After Forever & Ever

Chapter 61

Tessa-Present

I want to just hug him and tell him how much I love him and never stop.

But instead I have said nothing....

I see it now. His hurt. His pain. It was there before and I didn't see it. Or I didn't want to see it. I don't even know. I just know it's here now right in front of me. And that he's here now right in front of me by some fucking miracle.

When we get upstairs my mom gives Hardin a huge hug and he actually allows it and hugs her back. She says more than I have at this point..."I'm really glad you're okay." He replies "thanks."

"I just got Emery down for a nap I was trying to keep her up because I know you would be almost back but she was exhausted." My mom tells us.

"Hardin are you hungry I can make you something?" My mom asks Hardin (Wow this is weird I think to myself)

"I'm good, I'm going to go rest for a little bit before Emery gets up." He replies as he walks away into my room, or our room. I'm not sure anymore.

Vance just sort of looks at me and shrugs.

"I am going to go pick Trish up from the airport...I'll be back and then maybe we can all figure something out to eat." Vance says as he walks out.

I wave bye to him and then gesture to my mom that I am going to check on Hardin.

When I walk in the room he is already nestled under the covers and facing away from the door. I go to my side of the bed and get under the covers.

He turns over so he is looking at me now. "Hi" he simply says.

"Hi" I reply.

He grabs my lower back to pull me closer to him and pulls my chin up and kisses me.

I don't mean to but I start crying and end up pushing my face into his chest. I feel like I can't catch my breath to stop.

"Tessa stop, it's okay....I'm okay." he says.

I keep crying and he pulls away slightly.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing." He replies and turns over.

I pull his shoulder to have him turn back around.

"I didn't sleep at all while I was there I just want to close my eyes for 10 minutes." He tells me as he pulls the blanket over himself more and turns back away.

"Okay." I say as I turn to lay flat on my back and just stare at the ceiling.

I haven't slept either and it's not even just because of Emery. I can't stop thinking about what happened. I'm terrified of upsetting him but I do really think he needs to go to that rehab the doctor was talking about.

They sent him home with meds to try and regulate everything but I just don't think he has a handle on this....I don't think any of us do and I'm scared for what could be next.

10 minutes come and go and I don't want to wake him it looks like he is actually sound asleep. I sneak out into the kitchen