19. Flint
Flint
There’s no feeling like coming home. It’s what every cowboy and soldier knows, and it holds doubly true tonight when Camden stops his SUV in front of my cabin.
I was evaluated by the hospital staff. Other than a few bumps and bruises, I'm fine. They even took imaging to make sure my remaining kidney was healthy.
The doctors talked about keeping Ronnie overnight for observation, but she didn't want to stay.
The baby's heartbeat is strong and there are no signs of problems with the placenta or damage to her uterus. They signed off on her leaving though she’s under strict instructions to be seen by an OB/GYN within the next forty-eight.
“It looks just like we left it this morning,” Ronnie says, her hand squeezing my knee from her place beside me in the backseat.
Neither of us could stand to be separated from the other.
The only time we were apart at the hospital was when they did imaging on me, something about pregnant women and radiation.
“Everything will be normal again soon,” I reassure her as I get out of the vehicle, reaching for her.
She comes into my arms easily, and I ignore the aches and pains.
The adrenaline has long-worn off, leaving my body to remind me that I just battled a flood.
For her part, Ronnie didn’t have a scratch on her and no signs of injury despite the half dozen scans I insisted they run on her.
My woman is healthy and whole. It’s all that matters to me.
Camden gets out of the vehicle, trailing after us. He was the firefighter who convinced Ronnie to go to the hospital. She was in shock and kept trying to find me. He talked with her until he got her on the truck.
I owe the man a debt of gratitude. If something had been really wrong with her, I never would have forgiven myself. But the men around me stepped up, they made sure my woman was taken care of. The whole community came together to carry us through.
“I'm not on shift for the next twenty-four,” Camden says. “So, if you need an emergency escort day or night, you call me personally. I’ll get the sirens and lights going.”
I clap him on the shoulder and thank him.
Then the cabin door swings open, and Mira is there. She instantly pulls Ronnie into her arms. Mira and Cord left a couple of hours before we did when they realized we were being discharged.
Not long after them, Ridge and Kane also left. They took the boys and grandma home while Camden waited around for the discharge paperwork to go through. Now, it looks like we have a full house, and it smells like someone started a casserole factory here.
I leave Mira and Ronnie to catch up for a minute, walking into the kitchen. Ridge is in there, surveying the contents of my fridge. He closes the door when he sees me. “Bronco and Lauren stuffed this thing full of casseroles.”
Cord grunts. “You know how he does that when he’s stressed. Says he doesn’t want to catch a whiff of you or Ronnie working for at least the next seventy-two. Honestly, I think he’d be happier if you both took the week.”
“Watch the casserole on the bottom shelf. Lauren is trying to get him to eat less red meat. It’s some vegetarian shit that I wouldn’t feed my dog, let alone a human,” Ridge warns and passes me a bottle of cold water.
I uncap it, draining the entire thing once I realize how thirsty I am.
“Mira cleaned up the place,” Cord adds. “I went up there and towed your truck. It’s waterlogged but might be salvageable. Hard to know. I’ll take a look and let you know about it.”
I glance toward the living room where Brock and Branson are in a pile of blankets on the floor.
They’re in their superhero pajamas with their cowboy boots still on while the television plays an old action movie.
They’re both snoring despite the loud gunfire and explosions on the screen.
Duchess is between them, her head on Brock’s tummy and her tail resting on Branson’s leg. Guess they’re all friends now.
Grandma is sitting in her recliner, her favorite socks on her feet. Kane sets a teacup on the side table next to her, murmuring something about it being just the way she likes.
He takes a seat in the recliner beside her and scowls. “Sure, he’s in the top five for the decade, but to say he’s the best, that’s a hell of a stretch. No, I won’t go there, and I won’t do that to myself on the way!”
Ridge clears his throat. “Your grandma asked me to spend the night. Said it’d make her feel better. Probably just wants someone with medical training close by in case you or Ronnie need anything.”
“What’s Kane doing here then?”
Ridge shrugs. “I think she wants him over here so she can shiv him in his sleep.”
Cord nods. “I can respect that. Mira and I will get out of here. Call me if you need help with the body.”
Ridge shrugs. “I figure me and Kane will be up anyway. You know how it is after a mission.”
I know what he's not saying. He's standing guard. The two of them will be checking on my little family throughout the night, so that we can rest and recover. I've never been so grateful for my friends as I am at this moment.
Mira gives Ronnie one more hug then Cord is ushering her outside, and they’re leaving. Our cabin is still full with Ridge and Kane here, but it’s the kind of full that makes your heart warm and your eyes a little misty.
After Mira leaves, Ronnie and I check on the boys. They’re still asleep but it doesn’t stop us from giving them gentle hugs and kisses. There’s no better feeling in the world than knowing your babies are safe and healthy.
Then Ronnie tugs me into the bedroom, pressing her lips to mine the moment we’re alone. “I missed you so much.”
“I’m right here now,” I promise her. I’m not sure which of us spent more time afraid today. I only know that we made it through together. That’s all you can ask for in moments like this.
She tries to deepen the kiss, and I pull back instinctively. She’s been through a hell of a lot. There will be plenty of time for moments like this on another day. One where she hasn’t just been through a major life event.
She whimpers. “I need…I almost lost you today…”
As soon as understanding dawns, I know what she’s asking for.
“Slowly,” I grunt out the word, not sure which one of us I’m talking to.
I reach for the gift shop T-shirt that Mira bought her.
It’s what we both ended up in, hospital gift shop finds from friends that cared enough to dress us.
When she’s naked, I take her into the bathroom, and the two of us squeeze into the tub together.
I wash her slowly, my hands roaming all over her, appreciating and worshipping every inch of her skin.
You take the little things for granted until days like today.
You think you’ll always have your woman by your side then something reminds you that nothing is promised but this moment.
She returns my motions, careful to keep from pressing into bruises and cuts that the water gave me.
I don’t remember any of them. I only remember knowing that she was alive.
It was that knowledge that gave me strength to keep fighting, keep swimming until Kane could get to me.
I still don’t know how he dragged both of us out.
I’ll never know, but I’ll thank God every day for that miracle.
She calls my name softly, and I turn off the hot water.
I wrap a towel around her and scoop her into my arms, carrying her to bed.
She makes a soft sigh of contentment when I stretch over her aligning our bodies.
She’s already wet from touching each other in the shower, the way I kept fondling her and teasing her.
I position my cock at her entrance and stare deep into her gaze. “I love you,” I tell her as I push the head inside feeling her heat suck me deeper.
“I love you, cowboy,” she whispers back then she’s kissing me, her tongue mimicking exactly what my cock is doing to her body, invading me everywhere. I take it slow because right now, we just need to be touching each other, holding each other.
When we’ve both come twice, I pull her close and she puts her head on my chest. “I want to marry you.”
I squeeze her hand with the ring on it. “It's a good thing I asked then.”
“I want to marry you as soon as possible. I don't want to wait.”
I call her name softly. “We don't have to make any decisions tonight.”
She shakes her head. “You don't understand. All those weeks ago at the pool, you claimed me. Now this is me claiming you. I want to marry you tomorrow in front of all of our friends and family.”
I’m quiet, wondering how a cowboy gets as lucky as I have.
She adds, “Unless that's too soon.”
I stroke her hair, contentment flowing through me. “Tomorrow can't come fast enough.”