“I’m pregnant.” I rush the words out. They’re amazing to say.
“What?” It looks like I just slapped him.
I nod. My angry tears turning into joyful ones.
“Honest to god?”
I nod more fervently, unable to speak from the overwhelming happiness.
“Holy shit!” He hauls me into his arms and plants an exaggerated kiss right on my lips. I wrap my legs around him and squeeze with every ounce of strength I have.
“But wait.” He pulls away. “Why were you bleeding? Is something wrong?”
“No. The doctor says it’s normal in the first trimester. I just have to keep my stress level low. Which has been a bit difficult this morning.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I should have called and told you I was all right, except Jett got hit with some shrapnel and I needed to make sure he was okay.”
“Is he?”
“As far as I know, it grazed under his eye. That part of the skin bleeds profusely. I think it looks worse than it is.”
“Is that why you were yelling at the nurse? To get someone to check on him?”
“Of course.”
“Were you inside the house when the bomb went off?” I ask meekly, unsure if I want to know the answer.
“No. Several of us had gone around back to extract the other boy. He was in bad shape. Beaten up, starved, and severely dehydrated. Once he was out, that’s when the other team went in. Jett wasn’t wearing his protective eyewear and caught some flying debris.”
“Are the boys going to be okay?”
“I think so, but from what I understand, they were abused in more ways than one. We might want to send them a business card sometime down the line.”
“Oh, no.” I frown, a mash up of emotions hitting me.
“Tinley has a rap sheet a mile long, and most of it is child abuse.”
“Disgusting monster.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” I rest my head on his shoulder.
“I’m fine.” He hugs me. “It’s going to take more than a pipe bomb to get rid of me.”
“I don’t want to get rid of you. Ever.”
“You say that now.” He chuckles.
“I’ll say that always.” I close my eyes, suddenly exhausted. “Can we go home?
“Sure, kitten. We can take a nap right after you lick me clean.” He nuzzles my neck.
I giggle. “Insatiable.”
“It’s who I am.Love me or leave me.”
“I chooselove you.”
