They see what Madi doesn’t, and they’re on my side.
That victory fist in my mind, it went sky high. I’d like to say I wasn’t the type to gloat, but my grin would call me a liar.
“Madi, go help your brother. I’ll be here when you’re done.”
I really didn’t expect her to follow my order, but she did. It surprised me, but not as much as it surprised everyone else.
“Okay.” Gratitude filled her eyes as the tension from the day melted off her shoulders.
Madi wanted me to stay, but wasn’t willing to admit it.Not even to herself.
That was fine by me. She didn’t need to ask for my support; it was hers.
Jay let out a low whistle before saying, “Damn, how’d you do that?”
I didn’t have to answer because Cate said, “Don’t get any ideas.”
It wasn’t hard to explain. Madi was strong and fiercely independent, but in that moment she was scared and exhausted. She needed someone to see past her tough exterior and lift the weight off her shoulders.
And she likes following my orders.But that was our little secret.
Chapter 29
Madi
“Thank you for doing this,” Jamie said for the third time as I stepped into the disposable scrubs the nurse provided.
“Like I’d say no.”
“Thank you,” Emily croaked out. Her sweat-soaked blonde hair was plastered to her face; her eyes were frantic with fear, and her face was too pale to be considered normal.
I looked at the monitors; Emily’s heart wasn’t the only one racing.
The doctor made the right decision to schedule a C-section.
Jamie held Emily’s right hand while brushing hair off her face.
I held her left and gave them as much privacy as I could.
“I look awful,” Emily cried.
“Are you kidding me? You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“What about Isabelle?”
That was a cruel question, and one hundred percent not typical, but Emily was borderline delirious with pain.
The look in Jamie’s eyes tore my heart in two. Losing Isabelle had almost killed him, and to have Emily bring that up while his mind raced with the fear of losing her or their babies broke him.
He pressed his forehead to hers and let the tears flow.
“I love you, Emily. Please don’t ever doubt that.”
“I’m so sorry,” Emily squeaked out between sobs. “I don’t deserve you.”
I let go of her hand when she moved it to hug Jamie.
“I think you have that wrong. I don’t deserve you.”
