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"I did, but it was nothing. I'm good. Really," she said almost breathlessly. Her heart thumped erratically thinking about what just happened. Then her heart fluttered in her chest over Cole’s loving attentiveness to her—just as he’d been three years ago. God, how much she'd missed his touch over these past few years. She couldn’t imagine what her life would be like now without Cole—especially being a single mom to little Mia.
Hope’s heart hammered against her ribs and started to pump hard and fast again thinking about what Cole would do if he found out the truth about what she'd done six years ago. And how much it could affect Mia.
His voice was like silk and smooth and very soothing as he spoke to her. “It’ll be all right.”
God, Cole was being so good to her despite how she ran out on him three years ago. He’d just rescued her from her slumlord and he would be putting her up in his family’s palace. She was overcome with emotion that she’d have a chance to be his fiancée again, though she wished it would be for real this time as it had been in the past.
Cole’s gentle touch sent waves of delight surging through her body. Just then, their eyes locked and she could feel the sexual magnetism between them; it was undeniable. Every time his gaze met hers, her heart practically turned over in response. He still had that magical effect on her after all these years. A quiver surged through her veins as she looked over at Mia, sleeping so soundly as if she didn't have a care in the world. She looked so restful, like a princess in slumber being carefully guarded by soldiers.
"Was Mia all right during the night?" she asked.
"The nurse has been coming in to see her to check her vital signs through the night while you were sleeping. But no worries, I’ve dealt with everything. Her vitals are stable, and her temperature is normal. Thank God. I've already called Brandon and told him what's going on between us and about Mia."
"You told him the truth?"
"Yes, I have. I had to. Haven't slept a wink all night. But I'm glad that you and Mia were able to get some shuteye. I also spoke to Ted, the butler. I’ve asked him to make arrangements to have a two-bedroom suite at the Belmont Palace ready for you and Mia. Since you’ll both be staying there I want you to be comfortable. It's close to Christmas. While you were sleeping I made arrangements for one of the Belmont personal shoppers to get some new clothes and some toys and things for Mia and for you. You should be cozy while you’re staying at the estate."
Hope was stunned beyond belief. Her jaw fell open. She didn't know what to say. She was extremely thankful. Yesterday, she slept with her toddler in a garage apartment, but soon she’d be sleeping in a palace. A lump climbed in her throat at the mere thought.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said with a charming grin.
“Of course not. I’m…speechless, in a good way.” She could never resist Cole’s boyish charm and his sexiness always captivated her but this time she really needed his help and appreciated it.
Oh boy, she was really desperate. She was already skimping on her funds. That's the reason she had to use the food bank. She barely had enough in her bank account as it was for the rent that was coming up. And as much as Jewel, her friend, had been so good to her, helping her out since she lost her job down south, she didn't really want to push the friendship boundaries too much. What would Hope have done if Cole hadn’t rescued her when he did?
Her heart hammered in her chest again. What would his family think of her? Would they all judge her?
Would they all start asking questions about who Mia was? Or why she kept Mia away from Cole and away from the Belmont family all these years? Would they scrutinize her? Or worse, would they probe into her past and into the real reason why she felt she had no other choice but to run away even after learning she was pregnant with Cole's child?
"This is all happening so fast, Cole. But you know something, I’m thankful. I want Mia to have a wonderful Christmas. I want what's best for her. But what are we going to tell your father?"
"Just leave that to me. I'll think of something. He’ll be happy to think we’re back together again—and with a child. But right now, as soon as we get the discharge, we’ll take Mia to the Belmont Palace. She'll be happy there. Aunt Maya will be more than thrilled to have her there and to spend time with her. She's always wanted a little grandniece to take care of and spoil like crazy. That way you and I can start making some decisions about our future."
Hope swallowed hard. She could barely get the lump of emotion to move from her throat. She felt as if her airways were on the verge of being closed off. This was all happening so fast. She drew in a deep breath.
