Epilogue One: Tate
Igrin as they wheel my grumpy ass out of the hospital. I’ve been stuck in that place for three days and they didn’t let me see Ruth the whole time. She had some serious burns and they put her in isolation to treat them to keep her from getting an infection since she has a ton of allergies to antibiotics.
“Is she here yet?” I call to Harvey.
“They’re wheeling her out right now,” Harvey groans. “You need to take a chill pill. Between this baby and my grumpy husband, I’m ready to just kick somebody’s ass,” she growls.
“I don’t need a chill pill. I just need to see my girl.”
“Okay. Let’s just wait here quietly until Ruth comes out. I feel like I’m under too much stress and the doctor told me not to do that.”
“You’re pregnant again?”
She shoots me a glare out of her green eyes. “And we’re not announcing it all over the place so keep your trap shut.”
“Got it!”
“Here she is,” Harvey says and turns my chair to see her. I feel my breath stutter in my suddenly dry throat. And then heat rushes through me as I look into the face of my favorite angel.
“Stop looking at my sister like that,” Jeremiah grunts from where he’s pushing the chair.
Ruth reaches up and slaps his arm. She glares at him when he looks down at her. “What did I tell you?”
“Don’t be a dick,” he growls.
“Right.”
Harvey rolls me over to her and I tug her closer, my lips sinking into hers and it feels like I can breathe for the first time in days. Maybe even years.
“I love you,” I breathe, my hands fisting in her long, strawberry-blond hair.
“I love you too. Now let’s get this show on the road.” She glances over at Harvey. “You can drop me off at his place.”
I see Jeremiah start to say something but then she glares him down. I stifle a snicker.
He shoots me a snarky glare.
“Right,” Harvey says. “Let’s get you two home.”
We ride there in silence but my hands are on her shoulders, her back, her body the entire time. It’s like if I stop touching her I’m worried she’ll disappear on me.
But she just smiles and leans her head on my chest. She’s not wearing shoes since that’s where her worst burns are at. So when we get to my place I pick her up easily and carry her in my house.
She waves and smiles at her brother when I close the door on him.
I set her down on the couch. I sit beside her and groan, pulling her into my arms. “God, I’ve missed you. I was going crazy the whole time you were away from me.”
She pulls my mouth down to hers and whispers, “and now I’m never going to be away from you.”
“And you’re going to marry me tomorrow,” I demand.
“Whatever you want. If you want to go to Vegas and get married tomorrow, I am all for it.”
His lips land on mine in a soft, sweet, tempting kiss that takes my breath away. “I’ve already booked the flight.”
She smiles happily at me. “Good. But you better make today count then. Last day of freedom.”
I lose myself in her gleaming, amber eyes and smile. “I don’t need freedom. All I need is you. Every day in every way. Until one of us leaves this life, I will be by your side, loving you, holding you and keeping you happy.”