Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(109)

“I’m fine,” he said gruffly. “Nothing a few days with a certain doctor to take care of me won’t cure.”

As he drew away, she smiled, joy and relief shining like stars in her eyes. And then they dimmed and her hand automatically lowered to her belly.

“The baby?” she asked anxiously.

“So far so good,” he said, eager to ease her fears. “They said as soon as you woke up they’re going to do a sonogram. What do you say? Ready to meet our child for the first time?”

Her face lit up, her smile outshining the sun. “Oh yes, I’d love that more than anything.”

“Your mom is here. She’s sleeping on the couch in your room.”

Anxiety replaced the radiant joy and her expression dimmed. “My dad? How is my dad? Sam said they got my parents out, but he didn’t know anything else. Just that they were taking him to the hospital.”

“He’s fine,” Steele soothed. “Just a little banged up, but he’s already putting up a fuss wanting to get the hell out of the hospital, and he wants to see his daughter.”

Relief shone once again in her gaze and she sagged against the pillows.

“It’s over,” she said softly.

He kissed her again and then captured her hand once more, squeezing. “Yeah, it’s over.”

“Hancock?” she asked fearfully.

“He’s in surgery. It was touch and go. He lost a lot of blood. Nicked a lung but missed his heart. Prognosis is good but we’ll know more when he’s out of surgery.”

“He saved my life,” she murmured.

“Yeah. I owe the bastard now. But it’s a debt I’ll gladly pay. And you saved mine, Maren. It was the most foolish thing you’ve ever done. God, when I saw you fall out of the helicopter with him, I died a thousand deaths. I thought I’d lost you. You can’t imagine what that did to me. Swear to God, if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I’ll tie you to my bed and never let you leave the house.”

She smiled and laced her fingers through his. “That’s not exactly a punishment, you know.”

He relaxed and moved in closer, just wanting to be nearer to her. He stroked her hair, caressed her face, reassuring himself that she was here, alive. She was his, and he was damn sure never going to let her go.

“Maren?”

Maren turned in the direction of her mother’s voice, and then suddenly Diana flew to the bed and Steele moved away so she could be on Maren’s uninjured side.

“Oh my baby, thank God, you’re all right.”

Diana enfolded Maren in a hug the best she could without jostling her bound shoulder. Tears ran freely down Diana’s face as she and Maren wept together, holding on to one another as if they’d never let go.

“I’m so glad you and Dad are okay,” Maren choked out. “I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened to you because of me.”

“Shhhh, don’t say that. You’re not to blame for that maniac’s doings. And he’s gone now. He can’t ever hurt you again.”

“When can I see Dad?” Maren asked anxiously.

Diana smiled ruefully. “If he has his way, he’ll be here as soon as humanly possible. He’s had the entire floor in an uproar. You know him. He’s a terrible patient. He’s telling the nurses how to do their job. Ever the doctor. He questioned the credentials of the doctor in charge of your care. He wanted only the best. He’s bruised and banged up, but nothing serious. No broken bones. Nothing that won’t heal in a week or so.”

“Thank God,” Maren whispered fervently. “I love you, Mom. I’ve missed you so much.”

Diana squeezed her again. “Your young man has sat at your bedside when he very much needs to be in a hospital bed himself. He’s in far worse shape than your father and they’ve admitted him. But Steele refused anything beyond cursory treatment in the ER because he couldn’t wait to get to you.”

Maren looked beyond her mother and found Steele’s gaze, love and a watery sheen shining in her eyes.

“He’s a good man,” Diana said. “You chose well, Maren. He’ll protect you and your child with his life. A mother can’t ask for more than that for her daughter.”

“I know,” Maren said softly, her gaze still locked with Steele’s.

Diana pulled away and then glanced at Steele, understanding in her eyes.

“I’m going to go back and check on your father. Maybe he’ll calm down now that you’re awake and I can tell him you’re doing just fine.”

Maren squeezed her mother’s hand. “I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him and that I’ll see him soon.”

Diana leaned down to kiss Maren’s cheek and then she turned and to Steele’s surprise and befuddlement, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly before going up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

“Take care of my baby,” she said fiercely.

“Never doubt it,” Steele said in a grave tone.

Diana turned back to smile at Maren and then left the room.

“When can we do the sonogram?” Maren asked anxiously.

“I’ll go tell the nurse you’re awake. I knew you’d want to see the baby as soon as you woke, so I made sure they had the portable sonogram moved to the floor. I’ll go get her now so she can page the sonogram tech, and then you and I will meet our child. Together.”