"We have to get all of Mia’s toys out of the apartment soon so she can play with them. She’s so attached to her little things," she said.
"I’ve already thought about that,” he said, comforting Hope. “As much as I want to give my daughter the best of everything, I understand she probably has her own favorite toys, too. Don't worry, Hope. I've thought about everything." He ran his fingers through his hair, looking handsomely, ruggedly tired.
"I’m sorry I didn’t get to have three and a half years with Mia,” he continued. “I just want to do all I can now. Every moment is valuable. I don't want to lose any more precious time with getting to know my daughter."
Hope hugged herself, pondering. She glanced down at the pale cream-colored hospital floor. She bit her lower lip. Cole had a point. But if only he knew the true story—the whole story.
Still, she wasn't going to reveal anything at this time. She’d lovingly go along with playing the fiancée but deep down inside she was wishing it was for real. There was something irresistible about Cole’s dark sexy eyes and his high cheekbones that were so chiseled and perfect that he looked like a GQ cover model. His dark, slicked back hair looked gorgeous and he had the most sexy, irresistible five o'clock shadow she'd ever seen on a man.
To know that he hadn't slept a wink all night. To know that he was up while she and Mia were sound asleep made her insides feel giddy with excitement and appreciation.
He did this all for her—and Mia.
Longing and guilt and hurt tore away at Hope’s insides, making her feel so terrible for having had to hurt him unintentionally a few years ago by not telling him about Mia. But she was so terrified and scared for her life, if only he knew. If only he could know the truth. But she would take it one step at a time. Right now, Mia’s health and safety were the top priorities. And so was having a memorable Christmas for her little girl.
Just then, the nurse, wearing baby blue scrubs with a Disney cartoon character on her pocket, walked into the room. Hope appreciated the way the nurses on the pediatric floor always wore colorful, fun scrubs for the children who were patients there. Mia really had fun looking at the characters on the other nurse’s uniform when she came to take her temperature before they’d fallen asleep last night. She also appreciated that parents were allowed to sleep in the room with their child.
Cole gave Hope the cot by the bedside while he said he’d soldier it on the floor. He said he’d had worse conditions when he’d gone out in the wilderness with his dad as a teen. And being a fit, muscular gym fanatic, he told her he’d be fine on a solid surface.
"Everything’s looking fine so far," the nurse said to Hope and Cole.
"Good. What time will the doctor be around to see my daughter?" Cole asked anxiously.
The words “my daughter” coming from Cole’s lips overwhelmed Hope’s senses in a good way. It felt oddly so right for him to call Mia his daughter, even though he'd only known her for less than twenty-four hours. Hope’s heart felt as if it had been wrapped in a warm blanket of confidence hearing Cole’s sensitive, caring and loving words towards Mia. Just the way he said “my daughter” in a low, soft fatherly tone sent tingly shivers of delight down her back.
The earthy, manly scent of his cologne wafted to her nostrils and brought back fond memories of their time together in the past. He wore the same cologne he'd worn a few years ago when they'd started dating at the office—after she’d completed her internship and had been hired by the Belmont Corporation.
The sweet memories came flooding back. Oh, how Hope missed Cole so much and how she longed for them to be a family one day—if only.
"The doctor will be making his rounds at about eight o'clock this morning. I'm sure everything will be fine and you can leave with Mia. He’ll let you know what the results are from the chest x-ray."
"Thank you for everything, nurse," Hope said.
"No worries. Actually," the nurse said, while checking Mia’s blood pressure with the blood pressure machine at the bedside, "as soon as I’m done with her vital signs I can help you get her ready for the day. We can give her a bath in the private bathroom over there." She gestured toward the en suite bathroom by the far right side as she gently wrapped the navy-blue cuff around Mia’s tiny arm. Mia lay on the bed in her blue hospital gown, tucked underneath the sheets with Teddy by her side. The brown fluffy bear, clad in a pink t-shirt, had the name Bailey on it.
