"Then write this—Larissa and I have been friends for over ten years and our marriage has brought us the kind of happiness neither of us thought possible."
Jake lowered his head and kissed Larissa, hoping she'd understand from his embrace that he meant those words. Their marriage wasn't a temporary media fix, as it had started out—it was real and lasting. Because with Larissa, he'd found a place in his family. And a family of his own.
Peter stirred in the back seat of the car, coughing and crying out. Jake opened the back door and lifted out his son.
"Where's Mama?"
"Right here, sweetie," Larissa said, rubbing her hand over their son's head.
Peter squirmed in Jake's arms, leaning over toward Larissa. Jake let the boy go though he didn't want to. Peter coughed again and Larissa cradled him close to her.
"We better get him inside," Larissa said. Jake closed the door and put his arm around Larissa. Jasmine continued to watch them and Jake had the feeling that they hadn't seen the last of her. But it didn't change the way he felt. He wasn't going to let a reporter hurt Larissa. She'd carved out a life for herself the only way she knew how.
"I didn't think she'd find out about your dad."
"Reilly Peyton isn't my dad. He was a sperm donor."
Jake laughed. She didn't sound angry with Jasmine. "You're okay that she found out."
"I'd rather she hadn't. But when you came to my defense I realized something."
Peter coughed again and Larissa rubbed his back. "I hope he's not getting sick."
"I'll call the doctor when we get inside," Jake said. He knew he should focus on Peter, but in the back of his mind her words lingered. "What'd you realize?"
"That having you by my side made all the difference in the world. Even if she prints her article—and I'm sure she will—it won't be me standing in front of Savannah society by myself. We're a family and together we'll decide what makes us Danforths. I've never really felt like I could fit in at home, either."
"Why not?"
"My father put a lot of pressure on me to be the responsible one. That eldest sibling thing, I guess. I've dropped the ball a lot, Rissa. You know I'm not perfect, but I'm not going to drop the ball this time."
"I know, Jake," she said. She reached up to touch him with her free hand.
"Let's get this little guy into his pajamas and then finish this conversation," Jake said.
"Mama?" Peter said, his breath rasping in and out. His chest was heaving with the effort to breathe.
Jake didn't like it. "Has he done that before?"
"No. Call the doctor," Larissa said. Though she tried to keep her voice calm, he saw her hands tremble.
Jake grabbed one of Larissa's laminated index cards and dialed the doctor's number. Larissa sat on the couch holding their son close and murmuring softly to him. But Peter kept struggling to breathe and Larissa finally stood up. She paced around the room with their son in her arms. Jake was suddenly afraid that now that he'd found the happiness he'd always sought, he wouldn't be allowed to keep it.
Jake got the doctor on the phone and described Peter's symptoms. Dr. Gold instructed Jake to take Peter to the hospital, saying he thought Peter might be having an acute asthma attack.
Jake got his family out of the house and into the car, his heart pounding as he raced to the hospital.
* * *
Larissa had never been so scared in her entire life. Peter was hooked up to a drip IV and a nebulizer. His entire chest heaved with each breath he tried to take.
She clung tight to her son's hand and willed him to breathe easier, but she knew that wasn't possible. Jake rested his big strong hand on her shoulder, and she sensed he was urging her to share her burden with him but she couldn't.
She wouldn't be able to relax until Peter was off this machine and breathing easier, though she appreciated having Jake and his family around her. And she knew that Peter did as well.
Tonight she'd had her first taste of what being a Danforth meant. Instead of sitting in the waiting area until it was their turn, they'd been given a private room and admitted with little trouble. Dr. Gold had seen Peter once and this was the second breathing treatment that Peter had taken.
Jake's parents had arrived and were now in the waiting area. Jake hadn't left her side the entire time. He held her hand or Peter's and made sure they were very aware of his presence.
He was a solid support for Larissa and she realized she loved him. Watching him talk quietly to their son, and handle every detail that came up in the hospital had shown her what she'd secretly been afraid to admit all along.
Jake wasn't just her husband, he was her love. She also realized, when he'd talked to his family, that Jake kept the depth of his feelings a secret. It was humbling to know she might be the only one who realized Jake was so much more than the easygoing, successful businessman that he presented to the world.