was okay. Bryson was a lovely surprise. A blessing in the midst of turmoil.”
“He’s a great little boy,” Ryker said.
“I’m so glad you see that. Far too many people—and yes, I’m counting my own family in there—only see him as a little boy with a bunch of issues. There’s no denying he has those, but to expect him not to, would be unreasonable given the situation they’ve been in. I just wish people would be more patient and understanding of him. Well, and of Sophia too.”
“I have issues of my own,” Ryker found himself confessing. There was just something about the older woman that made him feel safe and comfortable, much like he had with Sophia.
“Well, dear,” she said with a pat on his arm. “We all have issues to varying degrees.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
Ryker shared his own story with her as they finished the drive to the hospital, and just like her granddaughter, Nana was sympathetic and understanding. When he helped her from the car once they’d reached the parking lot, she gave him a tight hug before settling into the wheelchair.
He found himself even more eager than usual to reach Bryson’s room, but first, he had to get Nana’s visitor badge sorted out. Thankfully, when he’d arrived with Sophia back when Bryson had first been transferred, she’d listed him as a guardian, so he was able to get the ID for Nana without any issues.
Once that was all sorted, they made their way up to the unit where Bryson had been moved. Thankfully, no one stopped him to chat as he pushed Nana’s wheelchair, and soon they were at the door to Bryson’s new room. It stood open, so he hoped that meant they weren’t sleeping.
Slowly he pushed the wheelchair into the room, glancing around for Sophia and Bryson. He smiled when he spotted the two of them curled up together on the small loveseat that sat against one wall, a book open on their laps.
Sophia glanced up, her eyes widening as her gaze landed on Nana. Moving carefully, she shifted Bryson slightly. When she was free of him, she got up and moved quickly toward them, dropping to her knees to press her face against Nana’s leg.
Hearing her sobs, Ryker went to where Bryson sat, his brow furrowed in obvious concern. He lifted the boy onto his lap, being careful of the IV he still had in his arm.
“Momma’s crying?” he asked as he glanced worriedly between them.
“Yes, she’s crying,” Ryker said, not wanting to lie to the boy. “But it’s because she’s happy to see Nana.”
Bryson stared at the women for a long moment before he said, “I’m happy to see Nana too.”
Ryker figured that the little guy was wondering if he should be crying too. He rubbed his hand on his back as he said, “Not everyone will cry every time they’re happy. I think your momma really missed Nana.”
Bryson leaned back against Ryker, tension leaving his body. “Did she miss us?”
“Yes, buddy. She’s definitely missed you too.”
Nana was bent over Sophia, her hands smoothing over her hair. Ryker felt a surge of emotion as he watched the two women together. He hadn’t been one hundred percent sure about bringing Nana to the hospital. Still, now that they were together, he was glad that he’d made the decision to go to the personal care home and speak to her about visiting Bryson and Sophia.
“Do you want to keep reading your story?” Ryker asked.
Bryson’s head rubbed against Ryker’s chest as he nodded, then he patted the book he still held. “This one.”
As they began to read the story together, Ryker saw out of the corner of his eye that Sophia had gotten to her feet and had wheeled Nana over to the table by the window. Knowing they probably had plenty to talk about, he chose to focus his attention on Bryson.
After they finished the book, Ryker helped Bryson stand then walk over to where his mom and great-grandma sat, guiding the IV stand so it didn’t get caught on anything. From the emotion on Nana’s face, he could see that it was difficult for her to see him unsteady on his feet. But given where he’d been even just two days earlier, seeing him walk like that was a wonderful thing.
“Look at you go,” Nana said, giving Bryson a wide smile as she held open her arms.
He basically fell against the woman as he reached her, then Sophia lifted him up so he could sit