Page 112 of Love for a Lifetime

“If you’re not going to be a mom, then I’m not going to be a dad. It’s that simple, Liv. There are other ways. We could foster or adopt. Maybe you only need the other surgery.”

She shook her head. “The other surgery leaves behind a lot of internal scarring. Even if I don’t have the hysterectomy, it could still be hard for me to get pregnant.”

He pulled her to him and breathed in the soft, comforting scent of her hair. With his eyes closed, the scent tingled in his nose and calmed his roaring thoughts enough to let him think.

Lord, I need You. I need words and wisdom, but Olivia needs strength, peace, and healing. I need understanding, but I bring it all to You. I know You have a plan, and I bow to it. Whatever the outcome, give us the strength to endure it.

Olivia’s arms tightened around him. “Thank you,” she said shakily.

He hadn’t realized he was praying out loud, but he didn’t want to keep anything from Olivia. If he was praying, she had a right to hear it.

“Liv, whatever happens, I’ll be right here. I love you just as you are, and you won’t ever be alone. This doesn’t change anything.”

“You’ll resent me. If you can’t have kids, you’ll–”

“I won’t. You have to trust me on this. I know you think you know how I’ll feel, but you don’t. You have no idea how devoted I am to you. I fell in love with you. Everything else flows from that.”

Dawson nudged his nose against hers and she looked up at him. Her eyes were swollen and pink with red splotches down her cheeks.

“Can I go with you tomorrow?”

“Why do you want to go? It’s just a consultation.”

“Because I’m worried sick about you, and I want to be there for you. I said you’ll never have to do anything alone, and I meant it.”

Olivia sniffed and wiped at her face. “You have to work tomorrow.”

“That’s the least of my worries. My queen needs me, and you better believe I know where to line up.”

Olivia nodded, squeezing her eyes closed.

“Do you believe me?” Dawson asked.

She nodded again.

“I’m gonna need a verbal confirmation. Try ‘Yes, Dawson. I know you’re in this for the long haul, no matter what, cross my heart, no take-backsies, one hundred percent.’”

Her laugh was hoarse, but the sound had his aching heart lifting like a hot air balloon.

That understanding and peace he’d prayed for settled in, and Olivia’s tears dried. The appointment would come with its own uncertainties, but tonight, he’d love her like there was no tomorrow.

29

DAWSON

Dawson walked into the station whistling a hit Country song from the 90s. Last night with Olivia was rough, but he’d woken up with a new outlook on life.

Everything was going to work out. He’d laid it all at the feet of Jesus and stepped back. Whatever happened at Olivia’s appointment today, he’d trust that it was all for the good.

That’s what Dawson was doing. Olivia? She’d still been nervous when he talked to her before his shift.

She was going to be a tough egg to crack, but who could blame her? The future she wanted was hanging in the balance.

He’d spent half the night sorting through his own worries about Olivia’s health. His first thoughts were for her physical and mental state, but he’d thought just enough about her possible future with or without kids to know that he would be okay either way.

Would she?

Of course it was a big deal–a huge deal–but he hadn’t lost hope when she first told him she might not be able to have kids. There was still a possibility, and he’d had a good feeling when he suggested fostering or adopting.

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