Addicted After All(27)

“He’s looking good,” Dr. Adams affirms. “Vitals of both mother and child, no internal bleeding, everything in check.” He quickly stands up, wiping the gel off her stomach with a towel. “I suggest consulting your Ob/Gyn within the week, just as routine, but it all should be fine. I have to do some paperwork, and I’ll have a nurse release you when you’re free to go.”

He speaks so fast that he’s out the door, and the weight of this good news hits me harder.

My life wasn’t rerouted again. Not this time. I sit on the edge of the hospital bed, and Lily immediately flings her arms around my shoulders, her forehead to my chest. I hug her closer, my heart pounding so hard that I wonder if she can feel it.

I want him.

Goddamn I want this kid more than I’ve wanted a lot of things in life.

And I know it’s because he’s a part of us. I’d never want to destroy a piece of Lily. No matter if the road ahead will be rougher. Without her, it’d be unbearable. We’ve crossed a point where losing our son would hurt more than actually having him.

“Lil,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. “I love you.” My hand slides across her neck, and she lifts her head and kisses me, so tenderly that I understand she wants it to be one kiss and nothing more sexual. I open my mouth to ask if she’s okay.

But she speaks before I can. “You’re relieved.”

I shake my head and tilt her chin up.

She frowns.

“I’m happy,” I clarify. Despite all of my fears, I’m happy that he’s alive.

She kisses my cheek and then I can’t hold back any longer, I kiss her full-force, my breath becoming hers and hers mine. One of my arms wraps along her back. When the door creaks open, we instantly part.

“Thanks,” Daisy says to a nurse who must’ve led her here.

“Do you need anything else, honey?”

“No, I’m good.” She has stapled papers in her hand, and she waves to the nurse as she leaves. When Daisy spins around, Ryke approaches her without hesitance or caution—he kisses her on impact with deep concern. And she holds onto his waist, her body curving towards him in acceptance and want of that embrace.

I’m about to look away, but he pulls back and says, “You f*cking scared me.”

“I scared myself,” she whispers, searching his eyes. “Don’t make me cry.”

“It’s okay to cry, Dais.”

My stomach knots.

She nods and stands on the tips of her toes to kiss him once more. Then she says, “I love you.”

His shoulders almost relax, but his face stays hardened. He whispers in her ear.

After I give him the time to say I love you back, I clear my throat, and they both turn to look at us.

Daisy steps forward, her eyes widening. “Lily—”

“The baby’s fine,” I explain. Lily still holds onto me like she’s learning how to breathe again. “What’s with the papers?” I gesture to the stack in Daisy’s hand.

“Oh…” Daisy pauses for a second, and she glances between me and my brother. “Guess what?” She waves the papers theatrically in the air and outstretches her arms. “I’m pregnant.” Then she bows.

The room is dead silent.

My brother’s face falls.

I go utterly still.

“What?” Ryke says, his hands resting on his head.

Lily’s jaw has dropped to the floor.

And then Daisy straightens up with a playful smile. “Just kidding.”

Ryke lets out a long breath that turns into a growl. “Fucking hell, Daisy. I’ve had about five heart attacks in the past f*cking hour.”

“It was a joke,” she says quietly. “You know, the ones where you laugh at the end.”

“I’m not f*cking laughing.”

“Wrong crowd,” she says. “I must’ve missed the room with the boyfriend who would’ve laughed.”

“Must be the boyfriend who doesn’t know you that well.” He grabs the papers out of her hand and flips through them. She used the “I’m pregnant” announcement to deflect whatever those papers are about.

Ryke’s features turn grave, and I understand how serious it must be.

“What is it?” Lily asks Daisy.

She shrugs weakly. “They want to put me on some medication again.”

Ryke folds the paper, which must be prescriptions that she’ll need to pick up, and he stuffs it in his back pocket.