He stroked her arm, her skin warm against his touch. “Quentyn and Jadyn aren’t just a responsibility to me. They’re part of me, and I love them all the more because they’re part of you, too. Those two little people are the best parts of us. And I’ll make sure, no matter what, that they grow up and make their mother proud.”
Heath had to stop then. A welling of emotion filled his chest, making it hard to take a deep breath. His words came out strained, as though they had to fight their way out of him, had to squeeze past the big lump in his throat.
Sylvie started to stir. Heath’s hand tightened on hers as her eyes fluttered open. He could tell that they didn’t quite focus on him, though. He imagined she was deep in the throes of the drugs that they were giving her to dull the pain.
“Is it over?” Sylvie croaked.
“No. Nothing’s over. Everything’s ahead of us. You’re right here with me. You’re safe.” He smoothed her hair away from her forehead.
Sylvie looked confused. “Water?” Heath immediately searched for the water cup. He found it and brought the straw to Sylvie’s lips. She sucked on the straw gratefully, and then she pulled away with a nod to him.
Too late, he feared maybe he shouldn't have given it to her. He jumped up and dashed to the door.
He flung it open and smiled at the gathered Joneses. “She’s awake! She’s talking!”
Everyone nodded and seemed pleased enough. He thought they weren’t as thrilled as they should be. Maybe … oh, he didn’t know and didn’t care.
“I gave her some water.” He looked at Eli, who was the only person there other than Elfleda who’d look Heath in the eye. “Was that okay? I didn’t think.”
Eli stepped in front of him and gave him a solid, manly squeeze on the shoulder. “It’s just fine, son. She can have water.”
Heath blew out a long breath of relief. “Okay, then. I’m going back in. You might want to tell the doctor she’s awake.”
“We will, son,” Eli said, the low voice a beacon of calm for Heath.
Heath quickly returned to Sylvie’s side.
“Everyone’s so happy you’ve come back to us,” he said to her, taking the water cup from her hands and setting it on the side table.
Her expression was confused again. “Come back? Oh yeah. What are you doing here, Heath?”
“I can’t believe you need to ask me that, sweetheart. Aunt Elfleda called me and told me about the accident. Don’t you worry about anything. You’re a fighter and you can overcome anything. I’m here to help you and I’ve got specialists on the way. Just stay here with us. Don’t leave.”
“What are you talking about? Accident? Did they drop me on the way to the operating room or something?”
Heath wondered if she had a concussion. Brain trauma could account for her memory loss. “It’s okay, baby. Don’t worry about it.”
Sylvie tried to sit up, but she groaned as she twisted and grabbed at her side.