Blaming him was my gut reaction. I trusted him with my whole world. But we had no idea Hugh was still here. No proof that the threat wasn't gone with James in custody.
“He can't do that. He didn't know. None of us did. I shouldn't have left in the first place. I should've stayed until they were both locked up or confirmed in Montana. It's all on me.”
“Keaton family?” A nurse appears at the door to the waiting room.
“Yes, that's us. Is she okay?” My nerves spark like every ounce of energy I have left depends on her answer.
“I'll bring you back, and the doctor will talk to you.”
Mom's gasp does nothing for my fear.
Following her through the locked double doors, she stops at room three. “You can go in. I'll let the doctor know you're here.”
“Thank you.”
My steps are tentative, not knowing what I'm walking into. So when the first thing I see is her beautiful eyes, open and looking at me, my shoulders drop in relief, and I rush to her bedside, dropping into the chair.
“I needed stitches in my hair.” She reaches up, touching a bandage over the area. “I might have a bald spot. Right here. Where everyone can see it.”
Leaning forward, I kiss her cheek. “Goddess, I don't care if you’re completely bald. I only care that you're still here with me. I have a hole in my cheek, you have a hole in your hairline. That doesn’t make either of us any less. You taught me that, and I’ll make sure you know it too.”
“Excuse me?” A knock on the door draws my attention away from Sophia.
“Hi, Doctor. What can you tell me about my girl?” Settling back into the chair, I take Sophia's hand in mine.
“I can tell you she's one strong woman.” She pulls up another chair, sitting in the chair opposite me on the other sideof the bed. “And because head wounds tend to bleed pretty severely, she needed a transfusion. That's what made her lose consciousness earlier. But now, we get to do something much less scary. We are about to do an ultrasound to check on your baby.”
“We’re going to see our baby?” The smile on my face couldn't be bigger.
The doctor winks at Sophia as a nurse wheels in a machine. “We are. I would have already done this, but our patient here was very… persuasive that we bring you back for it too.”
My goddess smiles up at me, and I realize what could have been the worst day of my life is about to become one of the best.
“Okay, this might be uncomfortable, but make sure you tell me if it hurts.” The machine turns on, and whooshing fills the room as the doc fiddles with a few knobs and dials on the machine. “And… here is your baby.”
The doctor points to a little gummy bear shape on the screen as a steady thrum beats in our ears.
“Is that the heartbeat?” Sophia asks with tears in her eyes.
“Sure is. Strong and healthy. Your body worked hard to keep them safe.”
I can't stop myself. I hop up and kiss her. “That's our baby. We made that together.”
We cry together, watching the screen until the ultrasound is done, and they hand us some photos to bring home.
“You have a room full of people waiting for you. But we don't want you to have too many visitors tonight. We're hoping to discharge you tomorrow,” the doctor tells us.
“I will handle them.” When the doctor leaves, I lean down. “I'll go update them and send them all home. You don’t need visitors tonight.”
“Athena!” she yells suddenly. “Oh my goodness! How did I forget about her? I let her out before everything happened. Is she okay? Did she run away?”
“Liam has her. It must be the pregnancy thing, but she hasn't left Violet's side since they picked her up.”
“Thank goodness. What a mom I am,” she says, chiding herself. “Is Hugh really dead?”
“He is. Adam shot him. He's gone for good, and neither he nor James will ever bother you again. Ryder is on his way. I talked to him while I was waiting for the doctors. You should give him a call.”
She lights up when I give her that news. “Thank you.”
