Page 43 of Hidden Vows (Love in Ashford Falls #3)

thirty-four

JUDE

“Mo leanbh.” Dad sighs in exasperation. “It’s all right to leave. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Two months, Dad. That’s how long you were in a coma.”

“I know, clearly I’ve missed a lot.” His eyes shoot to my left where Abbey’s curled up in the seat next to me, her knees tucked up to her chest and her head resting on top of them.

I don’t know how she does it, sleeping like that, but she refused to go home without me, and I haven’t been able to pull myself away since Dr. Winters let us back into his room.

Aside from natural muscle atrophy due to lack of use, all of his tests came back normal. Dr. Winters, for having a typically cold demeanor, couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips when she gave us the news.

He’ll have to stay in the ICU for observation for another twenty-four hours, but then he’ll be transferred across the floor for inpatient physical therapy. They aren’t positive how long he’ll need to be inpatient, but it’s looking like he’ll be here at least another month.

I don’t really care how long he’s here. All I care about is the fact that he’s awake and able to hold a cohesive conversation with me. I never would’ve forgiven myself if he didn’t wake up from this.

“It’s still pretty new,” I tell him quietly, not wanting to disrupt Abbey’s sleep.

“Hmm,” he hums, a twinkle lighting his eyes. “You two have been in love with each other since you were six years old and you never stopped loving each other.”

“Dad—”

“No, mo leanbh,” he interrupts, reaching for me.

I don’t fight him and place my hand in his, my grip instantly tight against his.

“I never doubted you two would find your way back to each other. I just wish I’d known it would be me landing in the hospital to get you back here. I would’ve done this ages ago.”

“That’s not even a little funny.” His normally contagious laugh doesn’t pull me in. I don’t care that everything’s okay now, the last two months were terrifying.

“Oh, son. One day you’ll be able to laugh about it, but I understand why that day isn’t today.”

It’s been over twelve hours since Abbey called me in hysterical tears, unable to get any words out other than I needed to get to the hospital.

And even with all that panic coursing through my body, I kept my emotions in check.

My biggest display was when Abbey said those two words I’d been begging to hear for months, “He’s awake.

” The relief and joy that coursed through almost got me, but I kept it together.

When Dr. Winters came out and told us the good news, I kept it together.

When I walked into my father’s room and saw him sitting up in bed, alert with a smile on his face, I kept it together.

But now, seeing him radiating that spirit I’d come to expect from him, I lose it .

I bury my face in the blanket draped over his legs and breathe deep, trying to keep the tears at bay just a little longer.

But the second I feel his hand on the back of my head, offering that comfort I haven’t felt in far too long, they break.

My shoulders shake and my body trembles with the force of my tears.

I don’t know how I’m able to stay silent with the force of the emotion moving through me, but somehow I manage it.

“I know, mo leanbh. I know,” he whispers in the silence.

I don’t lift my head from where it rests until I’m positive the tears have dried up, but when I do, my dad’s eyes are just as wet as mine.

“I love you, Dad. And I’m so sorry I let anything keep me away. I swear, no matter what happens with Abbey, I’ll never stay away again.”

“Oh, Jude. You don’t have anything to be sorry for.

I love you with everything that I am. I understand why you stayed away, and I never needed an apology for it.

” He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.

“I’m sorry I held on so tightly to that bar.

If I’d been willing to step away from it, I could have gone to you. I should have done that more.”

“No, Dad. You don’t have to apologize. I know how important Murphy’s is to you.”

“It’s not more important than you.”

I chuckle softly, the sound a little watery from the tears. “We’re just as bad as Abbey and I were.” His brows pinch and I don’t let him voice the question before I answer. “We’ll keep apologizing to each other for the rest of our lives if we let ourselves.”

“You’re right.” He laughs. “How about we both agree to forgive and forget. All that matters now is what we do moving forward. ”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“Abbey,” I whisper in her ear late the next morning, her back pressed against my front.

