“Come back to me, baby,” Abel begged, squeezing Nellie’s hand.
Nellie had only been out for two days, but it felt like a lifetime to Abel. The doctors had warned him that the longer she stayed comatose the chances of her coming out of it and the baby’s chance of survival, even if Nellie did come out of it, decreased dramatically. She’d given him hope yesterday when she’d begun to react to Abel begging her to come back, but then she gasped and fell right back into it. Ever since then, Abel had refused to leave her side for longer than a few minutes at a time.
Hector had even flown their mom out to be by his side yesterday, because he’d been so concerned. It’d been one of the few times Abel had stepped out of the room since he’d seen some life in her. “You need to eat something, Abel.”
“I’m not hungry, Mom.”
“Hector says you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. He’s very worried about you. Worried about what you’ll do if she . . .”
The very suggestion, even if unsaid, had pissed him off. He didn’t even want to think it. He wasn’t giving up hope, especially seeing that she’d made an effort to come back. Convinced now that even she didn’t know she was pregnant or she would’ve said something to him, he was certain that the effort she’d made to come back was for him and their baby because he’d been whispering it in her ear nonstop.
Her parents and Roni had all sat with her for hours, and none had gotten even the slightest reaction from her. Abel had now become a permanent fixture by her side and would stay there until she opened her eyes.
With his head down as he held her hand, he prayed hard, forcing himself to not do it angrily—bitterly.
“Abel?”
His heart nearly stopped and he jerked his head up. Her voice was hoarse and frail, and her face scrunched, looking as agonized as he’d felt this whole time. “Don’t talk, baby.”
Glancing up at a stunned-faced Hector who was on his feet suddenly, Abel stood now too. “Get the nurse!”
Hector rushed out of the room as Abel soothed Nellie’s hair, completely choked up. “You came back to me,” he whispered, the tears already running down his face as he kissed her hand over and over. “You came back to me.”
~*~
Roni told Nellie that she’d never look at Abel the same way again. Days after coming back to him, as Abel liked to say she did, they were in her hospital room, packing up Nellie’s things, and Roni was talking about it again.
“Noah said he’d never seen this side of Abel. I don’t think even Hector had seen this side of his brother. My God, Nellie, as terrified as I was that you might not make it, I was more scared for him than myself. For someone who’s so damn reserved, he held nothing back. Even before we knew you were in the hospital, we all saw the desperation in his eyes, and once we found out, he just fell apart.”
It almost hurt Nellie to imagine what he must’ve gone through. The last thing she remembered before passing out at the hotel was thinking he’d been seriously injured, and that had nearly ripped her heart out. She couldn’t even imagine being told he might not make it.
Finding out where she was and why was a big enough shocker, but finding out she was pregnant was a surprise that she still had mixed feelings about. The baby seemed to be doing well as far as the doctors could tell, but it’d be weeks until they found out if it’d suffered any damage. Abel, on the other hand, was ecstatic and very optimistic that the baby would be just fine.
Before Nellie could respond to Roni, Abel was at the door with a big smile. “You ready to go home?”
“Yes,” she smiled back. God was she ever.
Roni gave Nellie a quick side look, and Nellie knew what she was thinking: Thank God he hadn’t heard her. The nurse had already given her all her take home instructions for the rest of her recovery. One of the biggest things they harped on was rest and no stress. Abel was already making sure of it. The doctor had suggested maybe hiring some in-home care for the first week so that she could stay in bed as much as possible.
Abel wouldn’t hear of it. He said he’d wait on her hand and foot himself. Already, he wasn’t letting her lift a thing. He reached for the small duffle bag that she was holding.
“Abel, I think I got this.”
He gave her a look lifting an eyebrow, and she grudgingly handed it over.
Roni laughed. “Oh, she’s a stubborn one, Abel. I think you’re gonna have your hands full all week.”
“It’s what I’m most looking forward to.” He winked, moving out of the way so they could exit first.
~*~
Hector, who’d flown back to Los Angeles the day Nellie had woken up, was waiting for them at the airport. No one had heard from Abel since the fight. Even Andy didn’t know where he was. Abel wasn’t over being irritated with Andy just yet. Noah had told Andy the only thing Abel had allowed him to: that he was taking time off and to reschedule any appearances or interviews he had for the next few weeks. As far as he knew, no one but the immediate family had a clue where he and Nellie were or that Nellie had even been in the hospital. He was planning on keeping it that way for a while. The only other person he’d told was Felix when he called to check on Abel. Felix immediately offered his private jet so they wouldn’t have to fly commercial and deal with the pain-in-the-ass paparazzi at the bigger airports.
