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I nodded, and my eyes closed again. Darkness lulled me back into its depths every time I struggled to stay awake. I’m not sure how long I was out of it, but I eventually started feeling better.
“Ben?” I whispered as I awoke this time. I wanted to see my son and know that he was alive and well. She’d told me he was okay, but I needed to see it for myself.
That gorgeous smile of hers shot my way. “Ace… welcome back, stranger.”
I smirked at her. “You’re beautiful, you know that, right?”
“It’s just the meds talking.” She winked at me playfully.
“No, I’m serious. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I need you to marry me. If I could, I’d get down on one knee right now, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll be getting back up.”
She shook her head, waving me off. “Shhh… we don’t have to talk about it now.”
“Yes, we do. Promise me. Promise me you’ll say yes.” I demanded it of her, no backing down. Damn it, I was going to marry her.
She raised her brow at me like she doubted it. “Will you relax if I say yes?”
I wheezed when a chuckle slipped loose. “Only if you actually follow through with it.”
The door to my hospital room creaked open, and Ben’s dark head popped through. “Is he awake yet, Mama?”
She nodded with a tearful smile. “Yeah, baby. Come say hi to Dad.”
“Dad…” His eyes watered. “I thought we would lose you. I was so scared. So was Mama.”
I smiled at him, lifting my arm so he could crawl up on the bed beside me. “Aww, bud. I wouldn’t let anyone take me from you, now that I’ve found you. Can you do me a favor?”
He nodded, his smile wide. “I just asked your mom to marry me. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes!!!!” He shouted before turning to Anna. “Tell him yes, Mama. I want Dad to live with us all the time. He makes you happy. He’s made you happy ever since he’s been home.”
She reached over and pushed a piece of hair out of Ben’s face before I spoke again.
“I couldn’t agree more, bud. I like making your mama happy.” The pair of them made all the pain and agony I was feeling dissipate slightly.
His eyes lit up. “If you and Mama get married, will I get a brother or sister?”
Anna’s eyes widened immediatelym and I couldn’t help but laugh. “How about this… your mama and I will talk about it.”
Savannah and Hutch stuck their heads in the door about half an hour later. Savvy had a big get well balloon, and Hutch was mandated to hold the flowers. “Good to see you’re awake, man.” Hutch said first. “Yeah, you had us worried for a little while there.” Savannah added.
Ben piped up. “My mama and Dad are gonna get married! He just asked her. They may have more kiddos like me, too.”
“Oh, really?” I could tell Savannah was trying really hard not to laugh.
I narrowed my eyes on her. “You hush.”
“Annagayle Marie Rafferty, babe. You never answered my question. I do believe I’m waiting for an answer. You going to let me finally share my last name and adopt our kid?”
“Okay… yes.”
“She said YESSSSS,” Ben yelled, and we had to shush him. The bouncing and jumping thing he always did was coming back. So much enthusiasm in such a small body.
* * *
The hospital keptme for another day so the physician could make sure I was good to go. Finally, I was allowed to go home. My vitals had stabilized, and my wound was healing with no signs of infection.
Anna came in and watched as the nurse changed my bandages before I was discharged. She was going to have to help me with it for a while until it healed more. Lucky for me, I was marrying a nurse!
The doctor instructed me not to exert myself in any way. Yeah… not with my now fiancé. We needed to celebrate the joyous occasion as much as possible and in every room of the house.
A little while later, Anna came back to check in, and I grabbed her hand. “You know what I’m thinking?”
“No, what?”
“Binding Ties may hold us together, but love will keep us going. I want to bind myself to you spiritually, mentally, and physically with everything I have in me. I can’t wait to marry you, Anna.”
“Who says we have to wait?”
Fuck, did I love this woman.
