“Well, this. This is the reason.” He juts his chin toward Dillon. “All these happy faces. This little boy is going to grow up happy and healthy. All the sadness is terrible, but then there’s that rare percentage that survives, and the feeling is so damn good. It makes me never want to stop being a doctor.”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to work for us whenever you want,” Jaxon says. “You can move in and work part-time and keep your job at the hospital. I’d hate to see your patients lose an incredible doctor.”
“I’ll think about it,” he says. “Thank you.” He turns his wrist over and pushes his foot off the wall. “I have a patient to go see. I’ll see you guys around later,” he says, his white coat floating behind him like a cape. A true superhero.
“So I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, but Richard is asking questions, and he’s searching for Heaven. He isn’t going to stop until he gets him either,” Zeke says through a tight smile, watching Dillon hug the nurses.
Dillon stayed with us as long as he could, but was admitted into the hospital again for the transplant. It was better that way. He had round-the-clock care. And in that time, he became very close with the nurses. They love him to pieces too.
“Well, they are going to have to go through us,” Owen says.
“I swear I didn’t fuck his daughter,” Heaven states, scratching the area above where his cast stops.
“Bet you a hundred bucks you did. Maybe you need to learn to keep it in your pants.”
“You keep it in your pants, Sebastian!” Heaven throws back at him.
“He better not,” Gabriella wraps her arms around Sebastian’s waist and cuddles her cheek against his back.
“Hey, Sebastian?” Finley asks from the nook of my arm.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been wondering and forgetting to ask with everything going on, but did the headline about the murders in Kentucky just stop? It was like my face disappeared from the news. Authorities were no longer interested.”
“Oh, that.” Sebastian chuckles. “Well, I called a friend of mine in that tiny town, Dixie. She said she met up with you. She said she killed them because they attack her. She isn’t in trouble. We cleaned up the mess.”
“You know Dixie!” Finley gasps. “What a small freaking world. That town was so barren, I didn’t think anyone knew it existed unless they accidently stumbled upon it. How do you know her?”
“I stumbled upon it one time,” Sebastian says. “A long time ago. She gave me a beer when I didn’t have a dime.”
“Yeah, she’s good at that,” Finley says, fondly. “I hope she stays safe there. The men in that town are aggressive.”
“Dixie can take care of herself. She’s a badass, like you,” Sebastian compliments Finley, and she blushes. “We saw how you—”
“Let’s not discuss that here,” I interrupt and clear my throat when a nurse gives us a funny look. “Dillon! Come on, let’s go home.”
“Can we go bowling! I’ve never gone bowling before. Oh, I want to ride a horse. Can we get one? Oh, I want to see a waterfall. Daddy, there are so many things I want to do. I read them all in this book—”
“Slow down, buddy. We will do all the things your heart desires. I promise. I’m okay with us going bowling; who else wants to go?” I ask, knowing damn good and well not a soul is going to deny Dillon a chance to go bowling.
“I’m going to kick your butt, little dude,” Heaven says, flexing his arms. “I’m the bowling champ.”
“Maybe, but not with that bum leg,” Dillon whips back.
“Oh!” everyone sings, and Heaven places his hand on his chest, pretending to be heartbroken.
“Wow, that hurt, kid. That really hurt.”
“You’ll be okay, Uncle Heaven.” Dillon runs down the hall with more energy than I’ve ever seen since he has come into my life.
Finley loops her arms in mine and lays her head against my chest. “I hope you’re ready for a newborn too.”
“A newborn? That could only happen if—” I stop speaking and walking, spinning her in my arms to see if she’s telling the truth. “You’re pregnant? You’re sure?”
“I’m sure!” She nods with a wry smile, waiting to see my reaction. “Are you okay with it?”
“Am I okay with it?” I smash my lips against hers and lay my hand on her belly. “I’m going to be a dad, again. Dillon is going to be a brother.” I swing her around, and she slaps my shoulder and shakes her head.
“Nope, no. No spinning. Please, put me down. I love you.”
“I’m so sorry,” I hold her still to keep from swaying. “Guys! Wait!” I holler at them, and I get the attention of everyone in the hospital. “We’re pregnant!”
Another round of cheers, and Dillon is excited too, staring at Finley’s stomach like it’s about to explode. “How are babies made, Daddy?” he asks, and all of my friends burst into a hysterical fit of laughter.
“Um, well,” I start and scratch the back of my head in thought. “When a man and a woman love each other—”
“They don’t have to love each other, kid,” Heaven chimes in the bit of truth I did not want Dillon to know.
“Shut the hell up, Heaven!”
“What? He would’ve figured it out sooner or later,” Heaven shrugs.
“Anyway, it’s better when a man and woman love each other.” I wish there was a pamphlet on this. I have no idea what to say.
“You know what? Ask us after bowling. I’m craving pizza!” Finley says.
“Pizza!” Dillon charges out the door, and I’m happy for the detour in conversation.
“Thank you. I have no idea what I’d do with you. Or you,” I place my hand on her belly and head out of the hospital with my family surrounding me. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
Her big green eyes sparkle, and I know she feels the same.
She was a temptation. A line I couldn’t cross.
But I
