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“I agree with Micah,” Pawpaw says from the comfiest seat in thehouse in front of a seventy-five inch TV. He and Granny have made themselves comfortable here, moving into the extra primary while I recover. I’m not sure he’ll ever get them to leave after this, but with how Micah dotes on them, I’m not sure he even wants them to.
His mom and dad left yesterday after making sure I was settled in. They went back to Rhode Island for a couple of days, but they’re returning to watch over me when Micah has to go to an away game. When I asked him why the private nurse can’t do it, he informed me that his parents will be here to make sure the nurse does her job.
Normally, I wouldn’t like the fuss, but for those few days when all of us were together, the house was so full of love, laughter, and kindness. Bonds between my family and his were being built layer by layer with every conversation and shared story. I’ve never had a house so full.
Plus, watching Micah with his parents has been another avenue to fall in love with him. When his mom showed up at the hospital, he cried in her arms when he thought I was sleeping, and when I “woke up,” she took my hand and gave me a watery smile. So much passed between us then that no words had to besaid. It was like a welcome hug and an acceptance that I’ve only ever felt with a few people.
“Wait until your mom gets back,” I threaten Micah with a cold stare that’s hard to muster.
He smirks. “I’m her only son. If you think she’s taking your side, you definitely need to stay in this bed because the smoke addled your brain.” He lies next to me. Mirth still flirting his lips, he leans over and whispers in my ear, “You can get out of this bed when you can ride my cock like before.”
I squirm. “Not fair,” I mouth. I can’t get myself worked up. Every time I expend energy, my lungs act up. I need breathing treatments, daily pills, and breath exercises. The doctors think my lungs will heal in time, but I have to take it easy. Unfortunately, Micah and I have different views on what this means, and whenever I contradict him, I get a chorus of voices that agree with whatever he’s just said.
He traces his mouth over my cheek to quickly give me a peck on the lips, even though I’m pouting at him. “Husband’s orders.”
I stick my chin in the air. “You’re not my husband.”
“Keep it up, and I really will chain you to the bed, bring in a judge, and marry us.”
His face is so serious that my mouth drops open. There’s not one ounce in him that’s kidding, and I can’t help the thrill that shoots up my spine. I attempt to get up, just to push him a little further.
His eyes flare. He moves my shoulders back to the bed. “Raeann Gorman, love of my life, don’t push me. If you think I won’t, you’re sorely mistaken. I’d rather see you in a beautiful white dress, but if you want to get married right here, I see the value in that, too.”
“Like what?” I tease.
“Like attaching my name to yours as soon as possible and making sure I have the right to make decisions regarding your care and…”
He trails off, and I know exactly what he’s avoiding saying. There are insurance calls to be made, fire cleanup, and the hiring of architects and contractors to make the building new again. With Tab—I can’t even say the words—with Tabunavailable, it falls on me.
Who would’ve thought one faulty wire could have caused this much damage?
Overwhelmed, I attempt to hold the tears back, and as usual, Micah is right there. He cups my cheek. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”
I take in a deep breath that triggers an explosive cough that burns my lungs. Athena comes running from her favorite spot and jumps her front feet onto the bed. Micah holds out the inhaler, and I use it, dragging in a ragged lungful along with the medicine that’s supposed to clear my airways. It works, and I take several controlled inhales to calm the flare while petting Athena absentmindedly.
Afterwards, I stare up, tears clinging to my lashes from not being able to breathe properly. “Are you sure you still want me?”
“With every fiber of my being. I’d switch lungs with you if I could. I made Joey look it up, and unfortunately, it’s not actually feasible.”
“These lungs wouldn’t be great for football.”
“Who needs football when I have you?”
I swallow. His gaze captures mine like it did all those months ago onThe Paula Show. His hold on me hasn’t let go since. We’re connected, him and I, in a way I couldn’t begin to explain. He once called it fate, and maybe he’s right. Because fate sure as fuck owes me someone like Micah for everything else it has done to me.
A curved smile parts my lips, and I attempt to get out of bed again. Once more, Micah slices a look at me. “If you think I won’t…”
“I’m hoping you will.”
He blinks, the biggest smile finally taking over his face. “I need to call my parents back, don’t I?”
I nod yes, and he covers me with his entire torso, consuming me. “God, I want to fuck you so deep right now,” he whispers. I gasp, my breath catching, and he places his hands over my chest. “Careful, Raeann. I need you to make it to our wedding.”
“A wedding in which I’ll be wearing a white dress and standing up for.” He doesn’t say anything. “Micah? A wedding in which I’ll be wearing a white dress and standing up for, right?”
He pushes off the bed, pats Athena’s head, and shouts, “Granny, did you hear that?”
Granny startles awake on the couch. “Hmm?”