Page 79 of The Bachelor Spy
Grace fought against the rising worry. “Were you treated quickly?”
Some of the tension eased from his body enough for him to crook a grin. “Yes, the field doctors bandaged my eyes within the hour and kept them covered during transport. Even now I can see a few things. Light and shadow. Some shapes, though blurred.” His hands moved to her face again, his fingers tracing her features with heart-aching gentleness. “The doctors in France were cautiously optimistic. They said the fact that I have any vision at all is encouraging. But they couldn’t promise anything definitive.”
“I’ve heard it can be days to months before some know the effects for certain.”
He nodded. “The bandages must remain for another day to protect my eyes while they heal.” Frederick’s voice was steady, but Grace could hear the fear beneath it. “Then I imagine the good Dr. Ross will assess the damage, and we’ll know more.”
Grace pressed her forehead to his, breathing him in—mud and smoke and that indefinable scent that was uniquely Frederick. “You’re home. That’s what matters.”
“Well,” Frederick said after a moment, “this isn’t quite how I imagined my homecoming.” He sighed and kissed her again. “But I am happy to be home.”
Grace managed a watery laugh, attempting lightness despite the tears streaming down her cheeks. “You didn’t plan to arrive wounded and blind to discover your wife with child?”
“Oddly enough, no.” His fingers twined into her hair. “Though I suppose it’s fitting. Nothing about our life together has ever been conventional.”
“It’s true.” She swiped a palm over his forehead, staring at the place where his eyes were concealed by the bandages. “But don’t worry, I have other exciting adventures to share once you are settled.”
“Oh dear …”
But before she could somewhat put his mind at ease, a soft sound at the door made them both turn.
Zahra stood frozen in the threshold, her eyes wide and fixed on Frederick. The little girl’s face had gone pale, her hands clenched at her sides.
Oh, the dear child must have had the same initial fear as Grace.
“Papa is home, Zahra,” Grace hurried to clarify, surprised at the rasp in her voice. Emotions pressed so heavily on her in this moment that she could barely get words out at all.
“Papa?” The name came from the girl in a fragile sound, unlike anything she’d heard from Zahra before.
“I am here, little one,” Frederick said, his own voice hushed to a whisper.
And then something in Zahra seemed to shatter.
She launched herself across the room with a cry that was half sob, half his name. She crashed into them with enough force that Grace had to brace herself to keep from being knocked sideways off Frederick’s lap.
“Papa, you came back!” Tears streamed down Zahra’s face. “You came back—”
The little girl buried her face in Frederick’s shoulder, her thin arms wrapping around his neck in a desperate grip.
Frederick’s free arm came around her immediately, cradling the back of her head while Grace shifted to give them more room. “I’m here, habibti. I’m here.”
Grace moved to sit in the chair beside Frederick’s, her hand finding his knee, needing to maintain contact even as she gave Zahra space. Frederick had used the Egyptian endearment for Zahra a month before he left for war, and the pet name had never failed to soften the girl’s features into a smile, or a near smile, at least. This time was no different. She looked up at Frederick’s face through her tears and smiled.
“Your eyes.” Zahra pulled back slightly, studying the bandages. Her hand lifted as if to touch them, then hesitated. “Does it hurt?”
“Not as much as it did,” Frederick answered honestly, and Grace loved him even more for not lying. “The doctors gave me medicine for the pain. And Dr. Ross will help even more when he arrives.”
“But will you see again?” Zahra’s voice was small, frightened in a way that made Grace’s heart break all over again.
“I don’t know yet,” Frederick said. “The doctors said I might. Or I might not see as clearly as before. But I know whether I can see perfectly or not, I’ll still be your papa. That won’t change. Do you understand?”
Zahra was quiet for a moment, studying his bandaged face with her usual intensity. Then she nodded slowly. “I understand.”
But her arms didn’t loosen from around his neck.
Grace dashed another tear away and relaxed back in the chair, her attention taking in the scene before her. Frederick was home. With his injuries, likely for good.
She sighed, and the idea took root, encouraging a small smile to form.
