I sag with relief. Eli grabs my hand and threads our fingers together. “Hey, I’m okay. They want to keep me here for observation, but I can go home later today.”
I bend over and press my lips to his. Then I lean back and search his eyes. “I love you, too,” I whisper.
Kane clears his throat. “Uh, I’m going to go down to the cafeteria. I’ll be back… in a little while.”
I cup Eli’s cheek. “I love you so much, Eli. I’ve been scared, holding back because I know you want me but—” I rub my belly. “We’re sort of a package deal.”
He leans up. “Honey, I know that already. And you need to know that I’m going to love him as if he’s my very own. I promise, I will always be here for you and him. Always.”
A big, fat tear rolls down my cheek, but I don’t even try to stop it. We kiss, and the kiss is a promise for our future.
When I pull back this time, Eli is lowering the side of the bed and scooting to the side. “Come on. Climb up here. I need you with me.”
I eye the door. “The doctor is not going to?—”
He cuts me off. “I don’t care what the doctor says. I’m the patient, and I know what’s best for me. And that is having my soon-to-be wife by my side.”
I crawl into the bed and snuggle against him. He hugs me tightly. “Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart. This is not how I planned to spend it, but I also wouldn’t change it.”
I hug him tightly and don’t hold anything back when I confess, “I love you, Elijah Wolfe. Forever.”
CHAPTER 21
ELIJAH
“I promise, I’m okay.”
Both Kane and Sam have been fussing over me, and I know I need to rest, but I also want to give Sam the other half of her Valentine’s gift.
Kane stands next to the couch. “I hate to leave you like this. I’m happy to stay.”
I open one eye and peek through my lashes. “Oh yeah, you want to stay and give me a bubble bath?”
I fully expect him to give me some kind of smart-ass remark, but he shrugs. “I mean, it’s the least I can do. You saved my life today.”
I open both eyes and look at him. “You’re my brother, Kane. I got your back.”
He seems choked up. “I know. You too.”
Sam goes over and hugs him, and after a few goodbyes, Kane leaves.
As soon as he’s gone, Sam comes up to me. “You want something to drink? Want the lights off? Why don’t you just go lie down in bed? I’ll check on you every hour.”
I shake my head, and she sits down, handing me a box of chocolates. “Here’s your Valentine’s gift. I wrote you a letter, but I want you to wait until you’re clear-headed to read it.”
I watch her set the envelope on the coffee table. She opens the box of chocolates and holds the tray out to me. “Want one?”
I pop one into my mouth and chew. “I love you.”
She nods with a smile. “I love you too, and that’s why I want you to rest.”
I grab her hand. “I will… but first?—”
She cuts me off and scoots back. “Oh no, none of that, mister. No more hanky-panky, not until you’re healed.”
I reach over and put my hand on her knee. “I have two more surprises for you.”
She looks over at the huge bouquet. “Elijah, the flowers… the love note… that’s more than enough.”
