Sydney knew immediately the reason for the pause. It was hard for Sam to say “daddy.” He thought of himself as Duke’s daddy.
They’d agreed Duke wouldn’t stay long. They didn’t want him to get upset at the sight of Sam.
“We should get going,” Sydney said.
“Thanks for coming to see me,” Sam said.
“You’re welcome. We’ll come back soon, won’t we, Duke?”
“Sure. We’ll come back soon.” Duke smiled.
Sydney relinquished Duke into her father’s care and went back to Sam.
“Thanks for bringing him,” Sam said.
“No need to thank me.”
“That’s not true. I need to thank you for so many things.”
The long fingers of guilt threatened to choke her. “No, you don’t.”
“Sydney, please. Let me do this.”
She sighed and looked around the hospital room. So sterile. So empty. Thank goodness Sam would be leaving soon. He’d have to wear the eye patch for a few weeks, but other than that, he’d get along fine.
“Okay, Sam. Say what you need to say.”
“Look at me.”
She turned.
His expression glowed with seriousness.
“I love you.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. A pang of remorse shot through her. She loved him too, but it didn’t matter. She was leaving. She’d made up her mind.
“I love you too.”
“Sydney, I’d be dead if it weren’t for you.”
“I did what anyone would have done.”
“You promised you wouldn’t let me die, and you didn’t. And you promised you wouldn’t leave me here alone, and you didn’t.”
“Sam, I—”
“Please, let me finish. I love you. Yes, I still wish you’d told me about Duke from the beginning, but I forgive you, Sydney. I forgive you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t deserve his forgiveness. She didn’t deserve him.
“And I trust you, Sydney. I trust you with my life.”
“Sam, please.”
“I want to be a part of your life. I want to be a part of Duke’s life. I won’t disrupt his life. I’ll settle for being his brother-in-law.”
Sydney dropped her jaw open. “What?”