CHAPTERNINETEEN
Idon’t know how long I’m out for, but when I come to, I’m lying in a hospital bed, a drip inserted into my hand. I lift my hand up, frightened by why I’m here, but then soft fingers caress my face.
“You’re okay, Kendra,” Eli soothes. “You’re in hospital and they’ve run some tests. You were a little dehydrated, so they’ve hooked you up on some saline. The doctor said you should feel better with that soon.”
“What happened?” I ask, confused.
“You passed out. Frightened me and everyone else there. When you wouldn’t wake up, and your blood pressure suddenly dropped, the medics that were there called an ambulance.”
I groan at the thought of collapsing in front of a crowd of people. No doubt it’s all over social media too. Not that I’m supposed to care. It’s just… well, embarrassing.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Eli seems taken aback. “What are you apologizing for? You passed out. Nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad you’re now in the hospital and they can take care of you.”
I swallow before I reply. Apart from my mouth being dry, I do feel a lot better. “I know, but we were having such a lovely evening before this happened.”
Eli reaches out his hand to cover mine. “There’s plenty more to have. In fact, I’ve been thinking. I’ve had a lot of time to do that while sitting here waiting for you to wake up. Since you’ve sacrificed so much of your time to spend with me, it’s only fair I do the same. Once we know everything is okay here and we’re back home, I’m going to give Oliver and my agent a call.” He glances down at our hands together and smiles. “To be honest with you, I have never felt so alive as much as I did tonight. And I owe that feeling all to you.”
I think my heart just stopped.
I bite my lip, trying to suppress my huge smile. “Really?”
Eli lets out a slight chuckle. “Yes, really. Is it so hard to believe? You pulled out all the stops for me and tonight has made me realize that maybe I can have that happily ever after in a marriage.”
A huge, relieved sigh leaves my lips. “You don’t know how happy it makes me feel to know that. It’s all I have wanted for a while now.”
He squeezes my hand tightly. “I have to admit, I didn’t believe you could change so drastically overnight, but with each passing day, I have come to realize that miracles can actually happen.”
I giggle at his statement. “Of course miracles can happen. They wouldn’t be classed as miracles otherwise.”
Eli purses his lips. “Despite being in the hospital hooked up to an IV, we can still keep the sass intact, I see.”
“Well, I do have to keep my husband on his toes,” I jibe back.
“You’re certainly doing that by the bucketload lately.”
We’re both laughing at this when a doctor with silver slicked-back hair and glasses enters the room. When he notes our laughter, he smiles. “Glad to see that the patient is feeling better. You’ve certainly got color back in your cheeks.”
I do feel a lot better now. I guess I was rather dehydrated.
“I’m feeling great!” I chirp back.
“Good,” the doctor replies. “I also have some very good news. We did a blood test and a head scan, and although your liver levels could be better, you’re in pretty good shape.”
My cheeks pinken with embarrassment. My liver has had a good two to three weeks to heal from all the crap I’ve put inside me. Lord knows what my levels were before then.
“That is great news,” Eli replies. “So it was just dehydration that made Kendra faint?”
The doctor opens his mouth to reply when a nurse walks in with what looks like a portable ultrasound machine on wheels.
“I was just coming round to that part,” the doctor says, excitedly. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott. You’re having a baby.”