other charges. The list could go on.’’
“So he won’t be out? There’s no chance he can get bail and come and get me? Or go to court and have people after me again to stop me from being a witness?’’ I breathe out, my heart beating rapidly against my chest that it starts to hurt.
“No baby,’’ he tells me, running his hand over my hair.
“Thank God,’’ I tell him, and then feel my eyes water once again. “Sorry. God, my eyes are leaking again,’’ I moan.
“It’s okay. Little bit of tears never hurt anyone,’’ the nurse tells us handing me a tissue. “I’m glad they have the bloke. I’m friends with Hannah’s mother. She hasn’t been to work for a while though and can’t say I blame her. I wish you all the best,’’ she tells me then looks over to Mason. “Look after her, you’ve got a special one here.’’
“I plan on it,’’ he smiles, his eyes fixated on me.
“Good. I’ll let you get changed in privacy. You can leave whenever you’re ready.’’
“Thank you.’’
She nods her head giving us one more smile before leaving the room, leaving Mason and I alone.
“Your Nan and Dad brought you some spare clothes. You can shower now or you can wait until we get home. I already told Mav to tell everyone to go home, that you need to shower and rest.’’
“Hope they didn’t take it badly,’’ I cringe. “I honestly just want a shower, get all this grime off me and then have a relaxing bath.’’
“Then a shower and bath is what you shall have,’’ he bows, making me giggle.
“I want it hot and with lots of bubbles,’’ I grin.
Back at the house Maverick walks Mason and I up to our door. Turning around as Mason opens the door, I look up at Maverick.
“Thank you for being there for Mason,’’ I whisper not able to look at him in the eye.
“Hey, I wasn’t just there for, Mason, Denny. I was there because I wanted you home safe and sound. Don’t ever think that just because you’re carrying our niece that, that is the only reason we want you here with our brother. You’re good for him. We love having you in our family. Please take care of yourself,’’ he tells me, leaning in to give me a kiss on my forehead. Mason comes up behind me as another tear slips down my face.
“Come on, let’s get you in the bath,’’ Mason rumbles, nodding his head to his brother. Maverick gives me another soft smile and although we’ve not gotten to speak like I have with the others, I still feel like we’ve connected. I’m lucky to have been brought into the fold so quickly and so lovingly. I don’t feel like a burden to them like I have my whole life with my mother and father.
I feel like things are finally going to change.
“Okay,’’ I nod, giving Maverick a small smile before turning and heading inside. Mason talks to Maverick for a few more minutes while I make my way up the stairs, my feet carrying me right into the nursery. My eyes drift over to the cot as more tears spring to my eyes.
Strong arms wrap around me and I lean into his strength, loving that I got to have this chance.
“Want to talk about it?’’ he whispers.
“Mason, I was so scared. So freaking scared and the whole time all I could wonder was if I’d ever get to see you or our baby girl, would I be able to keep her safe. What if I had died, if he had killed me? You would have been sitting here saying goodbye to both of us,’’ I choke out, finding it hard to breathe.
“Baby, there is nothing that would have stopped me looking for you. I’m just sorry I didn’t find you sooner. Sorrier than you’ll ever realise, Angel. You and our girl mean the world to me.’’
“You both mean the world to me too,’’ I tell him, turning my head to look at him. “When I was down there I realised we haven’t even spoke about girl names. I sat there and I realised if I died our baby wouldn’t have a name. We could have died and you wouldn’t have had a name on her grave,’’ I cry, turning and using Mason to lean on.
“Hey, please don’t Denny. Please, don’t ever think like that.’’
“What do you think of Hope?’’
“Hope as in...’’
“A name,’’ I smile. “It’s all I had to hold