“I know,” he murmured. “I let you down. We have to talk about this sometime.”
“Not tonight,” she said firmly. “Let me enjoy the peace.”
Nodding, Leo returned to the kitchen. His phone chimed, letting him know someone turned up at his driveway. He opened the door and stood in the warm air as Saint got out of his truck, carrying Ty’s bag.
“Hey, thanks for picking this up,” Leo said, taking the food from him.
“Anytime, brother. How’s she doing?” Saint asked.
“She’s dehydrated and anemic. Her blood pressure remained high, and Doctor Greene said she’d continue to monitor it. They gave her an iron transfusion at the ER, and she’ll continue with infusions over the next five weeks. She’s tired and crabby.”
“How about you?” Saint asked, gazing at him.
“I let her down,” he said softly, gazing into the evening light. “I don’t know Saint. As soon as she told me about this pregnancy, something shifted between us. It’s not only the baby,but it’s also how we’re handling things at home. Chase makes it seem so damn easy, and he has more rugrats than any of us.”
“Don’t compare yourself. Chase has no privacy in his home. Maddie and Joe practically live there to help with the babies. Victoria and Ivan visit at least four times a week with Nick in tow. They’re family, but even they can get on your nerves,” Saint advised.
“I can’t do anything right, damn it,” Leo swore. “My wife’s suffering through a pregnancy she doesn’t want because I didn’t make her my priority. She’s sick because I retreated to the facility and dug my head in the sand while she struggled with three kids and a full-time job. Kit Kat apologized to me because she didn’t get to the laundry after a night from hell with the kids.”
“Then, fix it,” Saint advised. “You’ve taught us all family comes first. Heed your own advice and heal the wounds before we spin up to that hell of a desert and regret everything you didn’t say. She’s your wife, your first partner, and the one who has your six. Catherine will forgive you. You may go big or go home, and you may act crazy like a fool when she’s pregnant, but in the end, you show up,” Saint said, poking a finger in Leo’s chest. “The only easy day was yesterday, brother. Get in there and handle business.”
Leo nodded before returning inside.
“Saint brought dinner. Do you feel like eating?” Leo called.
“Sure,” she said unenthusiastically.
Pouring some of the hot soup into a bowl, he brought it with a pack of crackers. A few minutes later, he returned with a lemon-lime soda with extra ice.
“Thank you,” Kit Kat murmured, noticing he brought her favorites. “Will you stay in here with me?”
He jerked his gaze to meet her wandering eyes. When did they grow so far apart? Didn’t she know he’d die before he left her side? She represented his home and heart.
“Will my food bother you if I set it up on a TV tray on the other end of the couch?” he asked, pushing her tray forward.
“I don’t want to fight,” Kit Kat whispered. “You’ll be leaving soon. After you eat, do you want to cuddle with me?”
“Pick out a movie. I’ll get my food, and then I’ll join you on the couch,” he said, feeling relieved. The small step felt like a giant leap over the Grand Canyon.
“Shall we watch an action movie? If I watch a romantic movie, I’ll start blubbering,” she said, sipping her soup. “Oh, this tastes good, and I think it’ll stay down.”
“Good,” he said, going into the kitchen to put away the rest of the food and fixing his meal.
Kit Kat turned on the TV and surfed the channels until she landed on a comedy. “How about this?” she asked, gazing at him.
“It’s exactly what the doctor ordered,” he said as he cut into his steak.
Setting the remote down, she sipped her soda and ate her soup. When Leo finished eating, he cleaned up their mess and switched out the laundry. They paused the movie long enough to check on the kids. Leo sat against the arm of the couch and placed a pillow in his lap. He patted the spot, indicating for her to lie down.
Sighing, Kit Kat rested her head in his lap and turned toward the TV. Her skin still seemed paler than usual, but Kassie assured him the fluids helped her.
She giggled about something on the TV, but Leo stayed engrossed in her. He stroked her long red hair, feeling her body relax. How did he lose track of the most important person in his life? Between work and the kids, Kit Kat got lost in the shuffle. Guilt, remorse, and regret hit him like a ton of bricks.
Kit Kat turned and yawned. Her big green eyes fell on Leo. “I know you said you’d sleep in the guest room,” she said softly as his heart dropped into his stomach. “Will you please sleep with me? We haven’t shared a bed for an entire night since Grace’s birth.”
“You got it, Kit Kat,” he said softly, barely able to hold back his emotion. “Do you want to finish the movie?”
“Yes, I’m enjoying the quiet,” she confessed.
