He kissed her, again, simply because he could. But there was still one more detail they needed to iron out.
“What about your job?”
“Well.” Ellena’s lips curled upward into a gorgeous grin. “Iwasgoing to surprise you at dinner tonight, but…I put in for a transfer to the VA hospital in Dallas.”
“You did?” His heart swelled. “When?”
“Two days after we got to Kole’s cabin.”
Two days after…
Gabe’s brows rose with surprise. “Really?”
Ellena simply shrugged. “There are just as many patients here who could use my help as there are in California. But most importantly”—she covered his cheek with her palm—“you’rehere.” The sheets rustled as she slid her body even closer. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be with you, Gabe. To raise a family with you. That’s my dream.” Her lips met his. “That’s always been my dream.”
It was his dream, too. And Gabe couldn’t be happier that it was finally coming true. Part of it.
His heart ached for the loss they both shared. For what he could never give her again.
“You deserve everything you’ve ever wished for, baby.” He ran his palm along her silky hair. “Thewholedream.”
“And I’ve gotten it.” Ellena’s grin grew into a mischievous smile. “Actually, I should saywe’vegotten it.”
Confused, Gabe stared back at her, waiting for more of an explanation. Instead, he watched as she rolled over and pulled something out of the top nightstand drawer. She handed him a white, plastic stick.
It took his brain several seconds to catch up to what his eyes were seeing.
Gabe’s lungs quit functioning. His heart gave his ribs a hard thud. A giant knot formed deep inside his throat, and his eyes immediately began to burn.
There, on a tiny digital screen in the middle of the stick, was a word that nearly made his heart stop beating, altogether.
Pregnant.
His wide gaze shot over to hers. The same set of dark blue eyes that stole his heart years before were staring back at him, glimmering behind two wells of unshed tears.
“Is this…are you really…” His voice cracked, andJesus.He couldn’t even say the word for the hope he was feeling.
“Pregnant?” Ellena’s smile lit up her entire face. She blinked, sending tears streaking down her cheeks. “Yes.”
Gabe stared down at the home pregnancy test again, his mind working overtime to understand how this was even possible.
“The doctors.” He looked back up at her. “They all said—”
“It wasn’t possible,” she finished for him. “I know.” Placing the test on the nightstand, Ellena reached for his hand and threaded her fingers with his. “My doctor here said she couldn’t really explain it, but somehow my body healed itself in a way that still allowed for conception and gestation.”
“Your doctor here?”
She’d already seen a doctor?
“I probably should’ve told you sooner, but I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Just in case.”
“What about later? Will you still be able to carry the baby to term?”
“I’m considered high risk because of the previous miscarriage, but that just means I’ll have more doctor appointments, and she’ll probably order a few more ultrasounds over the next nine months to be safe. But she saw no evidence to suggest this baby will be anything but healthy.”
Holy shit.
Oh so carefully, almost afraid he’d somehow hurt her, Gabe rested his palm over the womb carrying the tiny miracle God had granted them both.
