I scooched over to make room for him. Jesse lay down next to me, one arm around my shoulder bracing my head while his other hand lay gently on my stomach. He kissed my temple, still peering down at the sonogram in wonder.
“I love you, too, by the way,” he whispered.
I looked him in the eye, heart skipping a beat. “Hm?”
“I love you, too. You told me you loved me but passed out before I got the chance to tell you.” His expression darkened. “I thought I’d never get to.”
“Jesse…”
“I love you, Vivian. Seeing you like that… I thought you were going to die. I thought I was going to lose you.” Pain flashed across his face as his brows furrowed. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if something happened to you. I know that now. So, please, if you’ll have me… I’d really like to be with you. To take care of you and take care of our children. And I know settling down probably isn’t what you want at your age, but I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy.”
I placed my hand over his and pressed firmly against my stomach. “Who says that’s not what I want?”
“Really?”
A shaky laugh bubbled past my lips. “I was worried that maybe you didn’t want to have kids again.”
“Only if I get to raise them with you.”
I tilted my chin up to kiss him. It felt good, like coming home. But a thought popped into my head just as I pulled away. “Wally.”
Jesse grimaced. “No, my name’s Jesse. Should I call a nurse? Maybe the meds are too strong.”
“No, no. I meant what about Wally? I want to be with you, Ido, but I refuse to come between you and your son.”
“I spoke with him after I sent you away.”
“Oh. And?”
“He’s… adjusting. I’d say seventy percent onboard.”
“Better than not at all, I guess. I’m glad to hear it.”
Jesse kissed me again, slower this time. “I can’t wait to take you home.”
“When do you think they’ll let me out of here?”
“Another couple of days.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Almost a week.”
My eyes widened. “Jesse.”
“What?”
“A private room costs, like, a million dollars a day.”
“More like four hundred, actually.”
My brain ran the numbers automatically. “Twenty-eight hundred dollars and they want me to stay three more days? Absolutely not. I’m fine. I feel great. Let’s get out of here before they bleed us dry—”
“Vivian.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Relax. The bill’s already been taken care of. I meant what I said. I’m going to take care of you. All you have to do is let me.”
I lay back down, soothed by his deep voice. “Alright, alright.”
“How are you feeling, angel? Any pain?”