Surgeon Boss, Surprise Dad

Confused, Adam didn’t breathe, didn’t move. What was she doing? He already knew she was pregnant.

She’d told him in his office during the worst phase of his life. And he’d blown it. Blown it so badly Liz couldn’t forgive him.

Then it hit him.

She was starting over, giving him a second chance to get things right.

His heart swelled with love for her, at this gift she was giving him. “You’re pregnant?”

“I know we weren’t planning to start a family, and I didn’t mean to get pregnant, but I am, and I love this baby very much. Not just because it’s mine.” She placed her hand over his. “But because it’s yours.”

Feeling light-headed, he sucked in a breath of air.

“Because I love you, Adam. And, despite there being risks and us having had recent problems, there’s nobody else’s baby I want. Just yours.”

Her words cut into his chest, pierced his heart.

“No matter what your future holds, good health or not, I love you,” she whispered. “You, you, and only you. It’s the man you are inside who I love. The person who makes me whole.”

Adam lifted her hand to his mouth, kissed her fingers. “I don’t want to hurt you, Liz. Not ever.”

“I know that.”

Looking into her eyes, he saw the forgiveness, the reality that she did know that he’d never meant to cause her pain.

“I don’t want to burden you.” He squeezed her hand, willing her to understand what he was saying. “If a time comes in the future when you need to leave, I’ll understand.”

She shook her head at him. “Haven’t you learned anything these past few weeks? Being without you is what hurts me, Adam.” She reached across the coffee-table he’d wedged next to the sofa so they could play their game and tangled her fingers in the fabric of his T-shirt, tugging him toward her. Pushing the game board aside, he slid toward her, stopping only when their faces were millimeters apart. “For the record, I won’t understand if you leave me. I didn’t understand a month ago, and I won’t understand at any point in the future.”

“I’m sorry, Liz.” If he told her a million times how sorry he was it wouldn’t be enough to erase what he’d done to her.

“We’re putting that behind us, Adam. It’s in the past.” She let go of his shirt, smoothed the fabric, and cupped his face. “It’s the future that’s important. Our future.”

Her meaning rang clear and his heart almost burst with his emotions for Liz. No matter what, as long as they were together the future would work itself out. They could face any tribulation. Together.

“I don’t deserve you, Liz, but I thank God I have you. I love you.” He kissed her, holding her close, knowing that he’d hold onto Liz with all his heart for the rest of his life.

“I’ll never leave you. Not so long as you’ll have me.”

She smiled brightly, pressing her lips to his. “Good. Then you’re going to be mine for ever.”

“Tell me again,” he said, moments later, wondering exactly how he’d gotten across the coffee-table and tangled up with Liz on the love seat. Adam slid his hand beneath the waist band of her shorts, rested it against the gentle bump.

Liz’s lips curved into a smile. “I’m having your baby.”

Adam let out a joyous whoop that had Liz first rolling her eyes, then sniffling, all the while battling laughter.

He looked into her eyes, saw Liz’s love for him shining brightly and realized he understood how she felt. He would want to stay by her side no matter what, for richer, for poorer, for good health or bad, for always.

EPILOGUE

SWEAT beaded on Liz’s forehead. Never in her life had she felt such intense pain. Not even following her car crash.

Lord, if this baby didn’t get here soon she was going to split in half.

“You’re doing great, honey,” Adam encouraged from beside her, trying to force-feed her another ice chip. Adam’s MS had gone into remission and he’d been symptom-free for months now. They both knew that could change in the blink of an eye, but they kept their hearts focused on what mattered most. Each other.

“Just a little while longer and our daughter will be here.”