Now that the pool house was fully remodeled, Abel brought Nellie home with him. She’d be recovering there since he lived in a gated community and his home was far more private and secluded than hers. With the scandal still going strong, he was certain the paparazzi were already camped out on her street. He wasn’t having it.
They reached his house, and Hector pulled all the way to the back so Nellie wouldn’t have to walk far.
“So I never got the story,” Hector said to Nellie as he and Abel began unloading the trunk. “What were you doing in Henderson?”
Abel already knew. She’d told him she’d gone there to get away from the media, but they hadn’t discussed why she hadn’t trusted that he wouldn’t be upset with her. He hadn’t wanted to go there with her yet. He did have every intention of asking her later, because this media crap wasn’t going to go away, especially now that he’d won. He didn’t want any more issues arising because of the media attention, so he needed to get a few things straight with her. And once word got out that she was pregnant, they’d be all over it—the disrespectful vultures—no doubt raising the question of whether the baby was his or Sam’s.
Even with the photos of her entering Sam’s hotel room and of them kissing that night, he never even considered the possibility. He had blind faith in Nellie now. He wouldn’t even entertain the idea that this baby was anyone else’s but his. The very thought that anyone might suggest so had him grinding his teeth already.
Nellie glanced at Abel for a moment before addressing Hector’s question. “I needed to get away. Andy said I’d be mobbed.” She turned to Abel, her expression a bit worried. “But even then I was willing to deal with the press, until Andy told me how disgusted you were with me and that you really didn’t want me there—”
“He told you that?” Hector and Abel spoke at the same time, and they each sounded equally revolted.
Nellie glanced back and forth from them, looking confused. “Well, yeah, with the scandal being out of control, he said it was best if I stayed away from you.”
Feeling his insides go straight to a boiling point, Abel saw red. “That son of a—”
“So all this,” Hector asked, pulling out his phone, “might’ve been avoided—you ending up in the hospital and my brother nearly losing his mind—because this fucker told you to stay away and he said Abel didn’t want to see you?”
Nellie stared at Hector, her eyes widening, and Abel remembered the doctor’s orders—no stress. “It’s cool, babe.” He slipped his hand into hers in an attempt to appear calm. “I never said I didn’t want to see you, but everything’s fine now.”
“Andy, where you at?” Hector spoke into his phone a bit deliberately, though Abel could tell he was making an effort to mask his anger. “Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine. He’s just taking a break. But he wanted me to go over some things with you. Can you meet me at 5th Street right now?” He paused for a second.” Cool, see you there in a few.”
Hector glanced down at the bags on the floor. “You got this, Abel?”
“Yeah, I got it,” Abel said.
Hector kissed Nellie on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re better.” Then he turned to Abel. “Don’t worry about Andy,” he said, waving his phone at him, already walking away. “I’ll take care of him. You wanted his ass fired anyway, right?”
Abel nodded, a little worried about what exactly his hothead brother had in mind. “Yeah, but hey . . .” Hector turned around to look at him, still walking backwards. “Don’t get arrested.”
Hector smirked. “I gotta fly out to Maryland with Charlee tomorrow. She’d kill me if I got locked up.” He wiggled his fingers in the air. “Might have a few bruised knuckles on our trip, but I won’t get arrested.”
Nellie turned to Abel. “He’s not really gonna fight Andy, is he?”
Despite his insides still being lit, Abel had to laugh. “Are you kidding me? Hector will be lucky if he gets two jabs at Andy before the guy goes down. You have seen my brother’s left hook, haven’t you?” Her beautiful eyes opened wider, and Abel smiled, kissing her. He didn’t mean to upset her. “Don’t worry, babe. That’s why he asked him to meet him at 5th Street. There’s an onsite first response guy at all times and a ton of first aid kits. They’ll ice Andy and clean him up a little before throwing him out on his ass.”
He wouldn’t mention that it was a good thing Hector was taking care of this and not him. If it were Abel, Andy’s life would be in serious risk. He didn’t need to worry her about what he might do to the guy if he ever saw him again.
Once in the house, Abel led her straight to the bedroom where she’d remain for the rest of the week. He fluffed up her pillows and pulled up the comforter. “There you go, princess. That’s your place for the rest of the week.”
