Dear Heart, You Screwed Me(112)

“I called 999 and was blue lighted to the Royal London,” he stopped for a moment, I lay my head back on his chest and listened to his heart that thumped loudly. “As soon as I was in the hospital, I was rushed through and hooked up to all the machines…” his voice cracked, “Reese, I had never been so scared in all my life,” he whispered, as if it was too much for him to even speak about.

My heart hurt for him, the thought of him being that far from home.

“They spoke to my doctor about my condition, within a couple of hours I was on the transplant list. I never thought I would get lucky… I honestly thought I would have died in that hospital… all alone.”

My throat grew thick, the tears falling. I couldn’t wipe them away quick enough as they fell onto his scar. I pushed up, placing soft, butterfly kisses along his scar and my finger following my trail.

“But you didn’t… you’re here,” I beamed; my eyes still glassy as I sniffled.

“I was in that hospital for a month in total,” he stilled for a moment, his arm gripping me and holding me tight. “Then, one night my doctor came round to tell me that they had found a donor, a young man who had died that night.”

I felt myself stiffen, Killian’s grip tighter as he held me where I was.

“Once I received the transplant, I knew I had to thank his family… because if it wasn’t for the tragic loss of their son, I would have died.” His vice shook, his heat thrashed around in his chest as was mine. I couldn’t calm my breaths; they were fast and harsh as I continued listening to him.

“A month ago, after a lot of work I found his family. Donors stay anonymous, but I wanted to reach out and just say thank you.”

“What date did you receive your transplant?” I whispered, afraid to speak any louder. My eyes darted around the empty room as I waited for him to answer.

“The twentieth of October,” his voice was cool, his grip hadn’t loosened.

“The day after Elijah died,” I choked silent sobs, my tears drenching Killian’s skin.

I pushed up, turning to look at him waiting for confirmation of what I already knew.

He nodded slowly; his eyes pinned to mine before I broke out in an uncontrollable sob.

“Baby,” he soothed me, grabbing my face and kissed away my tears. “Listen to me.”

My heart felt so full and so broken at the same time. I felt constricted and confused with the emotions that were ripping through me.

“You lost a great love…”

I nodded, sniffling as the burn in my throat caused me to gasp.

“But you found a greater love in me. And I know I will never replace Elijah… I would never want to,” he held me, his lips pressing over each of my eyelids before he rested his forehead against mine.

“This heart, it still beats for you my love… it’s only ever beat for you,” he pulled back, tilting my head up to look at him, “it will always only beat for you.”

He covered his mouth with mine as the overwhelming love consumed me, making the hole that I had carried around since Elijah passed, whole again.

“I love you, Buttercup,”

I sniffed, my hands reaching up to touch his scar. My eyes lingered for a moment before my eyes found his. “But not as much as I love you, Killian.”





EPILOGUE





I sat at my desk at Lordes PR. I felt at home here. I felt content. It had taken a bit of adjusting from working alongside Killian to now working by myself and heading up a company, but I was enjoying it. I made it work. We were growing as a company in the last six months, and we had just signed two big names alongside Harlen. I decided against maternity leave, I wanted to work right up until the last minute which would be soon as I was due to pop any day now. I had the sign off from my doctor, baby girl was growing nicely and there were no further concerns with her heart which was a big relief for me and Killian.

My eyes moved from my desk as I looked at the picture of me and him that was on my desk. We were both smiling, so carefree and happy. We were in London, standing in Elijah’s favourite cove in Cornwall. Killian seemed at home there, and part of me wondered whether it was because he was carrying a piece of Elijah with him.

Since we’ve been back in New York, I have found him on real estate websites looking for cute little houses right on the cove where we stayed. I think he is a little obsessed. I told him I would think about it, because honestly, as much as I love New York… I love England more.

My phone buzzed, Killian’s name flashing up on the screen. Smirking, I unlocked my phone and read his message.

Killian: Outside. X

Slipping my phone into my bag, I locked my computer and headed for the door. Swinging it open, I jumped when I saw Killian standing there, a big ‘baby, I’m here’ smile on his face as he leant up against the doorframe.

“You said you were outside,” I muttered as he leant in, wrapping his arm around my waist and kissing me softly.

“I did, I meant outside your office…” he quipped, smirking, “did you not get that from my very detailed message?” he wiggled his eyebrows up and down before laughing.

“Come on old man, let’s get you home.”

“Who you calling old man? Brat.” He growled, dragging me towards the lift. Pushing the button impatiently, he huffed as he waited.