Chapter 31
WILLOW
“Clean bill of health,” Asher declares as soon as the emergency doctor leaves us in one of the exam rooms after a full and thorough examination. “You were so, so lucky.”
“Don’t I know it?” I say softly and sit up on the edge of the bed.
He kisses me deeply, and I feel his emotions flowing through my core: concern, relief, longing, fear, excitement—all wrapped up in this handsome package, this dashing balance of brains and brawn that makes me feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world—because I get my man in triplicate.
Cole kisses me next, then takes a moment to let his eyes search my face while Toby caresses my back.
“You gave us quite the scare back there,” Cole whispers.
“I know, and I’m sorry. But Sheila and Perry were going to get to me sooner or later. That much they’ve proven,” I reply. “I’m just sorry about Jamie.”
“He’s fine,” Toby assures me. “You’ll be able to see him soon. I think he’s getting an MRI, just to be sure.”
“Just to be sure?” I ask.
The brothers exchange amused glances before Toby explains. “The doctors already did a thorough check on the guy. It was just a nasty bruise and a mild concussion, plus he needed a couple of stitches for that gash, but overall it was nothing serious. It looked worse than it actually was.”
“I completely understand where Jamie’s coming from,” I say. “Also, believe me, you don’t want to be anywhere near him when he’s throwing a hissy fit. He’ll make a grown man cry.”
“So, yes, he’s fine, and so are you and the baby,” Asher cuts in with a soft smile. “The baby…”
“I was coming to tell you about the pregnancy,” I reveal with a sigh. “I guess I lied to you last night. I should’ve told you then.”
“You shared a different secret,” Cole replies with a raised, playful eyebrow. “Which, by the way, I didn’t mind, none of us minded it.”
Neither did I. Good grief, my heart starts galloping from the mere memory of last night. I want to go back there. It was warm and sweet and safe, away from these troubles, away from Sheila’s hatred, her poison.
“I wanted to surprise you,” I say, cradling my belly. “Maybe if I’d called you, none of this would’ve happened.”
“You said something earlier, and I’m inclined to agree.
Sheila and Perry would’ve gotten to you sooner or later,” Asher says, shaking his head.
“It’s better that it happened now and that it happened this way.
You bought yourself some time, we found you…
it worked out. That’s all that matters right now. ”
Finding solace in his reassurance, I give Asher another kiss on the lips, followed by a worried look. “I’m pregnant, though. I mean, I know we didn’t plan for it, and I don’t know what your intentions are, but—”
“Willow,” he stops me and cups my face in his hands. “Relax. It’s the best news you could’ve given us, babe.”
“We’re putting together a family,” Toby adds with a bright smile.
“You’re not getting away from us— ever again,” Cole adds, his voice low and deep. “Ever.”
“We’ve got you,” Asher says and kisses me again.
I feel it in every fiber of my body, in every sliver of my soul. I feel their promise, their oath, their devotion.
“I love you,” Cole says. “We love you, Willow. There’s no doubt about it. There’s no decision to make, no path to choose. This is us.”
I feel that, too.
And I’m more than eager to reciprocate. “I love you, too. I never thought it would lead us here… that night at the gala. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine any of this.”
“Despite the bumps along the way, I can’t say I’m unhappy with where it took us,” Cole says. “On the contrary, this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”
It’s the one thing we’re all agreed upon. I welcome their arms wrapped around me, the warmth of their bodies, and the intensity of their souls as they hold me close, as they keep me safe and prove, yet again, that I don’t have to do it on my own, not anymore. The Morgan brothers are here now.
They’re here to stay.