“I can rest on the sofa, too, you know. I don’t have to stay in bed all week.” Abel lifted a brow, his smile dissolving. “Okay, okay,” she said, slipping off her shoes and climbed in. “Mmm,” she said as she lay down. “If I’d known how comfortable your bed was, I wouldn’t have argued.”
Abel covered her and then lay down next to her. “Speaking of my bed,” he said, taking her hand, “with a baby on the way now, we need to discuss our living arrangements. I don’t want you and the baby living away from me. This place is a good size for a bachelor, but I don’t think it’s gonna cut it for a family.”
“You can move in with me,” she offered with a smile.
It amazed Abel that just a week ago he’d been afraid to mention wanting to be exclusive and now they were talking about moving in together—being a family.
“I wouldn’t mind your place, but it’s way too accessible to the public.” He played with her fingers. “It’s one thing for them to follow us around and try to get photos. Even that I don’t have much patience for. But this is my kid we’re talking about now. “He touched her belly softly, feeling a knot in his throat already, and he hoped this emotional wussy shit would pass soon, because it was getting ridiculous. “My ass would end up in jail so fast if they messed with this little guy or girl.”
There was a knock at the front door, and Abel already knew who it was. He was surprised it took her this long. “That,” he laughed, pointing toward the door as he got up, “is another reason why we can’t live here.” He shook his head. “I love my mom, but she can be a little on the overbearing side. And soon,” he lowered his voice, “there will be another one just like her living in that front house. My aunt’s moving in next month.”
Abel saw her try to smile without reaction, but he didn’t miss the way her eyes widened. He’d get his mom in and out ASAP because now that he knew Nellie didn’t object to moving in with him, he could really talk to her about his other plans.
~*~
Of course, Abel had been right. It was his mom and she came bearing gifts. Freshly made sopa de fideo was the first. She said it was easy on the stomach in case her appetite wasn’t one-hundred percent yet and she used the pasta shaped as letters. “It was Abel and Hector’s favorite when they were kids.” She smiled as she set the tray with the bowl of sopa in front of Nellie. “But even now Hector still asks for his sopa all the time. Charlee even asked me to show her how to make it. It’s very easy.” She lifted her brows at Nellie.
Nellie smiled knowingly. “It was one of my favorites growing up, too, Mrs. Ayala. My mom taught me and my siblings early on how to make it.”
Mrs. Ayala waved her hand in front of her. “Oh, no, I told you already. It’s Carolina, but you can call me Caro.”
Smiling, Nellie nodded and glanced up at Abel, who was leaning against the doorway watching them with a cautious smile. Caro sat down on the bed next to Nellie and touched her forehead. “How are you feeling? You look a lot better.”
“I feel a lot better.” Nellie nodded.
“Mijo,” Caro looked around then up at Abel, “I meant to bring a box I had for Nellie, but I must’ve left it on the kitchen counter when I grabbed the sopa. If it’s not there, then maybe it’s in my room on my dresser. Go get it and bring it to me, por favor.”
Abel started off, and Caro seemed to wait until she heard the front door close. She reached into the front pocket of her apron and pulled out a small box. “He’s not gonna find it, but I wanted a moment alone with you.” Caro smiled and looked down at the box in her hand. “My late husband had only one brother. Like my sons, they were very close. My husband was the older of the two and also the first to fall in love. My mother-in-law, who’s also passed now, sat me down one day after I’d been dating her son for some time and told me she knew I owned her son’s heart. She’d waited until she was sure and gave me this.”
Caro tugged at the heart-shaped stone pendant hanging around her neck. “It’s Fire Agate. I personally don’t believe that gemstones have healing powers or promote well-being, but she was one of those people who did, and she said this particular stone was supposed to deflect ill wishing and harm.” Caro waved her hand in front of her with a smirk. “But she also said it represented her son’s heart. She’d waited until she was certain I owned his completely and wanted me to have it. She said her mother-in-law had done the same with her. She later gave one to my sister-in-law when my brother-in-law fell in love. I really liked the gesture and always said I would do the same one day.”
Caro opened the small box with two heart-shaped stone pendants much like hers on chains. She pulled one out and smiled. “I bought these years ago, one for each of my boy’s hearts.” As their eyes met, Nellie forced herself to hold in the emotion she’d begun to feel. “The only reason I haven’t given Charlee hers is because Hector is still so young.” She shook her head and laughed. “But I can see now that I’ve been in denial all this time. That güerita owns his heart completely. She has for some time. And you . . .” She smiled, touching Nellie’s face. “I’ll admit I had my reservations in the beginning.” She shrugged. “Noah and Roni are living proof that age has no bearing on true love. And how can I not be pleased that my Abel has found someone who makes him so incredibly happy? It almost scares me how hard he’s fallen.” She patted then squeezed Nellie’s knee over the blankets. “Please, promise me you’ll never hurt him.”
