I clung tighter. "Aiden?"
"Dead."
"Thank God."
* * *
When I opened my eyes, I found that I was in a hospital room. The subdued light helped with my tender head. However, there was no mistaking the antiseptic smell that always permeated the air. I licked my dry lips and wished I had water nearby because my mouth was dry, too. My gaze fell on Jessop, who was asleep in the chair next to my bed.
Unexpectedly, I started to tear up at the sight of him. He looked sexy in that rugged way that always made my heart skip a beat. I reached out to touch his hand and felt a rush of emotions. Seeing Jessop there gave me a sense of comfort and, dare I say it, happiness.
His eyes snapped open and met mine, filled with the same emotion I felt. He sat up straight and moved closer to take my hand. In that moment, I knew everything would be all right.
"How are you feeling?"
"Other than a fuzzy head, I feel good. Well, tired." I smiled, enjoying the feel of his hand in mine. "Talla?”
He smiled and brushed a kiss on the back of my knuckles. "Her wrists have been bandaged. She got out of the zip ties." He chuckled. "A fighter, like you. No more of that, though." His face changed to a serious expression. "I mean it, Pen. It scares the shit out of me when you're having fun with Talla, but you're carrying our future."
"Don't worry. I have no intention of getting into trouble again." I searched his face and admitted, "Our baby is everything, Jessop." I fought back tears, but they fell anyway.
Jessop moved and gathered me into his arms. I climbed onto his lap until he had no choice but to pull me against his chest and sink back into the chair. "I want to keep you locked in my house."
I snorted and chuckled. "I love you, you crazy man."
His chest rumbled as I found his lips and kissed him sweetly and tenderly. "I love you, too, my beautiful girl," he whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
The sound of a throat being cleared ended the tender moment. "You need to get back into bed, Penelope," said Brigid Potter. I had gone to school with her and her twin sister, Brenda. They were both nurses at this hospital. "The doctor will be here shortly."
Jessop lifted me up and helped me get settled in bed. "Can I go home?"
Brigid smiled and patted my hand as she took my blood pressure. "I'm not the doctor, but everything looks good."
Just then, the doctor walked in, followed by another nurse. He started talking about how important rest is, and I kind of tuned him out. I was a grown adult, and I knew how to relax. Ever since Aiden left, I've enjoyed reading a good book while soaking in a bubble bath. I couldn't imagine a different way to relax now that I was pregnant.
I caught Jessop glancing my way, and he tried to hide his smirk. He interrupted the doctor with a loud clearing of his throat. "Can I take my woman home?"
"Yes, I'll write a prescription for prenatal vitamins."
"Okay," I said.
I ignored the doctor's mumbling and climbed out of bed. Jessop scrambled to cover me up. I snickered and quickly wrapped myself around him the second the door closed. "I have to stay in bed."
"To rest, babe.”
I nibbled his earlobe and whispered, "We can rest together."
"I'm fairly sure the doctor meant you should rest, Penelope."
I pouted and smiled when Jessop rolled his eyes. "We'll see," I mumbled, grabbing my clothes that had been left on the side of the room. "I won't be long."
"Will you be okay?" He nodded toward the bathroom.
"Yeah." I winked and entered the bathroom with a smile on my lips.
I placed the clothes on the vanity and peered into the mirror. I was surprised by my reflection because I felt fine, yet my complexion was pale.
With a heavy sigh, I quickly cleaned up and changed into a fresh outfit that someone had brought for me. It felt nice to be wearing my own clothes instead of the drafty hospital gown.
