Del felt nauseous again, swallowing against the bile in his throat.
Justin made a whimpering sound, but his eyes remained closed. Just as he heard the sirens turn off when the emergency people stopped in the yard, Del leaned forward and spoke into Justin’s ear.
“You’ll make it. You won’t leave us. I love you. I love you, Justin, and I’ll take care of the kids for you. Just hang in there.”
And then he was pulled away by someone, and he let himself go numb. The other option, breaking apart, was out of the question.
* * * *
Emily swooped in as soon as she’d gotten the news. She sat there in the waiting room with Del and the kids, stroking Wyatt’s hair as he slept on the chair with his head on her lap.
Scarlett was asleep on the chair next to Del and whimpered every time he took his hand off her small body. Harper battled sleep the most, but she jerked awake every time she fell asleep and startled Abigail who was half-asleep herself next to her.