Benji tapped the doorframe on his way out.
Maverick didn’t even have time to get himself together before Nina and Poppy walked in, their hands linked together, their eyes heavy with equal concern.
His heart settled. ‘There they are.’
Unlike Nina’s, Poppy’s eyes brightened immediately. ‘Daddy!’
She ran to the side of his bed and tried to scramble up by swinging one leg onto the mattress. She gave a few hops before Nina came to her and with a quick reminder to be careful not to jostle him, gave her a boost onto the bed.
Poppy crawled up the bed. Even though she was careful, she tugged on his IV, pulling it painfully in the back of his hand, and when she curled up by his side, both of her knees jabbed his side, sending fire down his entire body.
Mav didn’t care. He gently rearranged her before placing a kiss on Poppy’s forehead.
‘Daddy, we were really scared,’ she said solemnly. ‘Everyone was crying.’
He knew that she probably didn’t quite understand the gravity of what had happened, and instead of explaining, he thanked God that she still had enough childish innocence left in her to think him infallible, to think he would always be around to love and shelter her.
But he met Nina’s eyes, noted that they instantly filled. ‘We were really scared,’ she reiterated.
Because he could feel that little distance between them, and because he understood Nina, and knew that she was protecting herself with it, he said, ‘Nina, I would fight to stay with you every time.’
She didn’t argue. ‘I know that. I do. Absolutely.’
‘I want a lifetime with you.’
Tears streamed down her face. ‘Me too.’
‘Come here,’ he said, and held out his free hand for her.
‘Yeah, Neens! Come here!’ Poppy emphasized, breaking through the tension and making them both laugh.
The moment his hand closed around hers, he closed his eyes. It didn’t matter that he knew she was safe and had seen her with his own two eyes. Touch, tactile confirmation, was what he had needed.
‘I was so scared, Mav.’ She ran her free hand through his hair, soothing him. ‘Nothing …Nothinghas ever terrified me more.’
He knew she was comparing his near death with her assault, and he hated that she had felt that fear again. But he didn’t give her false comfort. He said, ‘I know. I felt the exact same way watching him turn on you. Why do you think I did it? Why do you think I jumped in front of you?’
She tried to smile, but she couldn’t quite manage a reply through her tears.
It was Mav who said, ‘You –bothof you – are my life, my entire reason for existing. I didn’t jump in front of that bullet to only save your life, Nina. I jumped in front of it to save mine too.’
A warbled sob left her lips.
‘Nina, why are you sad?’ Poppy asked, her little voice confused. ‘Daddy’s fine!’
Nina nodded, but it took her a long moment to find her voice. ‘I know, Poppy. I’m just happy.’
Mav took a deep breath. His hand, holding Nina’s, began to sweat. ‘There’s actually something really important I was going to ask you last night, before …’
Nina frowned. ‘I remember. What is it?’ she asked. ‘I’ll sort it for you.’
He laughed even though it was excruciating. ‘I really hope so.’ He briefly unlinked their hands to fish the ring out from beneath the blue hospital sheet. Once he had it, he held the box in his open palm, giving her the choice to take it or not.
Nina’s eyes rounded with shock. ‘Is that …’
‘Yes.’
Poppy asked, ‘What is it?’