“Never,” Nellie whispered, barely able to speak because she was so choked up.
Shaking her head, Caro exhaled before continuing. “And please take care of yourself. My God, when you were in the hospital, for the first time in my life, I had no idea how to console my son. I’d never seen him so desperate.”
With her heart once again aching for what she’d put Abel through, Nellie nodded and inhaled deeply before speaking. “I promise. My asthma hasn’t gotten that bad in a long time. For the most part, I know how to keep it under control. The circumstances this time were just . . .”
“I know.” His mom agreed quickly. “I know.” She then handed Nellie the pendant. “Take this, Mija. His heart is yours forever. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” She laughed, looking down at the box with the other pendant. “Well, that, and who owns this one too.”
Nellie smiled, taking the pendant. And she had to agree that, as young as Hector and Charlee were, those two were definitely as hopelessly in love as Nellie now felt. She pulled the chain over her neck, feeling the sudden need to wear it. “Thank you, Caro. This means so much to me.” She knew now with complete certainty exactly what Charlee had been talking about. “I promise you. Your son owns my heart completely too.”
She hadn’t even heard the front door open, but Abel walked in just as Nellie and Caro were hugging. “I couldn’t find—” He stopped as he walked in, his expression somewhat concerned. “What did I miss here? Everything okay?”
“Everything is perfect,” Nellie said as Caro stood from the bed.
“I found it,” Caro held up the box to show Abel. “I forgot I slipped it in my apron pocket.
Abel eyed the box suspiciously then looked back at Nellie, who took one big satisfying spoonful of the sopa and grinned.
“That’s right.” Caro said as she began out the door.” Eat up so you can get all your strength back. I have to go get dinner started now.”
Abel lay down next to Nellie again, careful not to spill her fideo. “I told you she’d be taking over.”
“If the rest of her food is as good as this,” Nellie said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, “I’m not complaining.”
“Oh, no!” Abel’s head fell back. “I should’ve known her cooking would win you over. That woman knows exactly what she’s doing. That’s how she got Charlee too.” Abel lifted his hands and made a buzzing sound as he held them up in front of Nellie. “Tractor beam. She’s already sucking you in.”
Nellie laughed. He didn’t know the half of it. But she’d keep her conversation with his mom to herself for now. He’d notice the pendant eventually, and then she’d tell him. Right now, she was still feeling all warm fuzzy about what his mom had said to him. She didn’t want him making light of it and taking anything from it. Nellie had seen the look in his mother’s eyes—heard the emotion in her voice. This was no ploy to get on Nellie’s good side or “suck her in.” She’d meant every word she said, and so had Nellie.
“But I do need to eat,” she smirked, dipping her spoon into the fideo. “You want me to get all my strength back, right?”
That wiped the silly smile off Abel’s face, and his eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s why she said it,” he said, already scooting closer and kissing her softly, “but I like how your thinking. Eat up, baby.”
Nellie did just as she was told because she was already having visions of breaking in her new bed.
***
By the end of the week, Nellie insisted that she felt one-hundred percent better from her asthma, but the morning sickness had kicked in pretty bad. Abel wasn’t letting her go anywhere.
Abel had been right about Hector being lucky to get two shots in on Andy before the guy went down. It was two shots exactly, one for each eye. Luckily for Andy, both Noah and Gio had been there to tear Hector off him. At first, Abel had laughed at the picture Noah texted him of Andy’s eyes swollen shut. But later, he worried Andy would press charges because, even though technically it’d happened in a boxing gym, neither of them had been in the ring and Hector hadn’t been wearing gloves.
Andy was going to press charges, but ended up dropping them when Felix threatened to drop him as his agent if he didn’t. Felix told Abel that his contract with Andy would be up after his fight anyway. He didn’t want to deal with a new agent with such a big fight coming, but once it was over he’d be cutting Andy off and finding another agent. For now, he’d make him think everything between the two of them was still business as usual.
Since Felix was in town, Nellie had assured Abel she’d be fine if he left her side for an hour or so to go have lunch with the guy. Her parents would be over anyway, and she knew that was the only reason he’d agreed to go. Her parents had hung out for a bit but had to go pick up Courtney at the airport. She’d gotten out of rehab today and was moving in with them.
