Chapter 29

THEA

“We’re late,” I looked at my watch as Levi helped me into the wheelchair. It was the only way my doctor was willing to let me out for the day.

“Stupid press, now everyone wants to get a bloody picture,” Selene mumbled, but I was more shocked at the bright yellow dress she wore, and how styled her hair was. At least one of us didn’t look like a total mess.

Reaching up, I took her hand. “You look pretty. I’m sure he will think so too.”

“I know I do,” her boyfriend said.

Laughing, she smacked his arm and he wrapped himself around her waist. I couldn’t help but stare at them being all lovey-dovey while we stood outside a prison. They were in their own little blissful world.

“You’re glaring,” Levi said as he knelt down beside me, making me feel like he was talking to a child or something. “It’s hard watching little sisters rely on other people.”

“I know, and what’s worse is that I like him,” I pouted.

He snickered as he wheeled me to the front of the building.

DeShawn White was about the same height as Levi. He was on both the basketball team, as well as the football team. In the spring, he played baseball simply because he enjoyed being active and he wanted to stay in shape year round. On the top of that, he was an honor roll student, whose top choice was Georgetown.

He treated Selene… well he treated Selene like Levi treated me, like all people should treat the ones they’re with; like they were the most important person in the world.

“I’ll be back,” Levi said, and he softly squeezed my hand before he walked over to the press.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today is a profound day, because not only does a man get his life back, but he gets his family back as well. There are a lot of legal aspects to this case that need to be examined, but now is not the time nor the place for such a discussion. All your questions will be answered at a later date because all that matters right now is Ben Walton and his family. Thank you.”

He backed away from them, and the police that were there kept them at bay. However it didn’t stop them from hurling their questions my way.

“Ms. Cunning, how are you feeling?”

“Do you have any words for Odile Van Allen?”

“Will you be suing the state?”

“I just want to see my father,” I replied to them, and Levi turned me towards the exit.

I sat up when the doors opened. I wanted to clap and cheer, but all I could do was watch as he got closer and closer to us. Until, there he was, chain free, in jeans and basic grey shirt. Even his hair was cut.

“Hi,” he said to us, and Selene ran up to him, pulling him into a big hug.

He shook Levi’s hand, and accepted all the cheers until his eyes fell on me.

“Hey Daddy,” I managed to mumble.

He dropped his things, came over to me and hugged me tightly. “Thank you so much Thea Bear. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

I looked up to the sky trying to keep my tears from overflowing, but I laughed at what I saw.

“Look up Daddy. Look at the rainbow.”