Page 132 of His to Save
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice still thick with sleep.
She smiles and wheels the machine to the far side of my bed. “I have to ask, do you want it to be just you, you and dad, or…” Her eyes ping back and forth between Atlas, Ellis, and me.
My reply is instantaneous. “We’re all family here.”
To Andrea’s credit, her smile never falters. If anything, it grows when Ellis hops out of his chair, crowing like a kid on Christmas morning who just got everything he asked for.
“Family,” he murmurs, dropping unceremoniously back down onto his chair. “I like the sound of that.”
Andrea’s lips tremble as she tries to hold in her laugh.
“Ignore him,” I stage whisper. “He can’t help it.”
She sucks in a deep breath and then slowly exhales it. “Alrighty then, let's get this show on the road.” With quick, methodical movements, she rolls down the blankets that Atlas tucked so tightly around me and lifts my gown, all while making sure to keep the important bits covered.
“Fair warning, this is going to be cold.”
I try my best not to tense up, but I do, because she’s right—it is cold. A sharp hiss escapes me as pain ricochets through my body.
Atlas interlaces his fingers through mine. “You’ve got this, Pip.”
I force myself to unclench my muscles, my body sagging back against the pillow as I exhale.
“Easy now, Nora,” she murmurs, pressing the wand into my abdomen.
Instantly the sweetest whooshing sound fills the room.
“Hear that? He’s got a nice, strong heartbeat.” Tears burn the back of my eyes as I watch James—our little jellybean—on the small screen. “He's doing just fine, dear.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better sound,” Atlas whispers roughly, giving voice to my very thoughts.
“I love you,” I tell him, meaning it with my entire being.
He squeezes my hand before leaning in and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Love you, too, pretty girl.”
“And I love you both,” Ellis says, effectively lightening the moment.
“Well, that’s my cue,” Andrea says, handing me a towel to wipe the goo from my belly.
“Thank you. So much.” I know she’s just doing her job, but the peace and reassurance she gave me is something I’ll be forever grateful for.
Andrea offers me one last smile as she rolls her cart out the door, once again leaving the three of us alone.
“How are you feeling?” Atlas asks, stroking his thumb across the back of my hand.
“Better.” I wince, a fact Atlas doesn’t miss. Ellis either for that matter. “Better mentally,” I amend. “Tired. Hungry. Sore. Thankful. Mostly, I just really,reallywant to go home.”
Atlas brings my hand to his lips and brushes a kiss across my knuckles. “Let me go check on that discharge paperwork, yeah?”
I nod and he stands, heading for the nurses’ station in search of answers.
“Alone at last.” Ellis wags his brows as he leans forward, bracing both arms on his knees. “How are you really feeling?”
“I meant what I said. I feel all of those things. But also… relieved. Thankful. He can never hurt me again.”
“Fucking right,” Ellis growls.
“Guilty,” I hiccup the word out on a sob.