Nellie was surprised to hear from her sister so soon, and she almost didn’t answer her call, afraid of what to expect. She hadn’t heard from Courtney in months, so she gave in and answered.
“Hey. How are you?”
“Eh, the asthma is better, but now I’m dealing with morning sickness. So, okay, I guess.” She sat up on the bed, pulling a strand of hair behind her ear. “And you? How are you doing?”
“Oh my God, so much better.” Courtney sounded so upbeat that it surprised her. “You know how they say that it takes you hitting rock bottom to really get you to open your eyes about how fucked up you really are? Well, that was definitely the case with me. Being in rehab opened up my eyes to so much. But forget about me, Nellie. Congrats. I hear you’re in love and that now you two have a baby on the way. And holy crap, you and Abel Ayala? Oh my God, you are so lucky. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you, but Nellie . . . I know right now is not the best time. You’re still recovering and you’re dealing with morning sickness. So once you’re feeling better, we really need to talk. There is a lot I need to say to you.”
Curious, but at the same time a bit nervous, Nellie chewed her bottom lip. “I can talk now.”
“I don’t want to get too heavy on you, and it’s a lot to dump on you all at once. Part of it I think you already know. I have major issues, Nell. Stuff I’m not proud of. I’ve been so jealous of you my whole life.”
They both went silent for a moment. Nellie was speechless. She’d always known her sister was spoiled and, yes, selfish. But she just thought she was one of those people who were never happy no matter how much they had. This was news to her.
“It’s true. You were always so complacent and sweet, and I was always such a brat, so deep inside I knew Mom and Dad loved you best.”
“Don’t say that,” Nellie gasped. “That’s not true.”
“No, it’s okay, Nell. I get it. Shit,” she laughed suddenly. “If I had two daughters like you and me, I’d love you more too. I was awful. But I’m really working on it. The old me would’ve been seething with jealousy right now that you’re with such a gorgeous, rich, and famous man. But, Nellie, I really truly am happy for you. There’s a lot more I wanna share with you about what I’ve learned about myself during this rehab stint, but not now. I know you need to rest, and you do sound a little tired, so I’ll let you go now.” She paused, and for a moment, there was an odd silence. “Nellie?” her sister’s voice squeaked, choking Nellie up again.
“What?”
“Please believe me when I say I love you. I really do, and I know I never really showed it, but there was a reason I was so jealous of you for so long. Because you were all the things I wanted to be: sweet, loving, selfless, and just perfect. I take back what I said about you being lucky. You’re not lucky to have Abel, sissy. He’s lucky to have you.”
Nellie didn’t even try to hold them back anymore. Her tears ran freely down her face. “I believe you, Courtney, and I love you too. I never stopped loving you even after everything happened.”
They cried together and spoke a little longer before her sister said Nellie needed to rest. Nellie had just gotten off the phone with Courtney when she heard the front door open and heard Abel walking quietly toward the bedroom. As much as she wiped her tears away, she knew she was a mess.
Abel peeked in, and his face was immediately alarmed. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
He rushed to her side and took her hand, wiping her tears with his fingertips, searching her eyes.
“Nothing’s wrong,” she assured him, but his worried eyes still stared at her. “I just got off the phone with my sister. She got out of rehab today.”
His worried expression turned to stone. “What did she say to you?”
She smiled at him, touching his rigid face, knowing what he must be thinking. “Everything I didn’t even know I’ve been waiting to hear from her for so long. It was a good call.” She sniffed. “I promise.”
He stared at her for a moment then hugged her, exhaling. “I found a house.” He didn’t say anything else for a moment as if he were waiting for her to react. When she didn’t, he continued. “As soon as you’re feeling better, I’ll take you to see it.”
She pulled away to look at him. They’d talked about the possibility of buying a house, but they hadn’t said it was a sure thing. He stared at her, and she could tell he was waiting for his reaction, so she smiled. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.” He laughed. “Hector’s dying to move in here already, especially since he knows my aunt’s moving in next month. The house is in move-in condition, so if you like it, I’ll pay cash and escrow will take a lot less time to close. And it’s not too far from here, but far enough.”
That made Nellie laugh. “Your mom’s not so bad.”
“She can be, and just wait ’til this baby’s here. She’s really gonna want to take over. I need to get you out of here pronto.”
He leaned his forehead against hers as her eyes brightened. “Can we go see it now?
