Kate took a step toward the bathroom. I grabbed her wrist and shook my head. Tiptoeing to where she lay on the floor, I knelt beside her.
“Nick?” Ellie's eyes widened as she stirred and winced trying to sit up. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Ella-Jane.” I rubbed her back. “Let me help you.” I slid my hands under her arms and lifted her up to sit. I smoothed her damp hair off her sweaty forehead and cradled her face in my hands. Black rings circled her sunken eyes. “How about you and I take a ride to the ER and get things checked out?” I arched an eyebrow.
“No.” Ellie swatted my hands away. “It’s a virus, and it needs to run its course. I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, you look fine,” Kate scoffed. “Makes sense; wait until your son finds you passed out. You taught him how to dial nine-one-one, right?”
Ellie scowled at Kate and clutched the toilet as she inched up from the cold tile. I rose from the floor to stand behind her, even though she wouldn’t let me touch her. She turned to walk away, but her knees gave out. I caught her before she hit the floor and scooped her into my arms.
“Sorry. You’re going whether you like it or not.”
Kate handed me her purse before I carried her out the door to where my truck was parked. I laid her across the back seat and fished a bucket out of the cargo area to place on the floor in front of her.
“You don’t have to do this.” Ellie's half-lidded eyes met mine before I closed the back door. “I’ll have Kate take me—”
“Yes. Yes, I do.” I threaded my fingers through her short, disheveled hair and bent down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Ihaveto be with you. Wherever you are. And I was an idiot to think otherwise.”
I CHEATED ANDused my fire department permit to park in an authorized spot. They called her into the ER quickly, and I helped her into bed. She didn’t ask me to leave or stay, but I planted myself right by her side, regardless.
I sat in the chair next to the bed and placed my hand over hers as they hooked her up to an IV of fluids. She didn’t respond but didn’t yank her hand away, either.
“How long have you been sick?” I rested my head on my other hand as my eyes met hers. She was still gorgeous, even though she was sick as a dog.
“About a week, I guess. It hit me pretty fast.” She leaned into the pillows at her back and shut her eyes.
“Usually viruses last for a couple of days, and you start to feel a little better. Sick like this for a week isn’t normal.”
A smile curved her lips even as her eyes stayed shut. “Ah, but this isn't a normal stomach virus. It swept through the entire school. All they’ll tell me is that it needs to run its course and go home. You’re wasting your time.”
“Any time spent with you isn’t time wasted. I told you that when we first met.” My mouth twisted in a sad smirk.
“You were never a placeholder.” Ellie’s eyes filled with tears as her voice cracked.
“And you were never a do-over.” I swiped a tear away with my thumb as I inched closer.
“Wanting to stay in my house doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Or want a future with you someday. Making me feel like I had to choose wasn’t fair—”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I don’t care where we live now or twenty years from now. I just needyou. However I can have you. Please, Ella-Jane.” I picked up her hand and kissed the top of her wrist before holding it in both of mine. My eyes locked with hers in a silent plea.
Ellie opened her mouth to answer when the on-call doctor strolled in.
“Hi, Mrs. Taylor. How are you feeling?”
A laugh fell from Ellie’s lips. “Not so hot right now. But it’s a virus, so there’s nothing you can do.”
“Don’t write me off just yet.” A smirk twisted the gray mustache on the top of his lip. “Your only symptoms are vomiting and dizziness?”
“I would guess the dizziness comes from the vomiting. I can’t keep anything down.”
“When was your last period?”
“I’m on birth control, so I don’t really get them anymore. Maybe two months ago?” Ellie’s brows came together before her mouth fell open.
“I’m going to run a pregnancy test before we give you anti-nausea meds and write it off as just a virus. We already took blood, so I’ll have the lab also check your hCG levels.” The doctor turned to leave the room, and Ellie’s panicked eyes met mine.
“I never missed a pill. How can I be . . . Oh, my God, Nick.” Ellie clutched her mouth with her hand. “What if, what are we going to do if I’m—”
