Chapter 29 #2
I waited impatiently for my turn, desperate to check on Jamie and Emily, and meet the twins.
Jamie walked back with Mom and Dad and invited me to see Emily alone. As we walked towards the room, he thanked me.
“I was so lost.”
“You’d do the same for me.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Always. Ready to meet the newest Sheppard twins?”
Before meeting Richard and Rose, I checked in with Emily. She looked small and pale and wouldn’t be awake much longer.
“Jamie told me you took care of him. Thank you.”
“Any time, but maybe not any time soon.”
“I agree,” Emily yawned her answer, then apologized.
“If you want, we can have everyone come back later,” I offered. It’d kill Ashley not to see Emily, but she’d understand.
“Who else is here?”
“Ashley, Jack, and Jay.”
“Will Jack and Jay be mad if I want to see Ashley next?”
That was so Emily, putting their feelings above her own.
“No, sweetheart, they won’t,” Jamie assured her.
Her eyelids fluttered until they finally closed.
Jamie beckoned me to the corner of the room.
The twins were sleeping, so I couldn’t hold them, but I didn’t mind. I’d have plenty of aunt time when I moved in with Jamie. For now, staring at their beautiful pink faces was enough.
“Did the doctor say when you can bring them all home?”
“They want to keep Emily overnight.” He glanced out the window. “I guess I should say, another night. If nothing goes wrong, I can take them home Sunday.”
“I’ll be there when you get home.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite sister?”
“I’m your only sister.” I bumped my shoulder against his.
“You’re still my favorite.”
“I love you, baby brother.”
“I love you too, big sister.”
We shared a few minutes quietly watching the twins breathe. Their mouths forming cute little Os as they slept.
On my way out, I asked, “Want me to break it to everyone?”
“That’d be great, except can you send Ashley in? Emily will be sad if I send Ashley home before they see each other.”
He was assuming Ashley would leave before seeing Emily.
Spoiler alert—she wouldn’t. Not unless Nathan carried her out of the hospital.
“Can do.”
With one last glance at the babies, I headed back to the waiting room. Now that I’d seen them, gravity seemed to have a stronger pull, and my eyelids fought to stay open as I delivered the news that Ashley would be the last person to visit Em tonight.
“What time should we come back?” Jay was already looking at his watch.
“Give them a few hours. Emily needs the rest.” Even successful surgeries took a lot out of a person, and she’d just given birth to twins.
“Let’s go home and rest. We’ll come back in the morning and bring them breakfast,” Cate suggested.
“I’ll email the team and ask them to wait until after lunch to visit,” Jack offered.
“That’d be great, thanks.”
As everyone helped clean the room so we didn’t leave a mess for the staff, Matt asked, “Are you going home or staying?”
The fact that he asked rather than assumed made my heart pitter-patter in my chest. I ignored it, as one does when one is too tired to think about the meaning behind one’s unwanted reactions.
“I’m going home.” I tilted my head towards the hall. “You can go. I’ll ride back with Jack.”
Matt moved closer and slowly lifted his hand towards my face, as if he wanted to kiss me. With only a wisp of air between my cheek and his hand, he stopped.
He’s giving me a chance to say no.
I didn’t want to. I wanted his strength and support. Craved it.
It really wasn’t fair of him to take advantage of my exhaustion with his caring actions.
A girl could lose control of her heart and catch feelings.
I leaned into his hand.
Matt gently tucked the hair behind my ear. He leaned closer and brushed his knuckles against my cheek.
I trembled at that first touch. Tender and caring. Possessive and in control.
Anticipation added weight to the air. The ever-present noises of the hospital faded into the background as Matt’s breath coasted over my jaw.
If I’m going to stop him from kissing me, now is my last chance.
I didn’t.
His lips brushed mine.
A whimper escaped my lips—a hungry murmur that surprised me but delighted him, judging from the way his lips curved up.
The scent of cedar and mint was intoxicating as it swirled around me like an aromatic hug. I melted like snow under the Texas sun as Matt kissed me.
The kiss lasted a few seconds. Or maybe a few hours. It was hard to tell with my body turning to mush and my mind deciding to take a leave of absence.
“I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
This time, I liked that he didn’t ask. What does that say about me?
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
He held eye contact for another moment before grinning and stepping back.
“Good night, Red.”
All the carriers in the US Navy couldn’t have stopped my smile as memories from Spain filled my mind.
“Good night, Robin.”
Matt walking backward without breaking eye contact was just about the sexiest thing I’d ever experienced. Well, with my clothes on.
Until he almost bumped into a nurse, breaking the spell.
There wasn’t enough money in the world to repay Emily for her timing. If I’d gone home with Matt tonight, I might have lost my heart.
That ship has sailed, Sheppard.