Page 39 of Daigo

He had also asked the driver to bring over clothing for both of them. He had made use of the shower and was wearing black sweatpants and a ruby red sweater. His thick dark hair gleamed from the shower.

"The very first time you brought it up," he said patiently. "I told you that I was against it, didn't I? I remember telling you that I can't afford to lose you, that we should wait for you to conceive the normal way."

"What's your point?" she asked, bristling.

"My point is, you got your way, and I agreed to the IVF deal to make you happy." Leaning back in the chair, he crossed his legs at the ankles. "I'd do anything to make you happy. You're carrying multiples with three times the risk of a normal pregnancy. I woke up to find you bleeding and in pain. Do you know how I felt when I was taking you here? Helpless and hopeless.

"I couldn't help you, and I was scared to the bone. I kept thinking that I was losing you. You, Shelby-Anne. I can stand to lose anything or anyone else, except you. So, you're going to bloody well stay in this bed until the doctors say it's safe for you to leave. I bloody well love you so much it scares the crap out of me. So, shut the hell up and get some rest or watch something on TV."

With that, he handed her the remote and rose.

"Where're you going?"

"Out for some air and a smoke. I have my phone." He patted his pocket and reached for his jacket. "I'll be back." With that, he turned and strode from the room.

Huffing out a breath, she stared at the empty space he had just vacated. He was upset. She knew him well enough to know the signs.

She had been so caught up in her own emotions that she had failed to see that he was hurting. He loved her; there was no doubt about that. Sighing softly, she put the remote down and switched her gaze to the window.

The room was large, more like a suite in a swanky hotel. The food was excellent, and so was the service. She had the medical team coming around every few minutes to check her vitals and to find out if she needed something. She had been given a bath and a change of clothes, her own clothes. Her hair was brushed and braided.

The sheets were soft and cozy. An electric fireplace shimmered in the hearth. And her husband had spent the night. He had told her he was staying as long as she was. She was fortunate, the most fortunate woman in the world.

Tammy had told her exactly that when she called earlier.

"Bitch, you have it made. Don't take any of it for granted."

Sighing softly, she slid further down, her eyes captivated by the snow drifting down the windowpane. It was a complete whiteout.

She was about to take up the remote when a nurse bustled in, a smile on her face. "Well, Mrs. Nakano, I'm here to check on you again. How about some nice herbal tea?"

Shelby wrinkled her nose and had the woman laughing.

"I know, honey, you're all tea'd out." The nurse clucked her tongue as she took off the stethoscope that was looped around her neck. "What about some hot chocolate, with a little cinnamon and whipped cream?"

Shelby's eyes lit up. "Now you're talking."

"I'll get right on that," the nurse promised.

"Have you seen my husband?"

"I saw him go through the front door. He might be going for a walk. It's lovely out there, looks like a winter wonderland. Want me to send someone to fetch him?"

"No." She shook her head. "He'll be back soon."

*****

He gave in to the urge for a smoke. He had left the room pissed, had left because he had not wanted to say something he might regret. The pressure and the scare of the night before had pressed down on him. Ignoring the icy chill and the snow still falling slowly from the leaden sky, he walked over to a gazebo tucked in front of a now-frozen stream.

Taking out the case, he flicked it open and selected a thin cigar. Cupping his hands around it, he clicked the lighter and watched as it flickered and came alive. Shoving everything back into the pocket of his jacket, he inhaled the tobacco, his eyes narrowed against the smoke.

Everything was still, as if it were frozen in time. Nature had suddenly gone quiet. It had an eerie kind of beauty that was fascinating. Inhaling the cold, sharp air, he let out a breath and felt the calmness settling over him. He had lashed out at her and hadn't meant to.

But dammit to hell, he had been scared. This was what he had been afraid of when he first laid eyes on her: that he would want her to the point of agony.

That his need for her would surpass anything he had ever experienced.

Tilting his head back, his narrowed gaze took in the almost-white sky. They were in for some more snow, he thought dispassionately. A hell of a way to spend the weekend. He was going to see to it that she took it easy. He would insist that she cut down her time at the store to three or four times for the week. She could bloody well fall in line, or he would do it for her.