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Her eyelids tighten briefly. Her fingers twitch in my hold.
Leaning in closer, I press my lips to her forehead. Then drop them to her ear and whisper, “I’m here, Shell.”
Her fingers curl and wrap around my own. A low groan echoes from her throat.
Hovering inches from her face, I wait for her eyes to open. Wait for her sparkling blues to meet my faded greens. It hasn’t been a full day, but I miss the hell out of those eyes.
Slowly, her lids lift. She blinks and blinks and blinks. Her tongue darts out to wet her lips and she groans. She lifts her free hand and taps her throat.
“I’ll get you water.” I kiss her forehead before untwining my fingers from hers. I pour water from a pitcher into a cup with a straw on the rolling table. Bringing it to her, I bend the straw and press it to her lips. “Small, slow sips.”
She takes one, then another. Licks her lips. Swallows. Parts her lips in a silent request for more. After a few more sips, she releases the straw and nods. I set the cup down and take her hand in mine once more.
“How do you feel?” I whisper-ask as I brush stray hairs from her face. My knuckles graze her cheek and her eyes roll shut as she leans into my touch, a low hum in her throat.
Her eyes open and lock on mine. “Tired,” she says, her voice raw. “Pain.” She inhales deeply before her face morphs. Deep lines mar her forehead. The skin between her brows bunches and tightens. “Where…” Her eyes dart around the room, then circle back to mine. “The baby?”
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I smile. “She’s in the nursery.” My thumb strokes her cheekbone. “Healthy and perfect.” I press the button on the bed and call for the nurse. “When you’re ready, they’ll bring her in.”
Tears rim Shelly’s lower lids before they spill down her cheeks. “She?” I nod and wipe the tears away. “A little girl,” she whispers.
Nurse Tracy wanders into the room. “Did you—” Her eyes dart to Shelly and she smiles. “Glad to see you’re awake, Ms. Reed.” She steps up to the bed and looks over the monitor. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired.” She swallows. “Some pain.”
Nurse Tracy checks the saline bag and IV line. “That’s to be expected.” A soft smile lifts the corners of her lips. “Your body went through a lot today. Let’s raise you up.” She presses a button on the arm of the bed and the bed slowly scoots up. When Shelly is sitting up, but still leaning back slightly, she stops. “Let’s adjust those pillows and get you water.”
Once Shelly is a touch more comfortable and a little more hydrated, Nurse Tracy gives us each a smile, tells us she will page Dr. Webster, and then be back with our baby girl.
I sit on the edge of the bed near Shelly’s legs and retrieve my phone from my back pocket. “Everyone’s been on edge, waiting for you to wake up.” I unlock my phone and open the group chat.
Shelly lays her hand on my thigh as her eyes roll shut for a beat. “They’re probably all freaking out,” she chokes out.
There is no sugarcoating the situation. When I was kicked out of the room as they performed emergency surgery, I sat in front of the door for quite some time. Eventually, I ambled down to the waiting room and spoke with everyone. The shock was evident on each family member and friend’s face, but no one lost it more than Micah.
I’d never seen a man so distraught, but I knew exactly how he felt in the moment. Frightened beyond words. Terrified of what might happen. Helpless because it was out of our hands.
I won’t stress Shelly with all of that right now, but I will tell her. When she has her strength back. When we are home and she has a moment to rest and feel more at ease.
“Yes, they are, but they’ll feel a million times better knowing you’re awake and okay now.” Her hand tightens on my thigh as I type out a text.
Devlyn:Shelly is awake. Waiting for the doctor to arrive. More details soon.
And as suspected before I hit send, my phone blows up with one text after another.
Micah: Thank fuck.
Cora: Give her our love until we see her.
Autumn: Oh, thank goodness.
Nicole: On our way back.
One after another, the texts keep coming. I hold up my phone and Shelly stares at the screen, a small smile forming on her lips. I ignore the messages, lock my phone, and stow it back in my pocket.
And for the next few minutes, while we have alone time, I press my forehead to hers. Breathe her in. Feel her breath on my lips. Feel the weight and heat of her fingers and hand on my leg. I press a gentle kiss to her lips. Then another. Tears blur my vision as I hold her gaze. Emotion clogs my throat.
“I love you, Shelly Reed.” My lips press hers again. “And I never want a day without you.”