Abel pulled away then seemed to mentally take inventory of her body from top to bottom. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“Up to what?” She laughed. “Walking through a house? I think I can manage.” Truth was she’d been cooped up in the house all week, and she was ready for some fresh air. Abel still stared at her, a bit unsure. “I’ll be fine,” she assured him as she pulled her legs off the side of the bed.
Finally, he smiled. “Okay. But you promise me you’ll tell me the moment you’re not feeling so hot.”
“I promise,” she said, already rushing to her bag so she could change.
~*~
It had come as a surprise when Nellie told Abel about the necklace his mom had given her. But even more surprising was what his mom had said the heart represented, not that he disagreed in any way. Nellie didn’t just own his heart. She was a part of him now, a part of him that he was certain he couldn’t live without anymore. So what his mom had said was spot on. What surprised him about his mom’s gesture was that she was so happy and all for this so quickly.
They finished walking through the house. Nellie had been a bit quiet as she took in every room: The huge family room with the massive fireplace in the corner. The granite counter tops in the big open kitchen with the center island and state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances.
She’d smiled at the double shower heads in the master bedroom shower, and he knew she was remembering San Francisco. When they stepped out into the yard, she nearly gasped.
The intricate cedar play set had taken his breath away as well when he first saw it. It was three parts with slides coming out of both ends. Wooden bridges connected all three parts. One side was shaped like a castle while the other end was in the shape of a ship with a helm and steering wheel.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her hands at her face.
Abel walked up from behind her, hugging her by the waist, and kissed the side of her face. “So, as a whole you like this house? The location? The inside? This yard? The pool?” He stared out into the spectacular view beyond the play set.
“It’s perfect,” she said, glancing back at him with a smile then turning back to admire the play set. “When are you planning on telling your mom that we’re moving out?”
“I already did,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
He felt her stiffen. “Really? What did she say?”
Abel kissed her neck before responding. “She knew it was coming. I’d already mentioned that the back house wouldn’t be big enough anymore, and she agreed. I told her I was already looking for the perfect place for my family.” His heart sped up a little before asking. “Would you say I found it?”
“Yes,” she nodded quickly. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
Smiling, Abel reached into his back pocket with one hand while he caressed her belly with his other then pulled away. “Then only one other thing would make it even more perfect.”
She turned just as he got down on his knee.
“What would that—”
Instantly her brows pinched, and her bottom lip began to quiver at the sight of him on his knee, holding out the ring he’d bought earlier that week.
“Make my life completely perfect, Nellie. Marry me.” He held the ring out to her. “Please?”
Bringing her hand over her quivering lip, she nodded. Abel slipped the ring on her finger and stood, immediately taking her in his arms. Life had never felt sweeter than at that moment.
“I’d love nothing more than to be your wife, Abel, but . . .”
Abel pulled away slowly to look at her. Everything had felt so perfect until that last word. “But what?” he asked, searching her worried eyes.
“It’s one thing for us to move into this home and raise this baby together.”
Her anxious eyes were making him anxious too. But what, damn it?
“Marriage is a whole other challenge than just living together, a challenge I’ve already failed miserably at once. I just don’t . . .” She glanced away and took a breath. “I don’t want you thinking we have to get married just because I’m pregnant.”
“You can’t be serious.” His brows came together, and he stared at her very intensely. “First of all, you didn’t fail at anything. That idiot ex-husband of yours failed to see what he had. I know what I have, and let me tell you that being married to you will not be a challenge. Maybe that’s what marriage felt like to you because you married the wrong guy. But I have every intention of making you the happiest woman on earth or die trying. Baby . . .” He softened up what he was sure was too hard of an expression because he wanted to make that anxiousness he still saw in her eyes disappear. He wanted her to look as happy as she made him. “I already feel like the luckiest man alive. I have everything any man could ask for, but I’m gonna be a greedy bastard because I want more. I want it all.” Finally the apprehension in her eyes gave way to a smile, and it made him smile too. “I’m not asking you to marry me because your pregnant, Nell. I’d wanted this before I even knew you were pregnant. When you didn’t show up at my fight and even after I reached what I thought at the time was the ultimate goal in my life, and I was now the champ . . . When I couldn’t find you . . . When that doctor said there was a possibility you might not wake up . . .” He swallowed back the overwhelming emotion. “I realized something. Without you in my life, none of that matters. I need you, baby. I need you to make my life complete.”
With the tears rolling down her beautiful face, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I need you too.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist tightly. “My beautiful Nellie,” he whispered against her ear. “I love you so much.”
Sighing deeply, she hugged him tighter. “I’m the luckiest woman alive. I love you too,” she whispered, “so much.”