“Thank you so much. It means more to me than I can say.”
“You’re welcome.”
“No, really. Best. Aunt. Ever.”
“I’ll always be here.”
He looks back down at the twins and lets go of my hand.
Chapter 33
Jaxon
My heart still stutters in my chest as I follow Holly back to the changing room. She grabs her shirt and purse, when I hold my hand out to carry it and tell her to follow me. I take her down the hall to the private rooms the doctors use to catch some rest. There’s an overhead lamp on, but the rest of the room is darkened as I shut the door.
“Come here, Sweetheart,” I whisper, dropping her purse on the chair before pulling her into my arms.
I breathe in the scent of her hair, allowing the familiarity of her floral shampoo to ground me as I shudder against her. My adrenaline is crashing, and I know she’s just as emotionally spent.
“Thank you.”
“I’m just so happy we were able to save them all. I was scared there for a little bit.”
“Were you guys able to stop the bleeding?”
I shake my head and sigh, resting my chin atop her head.
“No… We had to take it.”
Holly gasps and cries again for her friend. I don’t know how there are any tears left in her.
“Do we know if anyone has called either of their parents?”
“Jane and Ava were on it.” She sniffles. “Thank goodness.”
“You guys are all quite the team.”
“Yeah, we are.”
“What you did for Colin and Sydney with those babies, though? That was incredible, Holly.”
“I love them.”
“It shows. Damn near had my heart bursting out of my chest.”
Holly pulls back from me, turns, then yanks off the gown before adjusting her sports bra. When she turns sideways to grab her shirt, my eyes travel down her belly, and I imagine it swollen with my child. Holy hell,mychild.
I sense the air change between us. We haven’t even spoken the words yet. She notices my gaze and pulls her shirt over her head, covering herself from me. I don’t like it. She looks conflicted.
“Talk to me.”
“I’m so tired.”
“I know, but I need to know what’s going on in your head.”
“My best friend just almost died, and Colin temporarily checked out. I was nervous I’d be moving in next door to help take care of twins. I can’t think beyond that right now.”
“Holly.”
