Fair Lakes Series Box Set - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,214

home and get some rest? I’m fine.” The pregnancy has been draining her energy; she needs her rest.

“No. If you’re here, I’m here. Harrison knows I’m not leaving you.”

“Then get in here with me.” I manage to scoot over to give her some room with minimal movement to my leg. Not that I can feel it anyway.

“They’re releasing you in the morning. The only reason they kept you was because you were brought into the emergency room and it was late when the surgery was over. I’ll be fine, just rest. I need you better.”

“Gabby, get your cute ass in this bed. You’re exhausted, and so am I. I’ll be able to sleep with you in my arms.” I know I’ve got her. She wants me to rest, I can see it. I watch her as she toes off her shoes and sits on the edge of the bed. She lies down facing me, and she looks as though she’s about to fall off the bed.

“Come here, baby,” I whisper. Holding my arm in the air, she slowly moves to align her body with mine. I wrap my arm around her and reach for her, but the IV limits my movement. Instead, I use the arm that’s around her to pull her as close as I can get her.

“I was so scared, Chase.” Her voice is soft and I feel her words down to my soul.

“It was just a freak accident. I’m going to be fine.” My fingers run through her hair. It’s so damn soft.

“I know, but you were late, and you’re never late, and you didn’t reply to my messages or my calls, then Colton tried and you didn’t answer him. I knew… I could feel it that there was something wrong.”

“I’m sorry. I left my phone at the gym. It was in my hand when I tripped, and honestly, I’m not exactly sure where it went.”

“I just had all these things running through my mind. I just got you, and now the baby, I can’t do this without you.”

“Hey.” I wait for her to look up at me from where her head is resting against my chest. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” Her mouth tilts up at the corner and her head settles back into what I like to call her spot. I continue to run my fingers through her hair. Eventually, her breathing evens out and I know she’s asleep. Only then do I let myself succumb to exhaustion.

A few hours later, I wake to find Colton and Milo sitting in the chair next to my bed. Gabby is still curled up to my side, my arm holding her close.

“Gave us a scare, brother,” Colton says, keeping his voice low. He nods toward Gabby. “She was pretty torn up.”

I nod. “Yeah, I can’t imagine how I would have been if the roles were reversed.” Honestly, I don’t want to think about it. I want to put her and our baby in a bubble and protect them from life, but I know that’s not feasible.

Milo whines and Gabby stirs. Turning her head, she looks up at me. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

I don’t tell her my ankle hurts like hell. “I’m good. You get rested?”

She nods and sits up. “Hey, sweet boy,” she coos to Milo. Before I can stop her, not ready to let her go yet, she’s out of bed and disappears into the small bathroom. A few minutes later, she comes back out, looking more awake and has her eyes set on our nephew. “Did you sleep good for Daddy?” she asks him, taking him from Colton’s arms.

“Tell Aunt Gabby you slept six whole hours.” Colton smiles at his son.

She freezes. “Aunt Gabby,” she whispers. She looks to me, and her eyes are welling with tears. “All this time, I thought he was your son, and I was prepared to raise him with you, and then we found out he was your nephew, and I was glad he was going to remain close to you, close to us.” She snuggles him close. “Aunt Gabby loves you,” she whispers softly.

My mind flashes forward to a few months from now. Gabby standing in our kitchen, holding our son or daughter. She’s going to be an amazing mother and I can’t wait to live this life with her. I can’t wait to watch her grow as our baby develops, the late nights, the early feedings, all of it. I want all of it, with her.

My