19. Chloe

CHAPTER 19

Chloe

I sit on a park bench, watching Penelope climb the jungle gym. The sun warms my face, but I can't shake the chill in my heart. Rendal's absence weighs heavily on me, and I find myself checking my phone every few minutes, hoping for a message that never comes.

"Look, Mommy!" Penelope calls out, waving from the top of the structure. I force a smile and wave back, trying to push away the nagging worries about my relationship.

As I watch her play, my mind wanders to the last conversation with Rendal. His words echo in my head, leaving me feeling confused and hurt. I shake my head, trying to focus on the present moment. This outing is for Penelope, I remind myself. She shouldn't have to deal with my emotional turmoil.

Suddenly, a loud thud breaks through my thoughts, followed immediately by a cry of pain that makes my blood run cold. I jump to my feet, my heart racing as I scan the playground.

"Penelope?" I call out, panic rising in my throat. I rush towards the jungle gym, my eyes searching frantically for my daughter.

I spot her on the ground near the base of the structure, clutching her arm and sobbing. I rush over to Penelope, my heart pounding in my chest. She's on the ground, clutching her arm and sobbing uncontrollably. I drop to my knees beside her, trying to keep my voice calm despite the fear tightening my chest.

"Shh, it's okay, sweetie. Mommy's here," I soothe, gently brushing her hair back from her tear-stained face. "Can you show me where it hurts?"

Penelope hiccups and points to her left arm, which is already starting to swell. I bite my lip, knowing this isn't just a minor bump or scrape.

"Okay, baby, we're going to get you some help. Can you wiggle your fingers for me?"

She tries, wincing in pain. The movement is limited, and I feel a wave of panic wash over me. I need to get her to a hospital, but how? My car is in the shop, and Rendal isn't answering his phone. I feel so alone at this moment, wishing desperately for his support.

"It hurts, Mommy," Penelope whimpers, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I know, sweetheart. We're going to make it better, I promise." I pull out my phone, my hands shaking as I dial 911. As I wait for the operator to answer, I hold Penelope close with my free arm, trying to comfort her while fighting back my own tears.

"We need an ambulance…" I mutter, knowing I can't do this.

"No!" Penelope shakes her head as tears streak her cheeks. "No. I don't want to go in one."

I'm not thinking clearly or I wouldn't have said that. Penelope saw a neighbor get loaded into one once and she's been freaked out ever since. It would only make her panic more, probably lead her to get more hurt.

"Okay," I say as she starts to melt down. "Okay. No ambulance."

I fumble with my phone, my hands trembling as I try to think clearly. Who can I call? A wave of panic and isolation washes over me. I can't do this alone. I'm in such a panic that I don't think I can drive anyway, but I don't want to call an ambulance, either. I don't want to freak Penelope out more than she already is.

In my desperation, I decide to call Rendal, despite our recent troubles. With shaking hands, I dial his number, praying he picks up.

The phone rings once, twice, three times. Each unanswered ring feels like an eternity as I glance at Penelope, still whimpering in pain.

"Please, Rendal. Pick up," I whisper, my voice cracking.

Finally, on the fifth ring, I hear his voice. "Chloe?"

Relief floods through me, momentarily overwhelming my anxiety. "Rendal, thank God. I need your help. Penelope fell at the playground and hurt her arm. I think it might be broken. My car's in the shop, and I don't know what to do."

There's a pause on the other end, and for a heart-stopping moment, I fear he might not come. But then I hear rustling and his voice comes back, urgent and concerned.

"I'm on my way. Where are you exactly?"

"Greenfield Central Park, near the big oak tree by the playground," I reply, my voice shaky but grateful.

"Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes. Keep her calm and don't move her arm."

As I hang up, I feel a lingering anxiety. Despite our recent issues, Rendal is coming. He's still here for us when we need him.

I turn back to Penelope, forcing a reassuring smile. "Help's coming, sweetie. He'll be here soon to help us."

