Chapter 39

39

Abrielle

"No," I blurt out. "You can't say that!"

"I can't say what?" Colver asks, curling his eyebrows.

"You can't tell me you love me right here. Not like this. No. The situation is-"

Colver touches my face and leans down to kiss me.

His lips barely touch mine. "Don't tell me what I can or cannot say to you, Abrielle. I've hid this for a long time. Years, kitten. Years I've wanted you. I've got you now. I can't lose you. I can't let you go. You need to know everything. The truth."

"The truth…?"

"Of what I just told you. I love you. I've always loved you. You showed up this time… and… you've made my fucking life feel whole, Abrielle. And now this baby? Our baby? I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I walked out…"

"Colver, shut the fuck up for a second," I yell at him.

He looks surprised.

I think he's finally realized that I can talk to him however I want and he can't stop me.

I stare into his eyes. "You have muscle. Strength. You have power. What happened at Jess's place… he got into your head. That's what he does. But I swear on my life, what he said… not a chance. Trust me, Colver. No chance."

"I should have never even let it get to me."

"It hit your pride. Because you love me."

"That's right, kitten. I love you."

"This is really happening? You love me?"

Colver nods. "Why would I lie to you?"

"Colver, I'm so insanely in love with you it scares the hell out of me. I thought I was losing you. I thought you'd…"

"Everything is ours now," he whispers. "We're going to open your gallery. We're going to find a place to live together. You're going to have the baby but I'm going to be right there by your side. I'll retire right now."

"No, you won't," I say. "You are not giving up hockey for me."

Colver smiles at me.

An actual smile.

There's still a touch of that young man I met years ago.

That evil, mean, cruel asshole… who always had a certain look in his eyes.

Maybe I knew it all along. That we were meant to be together. Or at least we had feelings for each other.

Colver kisses me.

Dr. Whitney returns and gives Abrielle and the baby the nod of approval.

For good measure she lets us listen to the heartbeat.

The sound makes me cry. I reach for Colver and he's right next to me. He hugs me. He holds me.

When we're allowed to finally leave, he all but carries me through and out of the hospital.

Jess is with us. I've never seen her so emotional.

Outside the hospital, there's a SUV waiting for Colver and I.

When he tells me what the general manager of the hockey team did, I'm in shock.

Jess has to drive home alone but not before I hug her tight and tell her I love her.

I don't care.

This is my family now. My real family. The ones who show up when things go bad. The ones who don't have to help but do anyway. It's not about being blood related or anything like that. Family is about presence.

"Coffee lady, nicely done," Colver says to her in a gruff voice.

"She scared the hell out of me, Colver," Jess says.

That's when Colver hugs Jess, giving her a chance to cry a little too.

Colver kisses the top of her head.

I wonder if I'm going to get jealous over this but I'm not. Not at all.

"I'll make it up to you," Colver says to Jess. "I have an idea. Keep your phone on and ready."

"What does that mean?" Jess asks. "Are you going to ask Abrielle permission for a hall pass?"

"Hall pass?" Colver asks.

"Yeah. You know. A freebie. You get to go out and sleep with someone…"

"Thanks, Jess," I call out.

"You both know I'm totally kidding, right? I'm just…"

"Drive safe," Colver says. "I owe you, Jess. You saved my family. I'll never forget that."

Jess nods at Colver.

She's got that look in her eyes too.

I could get mad but it's impossible not to get a little turned on when Colver is talking to you like that. His deep, commanding voice. The size of him. The man possesses an aura. He always has. He always will.

We make sure Jess gets to her car safely and leaves.

Then I turn and look up at the man I love.

"You're going to have to take care of me, Colver. You're going to have to spoil me."

"That's all I ever wanted, kitten."

My knees literally start to tremble.

He touches me. He holds me.

Holy hell, Colver Caspian loves me and I'm going to have his baby and we're going to be together forever!