“That was the night I knew. I knew you were it for me, Angel.”
“That was our fourth date.” I smiled down at him through watery eyes.
“I told you we fall quick and hard in my family. I might not have acquired my dad’s passion for finance and business, but when it comes to claiming the women we love, I’m his son.”
I let out a small laugh and pressed a kiss to the top of his head, my lips barely grazing his skin. I was too afraid to cause him any more pain.
“That’s not right. I need a real kiss. Right here?” He slowly lifted his hand and pointed to his lips.
Not wanting him to strain because it looked like he was actually trying to lift his head to reach my lips, I lowered to him, brushing my lips over his. I tasted the salt from my tears.
“Don’t do that. Angels aren’t supposed to cry.”
I squeezed my eyes tight, willing the tears away.You need to be strong for him.My brother’s words echoed in my mind.
“A week after that date is when I started shopping for that ring on your finger.”
I inhaled sharply, stunned. Lifting my left hand, I stared at the beautiful diamond ring.
“Are you serious?” I asked above a whisper.
“As a heart attack. Took me about a month to decide on that one, but I’m glad I did. That ring was made for you.”
I think he smiled, but it came out as more of a grimace due to his swollen face.
“I remember thinking, ‘if she’s willing to sit out with me all night listening to calls, she’s going to make one hell of a firefighter’s wife.’ That was the night I decided, but I was patient, letting you come around to the idea.” He had to stop when he began coughing, his face crumpling in pain every time.
“Baby, stop talking. You need to rest,” I implored, wanting to keep him as calm and in as little pain as possible.
“Wait,” he breathed deeply, and my heart ached from how much it looked like it hurt him. My big, strong firefighter was struggling just to get air into his lungs.
“I need to say something else.”
My normally quiet man was full of words right then, it seemed.
“The cake …”
I looked at him quizzically but remained quiet, waiting for him to continue.
“I’ve been thinking about our wedding cake. I know this morning I told you it didn’t matter, but I’ve changed my mind. I loved the vanilla bean cake with the white icing, too. That’s the one that has my vote.”
A damn wedding cake was the absolute last thing on my mind at the moment, but if that’s the one he chose so be it.
“Okay, baby. We’ll go with the vanilla bean cake.”
“We’ll have it at the wedding and our one year anniversary,” he reminded me.
Another sheet of tears coated my eyes, and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Y-yup. Whatever you say, baby.”
“Good. Okay,” he said with so much conviction as if it was a promise. “Oh wait, one more thing,” he added.
“Baby, you need your rest.”
“I know, but this is important … I love you, Angel. I don’t remember if I told you this morning, so I’m telling you now. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I told him, leaning down and burying my nose into his hair. I inhaled against the familiar scent, and then the world closed in on me. The monitors above me started going haywire. I pulled back and saw that not only were Eric’s eyes now closed, but his head was also slumped down in a way that it wasn’t when I first walked in.
“Oh God!” I cried.