Penelope nods, her sobs quieting to sniffles. I hold her close, careful not to jostle her injured arm, and we wait together for Rendal to arrive.

I watch anxiously as Rendal's car pulls up to the park, tires crunching on the gravel. Relief washes over me like a warm wave as he jumps out and rushes towards us, his muscular green form moving with surprising agility.

His face is etched with concern, those piercing blue eyes scanning the scene quickly before focusing on Penelope. My heart races, a mix of worry for my daughter and an unexpected flutter at Rendal's presence.

He kneels beside Penelope, and I'm struck by how his large, calloused hands are surprisingly gentle as he examines her arm. The contrast between his imposing orc physique and his tender touch is mesmerizing, and I find myself holding my breath as I watch him work.

"Hey there, brave girl," he says softly to Penelope, his calm voice already helping to soothe her sniffles. "Can you tell me where it hurts?"

Penelope points to her swollen arm, her lower lip trembling. Rendal nods, his expression serious but reassuring.

"Okay, sweetheart. We're going to get you to the hospital to make sure everything's alright. Is that okay?"

Penelope nods hesitantly, and Rendal looks at me.

"We need to get her checked out, Chloe. It might be a fracture."

I nod, feeling a mix of worry and gratitude. "Thank you for coming," I whisper, my voice shaky.

Rendal carefully lifts Penelope into his arms, cradling her against his broad chest. "Of course," he says, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth that makes my heart skip. "Let's go."

As we walk to his car, I can't help but feel a sense of security wash over me. Despite our recent difficulties, Rendal's presence is comforting, steadying. He gently places Penelope in the backseat, making sure she's comfortable before closing the door.

In the car, I turn to watch him as he drives, his eyes focused on the road ahead. His jaw is set with determination, and I'm struck by how much I've come to rely on him. Even with the tension between us, he didn't hesitate to come when we needed him.

It's all a blur, getting Penelope check in. Rendal handles most of it, and by the time my mind calms enough to process what's going on, we're in uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room. Rendal's presence has been a comforting anchor in the storm of worry and fear that's been swirling inside me since Penelope's fall.

I watch as he speaks with the nurse at the reception desk, his deep voice calm and reassuring as he provides Penelope's information. He handles the paperwork with ease, his large green hands surprisingly deft as he fills out form after form. I'm struck by how naturally he's stepped into this role, taking charge when I felt too overwhelmed to function.

When he finishes, Rendal returns to where we are sitting. I watch as he leans towards Penelope, who's curled up in the chair on his other side, her injured arm cradled against her chest.

"How are you feeling, brave girl?" Rendal asks, his deep voice soft and gentle.

Penelope sniffles, her eyes still red from crying. "It still hurts," she mumbles.

Rendal nods sympathetically. "I know, sweetheart. But the doctors are going to make it all better soon. You're being so strong."

His words, so tender and caring, make my heart swell. I'm struck by how naturally he's stepped into this role, not just for Zola, but for Penelope too. He's been our rock through this entire ordeal, from the moment he arrived at the park to now, sitting patiently in this sterile waiting room.

As I observe him comforting Penelope, my earlier doubts and fears begin to fade. The Rendal I see now isn't the conflicted man torn between his past and present. He's fully here, present in this moment, putting our needs first without hesitation.

The panic that had gripped me since Penelope's fall slowly dissipates, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude. I realize that despite our recent challenges, Rendal is someone I can truly depend on. His actions today have spoken volumes about his commitment to us.

Taking a deep breath, I feel a renewed sense of hope blooming in my chest. Maybe we can make this work after all. The path ahead might still be uncertain, but Rendal's unwavering support today has shown me that we have a solid foundation to build upon.

Without thinking, I reach out and gently squeeze Rendal's hand. His large, green fingers immediately entwine with mine, and he turns to look at me. In his eyes, I see understanding, care, and something deeper that makes my heart skip a beat.