Page 87 of Camden

“Are there any more?” I asked, my eyes glued to the cut below her eye.

“They said there’s a bump on the back of my head from where he pulled me down.” I gnashed my teeth together, trying not to show my anger. “It gave me a headache, but there’s not any swelling.”

I placed my hand on her stomach. “What about the baby?”

Her eyes widened as she placed a trembling hand over mine. “You know about that?”

“Don’t be mad. Rylie and Haley told me. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t think it was a possibility until I smelled the coffee this morning. I didn’t want to keep you from the trip, and I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to trap you. Hell, it scared me to tell you I wanted to move in permanently. Let alone this.”

“Sweets,” I rubbed my thumb along her stomach. “You never have to be scared to tell me anything. You’ll be lucky if I let you out of my sight after this. You are my entire world. My forever. Marry me?”

Stephanie sucked in a sharp breath. “What?”

“Marry me. Spend forever with me. Help me build a life. One with lots and lots of babies and memories. Help me build the cabin of your dreams on the river. Help me live the life of my dreams. The only one I’ve ever wanted. With you.Only you.”

She opened her mouth and closed it again a few times before answering. “Is this some version of post-traumatic experience acceleration?”

“What?” I laughed.

Her mouth still gaped as she shook her head. “Um, you know where something traumatic happens and you make a big declaration that you’ll regret later?”

I smirked. “No, sweets. Nothing like that.”

“Because you don’t have to marry me just because I might be pregnant.”

“I know that.”

“I want you to marry me because you want to marry me. Not because you almost lost me.” She rambled on like she hadn’t heard me. I waited for her panic to subside.

“Are you done?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. She opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but changed her mind, nodding instead. “Good. This has nothing to do with the possibility of starting a family, which just in case you were wondering, I’m hoping for. I love you, Stephanie. I bought you a ring last week. I asked your brother for permission. I wanted to find the right time, but I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you to be my wife. Say yes, Stephanie. Make me the happiest man that’s ever lived.”

A single tear fell down her cheek. “You’re serious?” she whispered.

“Completely.” I stood from the chair and kneeled on one knee beside her bed. My hand held hers steady. Not a single doubt in my mind. “Will you, Stephanie Lynn Monroe, please marry me?”

“Yes. A million times, yes.” She gripped my face and pulled my lips to hers. My tongue swept into her mouth, deepening the kiss.

A throat cleared behind me, interrupting us. I pulled my lips away from hers. Her face glowed happily. “I love you,” I said.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m here to talk to Ms. Monroe.” I turned to see a middle-aged man in a white coat holding a clipboard. “I’m Dr. Whitmore. The obstetrician on call. Dr. Gentry gave me a call.”

“Come in, please,” Stephanie said, her hand clenching mine tightly.

The doctor nodded. “The nurse notified your doctor that you could be pregnant. The blood test confirmed you are expecting. Congratulations.” He smiled at us.

My heart leaped out of my chest. I leaned over and pressed a kiss to Stephanie’s temple. “Thank you,” I said to her and only her.

“When was your last period?”

“Um about a month and a half ago,” she answered.

The doctor nodded and made a note.

“Is the baby okay?” Stephanie asked, hesitantly.

“We’re going to take a look. I’m going to have a nurse come in and wheel you down for an ultrasound. We’ll need to do a transvaginal ultrasound since it is so early in the pregnancy.”

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