Audrey gripped the sheets in frustration, tears spilling from her eyes again. The only reason everyone kept saying she was okay, she assumed, was because the baby wasn’t. Didn’t Fallon know that the baby was the most important thing to her? Didn’t her mother know that too? So why wasn’t anyone telling her anything? Looking up at Tate through clouded eyes, she wished she’d had the chance to tell him. At least they would have had that little moment to celebrate the fact they could have kids. She wanted to scream that she loved him and that she was sorry she couldn’t protect herself and their child. She could tell by the look in his eyes he had been worried about her.
“Baby, it’s okay,” he said softly, moving close to her, kissing her forehead. She closed her eyes, basking in the feel of his lips as he added, “I know it must hurt, but you’re awake at last. I can see your eyes, baby. I have missed them so much.”
I’ve missed yours. How long have I been out?
“And now we get to blow this popsicle stand when you’re better,” he said, “and get ready to raise our baby.”
It was like her heart stopped and then blew up in her chest. Her eyes went wide as his smile grew and he squeezed her hand. They were still having a baby!
“You’re overwhelming her, Tate,” William snapped.
Audrey looked over at him, trying to shake her head as Tate said, “No, I’m calming her. She’s scared. I’m trying to treat her like there isn’t a fucking tube down her throat.” Looking back down at Audrey, his eyes softened. “I’m so proud of you, love. You’ve been so strong and I love you so much.”
She nodded, squeezing his hand when really she wanted to scream how sorry she was. She should have never let Levi inside. She should have ignored him and stayed away. She not only put herself in danger. but their baby, and that wasn’t fair.
The doctor came in the room then and in a booming voice said, “Welcome back, Ms. Parker. So nice to see those gorgeous eyes I’ve heard of.”
Audrey looked up to see a young doctor looking at her file before sending her a bright grin. He was a nice-looking man, and for some reason looked familiar. She just couldn’t place who he was. He moved next to Tate and started to check her vitals, shining a little light in her eyes before taking her pulse. Once he was done with that, he looked down at her and smiled. “You ready for that tube to come out?”
She nodded eagerly as he chuckled. “I bet you are. I bet everyone is. You have one supportive family.”
Audrey sent a loving look at her family before meeting Tate’s eyes. He smiled, his hand on her foot as the nurse held a silver plate out for the doctor.
“All right, ready?” Audrey nodded again. “Okay, this may cause you to gag a bit,” he informed her, taking hold of the tube. “Here we go.” The next thing she knew, she was gagging and gasping for air. “All done, good job,” the doctor said with another grin, “I’m Dr. Rivera, by the way. Bryan told me to say hi.”
When he gave her a quick wink, it all clicked into place. He was Bryan Richards’s boyfriend; that’s where she knew him from. Audrey smiled brightly but stopped when the pain ripped through her lips. She moved her fingers up to touch them and felt the thread that must have been holding her lips together as a nurse came over to put a pair of prongs in her nose.
“Things look great, folks,” the doctor said, then spoke to her. “One more night up here, and if you do well, I’ll send you to the step down unit, and hopefully you’ll be home within the week.”
As everyone thanked him, Audrey moved her hand down to her throat as she cleared it. It was scratchy and uncomfortable, but it was way better than having that damn tube down it. Fallon put her arms around Audrey’s neck hugging her gently as her body shook with sobs.
“I was so scared I thought I lost you, Audrey. I’ve been a mess. I’ve missed you so much,” she cried. Before Audrey could say anything, her mother and father were leaning over, touching and hugging her too. With her scratchy voice, she told them how much she loved them all. When she felt lips on her temple, she looked over to see Lucas grinning at her.
“You’ve given me the scare of my life, thanks.”
“Sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m just glad I get to see your bright, beautiful face.”