51. Scarlet
Chapter 51
Scarlet
It’s been an hour since Matthias disappeared through those double doors. Misty brought me a change of clothes, and I washed off as much blood as I could, but I refused to go when they suggested I leave and take a shower.
I can see I’m scaring a few of the other people waiting here too, but all that I can think about is getting back to him.
His brothers have tried to talk to me, but I haven’t been able to do anything but stare at where he disappeared deeper into the hospital.
“You can see him now.” A nurse approaches, wearing a soft smile. “His surgery went really well.”
It feels like I can breathe for the first time since I saw his wound, but I won’t feel relief until I see him myself. I’m up and walking toward her, following through the double doors. She leads us through a labyrinth of halls to where there are rows of rooms lining the hallway.
She points at the furthest one. “He’s in here.”
I hesitate at the threshold, my fist closed so tight my nails dig into my palms.
Bash comes up behind me, giving me a gentle nudge. “You’re blocking the way.”
I don’t understand how he can be so cheerful in this situation, but that doesn’t stop it from dissipating some of my anxiety.
Matthias’s eyes lock on mine the second I step inside. I rush to him, gripping his hand.
“Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Okay.” His smile is lopsided, and that’s when I notice that his eyes are still glazed over. He hasn’t fully recovered from the anesthesia.
His brothers crowd around us, all talking over each other, but Matthias’ focus is on me.
He rolls his head toward me. “You’re pretty. Do you want to go on a date?”
I choke on a laugh. “We’re married.”
“No way? Really? I must be pretty lucky.”
Nothing prepared me for how adorable he’s acting.
His brothers burst out laughing, filling the space.
“Fuck, I wish I got that on camera.” Bash chuckles. “He’s never living that down.”
A nurse comes in. “I’m going to need all but one of you to leave. This is a hospital.”
Damon approaches the bed and places his hand on Matthias’s shoulder. “We’ll be back in a bit. Stop scaring your wife.”
Matthias grins. “My wife.”
“You are never living this down,” Xander adds before leaving through the open door.
The guys leave, and I sit in a chair as close as I can to his bed, brushing the hair off his face.
His eyes start to droop when he asks, “Do you love me?”
“Yes.” I swipe my thumb along his temple.
His blinks grow long until his eyes close. “I love you too.”
The sensation of fingers raking through my hair pulls me from sleep. I blink my eyes open. “What time is it?”
“Early,” Matthias answers, wincing as he tries to lean over to kiss me.
I close the distance between us and press my mouth to his, pulling back when he tries to deepen it.
“Do you have any idea how scared I was?”
His voice is hoarse when he says, “Yeah, I think I have a pretty good idea. You disappeared.”
“I had it under control.” I press my forehead to his, eyes closed, basking in the sound of his breathing. My entire body starts to shake, like it chose this exact moment for my adrenaline to wear off.
“Are you okay?” Matthias grips my arm just as the nausea hits me.
Not now, not now, not now.
I jump up from the bed and rush into the attached bathroom just in time to vomit. All the strength leaves me, and I’m about to fall when strong arms wrap around my waist.
“I need a doctor. Get us a doctor now,” Matthias’s voice booms, likely echoing through the entire hospital.
“I’m fine. It’s okay. I’m fine.”
“You are not fine.” His growl reverberates through my back.
I twist in his arms. This wasn’t exactly how I was planning to tell him, but there’s no way he’s going to get back into that bed unless I do.
“I’m pregnant.”
His eyes flare wide, mouth dropping open, then closing like he’s trying to say something but can’t. He grips my arms, holding me so we can face each other.
“I’m going to be a d…dad?” His voice cracks.
I push him back, careful not to apply too much pressure. “Yes, we’re going to have a baby. Now, get back into bed.”
Matthias just stares at me. “I’m going to be a dad.”
“Bed, now,” I command, and he gets on the bed obediently.
He grips my hand and pulls me onto the mattress beside him. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I snuggle into his shoulder, breathing him in. “Positive.”
“There’s something I need to say, and I need you to just listen,” he says, running his thumb over my cheek.
I look up at him, trying to read his expression, but there’s no tell there. “Okay.”
“You don’t need to do everything on your own. You are not alone. You’ve never been alone because even if you didn’t know it, you have always had me. I have belonged to you for so long I can’t remember what it feels like to belong to myself. Loving you has been the reason I wake up in the morning. There is nothing about you I would change. Not your past. Not your dreams. Not your family. Nothing. You are and you have always been it for me. I was a stupid fifteen-year-old kid, but even then, I would give you anything you wanted. I would wait for however long you needed me too. I was happy to sit by and watch you because it’s what you needed. But now you…”
Matthias rubs my stomach, and tears pool in my eyes.
“Now you both need me. There’s no end to how much I care about you. There’s no bottom to the well of my love. I want to be here for you. You don’t have to do any of this alone. So pull everything you need from me. I won’t break.”
He cups my face, holding all of my attention and promises.
“You’re mine now. I’m never letting you go.”