“Everything is fine,” he says with a big smile. “The operation was a success. We fixed his valve and repaired the tissue. Matty was stable throughout the entire process. He’ll be awake in a couple of hours.”
“Oh, thank God,” I shudder with relief.
“We’re keeping him under observation until he’s awake, so you can’t see him just yet. Given his age and his sensitivity, it’s better this way to avoid any risk of infection or future complications,” he adds. “But I just want you to know we’re expecting a full recovery and complete function of his heartgoing forward. He’s going to live a very long and healthy life.”
“Oh, thank God,” I repeat, looking up at the ceiling and hoping that the powers that be can hear me.
Carter comes over and takes me in his arms long before I realize that I’m crying happy tears. “I’ve got you,” he says as the room starts spinning.
“Clara, can you hear me?” Damon’s voice comes through.
I want to tell them that I’m fine. I can almost see them, warm and blurry shapes before my eyes. My heart sings with joy, my body unable to keep up with the enormous relief that drowns me as I realize we’ve finally made it over the greatest hurdle of our lives.
My boy is going to be okay.
I’ll get to see him graduate from high school. Then college. The day will come when his fathers and I will wonder if he’s going to bring his girlfriend home for Thanksgiving.
Oh, the joy of envisioning a future.
32
CLARA
“He’ll be home with us on Monday,” Carter says.
It’s been a week since the surgery, and I’ve been quite busy between the hospital visits and packing our things for the move. Matty was obviously elated to hear that we’ll be living at the mansion, and the idea is certainly sounding better and better to me with each passing day.
“Until then, we’ve got this place all to ourselves,” Damon adds as we bring the last of my boxes into the living room.
“So much space,” I chuckle, checking the side of the box.
Books and bookends. I look up and notice that they added another bookshelf unit to fit my titles. Ever so thoughtful and loving. I can’t get enough of them. Jace comes up from behind and takes me in his arms. Clearly, they can’t get enough of me either. It’s been kind of a honeymoon since the nightmare with Bill ended, and I’ve enjoyed every second.
“You smell like spring,” Jace whispers in my ear.
“That’s cute. I thought I smelled of sweat and exhaustion,” I giggle in his firm embrace.
“I’m loving every whiff,” he says.
His words trickle into my ear, setting off a chain reaction. My skin comes alight, every nerve ending responding to his touch. His fingers trace an invisible line from my ear lobe, then down my bare shoulder, my back and my hip before they dig in and pull me closer.
I feel him hard and ready against my backside.
Carter and Damon approach with hungry looks in their eyes. All I can do is smile as I watch them remove their shirts, then their pants, while Jace peels my tee and jeans off with swift moves.
Before I’m able to take another breath, I find myself heated up and naked between my men, our hands roaming everywhere.
“I’ve missed this,” Carter says as he pulls me into a ravenous kiss.
“Better enjoy it while we still can. Soon enough, we’re going to have two kids running around on the premises, darting every which way,” I laugh lightly.
Damon gently nibbles on the side of my neck. “That’s alright. We’ll figure out a way for this kind of stuff then, too.”
“Oh, Damon,” I moan as he lowers his head and takes my nipple in his mouth.
Shivers trickle down my spine as I surrender to them. My muscles tighten when Carter’s hand finds my pussy hot and slick, my clit swollen and begging for a tumultuous release.
“You’re never leaving our side again,” he says, each word set in stone.
