Maverik grinned. “It was killing ‘em. They were just itching to wake you up.”
Ronan chuckled.
“They been up for about thirty minutes, so your mom started breakfast.”
“I can smell the sausage. Making my mouth water already.”
“Same. She shut off the food with strict instructions to stay the hell out of the kitchen when she heard your Giada moving around in the bedroom. So it will be a minute.”
Ronan jumped to his feet and started out of the living room.
“Not a one of them called for us. In fact, your mom said and I quote, “stay here”.
“Giada’s awake? I’m not waiting here!” Ronan insisted.
He heard a bathroom door open and stopped in his tracks as Giada, led by his mother, walked toward him wearing the robe and slippers he’d bought her.
Giada smiled as her gaze met his. “Hi,” she said as Valerie came to a stop right in front of him.
“Hi,” Ronan said, relief apparent in his features. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you up and around.”
“As glad as I am to be up and around, I hope,” Giada said.
“At least,” Ronan said. “How are you feeling?”
“Groggy, but okay,” she said, as Valerie handed her off to Ronan.
“I’ve got to get back to breakfast,” Valerie said.
He looked down at Giada, her hand holding securely to his. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and hold her until she made him let her go, but he knew she’d been through a lot, so he didn’t. Instead he just looked down into her eyes.
Before he knew it, her eyes filled with tears and she practically lunged into his arms, her arms around his waist, her head pressed against his chest.
Ronan held her tightly, kissing the top of her head, as he whispered about how sorry he was.
“It’s not your fault,” Giada said, still snuggling against him. “Wasn’t your fault at all.”
“He might not have pushed you to the ground if I hadn’t…”
“He would have done worse. You saved me. You saved Leo and Matteo. I can’t believe I ever questioned you.”
“I would have, too, especially considering what you came from.”
She loosened her hold on him and leaned back just enough to remain in his arms, yet look up at him. “I won’t do it again. Not ever.”
Ronan smiled. “Does that mean what I think it does?”
“Would that be that I choose you, or that I might be okay with hanging out for a little while?”
“That you choose me!” Ronan said.
“I don’t know,” she teased. “I remember hearing someone telling me that no matter what I decided to do, it’d be okay as long as I’m happy.”
Ronan grinned at her. “You remember me talking to you while you were sleeping?”
“Every word,” she said.
“I meant it.”
