Intense (Dark Hearts)

“Good. Because I really missed you.”

“Me too.”

I sigh and then yawn. There’s a knock at the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re here to bring Ms. Reeves her dinner.”

“Oh.”

“My housekeeper is bringing us dinner.”

“Not for her. I’m sorry, sweetie, but for tonight, dinner is our menu. Until the doctor gives the approval, you’re on a bland and light diet.”

“Okay. I won’t argue.”

“I wish it was that easy,” Roman grumbles.

“I like bickering with you,” I sass, smiling up at him.

“Can we come in now? Grizelda dropped off the food and we’re hungry.”

“Take that to the lounge. Amelia can’t have any, and I don’t want her to be upset.”

“Oh, sorry, sweetie,” my mom says, giving me a slight hug. I forgot about the hospital meals. “We’ll be back in a bit.”

“Go ahead and eat with them,” I tell Roman.

“No.” He turns to the nurse and asks, “Can you bring me one of the hospital meals?”

“Yes, I can.” She smiles and walks out of the room, leaving us alone again.

“Are you really going to eat the bland food for me?”

“Yeah. It’s my fault you’re in here in the first place.”

“It’s not.”

“But it is. I hired that asshole, and that rotten bitch gave birth to me.”

“I’m not going to argue with you because I’m too tired for it, but I still think you’re wrong.” He bends down and kisses me hard, slipping his tongue inside when I moan.

“You’re so beautiful, Amelia. Even when you think you’re right.” I want to kiss and punch him at the same time. We kiss once more before two nurses come in with the trays. Roman helps them set up on the wheeled-bed table and then they leave us alone.

“Let’s see what they have for us.” He lifts up the tray and holds back the look of disgust on his face. It’s not terrible, but from the color of everything, I’m betting it tastes like cardboard.

“Our first date in New York,” I tease.

“I was hoping to make our first date here memorable. I guess I’ve made it infamous.” He helps me sit up a bit to eat because one of my arms is banged up.

“At least I didn’t have to get all dolled up.”

“I don’t know. I do find that gown quite revealing.” He teases, reaching for it.

“Behave yourself, Mr. Edwards, or I’m going to eat your Jell-O.”

“If I get to touch you, I’ll buy you all the Jell-O you want.”

“Promises, promises.” He nods, and I have a feeling one day I’m going to find myself with so much of it I won’t know what to do.

Chapter Fifteen

Roman

It’s one hell of a long four days. Amelia’s finally set to be released from the hospital, and I’ve just finished work early so that I could have a quick meeting with my therapist and then head to pick Amelia up. It was hard to go back to the office knowing that I had to be away from her. I did everything I could to take my meetings and calls in the hospital so I wasn’t far from her, but it became too bothersome for her. She sent me to my office. Which was fine, because it did have an upside. I had time to pick out the perfect engagement ring.

Today, I meet with my therapist. I did have to cancel my meeting, but when he learned of the situation, he understood. I’ve just arrived on his floor when he greets me. “Do come in.”

I take a seat and explain what the past four days have been like. He does his best to remain unfazed, but he gives a little away. “How are you feeling now that you’re going to be a father? Are you worried that she’ll do like your mother and try to take your baby from you?”

“Don’t compare Amelia to that shrew.”

“There, that’s good. Because you came to me with the need to compare all women to Anna. I’m glad to see the progress. I’m sad to say it has more to do with nearly losing Amelia than you seeing what life would be if you’d believed Anna.”

“You’re right. I’m not afraid of Amelia doing what Anna did to me to our baby. In fact, from the love and kindness Rachel has for Amelia, I know that Amelia’s going to be just like her mother.”

“Good. Now, I’ll expect to see you less often, but I do suggest that at the very least you stay for the next year. With the baby coming, there are bound to be arguments and things that you’re probably not prepared for.”

“Thanks, Doc. I’ll think about it. I’ll schedule the next appointment for the first week of October, but I have to check with my assistant on that.”

“Great. Take care, Roman.”

I feel great leaving his office and jump into the back of my vehicle. “Johnson, the hospital, please.”