“I’ll go get her a bottle. She’s probably hungry,” I said as I got up.
As I walked to the kitchen, I remembered that I had to call Vinnie and tell him not to mention the opening to Connor. That was the last thing I wanted him to worry about. I got Julia’s bottle ready and walked back to the living room, where I found Connor asleep in the oversized leather recliner and Julia curled up on his chest. Smiling, I snapped a picture with my phone and sent it to Peyton.
***
Since Denny’s surgery was scheduled for six o’clock in the morning, Mason had come and picked up Julia the night before. When the alarm went off, Connor rolled over and put his arm around me as I reached over and turned it off. I snuggled closer to him for a few minutes before we had to get up and get ready to go to the hospital.
“Me and you need to have a talk,” he said in a serious tone.
“About?” I replied.
“The art gallery and showing tonight.”
Shit, I thought to myself. I should have never underestimated him and thought that he’d forget something.
“What about it?”
“I’m a little pissed off that you failed to mention it to me and the fact that you’re going without me.”
I rolled over and looked at him. “How did you remember with everything going on, and how did you know I was going without you?”
“My pilot called me last night to confirm.”
“Damn him. Why didn’t you say anything last night?” I asked.
“Because Mason had just picked up Julia and I wanted to devour your body. I figured if I mentioned it, we’d fight and then no body devouring for me.”
I cocked my head in disbelief that he had just said what he did. “Are you serious?” I asked.
“Yes, I am, and I wasn’t giving that up. It’s not that often that Julia isn’t here to interrupt us.”
“I’m not talking about this now. We need to get ready and go to the hospital,” I said as I got out of bed.
Connor climbed out of bed and followed me into the bathroom. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Ellery. We are going to discuss it now.”
Who the hell did he think he was, starting an argument with me before I even had my first cup of coffee? I slipped on my silk robe and headed towards the kitchen and Connor followed behind.
“I’m coming with you; end of discussion. See, now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Connor.”
He walked over to me, picked me up, and set me on the counter. “Listen to me. You’re my wife and this is something that’s very important to you, and it’s important to me too. “
“But—”
He cut me off and brought his finger to my lips. “No buts. I love Denny and we’ll be here for his surgery. But I’m getting on that plane with you and we’re going to that art gallery together. I would never miss your first showing, or any showing, and to think that you were going to go by yourself really hurt me, Ellery.”
As I stared into his eyes, I could see the hurt in them. What the hell did I do? My eyes started to swell with tears as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry. I just feel so guilty having to go to this showing while someone that I love very much will be having brain surgery. I feel so selfish, Connor, and I didn’t want you to have to make a decision.”
“There was never a decision to be made, honey. I was going with you all along.”
“I’m sorry.” I began to cry.
“Let’s go upstairs and finish getting dressed so we can get to the hospital,” he said as he kissed me on my head and picked me up off the counter.
***
Thanks to the morning New York City traffic, we arrived at the hospital just as the nurse was getting ready to wheel Denny out of the room and into the operating room.
“I didn’t think I’d see you two before I went under the big knife and got my brain cut open,” he said.
“Damn traffic,” Connor said. “We’ll be here waiting for you when you get out, so make it quick.” He smiled.
“Yeah, I’ll try.” Denny smiled back.
After I gave him a kiss on the cheek, I whispered, “You’re strong and you can do this. Remember, I’m out here waiting for you, so you better come back.”
“I will,” he said as they wheeled him down the hallway.
Connor put his arm around Dana and led her to the waiting room. Dana’s family arrived and tried to keep her as occupied as possible. Connor and I left the waiting room and went up to the cafeteria to grab some lunch.
“Are you nervous about tonight?” he asked.
“Yes!” I smiled.
“Don’t be. You’re a very talented artist, and everyone is going to love your paintings.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re my husband.” I smiled and stuck out my tongue at him.
Connor laughed and threw a straw wrapper at me and then he glanced at his watch. “It’s been six hours already since Denny went into surgery. We should get back to the waiting room.”