Submerged(Bound Together Book 1)(93)

 

“I’m just conversing with the mother of my granddaughter, Luke. Trying to understand what has led to this moment in our lives.” Janice turns and looks back at me. “To say we were surprised the other night when Blake shared his news is an understatement. We just wanted to get to know you and maybe have a few questions answered. We have yet to even meet our granddaughter.”

 

“Not now, Mom,” Blake mumbles without opening his eyes.

 

“Oh, Blake, you’re awake!” Janice exclaims before rushing to his bedside and grabbing his hand. I can tell she adores both of her sons, but she seems a little over the top. I hate to judge her without even knowing her, but she appears to be a little overzealous when it comes to her sons.

 

“I’m awake, and I want you to leave Carly alone. What happened to get us to where we are now doesn’t matter anymore. The only thing that matters is that we’re together now and will be for a long time. Forever, actually. As soon as I get out of here, I’m going to marry her.” He says it so matter-of-factly that all I can do is blink, mouth gaping wide open. Blake’s eyes remain closed, though. In fact, he has yet to move.

 

“You’re getting married?” she asks in surprise before turning and looking at me. All I can do is stare. The only sound I make is a weird inaudible squeak.

 

“Yep. As soon as I can get out of this bed, we’re getting married.” It has to be the drugs talking. No way did he just tell his parents–parents that I just met for the first time yesterday–that we’re getting married as soon as possible.

 

“Well, I’d say congratulations are in order,” Dan says with a bright smile. I can see where the boys each get their charm. He winks at me and goes to pull his wife off Blake. Her death grip on his hand surely isn’t helping him any.

 

“Oh, yes. Congratulations,” she says as if in a daze.

 

“Where is my beautiful fiancée?” Blake asks, raising his hand for me to grab. When I glance over at Luke, he’s wearing the matching ornery grin his father sports.

 

Hesitantly, I take a few steps back towards Blake and take ahold of his hand. My racing heart instantly calms down with just the slightest touch. I’ve never experienced any sort of connection to anyone that I’ve shared with Blake these past few weeks. Hell, since that first night we spent together. Our connection was undeniable. It was pure and raw. It was destiny stepping in. My destiny.

 

“I love you,” he mumbles as if he can’t stop himself from saying it as often as possible. The fact that he says it so comfortably while his family is in his hospital room doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the room.

 

Crouching down next to his head, I whisper the three little words I’ve wanted to say forever. “I love you, too.”

 

My statement is met with green eyes as he opens them for the first time since waking up. “Say it again.”

 

“I love you,” I tell him confidently. His smile could light up the entire hospital.

 

“That’s all I needed to hear,” he says before bringing my hand up to his mouth and kissing our linked fingers.

 

A knock at the door interrupts our moment. Assuming it’s the doctor or nurse coming back in to check Blake’s vitals, I don’t turn around until I hear one word that clearly doesn’t come from the nurse.

 

“Da da!” Natalia exclaims from my mom’s arms.

 

Blake and I both look to the doorway to see my mom hesitantly entering the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know there would be so many visitors. I hope it’s okay that I brought her. Someone has missed her mommy and daddy.”

 

Blake lets go of my hand as I make my way over to my mom and reach for our daughter. Even just one night away is difficult when you’ve raised her solo for the past year. I quickly give Natalia a big hug, but it’s not me that she’s trying to get to. She’s pushing away from me, trying to get out of my arms and over to Blake.

 

“Come here, baby girl,” Blake says. Natalia’s face lights up like the Fourth of July as she reaches for her dad.

 

“You’ve got to be careful, sweetie. Daddy has a big ouchy.” Natalia is practically clawing at my arms to get on the bed. I gingerly set her down on his good side, making sure the railing is up and she can’t fall out of bed. She settles instantly against his side, cradled in his good arm. As if settling into our nightly routine, I grab the remote that has sat unused on the bedside table for the past twenty-four hours and turn on cartoons. They both lie there, content as can possibly be, while watching Dora the Explorer together.