“I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m here.” She places her hand over the top of mine on her stomach.
“I can’t wait to marry you.” I kiss her again. “And I can’t wait to meet you,” I say, dropping my head to kiss her stomach.
Her hands thread through my hair and she strokes my scalp as I nuzzle into her.
“I love you, Hallie,” I rasp. “Today was almost the worst day of my life all over again.”
“Sterling,” she sobs, her fingers gathering up strands of my hair like she’s trying to hold the cascading pieces of me together.
“I couldn’t carry on if I lost you too. Not you. I walked into that fire, and I saw you.” My body shakes, and I lose all control.
I wrap my arms around her and grip on tight, giving in to the tears that are making my throat burn.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries.
“I didn’t lose you,” I choke out. “You’ve given me everything to live for, Hallie. There have been days where?—”
“It’s okay,” she says softly, stroking my hair.
I press kiss after kiss to her stomach before moving up to cup her face. “I love you.”
She gives me the most beautiful smile that bathes my soul with light.
“I love you too.”
“I’ll go and find Sinclair. She called Mal and Trudy and asked them to pick some things up from our place on their way. We’ll get you changed and then I’m taking you home.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” I repeat softly, pressing another kiss to her lips.
I step from the room and stride up the corridor toward where we left everyone to go for the scan. They’re all waiting to see if everything’s okay. If the…
Jesus Christ, I’m going to be a father again.
My steps slow momentarily and I scrub a hand around my jaw.
She’s having our baby.
Hallie’s havingourbaby.
Emotion clogs my throat, and I force myself to keep walking. She’s given me everything and more. I gave up on the idea of ever having a love like ours. And now not only has she given me that, but she’s giving me the chance to be a father again.
My chest tightens. I love her more than I’ll ever be able to show her. But I’ll spend every day of my life trying anyway.
I round the corner, a disbelieving smile lifting my lips.
“Sterling?”
It’s slapped off with the efficiency of sniper fire.
“Lavinia?” I snap. “What are you doing here?”
She’s clutching a purse, holding it in front of her body like a shield.
“My goodness, look at you!” Her eyes widen as she takes in my wrecked clothing. “I heard it on the news, I… I came to see if you were okay. Why do you look like that? You weren’t inside, were you?”
