Page 158 of Before I Loved You

“Anything.”

“Kiss me, Sarah,” I beg tenderly.

She offers a half smile before gently kissing my lips, and I cherish every second of it.

As she slightly pulls away, letting out a shuddering breath, my eyes land on her stomach, and fear sets in. “Are you okay? Is Lily okay?” I examine her, panicking that something might have happened to her or our baby.

But this time, her smile grows. “I’m fine.” Her hands rest against her stomach. “And Lily is doing great. The doctors checked me over while you were in surgery and found nothing wrong.”

I smile, relief filling me as I slump back against my pillow. “Thank God.” Sarah holds a plastic cup of water before me, guiding the straw between my lips for a few small sips. “How long have I been here?”

“Five days.” She looks down, clasping her hand around mine. “Do you remember anything that happened?”

I nod. “I remember finding you with Greyson. And I remember the shots going off and falling on top of you. But that’s the last thing I can recall.”

She remains quiet, not looking away from our hands.

“Sarah?”

Her bottom lip trembles. “I was so scared.”

My thumb brushes the back of her hand. “I was, too.” I pat the spot beside me. “Come up here. I need you next to me.”

She shakes her head. “I’ll hurt you. Besides, I should probably go get one of the nurses.”

“Not yet.” I try to squeeze her hand, but my grip is weak. “I just want to be with you right now.” I look down at the bed. “Is it just me, or does this bed seem bigger than a normal hospital bed?”

“It’s bigger. They had to give you one of their special beds because of your height.”

“Then that means there is plenty of room for you to get up here,” I add. “I need you in my arms, baby girl. Please.”

She purses her lips, looking over the free space, before finally giving in. Ever so gently, she slides in beside me, being cautious not to touch me as she lays on her side.

“That’s better,” I note, wrapping my arm over her waist.

She shows a slight smile that quickly fades. Taking a deep breath, she rests her head on the pillow.

“The security team at the arena heard the gunshots and then me screaming for help in the locker room. They ran inside and quickly got the paramedics, who took you to the hospital and brought you in for emergency surgery. I was with you every step of the way, refusing to leave your side, but the second you went in for surgery, your mom took me to get both myself and the baby checked out. Everything was fine, but…there was so much…blood on me. Your blood. Ray and Tina brought some things for me to shower with in your hospital room so I wouldn’t have to leave, and Kevin even brought me a change of clothes from your room.” She gazes down at the oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants on her body.

My clothes.

“Your surgery was a little more complicated than expected and took a little longer than they anticipated because the bullet…” She sucks in a deep breath, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “The bullet missed your heart by only one centimeter.” Her eyes meet mine. “One fucking centimeter, Paul,” she whispers.

The truth of her words rattle me. I almost didn’t make it. I almost died in front of her, never being able to meet our baby. But I don’t want her to know how freaked out I am by this.

“Baby girl, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere,” I say softly.

“You don’t know that,” she quietly sobs.

“Hey…” I reach for her chin. “I made you a promise, didn’t I? I’m never letting you go, Sarah.” My thumb runs across her cheek, wiping her tears away.

Her chin wobbles. “I love you…so damn much. You did something for me that no one has ever been able to do. You brought color back into my life, and I can never thank you enough for that.” She reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. “I need you… Lily needs you. So, please don’t ever put me through this again, Paul. I thought…”

“I know.” I press my lips to her temple. “Because I thought the same thing when I saw him pressing the gun into the side of your head.”

I thought I lost her.

I thought I lost my whole world.

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