This time it’s stronger, deeper and more than I ever hoped for. My lips cling to hers when she backs away.
“I must look a mess,” she sighs, tugging at her red locks.
“You have never looked more beautiful.”
She snorts and her green eyes twinkle. “You’re a sweet liar. But a liar nonetheless.”
“Speaking of, when are you getting out of here. Because I’m going to make sure you’re taken care of while I’m at work. And you’re not coming back until you feel better. Unless you don’t want to.”
“I want to work. And I feel fine.”
I shake my head. “No way. Not until I’m sure you and this little one are safe.”
She huffs out a breath. “You’re going to be an overbearing pain in the ass about this, aren’t you?”
I lean over and kiss her again, hard and deep, groaning when I pull back and her lips chase mine. “I am. Now wait here while I go check with the doctor and see what’s on your chart.”
“You can’t do that,’ she growls.
I grin and head for the door, “watch me, baby. I’m going to take really good care of you from now on, Poppy. Because there is nothing that matters more to me than our family.”
She smirks and blows me a kiss. “If you have a problem, I’ll tell you what they said if you get me out of here.”
“We’ll see.” I slip out the door but pop my head back in. “Stay in that bed. I love you, Poppy.”
Her cheeks flush. “I love you too, Fred.”
I wrinkle my nose.
“Too much?” she asks, laughing.
“I’m not a Fred, baby.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“You do that. But do it in bed.” And then I stride down the hall, intending to find out what she needs. Because from now on, if she needs it, she gets it. From me. The man who intends to marry her as soon as he can.
Because I can’t live without her where I can watch her, take care of her, own her.
She’s mine. I’m hers. From now until forever. And damn, doesn’t that thought make me smile.
Epilogue One: Poppy
“Frederick! I need you out here!” I call for my husband and reach down for my bag, holding my belly.
“What are you doing? Drop that damn bag, woman!” My furious husband stalks in and yanks that same bag out of my hands.
I huff out a breath, puffing my hair out of my face. “We need to go. My water just broke.”
His eyes widen and he growls, “why didn’t you say so? Let’s go.”
I roll my eyes and waddle out the door. When we pull into the parking lot at the hospital, he turns to me and I can see the worry in his eyes.
I touch his cheek gently. “It’s fine. We know what to expect. It’s not like we’re ignorant of what labor is. Now, let’s get in there. I want to get this over with.” I groan and huff out another short breath. “This fucking hurts.”
“Oh shit!” He runs over to the emergency room doors and tries to wrest a wheelchair out of an orderly’s hands.
I lean out the window and yell, “Dr. Knight! Stop being a dick!”