The Devil's Lair by A.M. Madden

okay?” Leila asks tentatively.
    Paula smiles in response. “I am. I had a rough night, but I’m okay.”
    “Is there anything we can do for you to make you more comfortable?” As the words leave my mouth I cringe. Of course there isn’t.
    “Yes, as a matter of fact there is.” She drags in a very deep breath with a shaky smile still plastered on her face. It’s a mask that fails in hiding her emotions. She continues to breathe in and out deeply, finding the strength to speak. “There’s a doctor in Belgium who has agreed to see me. Jen will be flying there with me today. I know you had him last night, but can you take care of Shane for a few more days?”
    “Of course,” Leila immediately responds. “Will he be able to help with your medication?”
    She quickly nods with the same questionable smile playing on her lips. “That’s the plan,” she admits with a shrug.
    “Don’t you worry about Shane, he’ll be just fine. You take all the time you need.”
    “I know he’s in good hands.” She takes Leila’s hand and then mine. “You guys are angels that have been sent to us. I’ve changed my mind. Shane belongs with you.”
    She just blurts it out. I almost question if I heard her correctly. Only when my wife’s eyes instantly well up with tears do I believe that Paula’s admission is true. For the first time since arriving, a genuine smile spreads on her face. She squeezes our hands, adding, “Thank you.”
    She stands abruptly, pulling her hands from ours to wipe away her tears. “Okay, I gotta go. Jen is waiting.” She gives Leila a fierce hug, and then gives one to me as well. After she reluctantly releases me, she takes both our hands in hers and adds, “I know this may sound strange, but I love you both.”
    “It’s not strange. We love you, too.”
    She smiles at Leila and gives her another hard hug. This one is longer than the last, and even more desperate. Leila meets my eyes over Paula’s shoulder. It’s obvious in her expression how deep her raw emotions are causing her so much pain. When Paula pulls away, Leila replaces her angst with a warm smile. “Be careful, and please call us when you get there.”
    “I will.”
    We enter the suite to find the kids performing for Beverly as she claps and laughs at their mini concert. She watches us enter the room, beaming from ear to ear with pride. “They’re pretty good,” she admits over the noise. Madden is pounding away on his drum. Siarra mimics his enthusiasm with her tiny fingers pounding the keys on her toy piano.
    The three of us laugh as we take a seat to join Beverly in praising our musical trio. When Shane takes a bow, Madden and Siarra follow. My wife’s smile splits her face in two. Fucking adorable.
    Paula motions for Shane to come over to where she’s sitting. He does, beaming at his mother. “Baby, that was so good. You learned all that from Trey?”
    “Yep. He said I sound just like him.”
    “You do!” she exclaims, hugging him close. “Listen, bud. I need to go on a short trip. Is it ok if you stay with Madden and Siarra?”
    He looks over his shoulder at the twins. “Sure, Mom. They need me to help them play better.”
    “Awesome.” She squeezes him tightly, burying her face in his hair, caressing his back as he clutches her with his tiny arms. The visual is heartbreaking. I gauge my wife’s emotions by the look on her face. She’s dangerously close to losing it. I can tell she’s desperately trying to hold it together.
    Paula is the first to break the hug. “Okay, I have to go. Be good for Leila and Jack. Promise me?”
    He nods with a smile. “I promise, Mommy.”
    She smiles through tears and ruffles his hair. “I know you will. You’re such a good little boy. I’m very, very proud of you, Shane. You make me so happy. Always remember that. I love you more than anything in this entire world.”
    “I know, Mom. Me too.”
    Paula kisses him again and again. She gives us all one last hug and grabs