and be grateful she could hear it.
“Is it gone?” she asked.
“It’s gone, my love. They got it all,” he told her. They’d taken a scan the day before, and yes, they’d gotten it all. They were still concerned, but not necessarily about cancer, and they did warn him that it could come back. But there was no need for Joseph to tell her all of that. For right now, she was alive, she was healing, and she was with him and conscious. That was all that mattered.
“The kids?” she asked.
“They’re all going out of their minds with worry, but that’s good for them,” Joseph said with a smile. “Think of the many, many, many nights they kept us awake worrying about them.”
Katherine smiled as she lightly squeezed his fingers.
“That’s very true, my love.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” he told her.
“How long have I been out?”
“Three excruciating days. You’ve come in and out of consciousness, but this is the most you’ve spoken. And I can see your eyes clearing. I think you’re going to stay with me now.”
“I won’t ever leave you,” she promised him.
“I know you won’t, my love. You are stuck with me for all time and eternity.”
“It’s not stuck when it’s exactly where I want to be,” she assured him.
“It’s not just where I want to be, my darling Katherine, it’s where I have to be.”
“I’m very tired,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open. I want to look at you, take you in . . .”
The nurses had come in while they were talking, and they were taking stats, adding fluids, and giving Joseph some much needed time with his wife, not interrupting them.
“You go ahead and get some rest, Katherine. You’ve run and run your entire life, and it’s okay for you to get some extra sleep for a little while. You know I’ll be right here waiting for you when you wake up. I’ll be here taking care of our family so when you’re healed you can have that job back.”
“I know you will,” she told him. “Now kiss me before I fall asleep.”
“That’s a request I’m more than happy to do any second of the day,” he said with a real smile. He carefully leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers. She sighed as he pulled back. She closed her eyes, a soft smile resting on her lips.
“I feel good, Joseph, I truly feel good,” Katherine whispered.
“I love you,” he said again. She let out another contented sigh. And then she fell back asleep.
Joseph sat at her side, holding her hand while her chest gently moved up and down as she breathed. He’d be happy to sit there for as long as it took. He knew he’d be taking his wife home, and he knew they’d have many, many more years to come.
Chapter Fifteen
“Team, we’re heading out soon. You need to get ready,” Chad said. He looked at the men around him, varying expressions on their faces. Chad’s outfit let them know this wasn’t going to be a fun mission.
“Where?” Eyes asked, always the professional.
“The Andersons,” Chad said with a smirk. “Since you guys are so brilliant and have figured out who your benefactor is, I figured it’s high time you show some respect and meet the man who’s funding this operation.”
“Dammit, Brackish,” Smoke said. “If you weren’t so good, we wouldn’t have to go to some event where we have to wear suits.”
Brackish normally would’ve laughed at that, but he hadn’t felt up to do a whole lot of laughing lately. “I’m not going to complain, but is this really necessary? I don’t feel up to socializing.”
“This isn’t a polite invitation, Brackish,” Chad said before looking at each of the men. “We’re going . . . period.” The men moaned and his gaze sharpened. “Look, this isn’t a fundraiser, or a glad-hand party, this is the Anderson home, and none of us would have this job without them so when Joseph summons us, we go.”
“Copy that,” Brackish said flatly.
Brackish knew he had to pull his head out of his ass. Rubbing elbows with the billionaire club wasn’t his favorite activity on the best of days. It was downright revolting on the worst. But Chad was right that Joseph funded them. Brackish would just have to suck it up.
“Have you spoken to Erin yet?” Sleep asked.
“As shitty a mood as he’s still in, I’d say that’s a resounding no,” Green answered.
“This is my point, once again,