Page 203 of Hidden Ties

“I packed the suitcases because I wanted to be prepared if Glory gets a match. She had a doctor’s appointment this morning. He sent her to the hospital. She’ll have to stay there until she receives a match … if she does.”

Sage lifted her eyes, and when they met his again, tears were sliding down her cheeks. “I wanted to talk to you tonight to tell you’d I’d be staying at the hospital during the evenings and ask if it was okay for you to watch the girls while I’m there.”

“Of course,” he answered. “I’ll do anything I can to help. Where are they now?”

“April moved back to Kansas City. She got homesick. The girls are staying with her tonight. I wanted to enjoy a romantic evening with you, since I don’t know how long Glory will be in the hospital.”

Creed nodded at the unopened bottle of champagne and flute glass sitting on the piano.

“Only one glass?”

“I thought we could share.” She gave him a misty smile as he came around the piano to smooth her tears away with his fingers.

“I love you.”

Sage rubbed her cheek against his hand. “I love you, too. And I’ll always need your protection, Creed. I could never leave you. I need my heart to survive.” Her hands dropped from the keys to her lap.

Bending down, Creed swept Sage up with one arm, her arms coming up to circle his neck tightly. He moved around the bench then stopped. Using his free hand, he picked up the flute and the bottle of champagne before carrying her out of the room, through the downstairs, and up the winding staircase to their bedroom.

He set her on the bed, then the champagne and glass on the nightstand, and cupped her face, letting all the love he felt for her show in his expression. “Is this romantic enough for you?” he asked, teasing her lips with his.

Showing all the love she felt for him in her expression like he did her, she gave him a misty smile. “I’ve always thought of tears as a weakness. My parents taught us crying never solved anything. That’s why I wouldn’t let myself cry. I couldn’t be weak. Glory, Colby, and Tinsley needed me to be strong for them.

“Tears aren’t a weakness; they are a reflection of emotions filled with happiness or sorrow. You can’t experience the true joy of happiness, until you feel the pain of sorrow.”

Sage reached out to slowly untie Creed’s tie.

“I found out what the pain of sorrow felt like when I had to sign turning off Denny’s life support, then watch the agony Glory had to endure as she healed.”

Sliding his tie off, she started unbuttoning his shirt. As the last button came undone, she looked up into Creed’s somber eyes, seeing her reflection staring back her. Tears were still running from her eyes.

Sage lifted her fingertips to her cheek, then pulled her hand back and showed it to Creed.

“These are tears of joy, Creed. I’m crying because I found out tonight how much you love me.” She took a steadying breath, afraid she wouldn’t be able to finish what she wanted to say.

“I just want you to remember wherever our life together takes us, you made me cry first.”

EPILOGUE

“Ihate you! I hope you rot in hell!”

Sage winced as they walked out of the courtroom together, having to pass the father of the victim of the hit and run whose case Creed had successfully managed to have dismissed.

As they walked through the courthouse under the angry glares of the people who were still milling around after the verdict, she could understand why Creed hadn’t wanted her to accompany him today, and why he still arranged for private security to guard her.

She was determined she was better off not knowing how many enemies Creed had if she wanted to continue having restful nights of sleep; she just had to continue thinking he had his reasons for accepting some of the cases he took.

Glancing at Creed’s unperturbed expression, she couldn’t believe how he took the name-calling and hate-filled comments shouted at him as they made their way out the door being held open by one of their security detail.

“How’s Tayla?” he asked.

“She’s much better. She’s been staying with her mom.”

“Good.” He nodded before giving her a quick glance. “We have a couple of hours before my next meeting; you in the mood to grab some lunch?”

“Depends. Where do you want to eat?”

Inside their car, Creed started the engine. “You take the pregnancy test this morning?”