Mick’s chest tightened. Not just because of the way the triplets existed for and with each other, but because it was the first time Zeta had visibly relaxed since they’d arrived at Elisa’s side. As soon as this was finished, he was going to pull her into his arms and hug her, hold her and let her know everything was wonderful and that he was there for her.
All the time.
Forever.
Forever?
His throat thickened. He flicked Zeta a quick look. Their eyes connected for a split second, and he jerked his stare back to Elisa.
He patted her hip gently and then pulled a face. “Now I’m going to need to know something that’s probably way more personal than we ever thought this relationship was going to get. Okay?”
“Oh God, help us,” Angus muttered, shaking his head.
Mick threw him a grin. “Remember this the next time I ask for a table at Buckley’s Chance.”
“There’s going to be a permanent table for you at Buckley’s Chance after this,” Elisa declared, touching his arm. “The best table in the restaurant is yours. Always.”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Mock dismay filled Angus’s protest, even as a grin stretched his lips. “Steady on now. He’s not that awesome.”
Mick laughed, returning his focus to Elisa. “We’ll just ignore him for a while. How’s that sound?”
She smiled. Worry, however, still swam in her eyes. Not as intense as when he’d first arrived, but it was there, which was only natural. She was a few months pregnant with twins and on her back on the floor of a wedding venue after a fall. If she wasn’t worried, he’d be… Well, worried.
“Okay,” he said again, resting his palm lightly on the apex of her stomach. “Now the personal part. I need to know how much blood you’ve lost. I need to know if it’s light spotting, or clots, or a steady flow.”
She stiffened.
“It’s okay, Lis,” Zeta murmured, squeezing her hand. “We’re here.”
“CanItell you?” Angus asked, frowning at him. “Doyouneed to look?”
Mick let out a steadying breath. “I’m going to let Elisa decide. It’s up to her completely. You, one of her sisters, me. It doesn’t matter at this very moment in time as long as it’s accurate.”
Elisa chewed on her lip again, looked up at Angus, and then at Bria and Zeta.
“I’ve got this,” Zeta stated, nodding her head.
The calm confidence in her voice sent a wave of something he didn’t want to analyze through him. Falling in love with Zeta De Luca wasn’t on his agenda tonight. But then tending to his honorary sister-in-law’s medical emergency wasn’t on his agenda either and yet, here he was.
His chest tightened. He’d deal with this unexpected emotional turn later. After he made sure Elisa was going to be okay.
Zeta crawled on her knees to Elisa’s feet. “Sorry, sorella,” she whispered, giving Elisa a grimace. “Say goodbye to your dignity.”
Elisa laughed.
“Everyone turn their back,” Owen instructed on a raised voice from somewhere behind Mick.
Feet shuffled. Voices mumbled. A detached part of Mick’s brain registered he couldn’t hear rain any more, and then Zeta grinned at Elisa.
“Hey, Lis?”
Elisa looked at her.
Zeta blew a raspberry, and Elisa burst out laughing just as Zeta ducked her head, looking for what he needed to know.
And, before he had any chance to stop himself, Mick fell head over heels in love with her.
One hundred percent irrevocably in love with her.