This beautiful woman whose son is lying in a hospital bed is trying to comfort me.
“I love your son,” the words spill out of my mouth with a sob and I don’t try to take them back as emotion continues to overcome me. “I love him, but I also love Emmet and Nathan.” Oh God, I think my mind has broken. “They take care of me and my kids and I didn’t just run away because my mother is a bitch. I tried to shut them out because I’ve never felt this way about anyone else before and I don’t know how to deal with it.” The confession rips from me before I can stop them.
And it’s the truth. My mother may have been the thing that pushed me over the edge, but the truth was I was looking for an excuse. A reason to end our relationship and get away from the uncommon emotion that has been strangling my heart.
The beeping of the machines that Chase is hooked up to is the only noise in the room and Chase’s mother stares at me with wide eyes. Her lips are parted slightly and she turns her head to look at her son who’s just as bewildered. Her brown gaze finally returns to me and she takes my hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “I think I should give you guys a little time alone.”
I watch as she calmly moves over to the other strange woman standing at the door who seems to be frozen in place. She places a hand on her shoulder and guides her out of the room.
The door shuts with a resounding thud.
My legs feel like jelly as I take in all the gazes on me and I have to move over to the now vacant seat beside Emmet before I fall over.
My heart is going wild in my chest and my skin feels hot.
Chase’s eyes find mine. “Is that true?” he asks softly.
I bite my lip turning to look at Emmet who’s watching me closely before looking at Nathan and catching the small smile on his face.
‘It’s true,” I finally say, looking down at my hands in my lap as I start to fidget with them.
Emmet’s brown hand reaches over and enfolds my hands in his, making my gaze snap up.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asks softly.
It feels like there’s a lump in my throat as I muster the courage to explain the emotions I’ve been trying to keep to myself. “I didn’t know,” I confess. “Not until we were in the living room watching TV together and then my mother burst in and I couldn’t… I couldn’t handle the flood of emotions. I felt overwhelmed and I was worried.”
I look up, taking in each man’s face. “But… but when Jamille called me about Chase and I thought that…” I shake my head, not able to get the words off but the guys look at me in understanding. “I can’t let you guys go, not like this.”
Patricia was right, I don’t have to choose between them and the kids. I can have them both and be happy for once in my life.
I take a deep breath, letting the warmth of Emmet’s hands on mine comfort me. “I know I messed up and I shoved you guys out, but…” I sigh as my face heats up and I look at each man in turn. “I love you guys and I want you to be a part of my life and the kids’ life.”
Hesitantly, I look up, waiting for them to tell me that it’s too late. They’d never had any qualms about sharing me, yet I’d ran away the second my emotions became too much for me to handle.
“Ivy,” Nathan says and my gaze snaps up to meet his blue eyes. He moves over and kneels in front of me as he places a hand on mine, leaving Emmet’s on top. His penetrating gaze holds mine as he smiles. “You needed time to process your emotions and that’s okay.”
My breath catches in my chest. “You’re not mad?” I ask.
He shakes his head, “Of course not.” His eyes soften. “How could I be when I love you too?”
I wanted the words but I didn’t expect them. My heart flutters in my chest and I go light headed. I take a deep breath, trying to push down the joy that threatens to overcome me.
Just because Nathan isn’t mad doesn’t mean the others aren’t.
I turn my gaze to Emmet and one of his hands leaves mine to fiddle with the necklace around his neck. His topaz eyes lock with mine. “I told you once, Ivy, you woke me up, and that’s still true. I like the way I feel with you.” He lets the necklace fall back to his chest. “I understand your fear, a part of me thought that you were going to really end it and I hated it.” I think of the pain I’d saw in his eyes the day I told them I need time to think and it makes my heart hurt. “So yeah, I love you too and I’m not upset.” His lips spread into a wide grin.
I return his smile and can’t help but to lean forward and press a quick kiss to his lips. After days of not being able to do it, it warms my skin and I have to force myself not to lean in and go for a deeper one.
A throat clears and I snap my attention to Chase. He shifts slightly in the bed, his gown sliding down some to reveal more of the huge gauze that covers his shoulder. “I feel like I’m at a disadvantage since I’m not supposed to get out of this bed,” he says, eyeing Nathan who’s still in front of me. There’s a slight pout in his voice and I shake my head as I move over to stand by his side.
He gives me a satisfied smile. “Nathan and Emmet already covered all the pretty words,” he jokes, because even in a hospital bed, the man has his sense of humor. “But considering how you just completely spilt your guts to my ma while meeting her for the first time, I guess I’ve got to love you, right?”
I smile as my heart flutters in my chest and I lean forward to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. “That’s right.” I turn to meet each man’s gaze carefully, not able to contain my smile. “Now that you have me, you have no choice but to love me.”