46. Hannah
Chapter forty-six
Hannah
E verything hurts, and I could sleep for a week.
And I know Santiago's alive, but the idea of falling asleep tonight without him...just doesn't sit right. I'm vaguely aware of Rico helping me get dressed, before he has me peak out the window and see the kids, and Diego and Lauren playing tag in the front yard.
Blissfully, happily, unaware of the turmoil. I'm going to have to answer questions, and we'll have to deal with what to tell them when Santi comes home with bullet wounds, but that's a problem for tomorrow.
I doze in and out while Rico drives us to the hospital. But once he parks my adrenaline rises and I'm eager to see my men.
I storm to the front desk and hardly wait for the woman behind the counter to lower her phone before I'm demanding to see Santiago Molina.
She's still looking up his name in the system before Rico comes up behind me and says, "Room 224." Without waiting for the woman to confirm I march to the elevators. This is the same hospital I gave birth to all three of my kids in, so I know it well.
I bust out the second the doors are open and practically sprint to Santiago's room. He's still in the ICU which makes my skin crawl.
Finally, I throw open the door to room 224 and my body finally relaxes. I love Rico, and feel safe with him, but I'm not complete until I'm with all three of them. Matty and Santi both light up when they see me.
"Pretty girl!" Matty shouts, picking me up around the waist and spinning me. I take his face in my hands, peppering it with kisses. I can't begin to show my gratitude but the feelings I have pour out of me.
"Thank you so much for getting the kids. Were they scared? Did they ask questions?" My voice is still hoarse, and Matty frowns, but luckily answers me.
"Completely unaware. Just thought they were in for a fun sleepover at the farm."
My shoulders sag in relaxation. Thank God these men were here to protect my kids from the situation.
I look to Santi, who simply reaches the arm that doesn't have the IV out to me, making a grabby motion. I nudge him to move to the side before I slide onto the bed with him, tucked under his arm. I look up at him, so fucking elated that he's alive and okay that my heart feels like it wants to burst.
Rico fills Matty in on what happened while I whisper sweet nothings to Santi. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was so scared you were dead. I'm so sorry you got hurt. I hope you heal quickly. I love you so much. I hate that you were hurt because of me."
He tilts my chin up to look at him before silencing me with a kiss.
Yep. That's all I need to know that he's okay - his lips pressed against mine. I want to kiss him all day every day for the rest of my life, if only to assure him he's okay.
There's no lust or heat behind our kisses, just two lovers finding each other again. Like after he rescued me from Alan.
When we come up for air, Santi rests his forehead against mine, his hand holding the back of my head tenderly.
After our shared moments of our hearts reuniting, we look up and see worried looks on Rico and Matty's faces.
"What is it?" I say while Santiago signs 'what'?
Clearly, the worst part has to be over? So why do they look so worried?
Always the leader, Rico steps forward. "Mami, I think you and the kids need to move in with us at the farm. It's safer, more secure." He braces as if he's expecting an argument. I know when we talked of my divorce I didn't want to move them. But fuck, they're so happy at the farm, and they've got Lauren, Diego and Maria to love on them, too. Who the hell am I to stand in their way.
And he's right. The entire farm is surrounded by a fence, cameras, and security personnel.
I go back to my choices. Do I want to stay in my old home, knowing the ghosts that haunt it, the image of my husband's white ass as he plows into his mistress, the memories of every tense family dinner? Or do I want to move where we're safe? Where, if I'm honest, my new family lives. Where I can ride, and teach my kids how to ride, where my kids are already happy to be.
I take a second to imagine what it would be like to fall asleep and wake up every morning at the farm. Surrounded by the men I loved, and the men who loved my children. Making Diego and Lauren their Uncle and Aunt.
I shrug. "Okay. On one condition?”
“Anything, mi amor.”
“I need you three to adopt my kids. If anything happens to me I need to know they’re safe. And maybe Matty, could you create a will making Diego and Lauren their legal guardians if anything happens to all four of us?”
Matty pets my hair gently, tenderly, lovingly. “Of course, pretty girl. First thing in the morning.”
I can tell they were expecting more of a fight, but after today's events, my eyelids droop, and I snuggle into Santiago's side. I want to sleep. But from now on it will be with all of my men.