"That was never an option." His voice is heavy with emotion. "I knew you'd be back. I felt it inside."
"I understand more now." I pull back to look into his tear-stained face. "You've been through so much."
"Me?" He taps his chest. "You're the one who saved a child's life, Sophia. You're the one who was held hostage by a lunatic."
"You're the one who saw the person you love after she'd just taken her last breath."
"Sophia," he whispers my name as he pulls me close to him. His lips press against my forehead. "I love you."
"I didn't know what to do." I shake in his arms, my breathing increasing. "Franco told me I could go but I refused. I couldn't leave Elroy in there. I'll never forget the look of terror on that little boy's face when I first saw him standing in the alley with Franco."
He exhales sharply. "That memory will fade. Weeks, months and then years will pass and you'll start to forget the details. It won't be as vivid and one day you'll have such a full life that the memory of yesterday won't be sharp or clear anymore."
"Do you promise?"
"I'll help you heal from this, Sophia. Let me do that for you."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Nicholas
I watchher pick at the lunch that a hospital orderly brought for her. If I had known the food smelled and tasted like this, I would have sent Liam back to my place to make her a grilled cheese sandwich.
I was grateful when he showed up at the hospital. He'd been dealing with a work-related crisis for most of the night, but once he had a break, he was here. I introduced him to Sophia and then left them alone. I didn't ask what they discussed, but when he left her room, he told me she was strong. He likes her and once she's feeling up to it, she'll talk to him again.
"I think they'll discharge me this afternoon. I'm not dehydrated anymore." She pushes the tray toward me. "Can we stop on our way home to get a burger and some chili fries?"
I furrow my brow. "I can run out and get that for you now. I wouldn't be gone more than twenty minutes."
She nods. "Can you get some of those chocolate candies that you keep in that dish on your kitchen counter?"
"The one I have to keep refilling after you eat them all?"
Her face brightens. "Those are the ones. I think they would taste delicious on the fries."
I scowl. "You're going to put candy on the chili fries?"
"I can't decide if that would taste better or maybe strawberry yogurt."
I sit on the bed next to her again. "All of this shit you're talking about sounds disgusting."
"You better get used to it." She lowers her shoulders. "This is just the beginning, Nicholas."
"The beginning of what?"
"Crazy pregnancy cravings." Her eyes drop to the front of the hospital gown she's wearing.
My insides collapse. My heart bursts. "Sophia."
"The doctor told me earlier." She shakes away a flood of tears. "I don’t know how, Nicholas. I mean I know how. You probably broke through the condom because sometimes you lose control."
"You're having a baby?" I place my hand on her stomach. "My baby?"
"I'm going to ignore that last question." She covers my hand with hers. "We're having a baby, but the doctor said it's very early and anything can happen."
I know that. My mother had four beautiful children but wanted more. I watched her suffer through three miscarriages before she finally gave into the idea that her family was complete.
"I don't want to tell anyone else yet," she continues. "We'll wait until we're sure that everything is good and then we can have a party."
