They all filtered out together, saying goodbyes that blended into a chorus. Grace was last, and she pulled the door partially closed behind her.
“Do you think we’ll get in trouble if you sleep in my bed?” I asked Cori quietly.
She looked up at me, hopeful. “Probably.”
“Do it anyway.” I savored her smile as she kicked off her shoes, and I carefully scooted over, arranging her next to me so she wasn’t tangled in the IV.
Cori curled against my chest, and I felt settled. This was where she was supposed to be.
“Grant?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you forgive me for last night?”
I pulled her closer, my words soft. “There was never anything to forgive, Cori. You were in an impossible situation, trying to protect me.”
“Okay.”
Leaning down, I kissed her hair. “If you need to hear it, I forgive you. But never doubt that I am completely in love with you, and that this—” I tightened my fingers “—is where you belong.”
Cori sighed. A sound of relief and pleasure. She was probably more exhausted than I was, having been through her own ordeal and worrying through the entire surgery. Sleep was hovering around the edges for me too. I pulled Cori more firmly onto my chest, and together, we slept.