Chapter 600

Chapter600
+25BONUS
Dwight s eyes were bloodshot Despite the soft comforting words from Halsey the hot tears continued to fall one after another as if they were unstoppable
He reached out and pulled Halsey into a tight embrace his body shaking with silent sobs His voice broke as he choked out f don t have a mother anymore I man orphan now
Halseyheld himjustastightly,herarmswrapping aroundhim.
ThiswasthefirsttimeDwighthadshownhisvulnerabilitysoopenlytosomeoneelse.Thiswasthefirsttimehe hadcriedinfrontofanotherperson.
Halsey nodded her voice steady but full of compassion I know But you still have Maddy and you still have me I ll be with you always
She stood on her tiptoes gently cupping Dwight s face in her hands before pressing a soft kiss to his forehead
A kiss on the forehead an act that held the highest form of tenderness and care
Dwight pulled her close again holding her in his arms needing the comforts he offered
Dwight had togo back It was unavoidable The hospital had taken care of Tina s arrangements and Halsey along with Madeline had brought Tina sashes back home
HalseyplacedTina’surnandphotoinacupboardwhileMadelinestoodinfrontofit,staring atthephoto.
“Maddy,”Halseysaid,hervoicefirmyetgentle,”we’llkeepvigilheretonight.Tomorrow,you’llcomehomewithmeandstay atmyplace.”
Madeline hesitated her voice small No I want to stay here
“No,”Halseyreplied,hertoneunyielding.”It’snotsafeforyoutostayhere alone.Youhavetocomewithme.Thisisn’tupfordiscussion.Please,justdoasIsay.”
Madeline nodded reluctantly Okay
Halsey reached out and ruffled Madeline s hair
My house has plenty of rooms My dad and my maid Isabel are both wonderful people They ll love you so there s no need to be scared It s already late and you still have school tomorrow The midterms are coming up Goto bed okay I ll stay here and keep watch
Madeline shook her head her voice soft but firm I want to stay and keep watch for Mom
Halsey didn t argue Instead she grabbed a blanket and lay it down on the floor Alright We ll stay here together
“Okay.”
Thetwoofthemsqueezedunder thesameblanket,andthewarmthquicklyspreadbetweenthem.Madelinepulledoutherstudymaterialsandbeganreviewingthem.Shewasdeterminedtostaystrongandbrave,tolivethewayTinahadhopedshewould.
Halsey smiled softly turning up the light a little
Anhourlater,Madelinehadfallenasleep,herbookstillinherarms.Halsey carefullytookitfromherhandsandtuckedtheblanketaroundher.
As she gazed at Tina s photo memories flooded back of when they had all been together Dwight Tina Madeline and herself sitting around the table eating and laughing
Now there was one less person at the table
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Chapter600
+25BONUS
A deep sadness filled Halsey s chest Her eyes slowly closed fatigue finally taking over
Suddenly the door creaked open with a soft creak and Halsey jolted awake Who s there
Shesawatall,familiarfigurestandinginthedoorway–Dwighthad comeback.Hehadreturnedinthecold,quiethoursofthenight.
Halsey s heart leaped with surprise and relief You re back
Dwightstoodinfrontoftheurn anddedicatedaprayerforTina,thencroucheddownbesideHalsey.Asheenteredtheroom,hecaughtsightofHalseyandMadeline’ssmallfigures.Now,thesewerethetwomostimportantwornerinhislifenow.
Being here with them made his heart finally feel at peace
DwightlookedatHalsey.Hereyeswereredandswollenfromcrying,withdarkcirclesunderneath–shehad stayedupallnightkeeping vigil.
He reached out and gently pinched her cheek
I m back Goto sleep now