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“Of course, brother,” Kellan said. “We’ll be here if you need anything.”
Ma smiled, placing her hand on my forehead. “You’ll be on your feet before you know it. And I hear you’re a big fan of my recipes. I’ll whip you up a little something to help get you feeling right as rain.”
“Thank you. Thank you both.” I sincerely meant the words. All the same, I could hardly think through the fear as the O’Leary’s and the nurse left, leaving Connor and me alone.
I was scared, so scared, that he was going to tell me the baby was lost, that he was furious with me for keeping such a secret.
“What’s going on?”
Connor came over and took my hand, smiling warmly.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of the rest of the family. Figured that you’d want to tell them on your own time. But… the baby. It’s fine. Doctor let me know right away that the little one was doing A-OK, not injured at all in the crash.”
I nodded, trying to find words to express the relief running through me in those moments. Nothing came to mind, however, only tears of pure happiness.
“The baby’s fine,” he repeated, making sure the words sank in. “Just fine.”
As the news settled in my mind, Connor brought over a box of tissues. I wiped my tears, the next part of the process settling over me.
“Connor,” I said, having no idea where to go from there. “It wasn’t planned…”
He cocked his head to the side, regarding me with an expression of confusion before throwing his head back and letting out a long, loud laugh.
“Wasn’t planned?” he asked, repeating my words. “Love, did you honestly think that was what I was going to say?” He kept his hand on mine, squeezing it gently in a reassuring manner.
“I had no idea what you were planning to say, to be quite honest.”
He let go of my hand for long enough to ease into a chair next to the bed. Once he was seated, he took my hand again. He sighed, looking away for a moment with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I didn’t know what to think at first. The doctor shared the news that the baby was safe as if I’d already known. Felt like I’d been hit by a damn lorry, to be honest. There was no doubt in my mind that it was good news, though. Not a single bloody doubt.”
He went on. “The more time I had to think about it, the less shocking it became and the more it seemed like a blessing.” Connor sighed once more, glancing away and shaking his head in disbelief. “Knowing the kind of man I am, the stranger it seems as to why I, of all people, deserve a blessing. But here I am, with not just one, but two of them.”
Connor reached forward, placing his hand on my belly.
“It’s all over, Claire. The cartel’s no longer a danger, and Kellan’s taking over the syndicate. You’re safe, and I don’t know about you, but I’m damn ready to start a new life.”
“What kind of life?” I asked.
“One with you and the little one as a part of it. Hell, not just a part of it, the damn centerpiece.” He leaned forward. “Claire, I love you like mad. Never in my life did I think I’d ever say that, make myself open in the way I am right now. But fate brings you strange places, I suppose. So, what do you say? You ready to go on this adventure together?”
I smiled. There was no uncertainty with what I wanted to say next.
“Yes. Let’s do it.”
Connor leaned in, kissing me long and deep.
“I love you,” he said, his voice low.
“And I love you.”
He rose, smiling like I’d never seen him smile before.
“Now, what do you say about letting the uncle and grandma-to-be in on the good news?”
Now it was my turn to smile.
“Let’s do it.”
EPILOGUE II
