Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
By the time Amelia was ready to be discharged from Saint John’s two days later, she looked more emotionally exhausted than physically weak. The bleeding had slowed significantly, and the baby still had a heartbeat, and according to Mickie, that was the most important thing.
“Strict but modified bed rest still means strict pelvic rest,” Mickie warned as we walked toward the private elevator outside the recovery suite. “No lifting, no stress, minimal stairs, no work emergencies, and absolutely no pretending you’re fine just because you’re stubborn.”
Amelia managed a tired smile. “I’m not stubborn.”
Mickie smiled at me as I raised an eyebrow at my sister.
“Right,” I answered her, then looked at Mickie. “I’ll be taking some personal days until her friend gets back from the Bahamas and stays with her.” I looked at Amelia. “I’ll ensure you follow Mickie’s orders.”
Amelia smiled at me, then at Mickie.
“I want to see you back here in seventy-two hours,” Mickie continued. “We’ll repeat imaging, measure the hematoma again, confirm fetal cardiac activity, and make sure the bleed hasn’t expanded.”
Amelia nodded quietly.
“And if the bleeding increases or the pain worsens, you call me immediately,” Mickie said.
“We understand,” I answered for both of us.
Mickie’s eyes shifted toward me knowingly. “She’s going to need help over the next couple of weeks, Cat. I’m not sure how many personal days you’re taking?”
“I’ll be by her side for the next two weeks,” I answered. “I have no plans to leave the country right now or after this.”
“Very good,” Mickie said. “I’ll see you in three days.”
My townhouse overlooked Newport Harbor from the cliffs of Corona del Mar, a three-story coastal glass-and-stone residence in soft neutral luxury, tucked behind private gates and towering olive trees.
The place was as peaceful as it was beautiful. And for the first time since I’d returned to the States, I felt my nervous system begin to calm the second we stepped inside.
The windows that made up most of the home flooded the open-concept living area with late-afternoon California sunlight, while cream linen furniture, oversized textured rugs, and soft gold lighting made the entire home feel warm rather than untouchable.
Huge retractable glass walls opened toward a sprawling patio lined with white bougainvillea, sculpted greenery, and an outdoor fireplace overlooking the Pacific in the distance.
From the moment I purchased the place, it felt like the kind of home someone designed, hoping it would eventually hold a family, but I’d only ever planned to live in it alone.
Now, here I was, thankful I had it as a lovely place for my sister to share with me while she recovered under Mickie’s restrictions.
“I have more oversized pillows and blankets in my linen closet,” I said, guiding Amelia into my bedroom. “I had my cleaners change the linens on my bed—”
“No,” Amelia cut me off. “I’m not sleeping in your bed.”
I eyed her. “You’re stuck in bed for the next two weeks.
Would you rather enjoy a luxurious king-sized bed or the double bed I have in the guest room?
” I asked. “That, and,” I clicked the remote for my blackout shades, which immediately opened to reveal the sliding windows showing the greenery on my private patio, “this will be your view.”
“Cat—”
“Good,” I said, knowing she’d just argue with me.
“Now get in bed.” I smiled at her. “I’ll go get the pillow and extra blankets while you get comfy.
” I stopped before I turned to leave the room.
“Oh, and I’m having a flat screen installed this afternoon so you don’t feel isolated to just greenery and cream-colored walls. ”
“You’re doing too much,” she said.
“No, I’m taking care of my sister and her baby,” I smiled. “And trying to do a good job of it, by the way.”
“Well, I’m not a billionaire having a crisis on a yacht that they need you to fix,” she chuckled, sliding into the covers.
“I can say right now those problems are easily managed as they don’t incite fear and anxiety in me,” I chuckled. “Back in a sec,” I advised, then left her to curl up with the pillows she already snuggled into.
I already had half the house rearranged to make Amelia more comfortable. Additional pillows. New patio furniture. A ridiculously oversized outdoor lounger being delivered for the small Japanese-inspired garden sanctuary just outside my bedroom.
Was it all necessary? Probably not. But taking care of people was what I did best. I built environments designed to make people feel safe, comfortable, and happy.
And if Amelia was going to spend the next several weeks terrified every time she felt a cramp or checked for blood?
Then I was going to make sure she faced it somewhere beautiful.
“Are we going to talk about what Titus did?” Amelia asked when I came back into the room.
“We did,” I smiled at her, tucking a pillow behind her back. “I’m very grateful you mixed the buildings up and ended up at his.”
“I didn’t tell you this part yet,” she said in a way that kept me from trying to end the conversation about him.
“What part?”
“He was very gentle and caring with me, and once he knew I was your sister, he treated me like I was even more precious cargo,” she said, softly laughing.
“That’s good to know,” I smiled at her.
“I don’t think his fascination with you has anything to do with him hiring you, sis,” she yawned, tired from not sleeping well at the hospital.
“I think you’re exhausted and projecting romantic theories onto the wrong billionaire.”
“You call me stubborn,” she rolled her eyes, snuggling further into the fluffy blanket and pillows. “You’re the worst.”
“I’m not saying I don’t appreciate what Titus did to help you,” I answered. “I’m just not going to take it to mean anything more than a man doing the right thing for a woman, using the resources he had at his disposal to get you to the hospital safely and quickly.”
“Well, I just think there’s more to that man,” she said, closing her eyes.
“I will most definitely express my gratitude to him once we’ve had a minute to breathe and everything settles down.”
My doorbell ringing alerted me that someone was here with deliveries. Today would be a bit rough for quiet rest, but once installations and everything were in place? By sunset tonight, Amelia would be perfectly happy in this little oasis of a house.