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“I looked it up. I wanted enough information to keep your ass calm.”

“Why wouldn’t I be calm? I’m a calm guy.”

“Yeah, but as previously stated, you’re also just figuring out you’re in love with your wife. That’s enough to make anyone unstable.”

I debated fighting with her, but she was right. I also realized what she was doing. I reached out to squeeze her hand. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Being here. I know Melena isn’t your favorite.”

She met my gaze, her brown eyes soft with love. “No, but you are. And I’m warming up to Melena. Anyone you love can’t be too terrible. You love me,” she said as she broke into a grin.

“Gee, thanks,” I grumbled.

“That’s what sisters are for. Speaking of which, where’s Melena’s family? Shouldn’t they be here, wearing out carpets with you?”

Andi gestured to the nearly empty waiting room.

I grunted. “Melena didn’t want to tell them.”

“Why not? Are they estranged?” she asked with a frown.

My frustration leaked into each word. “No, she’s that damn independent. Doesn’t want them to worry and miss work.”

Andi shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to be her when she finally tells her mother.”

“Exactly. She thinks she’s going to play it off like it was no big deal, but I’m pretty sure her mom has Google.”

Andi laughed. “Is she counting on her mom being a bad speller?”

“I don’t know. Autocorrect knows all. Pretty sure her mom will still be able to figure out everything about her medical condition.”

“Are you going to rat her out?” Chase asked.

“Do I look stupid to you? Not if I don’t have to.” I glanced again at the screen, a smile overtaking my face. ‘In recovery.’Thank God.

A few minutes later Dr. Webb joined us in his scrubs. “Your wife’s procedure went well. They’ve moved her to recovery, and you can join her there in a few minutes. A nurse will come get you. Once she’s lucid again, and we’ve had a few hours to monitor her, you can take her home. Please note that due to the anesthesia, she won’t remember the next few minutes. We gave her the good stuff.”

I shook his hand. “Thanks, Doctor. We appreciate everything you’ve done.”

He smiled back. “That’s the job, Mr. Nemitz. Enjoy your wife; I’ll see her for a follow up next week.”

I took the first full breath in the last five hours. Melena was done. She was okay. She may be high as a kite, but I’d see her soon. I thanked Chase and Andi for sitting with me, and Chase left me with the cooler when they said their goodbyes.

A few minutes later, a petite nurse in surgical scrubs came for me. “Mr. Nemitz? Your wife is ready for you now.”

I laughed softly at the name, still giddy with relief. Mr. Nemitz. Melena hadn’t changed her name, nor did I expect her to. I’d be her Mr. Nemitz for as long as she’d have me. Hopefully, the rest of our lives. The nurse escorted me down winding halls and pushed a door ajar. Melena’s eyes were open, but she looked loopy. The hospital gown swam on her, and she was still hooked up to the IV and monitors, but her color was good.

“Hey there, angel. How are you feeling?”

“Good.Sogood. I think they fixed me,” she finished on a giggle.

Yep. Next she’d be asking me for a drive-through run to satisfy the munchies. She was adorable and I couldn’t hold it back anymore. The words burst from me like a toddler kept from the playground too long.

“I love you.”

I said it. She might not remember, but I did it. I wasn’t sure where the bravery came from, but it felt good.