"I love you," he whispers into my ear, making the world right again.
The fact is that, if I had a school of kids running around my feet right now, I wouldn’t have Leo. No matter how fucked up it may be, in this moment, I’m thankful for the broken course that led me to here. All of the wrongs somehow feel right. And if Leo James is all I ever get, I can honestly still say that this life would be an absolute win.
"I love you, too." I turn my head and find his lips for a brief but no less meaningful kiss.
"He looks like you," Leo tells Slate.
"He does. Poor kid." Slate settles on the tiny hospital bed next to Erica.
"All right, Mr. Andrews. I’ve told you twelve times. That bed has a weight limit," a nurse says, walking in the room.
"I’ll buy you a new one," Slate responds, not budging an inch.
"Okay, everyone. I need to check on our new mom now, so I’ll need you all to step out into the hall for just a minute. Out you go."
"I’m not going anywhere," Slate growls.
"Oh lord, I don’t mean you, Dad." She tosses him a sugary-sweet grin only to roll her eyes when she turns to face us.
"We’ll be outside." Leo reaches, forward squeezing Erica’s foot, while Slate takes Adam from my arms.
"So, gift shop?" I ask as soon as we exit the room.
But Leo’s hands are suddenly in my hair. His mouth slams over mine as he pushes me up against the wall, stroking his tongue against mine. Screw the fact that we are standing in public—I meet his every thrust.
"Cásate conmigo," he says against my lips. "No quiero ninguna parte de esta vida sin ti. Fuistes, mi ángel. Despues mi cielo y ahora necesito que seas mi todo."
"Are you talking dirty?" I whisper, laughing.
"It might just be the dirtiest thing I’ve ever said." He leans away and tosses me an insecure smile. "Thank you for coming with me, ángel."
"You’re welcome. I’m glad to be here." I give him a tight hug.
We stand in the middle of the hospital hallway holding each other. It’s nothing overly sexy like it was a few minutes ago. It’s just comfortable. It’s Leo.
When the door swings open, Slate comes walking out with the nurse.
"I’m going to get some coffee. Can you sit with her for a minute?" he asks Leo.
"Oh, coffee sounds great. I’ll go with you." I smile and pat Leo’s arm. He needs a few minutes alone with Erica, and it doesn’t appear that Slate is going to leave her side often.
"Grab me some too." He kisses my forehead before going back into Erica’s room.
"So, how bad did he flip the fuck out earlier?" Slate asks as soon as the door clicks.
"Um, well…it wasn’t terrible. But seeing her in pain really affected him," I respond evasively. I feel bad talking about Leo behind his back, but I don’t exactly want to hide his struggles from the people who love him either.
"Right." He nods, not bothering to look at me. "Did Leo ever tell you that I used to have a real issue with their relationship?"
"No," I answer shortly. I’m unsure, yet very concerned, about where this conversation might be headed.
"Well, I had a big problem with it at first. I’ve heard Leo told you about their past." He glances over at me questioningly.
"He did." I once again give nothing away.
"Come on, Sarah. You have to admit it’s a weird friendship they have." He stops walking and turns to face me. His expression is kind, but his words are starting to annoy me.
"No. I don’t think it is. Sometimes, your only choice is to stick to the people who truly understand. It’s easier than opening up to those who don’t." I lift an eyebrow with a little attitude, causing Slate to grin.
"Is that why you and Leo are together?" he asks bluntly.
My eyes snap to his. I guess it’s not surprising that Slate and Erica know about my past as well. To hear Leo tell it, I had a big impact on his life back then. But his question still catches me off guard.
"I…uh…" I stutter, not exactly sure how to answer. I like to think that our pasts aren’t the only reason we are together. However, it might be the reason I truly fell in love with him. He gets me and accepts me for who I am. God, I love him for that.
"Leo needs you."
"No, he doesn’t, but I’m more than happy to stay anyway," I inform him.
Slate’s smile widens a fraction of an inch, and I decide to close the conversation.