Page 95 of The Celtic Resolution

“No,” I say quickly, caressing her knuckles with my thumb. “I’m sure… I’m sure it’s nothing. If it was then they’d tell us immediately, right?”

“Would they?” Her eyes meet mine and I see the worry spiraling behind her gaze. “Oh, God?—”

“Mr. and Mrs. Gifford! So sorry to keep you waiting!” The doctor hurries in and flashes us both a smile as she moves around her desk. “You’re both well, I hope?”

I don’t bother correcting her about my name as I lean forward in my seat. “What’s wrong?”

“Hmm?” She sits and pulls out a thick folder that she sets out in front of her. “Wrong?”

“Yes.” Saoirse’s grip becomes like a vise. “The nurse told me to come here, said it was about Liam. Is he okay? Did something happen? Did we miss something? It was Christmas, wasn’t it? There were too many visitors. Oh, my God…” Her hand slaps over her mouth. “Did we harm him?”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” says the doctor kindly. “Mrs. Gifford, I’m here with good news and I’m sorry the nurse scared you. Liam has been going from strength to strength and his latest test results are the strongest I have seen. I’m here to tell you that you’ll be able to take Liam home soon.”

My heart stalls in my chest, caught between relief and excitement. “What? Wha… when?”

“By my calculations and assuming he does well in the next two days, I’m confident you can take him home on Saturday.”

“Saturday?” I gasp.

“New Year?” Saoirse nearly chokes on the words. “You’re telling me our baby can come home at New Year’s?”

“Yes.” The doctor smiles widely. “It’s about time Liam went home and started life with his family.”

“Oh, my God.” I can barely think. So many weeks of waiting and watching, barely sleeping or understanding the medical lingo all for a day that I felt would never come.

“Yes,” Saoirse gasps and it turns into a yell as she leaps from her seat. “Yes! I knew it, I fucking new it!” She drags me up from my chair and plants a heavy kiss on my lips, hugs me and then bolts from the room. “I have to tell Cian!”

She’s back a half-second later while I’m still standing there, stunned. “Thanks, Doctor! Bruno, are you coming?” She holds out one hand to me with tears sparkling in her eyes and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face.

“Yeah.” I grin, throwing a thankful glance at the doctor then taking her hand. “I’m right with you.”

40

SAOIRSE

Morning comes at half past ten and instead of the blare of an alarm waking me up, it’s soft kisses from Bruno.

“Mmm, five more minutes,” I mumble into the crook of my arm.

Bruno’s lips move from my temple to my cheek and he chuckles softly. “Are you sure?”

“Mmmhmm.”

“Then who is going to get Liam?”

I bolt upright at the speed of light with no warning so naturally my head cracks into Bruno’s jaw as he tries to pull away.

“Ow!” We both cry out and clasp our respective injuries, then dissolve into laughter.

“Holy shit, I didn’t think that through,” Bruno groans, rubbing his jaw.

“Ow,” I whimper again, rubbing my head. “Your jaw is sharp.”

“Your head is hard.” Bruno leans down and swiftly kisses the top of my head. “Now get up. Breakfast is ready by the way.”

As he leans away, I grab a handful of his t-shirt and drag him back for a full, proper kiss which he accepts with a smile. Our noses briefly brush together then he hurries away, leaving the bedroom door open.

Liam.