Chapter 21 #2
She’s quiet as she studies me, and I don’t look away.
I need her to see how sincere I am. This is where I am meant to be.
Her eyes well with tears. I know she’s scared.
Hell, I was scared out of my mind. I open my mouth to ask what I can do.
What she needs. What can I do to help her, but her softly spoken words stop me.
“I love you, Reid Montgomery.”
My heart feels too big for my chest. She loves me.
“I love you so fucking much, Bell. I was so damn mad at myself on the way here. I was afraid I’d never get to tell you what you mean to me.
I’d never get to see those beautiful brown eyes sparkle when I told you that you own my heart and soul, and that I’m not me without you and our daughter.
I’ll love you every day of forever,” I vow to her, as a single tear slides down her cheek.
I wipe it away with my thumb, and she smiles.
“You’ve changed my life, Reid. You’ve never given up on me.
Fighting for me, for us, and our baby. I’m sorry I projected my fears on you at the start of us.
I was scared of what you made me feel. Then, when we found out about the baby, again, you were there, ready to jump in with me headfirst. You’ve shown me true love and what it means to put those you hold dear first. I’m so grateful for you, and I’ll love you every day of forever,” she repeats my earlier vow.
“Did we just recite our wedding vows?” I ask, giving her a cheeky smile. My heart feels lighter at our confession, and I know that’s where we’re headed—to our happily ever after, with lots of babies, and a lifetime of love.
I can tell she’s tired and needs to sleep. “Rest, baby, I’ll be right here,” I assure her.
“Okay.” She nods and closes her eyes.
I watch her closely, and when her breathing changes to deep and even, I finally exhale.
They’re going to be okay. I’m still worried about what caused her to faint, and hope the doctors can get to the bottom of it, but they’re okay. My girls are safe, and that’s what matters.
I keep her hand in mine as I watch her sleep. I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here when a soft knock comes to the door. I lift my head to find Corie standing there.
“How is she?” she whispers.
“Better. They’re running tests, but they’re both perfect,” I whisper back.
“Oh, thank God.” Corie’s shoulders relax. “Her mom is on her way, and Amanda’s sick, so I told her to stay home, but I’d update her,” Corie explains, as she types a message out on her phone.
“Rowan and I have been texting. She and the guys will be here as soon as the game’s over.”
“Sloane?”
“She’s out in the waiting room. Only two at a time are allowed back here, and she wanted to give me a turn.”
I nod. “Thank you… both of you, for everything.”
“I’m glad we were there. I’ll send her mom back when she gets here,” Corie tells me.
“Coach?” I ask.
“Knox handled him. I’m sure he’ll be here, as well.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, and turn my attention back to Bellamy.
Corie leaves quietly, and I rest my head on the edge of the bed, letting the adrenaline of my fear flow away. I’ve never been that scared before in my entire life. How am I going to leave her ever again without worrying about her?
“How is she?” I hear someone ask. Lifting my head, I see Candice standing at the foot of the bed.
“They’re both perfect. Vitals are strong for both. Doctors are running some bloodwork to see if they can figure out why she fainted.”
“Has she been awake?”
“She has. She was awake for the ultrasound, and baby girl is looking great,” I assure her.
“Thank goodness,” Candice says, placing her hand over her chest. “How about you? How are you holding up?”
“I’m perfect as long as they’re okay,” I tell her.
“You look like you came straight from the game?”
“Ran out of the locker room at halftime,” I tell her. Her eyes widen. “There’s nothing in my life that’s more important to me than my girls.” Even I can hear the conviction in my tone.
“Oh, Reid, I’m so happy she found you. Thank you for fighting for her, for never giving up.”
“She’s easy to love.”
Candice laughs. “I know my daughter, and I know the anger she carries around.”
“That makes her more lovable. I asked her to give me a chance to show her, and she did. That’s all I wanted, and now, I can’t imagine my life without her. Without them.”
“You’re a good man, Reid Montgomery.”
“She makes me better.”
We sit in silence, just watching as Bellamy sleeps, getting the rest she so desperately needs. I don’t know how much time has passed when Candice stands and stretches. “I’m going to go update Cliff. He insisted on coming with me.”
“Good man.” I nod. “I’ll be here.”
She smiles softly. “I know you will be, and so does she.” She nods toward the bed. “Do you need anything?”
“Everything I need is in this room.” Her hand again rests over her heart, and a smile tugs at her lips as she quietly steps out of the room.
The next knock is Rowan. She asks how my girls are doing and tells me there’s a waiting room full of people who want to come and say hi before she slips out of the room.
Knox, Landry, Foster, and Baker all take turns coming back to see us, and through it all, Bellamy sleeps peacefully.
Just as I promised her, I never leave her side.
I meant what I said. I’ll leave this hospital when she does.
The door opens once more, and when I look up, I see Coach standing there. He’s wearing a scowl that only softens a little when he sees Bellamy sleeping. “How is she?” he asks, his voice raspy.
“She’s good. They’re both good. They’re running some tests. We should know something soon, but the doctor has assured me they’re both going to be okay.” I repeat the same message I’ve given each visitor who’s stopped in to see us.
“You know you’re going to get fined for today.” His tone is neutral, not menacing as it was when I walked out of the locker room earlier.
“Yep. Don’t care,” I say, holding his gaze.
“There’s nothing on this earth that would keep me from them when they need me like this.
I’ll take the fine, the suspension, break my contract…
. Whatever the outcome may be, I’ll take it without a fight.
” I turn my eyes back to Bellamy. “The only fighting I’ll do is for my family. For my girls.”
