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His words shocked her. "You can't stay here."
"Is there some rule that says I can't?" he challenged.
"Well, I don't know, but you don't need to do that."
"You need to be here in case Leo needs you, and I need to be here in case you need someone, which you will."
"I won't."
"Yes, you will. You'll need a break at some point, and you won't want to leave him alone, so I'll stay until someone kicks me out."
She looked into his eyes, bemused by his words, his fierce, caring tone. "We broke up a couple of hours ago, Decker."
"This isn't about that. I care about you and Leo. The rest of it is another thing," he said with a wave of his hand. "Let me be here for you now."
Now wasn't as good as forever, but she was still touched by his generosity. "All right. I wouldn't mind using the restroom and washing my face, maybe getting some coffee."
"Go. I will text you if anything changes."
"Get the nurse if anything changes and then text me."
"Done."
Chloe had only been gone about five minutes when Hannah came into the room wearing nursing scrubs.
"How's our boy?" she asked.
"Asleep," Decker replied. He'd been standing at the bed watching over Leo from the minute Chloe had walked out of the room. He seemed to be breathing normally, although there was a flush to his cheeks.
"That's good. He needs rest. Where's Chloe? Was she upset that I reached out to you?"
"No. She just went to the restroom and to find some coffee."
Relief entered her eyes. "Oh, good. I was going to give her a break myself, but I just have a few minutes. I'm on duty downstairs."
"Chloe is staying the night, and so am I."
"I'm glad. She shouldn't be alone right now." Hannah paused. "I wasn't sure you'd come, Decker. Chloe told me you broke up earlier. But she didn't want me to call any of our friends, and I didn't want her to be alone."
"I'm happy you got in touch. I wouldn't want her to go through this alone."
"Me, either. Chloe has had to go through so many things alone."
"Leo is going to be all right, isn't he?"
Hannah nodded. "I checked with the nurse, and his temperature has already come down since he was admitted. The infection should respond well to the antibiotics. He should be able to go home in the morning."
"That's a huge relief."
"These things can come on suddenly, or they're brewing in the background, and aren't visible until the fever spikes. Chloe is beating herself up about not noticing Leo was sick earlier, but it hasn't been long. She got him here right away. Leo will be fine."
He felt better hearing the words come from Hannah, who, in his short experience with her, always seemed to tell the truth, no matter how difficult it might be to hear.
"Tell Chloe I'll check in before I go home for the night." Hannah hesitated, giving him a thoughtful look.
He sighed, sensing there was a tough question coming. "Just say what you want to say."
"When are you going to realize you're in love with Chloe?"
