Chapter 27 Willow
Willow
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Thawump, thawump, thawump.
I slowly open my eyes to the competing sounds, unsure of what I’m hearing.
Light filters through the slits in the blinds hanging over the window, casting shadows over the room.
My gaze lands on Hades, who’s sitting in a chair with his head resting on the mattress beside me, and his hand is splayed across my stomach.
When I try to roll toward him, I suck in a breath at the pain in my side, and Hades jolts awake at my movement.
“You’re awake,” he says, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“I am.”
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Thawump, thawump, thawump.
I glance around at the machines and frown. “Why am I hooked up to so much shit?”
He grins. “Well, you’ve got the IV, which is for the fluids, low-dose pain meds, and antibiotics. Then there’s the heart monitor, which I hope is self-explanatory.”
“And what is that one?” I ask, pointing to the third machine.
Hades opens his mouth to answer, but Stitch walks into the room before any words come out.
“Hey, Willow,” the club doc says. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I was shot, doc.”
Stitch laughs. “Any nausea?”
“No.”
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Thawump, thawump, thawump.
“Oh my God, would you please shut those up?” I snap.
Stitch reaches over and presses a button on each of the machines, silencing them. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He glances at Hades. “Might wanna work on her patience, Pres.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demand. “I was just shot. I think I have a right to be annoyed.”
“You do, Princess,” Hades agrees. “You have every right. I think that Stitch is referring more to the fact that our baby’s heartbeat seems to really trigger something in you.”
“Ha ha, funny,” I say dryly.
“I fail to see the humor,” Stitch comments.
“I’m not pregnant.”
The two men exchange a look, and then Hades says, “Go ahead and show her.”
Stitch walks around the bed and rolls a fourth machine closer. He squirts some clear jelly onto the wand and presses it to my stomach before turning on the monitor. Intellectually, I know what he’s doing. I had health class in high school, and I watch TV. Logically, however, I’m in total denial.
“See that?” Stitch asks, pointing to a small flickering circle on the monitor. All I can do is nod. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”
“How is this possible?” I ask.
“Pretty sure it happened when Pres dipped his wick in your honey pot.”
“Jesus, Stitch,” Hades mutters.
“Yeah, but…” I shake my head. “I can’t be pregnant,” I insist, facing Hades. “Can I? I mean, we’re new, and I’m supposed to start school, and I have a job I love, and you’ve got a club to run, and your trial isn’t for another year, and—”
“Willow,” he barks.
“What?”
“Shut up.” He settles his lips on mine, and I melt into him.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Stitch says, removing the wand from my belly. “I’ll check on you later, Willow. Not that you are catching a word I’m saying right now,” he mutters.
“We heard you,” I say, breaking the kiss for only as long as it takes to spit those three words out.
The door clicks shut, and Hades moves to lie down beside me on the bed, careful not to jostle me.
“I know you’re scared,” he says. “I’m not, though.”
“You’re not?”
“Surprisingly, no. When Stitch told me yesterday, I was shocked. That quickly turned into happiness, and a sense that everything is exactly as it should be.”
“Wow, um, okay. I’m gonna need a little more time to process.”
“Take all the time you need. And if you decide you don’t want the baby, well, I can—”
“I want the baby,” I blurt.
“Then what else is there to process?” he asks, confusion wrinkling his brow. “I love you, and you love me. That’s the only thing that matters.”
I grin. “You love me?”
“Fuck, yes, I do.” Hades spreads his hand over my flat stomach.
“I love you and little peanut. Dammit, Willow, when you were shot, and I saw all the blood… I don’t ever want to know what it feels like not to have you in my life.
” I open my mouth to say something, but he kisses me quickly to silence me.
“I’m not saying we have to get married any time soon.
Hell, we don’t ever have to if that’s what you want.
Just don’t leave me. You’ve believed in me for over twelve years, don’t stop believing in me now. ”
“Wait. What do you mean ‘twelve years’?”
Hades smirks. “I know it was you who wrote me those letters. From the time you were twelve, you’ve loved me in your own way.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since the day we met. Although, to be fair, it was Zodiac who put two and two together.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “You really love me?”
“I really do. The question is, do you love me?”