Page 52 of Sharing Forever in Hope Creek (Hope Creek #2)

The room was dimly lit and Callie had not yet awakened following her surgery.

Jack sat by her bedside, more exhausted than he’d ever been in his life, but nowhere close to being able to sleep. He had one of Callie’s hands in his, and his other hand cradled Rory as his son slept in the curve of his arm.

Callie had needed a transfusion during her surgery, but she’d regained her colour and was now sleeping peacefully.

The steady blip of the heart monitor and the slow rise and fall of her chest provided the reassurance Jack needed.

The doctor had successfully removed the placenta and stopped the bleeding in what had apparently been a very complicated procedure because the placenta had somehow penetrated the uterine wall.

The Richardson clan was all in Melbourne with the exception of Blue, who’d stayed behind to look after things at Hope Creek Station because their closest neighbours were also away.

Morgan had taken leave the second she’d learned that Callie had needed surgery and been transferred to intensive care.

Margaret and Jim had ordered the girls to return to their home in Toorak with Mitchell and Kade, but Stella and Morgan had refused.

Currently, they were all in the cafeteria but they’d be allowed to return to be with Jack and Callie one at a time as soon as Jack sent word that Callie was awake.

‘Jack.’ Callie’s voice sounded parched.

‘Darling.’ Thank God. ‘Would you like a sip of water?’

She nodded and he reached for a glass of water and held the straw to her lips.

After she’d drunk, she sent him a weak smile and her gaze drifted to Rory. ‘We did it.’

‘You did it, Callie, and you were incredible.’

She closed her eyes again. ‘What happened afterwards? I remember bright lights and faces in surgical masks.’

When he told her, she asked, ‘Does that mean …? Am I still able to have more children?’

He shuddered. ‘Callie, I don’t ever want you to go through that again.’

More firmly she asked, ‘Can I still have children?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘Good. I don’t want Rory to be an only child.’

Jack felt his brows draw together. How could she even contemplate childbirth again after what she’d been through? Then he looked down at their sleeping son and his features relaxed because he understood. Despite the harrowing experience, they had a wonderful son.

‘Time enough to make that decision,’ he said. ‘Meanwhile, we’ve got one adorable son to love.’

‘Can I hold him?’ She winced as she moved to sit a bit more upright.

Jack helped her into a better position before he transferred their son into Callie’s arms.

‘Can I feed him or did I have drugs during the surgery that prevent that now?’ she asked.

‘I’m not sure. They didn’t say, but he did take a bottle while you were in surgery so he may not need another feed for a while.’

Her face fell for a second before she stroked Rory’s little head with the palm of her hand. ‘He’s a miracle, this tiny son of ours. I can’t believe how much I love him already.’

‘I feel the same way.’

‘So we’re a family now,’ Callie said.

‘Yes.’ There was enormous satisfaction in that word. The ordeal had shaken him—had no doubt shaken them both—but they were probably stronger because of it. ‘Thank you,’ he told her quietly. ‘I love you and our son.’

Callie’s fingers intertwined with his and they sat in silence for a while, bound by the love they’d found in each other and the love they had for their son.

‘Pretty special to be a family, isn’t it?’ she asked him.

‘Sure is,’ he agreed. ‘And, speaking of family, I should probably call yours and let them know you’re awake. Mitch had to take Kade home, but the others have all gone to the cafeteria to have something to eat.’

‘They’re your family too, Jack.’

‘They sure are.’ The whole Richardson clan had proved their solidarity during his arrest and he wasn’t sure he could’ve coped without them while Callie had been in theatre. ‘I love them and I love you.’

‘I love you forever.’

‘Don’t ever stop telling me.’ As he looked at Callie and Rory he felt indescribable happiness.

Despite the grief he and Callie had suffered in their own childhoods that had fostered doubts within them that they could ever hope to be good parents, he knew that they’d give Rory a home filled with love and happiness.

Life was wonderful but it would be even better once Callie was recovered and they could take Rory home to Hope Creek and start a new chapter in their lives together.

‘We have so much to look forward to.’ Callie smothered a yawn. ‘So much to share.’

He squeezed her hand. ‘I’m looking forward to sharing our family … sharing forever with you, my darling.’

‘Sharing forever …’ She smiled sleepily. ‘I like the sound of that.’

So did he.