He nodded but looked unsure of himself. “You went to get … something at the pharmacy. You never came back. I got a call that you were at the hospital and I ran here in a few minutes. The cops wouldn’t let me see you. They said you were in surgery.”
“Drake, the hospital is at least ten miles from the condo. You couldn’t have run here. It was Katherine. She shot you in the lobby by the elevators. You haven’t regained consciousness until now.”
“Katherine?”
“Don’t worry. She’s in custody. Everything was on the lobby cameras, and there were a lot of witnesses. She’ll never bother us again.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. These past couple of days had been a rollercoaster for her. She’d stayed by Drake’s side the entire time. When she’d found out he was shot, a desperation she’d never known nearly knocked her flat. She’d rethought everything while he’d been asleep. All she needed was a second chance.
“Bother us?”
“I’m sorry for being so hard on you, Drake.”
“No, I shouldn’t have lied. I know that. It was stupid and juvenile. But you have to believe it wasn’t anything sinister. I just … didn’t trust you could love me without a reason.”
She cupped his face, a short beard growing in, prickling her fingers. “I love you unconditionally, Drake Eastwood. Nothing you can buy or do will change that. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.”
They kissed, a soft single kiss.
She hated that he had dark circles under his eyes. He’d look so fragile the past two days with monitors hooked up to him and IV fluids keeping him alive.
“And how long have I been out exactly?”
“Two days,” she said. “Luckily, Katherine wasn’t a good shot. You only got one bullet in the shoulder. The doctors said you were unconscious from the shock.”
“And you’re fine? You’re sure?”
She rubbed her belly. “Yes, we’re both fine. Now that you’re awake, I’ll probably sleep for a couple of days myself.”
“You never left me, did you?”
“I couldn’t. What if you woke up alone? We left on such a bad note, I had to be here.”
“I’m not used to having anyone care that much about me. Can you forgive me, Mira? For everything? It seems I just create one fuckup after another. I don’t deserve you.”
“You’re my husband, Drake. We’ll get through this together.”
She had to admit this trauma had brought them closer together, making their other issues seem irrelevant in comparison. They were having a baby, and they loved each other. That was all that mattered.
The doctor came into the room. “Mr. Eastwood. Good to see you alive and well.”
“I hear I’ve been out a couple days.”
“You had us all a bit worried, especially your wife. She wouldn’t hear of leaving your side.”
He took her hand again, giving it a squeeze.
“The stitches in your shoulder will dissolve on their own. A fairly clean shot, so there shouldn’t be any lasting damage.”
“When can I go home?”
“We’ll just need to run a few tests and get your discharge papers ready, then you’re free to go any time.”
“I’ve had a lot of crazy dreams,” he said. “Very realistic.”
‘Normal for head trauma. The fall knocked you out hard.” The doctor took Drake’s vitals, then left them alone again.
“I’m glad it was actually me who was shot,” he said. “I couldn’t handle anything happening to you, Mira. You’re all I have. All I care about.”
“Well, I hope there aren’t any more crazed exes looking for revenge. One is enough for a lifetime.”
“Agreed.”
He peeked under his hospital gown at his bandaged shoulder. When he tried to rotate it, he cringed.
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“You’ll have to baby me.” He gave her a wink.
“That’s right. You’ll have to stay in bed for the rest of the week. No going into the office.”
“I can hold off until Monday.”
“I’ll cook for you, bring it on a tray,” she said.
“I have other needs.”
She looked behind her to ensure they were alone. His mind was in the gutter, but hers wasn’t far behind. “Worry about getting better.”
“It’s just a scratch.”
“You’re impossible, Drake.”
He clutched a handful of hair at the nape of her neck and brought her down for another kiss.
****
Three weeks later
“I’m huge,” Mira said, twisting back and forth in front of the mirror.
Drake tutted. “You’re adorable.” He rubbed her growing belly, now starting to show the signs of pregnancy. Her tits were huge, her bras unable to contain them. He wasn’t complaining.
“I’ll look ridiculous in that dress. People will just think I’m fat.”
“No, they’ll know you’re pregnant. Now, get dressed and stop worrying about what other people think.”
She scowled but moved to grab the dress from the edge of the bed, slipping it up her curvy body. They had to be at the grand opening in less than an hour. Mira was the star of the show, so she couldn’t be late.
“Gorgeous.”
“You said you weren’t going to lie anymore.” She approached the chair where he sat. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and pulled her closer.
“And I haven’t.” He slid his hand under her dress, the tips of his fingers tickling her pussy through her panties.
“We’ll be late,” she said.
He pulled his hand away and stood up, towering over his wife. Drake was already dressed in a full suit. For the most part, his shoulder was much better. He still couldn’t sleep on his side or do his usual routine of daily pull-ups and push-ups just yet.
They drove off to the other side of the city. It was an area they rarely visited, but today was the grand reopening