We’re both quiet after that. He takes the chair on the opposite side of the bed and just watches her sleep. Her breathing is deep and even, and the baby’s heartbeat on the screen is strong. It’s my constant reminder that they’re really okay.
“I didn’t fight for them,” Coach says, his voice a gruff whisper.
“I wanted to, but I didn’t, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret it.
” He pauses, and I remain quiet, letting him process his thoughts.
“I wanted to make something for myself, but for them, too. I wanted to give them everything, and in turn, I lost my way. Candice and I tried, but in the end, we both formed a life without the other, and we couldn’t find our way back.
Bellamy got caught in the middle, and I took the coward's way out. When she refused to see me, I told Candice not to force her. I didn’t want to cause her any more pain, because her pain sliced through me like a knife. ”
Reaching out, he tugs up her blanket, even though it doesn’t need it.
“One weekend bled into two, into weeks, months, and then years. I missed so much because I didn’t want to fight, worried it would hurt her even more, but I was wrong.
” His voice cracks. “I was so fucking wrong. I should have made her come to her scheduled visits. I could have shown her that she was my world, even if I struggled with how to communicate that. Instead, I let her run, and I lost my little girl.”
“She’s still that same little girl at heart,” I remind him. “Show her now. It’s never too late to fight for what you want.”
“Like you? You fought for her, and here you are, knowing your career could be in jeopardy. Your team needs you, but you’re here.”
“I love the Rampage. I love the guys—they’re family—but these two”—I nod toward the bed—“they’re my heart. My entire world. Nothing compares to that.”
“I want to get to know her. I want to be a part of her life, of my grandchild’s life.”
“You think you can learn the play, Coach?” I tease. I can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He’s going to fight now, just as he should have then.
He chuckles, and another lull of silence passes between us. “Thank you for loving her. For showing her what that looks like when I never did,” he says quietly.
“I’m going to marry her,” I tell him. I’m not asking for permission because I don’t need it. The only permission I need is hers. “Loving her is easier than breathing,” I admit, just as her eyes flutter open. Her gaze lands on me, and she smiles.
“I love you,” she murmurs. “Thank you for coming to me when I needed you.”
“Never thank me for loving you, Bell,” I say, standing.
Not giving a single fuck that her dad’s in the room, I place a soft kiss against her lips.
“I love you, too, Bell. You have a visitor. In fact, you’ve had several, but this one, he’s special,” I tell her.
It’s more for Coach than my girl. He’s a broken man who thought he was doing the right thing.
I get that, and I hope that the two of them can form the relationship they were always supposed to have.
Turning her head, she sees her dad and gasps. “Dad?”
“Hey, Bella. How are you feeling?” His voice is soft and gentle.
“I’m okay. We’re okay,” she says, her hands moving to her belly. “What are you doing here?”
“As soon as the whistle blew, I think half the team ran for the hospital.”
“Did you win?” she asks him, but looks at me.
“I don’t know, baby, I didn’t ask.”
“Reid! You need to know if you’re going to play for the league championship. This is huge. How could you not ask?”
I laugh because when I first met her, she wouldn’t have given a single thought to my career or the game of football. Now that she’s invested, she watches all my games and supports me without a thought.
“We won,” Coach tells her.
“Really?” Her eyes light up.
Coach nods, swallowing hard at her honest, elated reaction. “Can I get you anything?” he asks. There’s a knock at the door, and Dr. Jones steps in.
“Bellamy, I have your bloodwork results. Is it okay to speak freely, or would you like for your guests to step out of the room?”
“This is my boyfriend, Reid, and that’s my dad. You can tell us.”
Coach’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t say a word.
“Right, well, your bloodwork shows that you’re severely anemic. All of your symptoms check out, and that’s what caused you to faint.”
“How do we treat that? Are she and our daughter in danger?” I ask.
“Anemia can be very serious, but I’m certain that with a few days’ rest and an iron supplement, you’ll be back on your feet.
Iron can often be hard to absorb. I’m going to order an iron infusion while you’re here.
Then you can start oral medication once released.
We’ll recheck your numbers in two weeks to see if the supplement is working or if we need to discontinue and proceed with regular infusions.
Just as a precaution, I’d like to admit you for tonight.
Let the iron infusion run its course, and we’ll recheck your numbers tomorrow.
If everything looks as I expect it to, we’ll discharge you. ”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I say.
“Hang tight. We’ll get you moved up to a room.” He leaves, and all three of us heave a sigh of relief.
I press my lips to my girl's forehead as I feel the worry ease from my shoulders. “I love you,” I whisper. I’ll never go another day without telling this incredible woman what she means to me.
She peers up at me, those big brown eyes twinkling, even in the dim light of the room. “I love you, too.”
“I’ll let you have some time,” Coach says, standing.
“Dad?”
He freezes and gives Bellamy his full attention.
“There’s something that you can do for me.”
“Anything,” he replies with conviction.
Her lip quivers. “Can I have a hug?” she asks, her voice sounding small.
“Oh, Bella,” he says, stepping back toward the bed and bending to pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry for so many things,” he tells her.
Emotion fills his voice, and I smile. This moment tells me that they’re both going to be okay. They’re going to find their way back to one another.
“I’m sorry, too,” she says as he pulls back. “I need to take some of the blame, as well.”
“You were a child.”
“I was. But even as an adult, I refused to listen, not until I met Reid.”
Coach glances at me. “I never thought I’d see the day my little girl would be involved with one of my players.”
“Well, get used to it,” I tell him. “Pretty soon, she’s going to have my last name.” I wink at Bellamy, and she rewards me with a beaming smile.
That’s not my proposal, but it’s coming. The woman is my heart. It’s only fitting I get to call her my wife.