Luke(47)

"Okay … how about until … tomorrow night?"

"Nope."

God. She pulled back, horrified. She'd assumed he'd meant there were no more time restrictions on them, but he'd never really said—

"I'm thinking forever," he said. "Does forever work for you? Sharing my life, heart and soul forever?"

She swallowed hard past the lump in her throat and nodded past her tears. "Well, I suppose it's only fair," she whispered. "Since that's how long I want to share mine with you."





* * *





Epilogue


? ^

Two weeks later



Faith sat in the staff room, a cup of green tea in front of her, fascinated by her own left hand.

"Would you stop it?" Shelby complained. "You're blinding me."

Faith grinned as she, for the hundredth time, shifted her fingers to catch the light on her diamond engagement ring.

"Hey, slackers," Luke said as he came into the room, dressed to see patients. "It's Saturday and you have a full clinic." He clapped his hands like the dictator he sometimes forgot he wasn't. "Let's hit it."

Then he caught sight of what Faith was drinking and went utterly still. "What are you doing?"

"Drinking green tea. Did you know it has qualities that help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels?"

"It also lowers cholesterol," Shelby said helpfully.

Luke took the cup away.

"Hey," Faith protested. "I just made that."

He set it on the counter and turned back to her. "Green tea isn't good for pregnant women."

Shelby gasped.

So did Faith. "First of all," she said slowly. "How do you even know that?"

"Hey, you're not the only one who knows some naturopathic stuff."

Faith smiled, but it slowly faded. "I'm not pregnant, Luke."

"I thought we weren't sure."

She sighed. "I am today." She didn't look at him for a moment because suddenly she felt … uncertain. How would he feel about that? Relieved? Upset?

But then he was right there, gently lifting her chin, kissing her softly. "Are you okay?"

"For now," she answered as honestly as she could. "But I have to admit to an odd disappointment."

"Yeah." His eyes were soft on hers. "I know."

"I still want to wear your ring," she said, possessively pulling it to her chest.

"God, I hope so," he said fervently.

Faith stood up to hug him. "And there's always…" She leaned and bit his earlobe.

Shelby rolled her eyes. "Take it to a bedroom."

"Always … what?" Luke asked huskily.

Faith soothed the nip she'd just taken with her tongue. "Practicing," she whispered.

"I'm not hearing this," Shelby said, putting her hands to her ears.

Luke's hands slid down Faith's body and his mouth nibbled at her throat. "Practicing … I like that. I like that a lot."