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“Can we come?” both nieces asked in unison

Setting Liz down, Matthew knelt beside Carrie “Go in with the girls and tell the others what happened,” he told Na

talie “I’ to load Carrie into the car Meet me around front”

“I want Natalie!” Carrie cried, clenching her fingers into Natalie’s shirt “Please don’t leave me”

“And could you grab a clean button-up shirt and shorts froh at the hospital?” Matthew continued, ignoring Carrie’s pleas

Natalie looked hesitant, but then pried Carrie’s hands free of her shirt, took Liz’s and Mandy’s hands into hers and headed into the house with the girls in tow

Taking care not to bump Carrie’s left arm, Matthew scooped her into his arms and stood with her

She felt so little in his arms, so helpless Shame that he’d let this happen to her filled him Shame that he hadn’t done better by her He’d known he wasn’t cut out for parenthood yet he’d played around at it for the past fivehe could do this

Obviously he couldn’t, and needed to do as right for Carrie

Natalie and Matthew’s family rushed out of the house, requested ite Carrie into her car seat He shut her door and et in the driver’s seat

“Could you drive so I can sit back here with her? I didn’t want to put her into her car seat, but trongs don’t equal a right and it’s my job to keep her safe”

His tone iirl’s fall was his fault

Natalie reached out to touch him, to reassure hied away her touch

“Oh, honey” Matthew’sa peep into the car at the child “Grandma will be there with you in a few”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Matthew immediately corrected “Stay here with your co”