Audrey shared a long look with him, as if acknowledging that she had scared him, and knowing he had been the rock Fallon needed. He gave her a wink, then wrapped his arms around Fallon and held her tight.
Watching them, she was grateful that she had made it through the worst moment of her life. When Levi kneed her in the mouth, she’d given up, knowing there was no way she could have stopped him and that Tate wasn’t coming. But by the grace of God, she’d made it, and knew she would never take life for granted again. How many times had Tate told her that things could end in a matter of seconds? He was so right, and she was blessed to have another chance.
Tate appeared beside her and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers softly. Her heart skipped a beat and she swore it was like she couldn’t breathe again. She had missed him so much, and to feel his lips again was like winning the lottery, or hell, her getting her life back. When the kiss ended, he gave her a large, loving smile, showing the gap she thought she’d never see again. “Hi.”
Audrey’s eyes watered as she gave him as much of a smile as she could. “Hi.”
“I have missed the feel of those lips on mine for twelve days now.”
“I was out for twelve days?” she asked hoarsely.
“No, four, but I was gone eight before that. So it’s been a long time.”
Audrey’s mouth quirked up on the side as she nodded. “Way too long. I love you, I’m so sorry.”
“No, don’t be. It’s not your fault,” he said, shaking his head. “I love you too,” he whispered before kissing her again.
“Ms. Parker, are you in any pain?” a nurse asked. Audrey looked up to see her messing with her IV.
“Yes, ma’am, a lot.”
“Okay, this should help, but it will probably make you drowsy.”
“Thank you,” Audrey said quietly as the nurse smiled and moved away. Tate moved his chair to her side, sitting down and holding her hand as she looked around the room. Everyone was watching her like she was going to disappear at any second. “So, I guess I should have had a magic show planned for when I woke up, huh?”
Everyone chuckled, and Audrey was glad to break the tension in the room. “So what happened?” she asked. “I blacked out in the middle of it. Did they find Levi?”
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” Fallon asked. “You just woke up, sis.”
“I want to know, I hate not knowing stuff.”
“True,” Fallon agreed with a nod.
William moved to the foot of the bed and gave her a small grin before saying, “He’s in jail, and no one has posted his bail. They think he stopped because he heard Lucas’s truck in the yard, thank God.”
“Tate found you,” Lucas said from beside Fallon. “He started CPR, and then the ambulance came.”
Audrey smiled weakly at Tate. “My hero.”
He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Hardly. I was crying and screaming through the whole thing.”
“He was awesome,” Lucas said proudly. “And he even managed to get some great shots on Levi’s face.”
“My hero,” Audrey whispered again, causing Tate’s face to redden.
“It’s so great to hear you joke around, Audrey,” Fallon said. “We were beside ourselves with worry when they put you in that coma, and then you didn’t wake up for so long. I’m just so glad you’re back and are going to get better.” Audrey nodded as she squeezed Tate’s hand.
“Me too,” she said, “but I gotta joke. Life is too short to be serious all the time.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Tate said as everyone nodded.
Unexpectedly, Audrey’s eyes drifted shut. She fought them back open, not wanting to lose sight of the people she loved. “Where’s Aiden?”
Fallon smiled. “With Susie. I haven’t told him what’s going on yet.”
“Don’t. It will scare him,” Audrey said quickly. “Wait till we go home, I’ll make something up.” She started to cough then, because her throat was so dry from the tube. “So, Audrey Jane,” William said as her coughing subsided. Tate handed her a glass of water and she sipped it slowly as William went on. “You’re pregnant?”