Her eyes search mine. The relief in them the moment she heard that heartbeat has vanished has been replaced by doubt.
“I didn’t know, I swear. I didn’t even realize I was late. Our engagement, planning the wedding… I lost track.”
“Hallie,” I breathe. “You think I’m angry?”
“We didn’t plan this. We didn’t?—”
I crush my lips to hers in a desperate kiss, ignoring what I must look like, all filthy and messed up.
“You’re carrying our baby.Ours.I’m damn ecstatic. I’m surprised I haven’t flown off this chair with how light I feel.”
“You mean that?”
“I do.”
I kiss her again, swallowing down her whimpered sob as she reaches for my ruined shirt and curls her fingers around the fabric above my heart.
“I know we’ve talked about the possibility of us having children. But Sinclair and Sullivan are adults. Do you really want to do this again?”
“With you? Of course I do. Children are a blessing, Hallie, however they come. Planned, surprise, age twenty, age fifty.”
She lets out a small puff of air, her face lighting up. “We’re really doing this?”
“We are.”
Her beautiful eyes are wide and uncertain as she searches mine. I need to work on showing her what this means to me. I meant it when I said I could float off this damn chair.
A baby. Our baby.
“It must have been around the time we got back from London. I was so emotional I wasn’t thinking straight. They were chart days. You finishedinsideme the night we got back,” she whispers.
I dust her cheek with the pad of my thumb, following the curve of her skin as I let out a slow breath.
“I did. Many times.” I smile.
Her brows hitch. “You’re not mad that I forgot?”
“Hallie. It takes two. I forgot too. Or maybe my subconscious made me forget on purpose.”
She frowns. “You think the universe wanted this?”
“Iwant this.” I search her eyes, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Are you okay? Talk to me. What do you?—”
“I want this too.” She blinks rapidly, her eyes shining. “I want it all with you. I want everything.” Her breath leaves her in a shaky sob which turns into a cough. “I’m sorry,” she wheezes and covers her mouth.
I rub her back. “You need to rest. Jesus, Hallie. I need to get you home so I can take care of you.Bothof you.”
“You need taking care of too.”
“I’m fine.” I move my hand down her body and rest it on her stomach. “I’m better than fine. I don’t want you worrying about me.” I drop my gaze to where my fingers are splayed over the hospital gown. “We’re having a baby,” I whisper in awe.
Her eyes fill with unshed tears, pooling along her lower lids.
“We are.” She nods as the first of many slips free and coats her cheeks.
I crush my lips to hers.
“I love you so damn much. I thought I’d lost you today,” I choke, pressure building in my chest. I’ve held it together since I saw her collapsed on my desk. But my resolve is now as thin as a strand of fine silk and about to break.
