28. Lani

After dropping Rory off at New Horizons, Lani went to Tenn’s house and scrubbed the place from top to bottom.

The place didn’t particularly need it, but it gave her a way to vent her nervous energy while she waited for visiting hours to start at the hospital. She tossed the food in the fridge that had gone off and put fresh sheets on all of the beds. Then, finally, she went to get Tenn.

They were finally sending him home. His second surgery had gone well. It would take time for him to heal, and there would be a whole lot of physical therapy required if he ever hoped to regain full range of motion in his left shoulder, but at least he could sleep in his own bed again.

Sonya had classes to teach, so it was just Ken at the hospital when Lani arrived.

“Are you good to go?” she asked after kissing Tenn hello. “Can we bust you out of this joint?”

“Yes please,” he said.

“We’re waiting on more paperwork,” Ken told them.

When that was finally sorted, they put Tenn into a wheelchair – hospital policy, but it still tore her heart up to see it – and got him out of there.

He transferred easily to the passenger seat of his Jeep – Lani had brought that instead of her truck, which was much higher off the ground – and she drove him home. Ken followed in his car.

When they parked in front of Tenn’s house, his dad hurried across the lawn to help him to the front door.

“Dad,” Tenn said in exasperation, “I can walk just fine. I didn’t get shot in the leg.”

Ken’s face was set in a stubborn frown. “You’re still weak.”

Lani ducked under his good arm, and Tenn didn’t protest.

Ken watched them for a moment, then gave a sharp nod and turned his attention elsewhere.

“The grass is getting long. You get him settled. I’ll get the lawnmower out.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Lani said, but Ken was already walking away.

“It’s okay.” Tenn squeezed her shoulder and shook his head. “It’s just how he is.”

“An acts of service kind of guy?”

“Sure, something like that.”

They made their way slowly up the front walk and into the house.

“Bed or couch?” she asked.

“Couch,” he said firmly. “I’ve had enough lying in bed for a while.”

She walked him to his favorite spot, then grabbed a cozy blanket and threw it over his legs.

“Are you comfortable?” she asked. “Do you need another pillow for your back?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“How about some tea?”

“Lani, enough.” He put his head back against the sofa, exhausted. “You’ve been hovering over me since I got shot.”

She took a step back. “Do you need space?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“It’s okay if you do. If you don’t want me around this much, I mean.”

“Are you kidding?” His smile was tired, but it was warm and sincere. “I love it. I should get shot more often.”

“That’s not funny.”

“You’re right.” He shifted on the couch and winced in pain. “Once was enough.”

“I didn’t mean to smother you. If you want some time to yourself–”

“Lani,” he interrupted her, “I love having you here. I just meant that you don’t have to wait on me. I don’t want you to feel like you have to make up for anything. You don’t owe me anything.”

“I just want to take care of you,” she pleaded.

His grin was slow and warm. Not so long ago, the love that she saw in his eyes would have frightened her. Now, she felt simultaneously steadied and buoyed by it.

“Well, I won’t say no to that. But once you’ve made us some tea, would you sit here with me and relax?”

“Sure.” Some of the tension went out of her muscles. She smiled and let out a tired sigh. “That sounds nice.”

There was a knock on the door, hardly audible above the noise of the lawnmower outside.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Lani asked.

Tenn shook his head. “Probably a neighbor with a casserole.”

“You did make headlines.” Lani tried to keep her voice light, but her stomach still twisted at the memory. She gave him a sickly smile and then went to answer the door.

When she saw Emma’s face, she immediately burst into tears.

“I’m sorry!” Emma hurriedly set down the bags she carried and put her arms around Lani. “I didn’t mean to startle you!”

Lani held onto her friend and cried. It was a moment before she was able to catch her breath and organize her thoughts enough to say anything.

“You didn’t. I mean, maybe a little. I’m just so happy to see you.”

Emma hugged her tighter. “I’m glad to see you too. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“I got on the first flight I could.”

Lani pressed her lips together to keep from crying again. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Emma released her and picked up the bags. “I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to bring over some food.”

“Thank you,” Lani said again, wiping her face on her sleeve.

“It’s just some basics. Some soup that Tara made, fresh fruit, easy snacks for the girls.”

“The girls,” Lani echoed, checking the time on her phone. She needed to pick them up from New Horizons in an hour; she had promised herself that she wouldn’t ask ‘ōlena to work overtime again.

“Okay if I pick them up?” Emma asked.

Lani looked at her in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. I’m picking up Kai and the twins anyway. I could bring them all back to our place for the afternoon and then drop the girls off later. Unless you want me to keep them overnight?”

“Olivia’s probably desperate to sleep in her own bed tonight, but if she wants to hang out with you this afternoon that’s fine by me. Maybe Tenn can get a nap in before she gets home.”

“I’d be happy to feed them dinner too, if you want.”

“Sure.” Lani poked her head into the living room to ask Tenn what he thought, but he had already dozed off. She went back to Emma and nodded. “Definitely. Thank you so much.”

“Anytime.” Emma pulled her into another hug. “You get some rest too, okay?”

“Okay.” Lani squeezed her tight. “I’m glad that you’re home.”

“Me too.”