Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(56)

By the time they got the patient stable, the roses were forgotten about as the hospital kept them busy. Kinsey knew she was only getting a short reprieve, but she'd take it. When she found the nurses' station empty of any staff a few hours later, she quickly swooped in and gathered the cards Austin had written her, then took off for a bathroom.

She hid in one of the stalls and read each one at least three times, her heart racing. He wasn't playing fair. How could she resist him when he said such romantic things? What if he really did want more than just sex? Was she willing to give a relationship with him a try?

She went through the rest of her shift on autopilot, often checking on Joseph, hoping he'd come out of the coma. She knew of patients that never did  –  that couldn't be the case with Joseph.

By the time her day was over, she still wasn't any closer to knowing what she wanted. A good night's rest would help, she decided. She was already starting to miss Austin, and it had only been a day. She wasn't going to get anything worked out until she took her time thinking about the matter. With a sigh, she turned off her mind, putting her problems on the back-burner as she made her way home, the smell of his roses invading her car, causing her heart to thump.



"I brought chocolate, all different kinds, and sparkling cider," Bree said as she entered the hospital room with an expectant smile on her face.

She bent down and kissed Joseph's forehead before giving Katherine a hug and then getting comfortable on the couch.

"What's the occasion?" Katherine asked with a smile.

"I'm ready for the story to continue. I can't believe you've made us wait an entire week. You have me on the edge of my seat. Seriously, I've been dreaming about you and Joseph. It's just so romantic. I never really thought about you and Uncle Joseph meeting," Bree answered.

"I agree, Mom. I've been going crazy having to wait. You have to tell us more. Amy and Jessica are right behind me," Emily said as she came in with a bag full of her own goodies. She quickly hugged Katherine, then sat down next to Bree.

It didn't take long for the rest of the family to file into the room. Even the guys were intrigued by the story. Katherine looked around the room at her family, so grateful to have them during this time without her husband. 

She didn't know how she'd go on if Joseph never woke up, but she knew she'd at least have the moral support she needed from her loved ones. It wouldn't be enough  –  nothing would be, but it still brought comfort.

"Where's Kinsey? I thought she was working today," Austin asked as he came inside.

"She had to assist in another room, but should be back any minute," Katherine answered. She looked at her husband with a smile. He would be thrilled to have his nephew on pins and needles for the pretty nurse.

"Morning, Katherine," George said as he walked in with Max. He looked quite grumpy and Katherine had to fight back a knowing smile. She may be at the hospital most of the time, but she was still aware of what was going on around her.

She knew the kids were playing games with George and Esther. She actually agreed with them. It was time those two stopped hiding and finally admitted how in love they were.

As she gazed at her sleeping husband, time took on a whole new meaning. Life was too short to let even a single day pass them by.

"Joseph was going through a lot in those early days. He had an Uncle who was a very bad man. Neilson was out to destroy the corporation Joseph's father built. Also at that time, there was a lot of misunderstanding between him and George, such trivial stuff, and so many years wasted," Katherine said with a sad sigh.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Katherine. If I could take back that time … " George trailed off, his eyes brimming with his own memories.

"It all worked out, George, so don't you be hard on yourself. I'm just trying to let the kids know why some of the events happened the way they did."

"I know, but it makes me feel like such a fool."

"We were all fools then, George. But luckily, we grew up. I can't imagine how my life would have turned out … " she said, too choked up to continue.

"If this is too hard … " Cassie said.

"No dear, it's just that it makes me hurt to think of those years we missed out on. But hopefully you can learn from us, learn about how precious time really is, and how the small things in life aren't worth getting upset over. When you find your true love, you run to them. Don't walk, don't hide, you take them in your arms and never let them go."

She watched as Austin's eyes glanced toward the door, awaiting Kinsey to walk through the opening. She had a feeling another wedding was in the future. As she looked at George, who was also looking out the door, she modified that. It looked like there may be two weddings.