“I guess… I didn’t see it as a risk.” I pause, searching for the words. “I know the world we live in is deadly, but underneath the fear, I still felt safe tonight… like nothing could hurt me because I know you wouldn’t let it.”
“Thank you.”
I frown. “For what?”
“You saved me too.”
Blinking, I try to fight the tears that threaten to fall. “We’re in this together.”
I want to melt into his arms and kiss him for eternity, but not in front of a bunch of strange men and a couple of corpses.
He closes his eyes, leaning in so that his lips brush against mine. “Forever.”
I wrinklemy nose at the sterile smell that clings to the hospital walls. I’ve always hated that smell.
I’m lying back on the bed in the private room that I’m pretty sure Ronan bribed a nurse to give me, staring up at the ceiling, trying to breathe calmly.
The adrenaline from the crash is starting to wear off, but it’s leaving something much heavier in its wake. It’s a dull, gut-wrenching ache that won’t settle.
Ronan is quiet as he stands beside the bed, his hand clutching mine.
Neither of us speaks; we’re both too lost in our own thoughts, though I know he’s thinking the same as me.
What if something’s wrong with the baby?
I’ve never been more terrified in my life.
“Are you okay?” He strokes his thumb against the back of my hand.
I nod a bit too quickly, and Ronan frowns.
“Are you sure?”
I exhale as my chest tightens. “I just... What if something’s wrong?”
“It won’t be.” His hand cradles my jaw, turning my face toward him. “You’re strong, and our baby is strong. You both made it through a hell of a night.”
I try to smile for him, but it doesn’t reach my eyes.
“How long have you known?”
I lower my eyes. “A few weeks.”
He arches an eyebrow. “A few? How many is a few?”
I wince, guilt swallowing me whole.
“Since after I came home from the hospital…” My voice trails off as I think about my last hospital visit. Twice now, I’ve faced death and survived.
My luck has to run out at some point, and I can’t help but fear that time is now.
“Were you really ever going to tell me?”
“Of course, I was! Like I told you before, I tried to tell you, but either we got interrupted or…I got scared.”
“Scared?”
I shrug. “You told me you wanted a family ‘someday’. This is not someday, this is now. And there was so much going on that you were already stretched thin. I didn’t want to add to that. But the truth is, I had no idea if you’d be happy about it. I’m sorry if I made you angry.”
