Epilogue One-Maria
EPILOGUE ONE-MARIA
G etting married in a hospital room after having major surgery without even taking a shower first sounds a lot worse than it actually was.
Luc is my husband now. And I am his wife.
Even better, he says he loves me. A lot. Like all the time now.
The doctor wouldn’t allow me to go home that night. In fact, it takes another week before he lets me out.
Nico said this has to all be a secret from Anna, and I have no one to share the news with except Mami.
She is a little salty about not being able to throw a big party for her only daughter, but I tell her we are going to do something big later.
Right now, I have other things on my mind. Like how freaking tired I am of being stuck in this room.
“Okay, everything is normal, and I think you are healing even faster now,” the doctor says, making notes.
No shit, my body is healing faster. It wants to get home to claim my husband.
I was raised in the church, and marriage isn’t real until you do the deed.
Like have sex.
I miss sex with Luc. I want it. I want it very much.
And I feel good. The bullet went clean through and as for the rest of me, I am eager to be alone with my husband.
Luc is staring at me while the doctor works, and I hear him growl when the man lifts the stethoscope to my chest.
“Just one more question,” he asks, and I am still looking at Luc when he speaks.
“Have you had a bowel movement yet?”
My cheeks heat with embarrassment, and I really wish the floor would just open up and swallow me.
But it doesn’t.
Anna was right. Apparently, you can’t leave a hospital without pooping when you’ve been admitted. So, I nod my head, and when I find the courage to look up, I see Luc still watching me.
Only this time, his brows are furrowed.
I know it’s silly, but I don’t really want to talk about BMs with my sexy as fuck husband.
The doctor seems to get it, and he nods.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about, Mrs. Batiste. Everyone poops,” the doctor says, and winks.
“Oh my God,” I groan and close my eyes.
Luc is grinning now, and that’s good. I thought for sure he might try to take a swing at the guy for winking at me.
“Ready?” my husband asks after I sign what feels like ten thousand more forms.
“God, yes. Please get me out of here.”
“Anything for you, Baby Girl,” he says, and he picks me up and carries me to his car.
I snuggle into his embrace, amazed and not by how easily he bears my weight.
Luc is strong. Like really strong. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel safe.
I’ve been running for so long. It feels great to finally be free. To not have that threat hanging over my head.
“What’s that look for?” Luc asks after we’re both inside the car.
He pulls out of the parking spot after double checking that I’m buckled in for safety, and I can’t take my eyes off him.
“Just thinking how lucky I am,” I say, honestly.
“Oh yeah, and how’s that, Mrs. Batiste?”
Christ, I love it when he calls me that.
“I have you, don’t I?” I tease, but I mean every word.
He turns his steel gaze to mine, and I swear my breath whooshes right out of my lungs.
He is so damn handsome.
“You got me, Baby Girl. Me and no one else for life.”
“Why would I ever want anyone else?” I ask him.
“Mmm.”
My quiet man hums in agreement and kisses my knuckles before placing them with his on the gearshift.
Then he drives us home, and he doesn’t let go the entire way there.
I really am the luckiest woman I know.