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“I hope so.”
“My dad told me that I win. I’ll win this, too.”
“Sounds good.” I couldn’t help reaching out to touch his face. He had shaved that morning, but there was already a light smattering of stubble on his strong jaw. His green eyes were clear and intense. “I know we have a lot to talk about.” His thumb rubbed back and forth over the top of my hand and I never wanted him to let go. I needed him so much… for no other reason than I loved him. I wanted to be close to him, I wanted Remi to grow up having her dad, but I needed him like I needed air.
“Yes. I love you.”
“That, and Remi to get better is all I need.” He lifted my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist.
A knock at the door signaled a nurse’s entry just seconds before the door slid open. “Okay, Mr. Forrester, we’re almost ready for you.”
“I was thinking maybe I should just get that local thing, instead, nurse. I want to be awake for my daughter.”
The nurse shot him a skeptical look. “No you don’t. Trust me. Those needles are more like sharp pipes.”
I agreed with the nurse. I didn’t want him to feel any more pain than necessary. “Chase, Dr. Radar said we can’t see Remi for a few days anyway.”
“I know, but I want to be up there close to her.”
“You’ll be awake in few hours.” I tried to comfort him.
“But—” he started to argue.
“Chase Forrester. Shut up and take your medicine,” I admonished with a raised eyebrow, which was met with a smile and a squeeze of my hand.
The nurse held up a small syringe. “This will relax you and you might feel drowsy. It’s not the main juice. You’ll get that in the O.R.” She quickly inserted the needle into the IV port. “Okay, I’m off to hear the nurses blather on and on about this famous soccer star! It’s all they can talk about.” She moved to the door and pushed it open, shooting a smile in Chase’s direction. “Good thing I’m not a fan of soccer.” She left and the door shut.
“Kiss me,” Chase demanded. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all morning.”
I didn’t hesitate and moved closer to press my mouth to his. He opened to me, and his tongue sought mine, both of his hands coming up to cup the sides of my face. It was sensuous and delicious.
When I pulled back, Chase’s eyes drooped. “Holy fuck.” He blinked, trying to keep his eyes open. “That shit is fast,” he mumbled, his head lolling to one side as he fell asleep. “Love… you.”
I brushed the hair back off of his forehead, lovingly. There were two faces I could stare at until the end of time, and his was one of them.
The door slid open a bit and the funny nurse popped her head in. “Is he out?” She smiled brightly.
I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t been this at ease in years. “Yep. Like a light.”
“Good.” She pushed the doors wide and came in to push a lever at the bottom of the bed with her foot. A tall male nurse followed her in and the two of them started to maneuver the bed out of the small room. “He’ll be back in here for recovery. The procedure won’t take more than an hour and half once we begin. He’ll be fine and awake in no time. You’re welcome to wait.”
“Thank you. I think I will.” I pulled out my phone to text Jensen, asking him to let Roma and Frank know that I was staying where I was until Chase was awake and to keep me updated about Remi because I could be up there in literally five minutes.
My heart swelled with hope for the first time in what felt like forever. The future seemed brighter and I was looking forward to good things to come. I had to embrace Chase’s confidence that Remi would make a complete and full recovery. For the first time, I felt like it could happen. Really happen. After all, my baby girl was about to receive the stuff of champions.
CHASE
Son of a bitch!
I couldn’t open my eyes, but already, my entire pelvis and lower back were on fire.
“Chase.” I heard Teagan’s voice in a sort of fog and her soft hand stroked the side of my face. I struggled to open my eyes but it was as if they were weighted down with lead. My body wanted to sleep, but my mind wanted to wake up. “I’m here with you.”
I reached for the hand on my jaw and held it. “Remi?” I managed to mumble. “How’s Remi? Did she get it yet?” I didn’t try to open my eyes again but reached out, hoping Teagan would take my hand. I was rewarded instantly when she held it in between both of hers. The familiar scent of her perfume wafted around me, a pleasant replacement from the sterile smell of the hospital. The antiseptic one that always smacked you in the face the second you walked through the front door, and only got stronger as you moved further in. Everything reeked of it.
“She has, babe. They took it up right away. Jensen has been upstairs with her the whole time so I could be here with you.” She paused for a second. “I mean, he can’t be with her exactly, but he’s up on her floor so he can keep us informed of what is going on. We just have to wait now.”
I nodded and swallowed. My mouth was desert dry and my head was laden with remnants of the anesthesia fog. I needed water. “May I have a glass of water?”
