kept holding me gently, as if I might break, her arms wrapped around me with a quiet, unwavering strength. My head rested against her chest, and her fingers combed slowly through my hair in a motion so soothing it almost ached.

Another knock followed. Firmer this time.

She shifted just enough to glance toward the door.

It opened a moment later. George stepped inside.

He looked breathless, like he'd run through half the hospital. His eyes locked on mine, and for a heartbeat, the world stopped moving.

His face crumpled.

But he didn't fall apart. Didn't shout or panic. He crossed the room in three long strides and dropped into the chair beside the bed, his gaze sweeping over me with the kind of fierce, protective intensity only a big brother could carry.

"Oh, Al..."

His voice was thick with emotion, but it didn't waver.

He took my hand without hesitation, cradling it between both of his like he was afraid I might slip away if he let go. His touch was warm. Steady. His thumb brushed gently over my knuckles, and when I gave a weak squeeze back, I saw his eyes flood with relief.

He let out a breath—half laugh, half disbelief—and shook his head, blinking quickly.

"Dad would've lost the bloody plot," he muttered, voice low and fond and aching all at once. "I mean properly lost it. We'd be having this chat through the glass of a police station visitation room. He'd be in the papers for clobbering some bloke. 'Local hero absolutely decks wrong'un outside Tesco Express.'"

That earned a broken sound from me. Almost a laugh. Almost.

George smiled, just a little, eyes still shining. His voice softened.

"Remember when you were little and you used to follow him round like a shadow? Wouldn't let go of his leg at the shops. Mum had to bribe you with fizzy laces just to get you off him."

I blinked hard against the sting in my eyes.

"He used to call you his little barnacle," George went on, smiling properly now. "Acted all tough about it, but we both know he loved it. Couldn't stand to let you out of sight. If he'd been here—Christ, Alison, he'd have had you bubble-wrapped head to toe. And then probably bought a flipping Great Dane to escort you to the corner shop. In a little hi-vis vest, no less."

Beside me, Blake let out a soft, surprised chuckle. Her arm stayed snug around my shoulders, steady and grounding, but I felt the shift in her. A tiny easing of tension. A flicker of warmth. Like she'd just caught a glimpse of something rare.

She didn't say anything, but I saw the small smile tug at her mouth.

George noticed it too and gave her a nod.

"He was proper old-school, our dad. Bit mad, bit dramatic. But God, he adored her."

Blake's smile deepened slightly, but she didn't speak. She just listened.

George looked at her properly then, quieter this time.

"Thank you," he said. "For being there. For getting to her so quick."

Blake met his eyes. "Of course."

That was all. But somehow, it felt like more than enough.

George turned back to me and exhaled, emotion still clinging to his voice.