Stone ran his hands over his thighs, trying to wrap his head around everything. “I didn’t have any idea she was in pain until I heard the shower running and her sobbing. Her fucking screaming. It was the most gut wrenching sound I’ve ever heard. I found her in a pool of blood, Reap. She pulled my hand to her belly and told me she was losing our baby.” His head dropped into his hands and the tears just poureddown his face. Fuck. How long had it been since he’d lost control of his emotions?
Gunner’s hand slapped down on his shoulder, squeezing tightly as he sank onto the sofa. He offered more support than Stone could have asked for in those next moments, even as nothing was said between them, just letting Stone cry.
Eventually, Stone forced himself to take a deep breath, even though it was shaky as hell and hurt to have the air stretch his chest. “The first time I ever heard I was going to be a dad, and the baby was already gone.”
“I’m so sorry, Doc.” Gunner wiped at his own face. “Is she… Is she okay?”
“No. Not even close. I don’t have the training for this. I can’t… she won’t go to the hospital. How do I help her?”
“We could call Jake and ask him if he knows a doctor who can come over to check on her. Or I could get Lily? She might be able to talk to Mae. It might be easier for her to open up to another woman.”
Stone shook his head. “No. I don’t think she wants to talk about it right now. I want to give her the space she needs, but I’m afraid if I give her too much…”
“Her mind will lead her down a bad path?” Gunner guessed.
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“Maybe your silent support is what she needs right now. But what I do know is you don’t hide your grief from her.”
No. He had to be strong for Mae. She deserved that after everything she’d gone through. How strong she’d been for him…
“Hey. Get out of your head. Mae doesn’t need you shoving it down.”
Stone shook his head. “She deserves someone strong. Someone for her to lean on.”
“She needsyou, walking through it with her. Show her shedoesn’t have to hide what she’s feeling because you’re still healing. That’s what she deserves.” Gunner dipped his head, shaking it side to side. “What we all should have given her from the start of this whole nightmare.”
Stone didn’t have the first fucking clue what that meant, but he’d question Gunner some other time. Because in his gut, Stone knew he needed to get back to Mae. His eyes drifted to the hallway.
“Go,” Gunner said as he stood. “Be there for her. And don’t you dare let either of you drown trying to get to the shore on your own. I’m not letting you walk through this alone. And we’ll get Mae there too.”
Stone stood, embracing Gunner. “Thanks for coming over tonight. I don’t think?—”
Gunner cut him off. “You call, I’m here. Always.”
Stone nodded, emotion too thick in his voice to say anything. The moment Gunner was out the door, Stone turned to get back to Mae.
He walked as quietly as he could to the bed, trying his best not to wake her up, but as soon as he sat down, the bed moved behind him as Mae rolled over.
“I thought you were asleep.” Stone laid down, sliding his hand over her hip, gently moving their bodies closer to each other. He felt the warmth from her heating pad radiating into the sheets, but she still snuggled into his touch.
“I tried. Were you talking to someone?”
“I had the TV on. I thought I had it down low enough that you wouldn’t hear it.”
“It’s okay. I just…” Her cheeks were wet with new tears, and he watched as more fell while she gathered her words. “I’m so sorry, Stone.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry?—“
“No.”
“Michaela. Truly. I’m sorry that you thought you couldn’ttell me. I wish I would have known so I could have been a better partner for you.”
“I told you before.”
“When?” His fingers continued to play with her bangs, brushing them back softly off her forehead.
“When you were in the hospital. Before you woke up, so I guess it doesn’t really count. But I did… I told you the day I found out. It was the first time you squeezed my hand back. I knew you’d come back to us.” She bit her bottom lip for a second, her watery eyes lifting off his chest to look at him. “It doesn’t matter, now. I kept it from you, and I lost the baby anyway…”