I want to let her sleep, but considering she missed a whole day of working in the store yesterday, I don’t think she’ll forgive me if I let her sleep the day away.

After one of the most emotional conversations of my life last night, I woke Abbey up and got her out to her car before she fell asleep again.

When we made it back to the apartment I didn’t even try to wake her up.

I slipped her out of her seat as gently as I could and carried her up the stairs and into bed.

Even with stumbling to unlock the door and slipping her out of her clothes and into one of my shirts, she didn’t move a muscle.

It was an emotionally exhausting day and I didn’t blame her in the slightest.

But it’s a new day and I want a chance to talk to her before she gets distracted by the bookstore.

Things have been strange between us all week and while I’ve tried to give her time to come to me with whatever’s bothering her, I can’t take it anymore.

If she’s changed her mind about being together, I need to know now.

“Abbey,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her neck. “It’s time to get up.”

“Hmm,” she hums, her body pressing further into mine. “I wanna keep sleeping,” she whispers groggily.

“It’s almost ten o’clock, love. We need to get down to the store so you can finish setting up for the grand re-opening in just a couple days.”

“You’re right,” she groans, stretching. Her body arches against mine before she turns in the bed to face me. “Good morning,” she whispers, a small smile playing at her lips.

“Good morning,” I whisper back, my arms wrapping around her and pulling her close.

“Your dad woke up yesterday.”

“Yeah.” I chuckle. “He did.”

“I’m so happy,” she whispers, almost like she’s afraid if she admits it something bad might happen.

“Me too.”

We’re silent, the both of us studying the other. I’m the one who breaks the silence, unable to stop myself from asking the question I can’t stop thinking about. “Want to tell me why you went to visit him yesterday?”

Her body goes taut as she tries to pull away. “Am I not allowed to visit him now?”

“Abbey, you know that’s not what I’m asking. I’m just surprised you went to see him this close to the opening of the store, and things have been off between us all week.” I smooth a piece of hair from her face, gently forcing her eyes to meet mine. “I want to know what’s bothering you.”

“It’s nothing.” She pushes at my chest, and this time I let her pull away.

I sit up in bed and watch her pad across the room, saying my next words to her back. “Abbey, if you’ve changed your mind about us, just tell me.” She freezes, but doesn’t turn around. “I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

She spins to face me and the tears in her eyes have me on edge. I want to go to her, but I force myself to stay where I am. I won’t push her more than I have. I need her to want to tell me what’s going on.

“I haven’t changed my mind.” Her voice is quiet as she fidgets with the hem of my shirt, flashing her pale yellow panties .

“All right,” I say gently, shifting to the edge of the bed and planting my feet on the floor. I have to hold onto the edge of the mattress to stop myself from going to her. She might not want to break-up, but something is still bothering her. “What’s going on, love?”

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers, so quietly I’m not sure I heard her correctly.

“What?”

She releases my shirt and squares her shoulders, her voice much stronger the second time around. “I’m pregnant.”

The second her words penetrate my brain, I’m off the bed and she’s in my arms. I never thought I’d be happier than the moment Abbey let me back into her life completely, but this beats it, hands down. She’s the love of my life and creating a family with her sounds like the perfect thing.

I slide my hands up her side and cup her cheeks, making sure she sees how serious I am when I speak my next words. “Nothing could make me happier than starting a family with you.”

“You’re sure?” she whispers, tears filling her eyes.

“I couldn’t be more sure.”

“Oh, thank God.” Abbey springs to her toes and wraps her arms around my neck, molding her body to mine. “I didn’t know how you’d feel. I know we have so much history, but this is still new.”

“Mo ghrá, you’ve always been in my heart. A lifetime could pass us by and I’d still want everything with you.”

I feel her tears hit my neck, but I know they’re tears of joy. We may not have talked about it first, and this might not be the way we planned it, but it’s still a dream come true.