The nurse turned around. “Yes,” she said. “It’s supposed to be that fast. Baby is nice and healthy so far. Hello, Kevin.”
“Hello,” Kevin said. “This is Michael, another friend of Stacy’s.”
Stacy’s head jerked forward a little.
“Michael?” Her voice was soft and raspy.
“Yeah, baby, I’m here,” Michael said, his heart pounding. “Can I come in?”
The nurse looked at Stacy, and Stacy nodded.
“Just for a little while,” the nurse said. “Stacy needs her rest.”
Kevin excused himself and left. The room smelled sterile when Michael inhaled. No flowers graced the surroundings. He’d remedy that as soon as possible. He pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed.
“You look beautiful.”
She winced. “Don’t make me laugh, Michael. It hurts.”
“God! I’m sorry.”
“Did you get my email?”
“Yeah. I emailed you back, and when you didn’t respond, I came here looking for you. I’m so sorry about all this, Stace.”
“This? This isn’t your fault.”
“I know. But if I’d had half a brain, we would have been together long before now, and maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
“There’s no way to know that for sure. I’m going to be all right. I got really lucky.”
“Thank God. If something had happened to you…” Michael swallowed. “I can’t lose you, baby. I…I love you.”
“Oh, Michael!” She reached for him but grimaced in pain.
Michael’s heart broke to see her like this. “Don’t try to move, sweetheart.” He leaned toward her. “I’ll come to you.” He touched his mouth softly to hers. Her full red lips were parched and dry.
“Michael, do you really?”
“Yes, baby. I love you. I’m so sorry about everything. I thought I wanted a woman to take care of me. I thought I could live without love. But I can’t, not now that I’ve found you.”
“I should have listened to you at the conference.”
“No, Stace. No. You bear no blame here. It’s all on me.” He meant it. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m just so glad you’re here now.” She closed her open eye, and a tear squeezed out. “Michael, I know about Beth.”
“I know. Dino told Ronnie.”
“Ronnie didn’t tell me. I haven’t talked to her since the conference. I found an old article online. I’m so sorry that you lost her and your child.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“But it still hurts.”
“Yes, it still hurts. But I found another woman I love more than life itself. If she’ll have me?”
His heart skittered as he awaited her answer.