Austin took a couple of deep breaths before answering the phone. He chatted with his daughter for a few minutes before her Grammie told her to wrap things up.
Grace got quiet for a few minutes and Austin thought she had hung up. As he was about to say something she spoke up. "Daddy? Are you coming back?"
Austin felt his heart literally break when she asked that. "Oh baby. Sweet, Grammie is bringing you tomorrow. You'll be here tomorrow. You should see your new room, it's beautiful. Just like you wanted."
"I miss you Daddy," her voice starting to tremble.
Austin felt his throat close up and his eyes well with tears. He closed his eyes against the emotion and swallowed hard. "I miss you too, Gracie Belle. I love you so much baby."
"I love you too Daddy." He could hear the rustle of the phone as it was being passed to someone else.
"She's okay, Austin. I know you're worried, but she's fine. She's just having a sad moment right now, but she's fine. She's already playing with her Sharebear Care Bear you gave her," his mother said.
Austin felt the panic rising, his breath coming quicker. "I gotta go mom. Just bring her to me as soon as you can. I need to see her now."
"Will do. Love you, son." His mom hung up the phone and Austin hung up his as well. He hauled himself up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, his back to the bedroom door. He leaned over, his elbows on his knees. He hung his head, trying to control his breathing. A couple tears slid down his face as he tried to stop his pending panic attack.
Darcy dressed quickly and slicked some of her lip gloss on her slightly swollen lips. Thinking he was done, she walked barefoot back to his room, pausing in the doorway when she still heard him on the phone, catching him when he said he loved his daughter. The sound of his voice brought tears to her eyes and she knew she would fall for him. It was inevitable now.
The vulnerability in his words made her heart ache for him. When the call was ending, she shifted out of sight, half wanting to give him a moment. This lasted all of a second before she moved into the room and stood in front of him. Darcy wrapped her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his shoulder.