Page 68 of Fighting for Tawny

He thanked her, and they sipped their coffee.

“Have you been given an update on Tawny’s condition?” Moira asked.

“Yeah. Her doctor came by an hour ago. He said her vitals are improving. Her heart rate is almost normal, and her pulse is stronger. Late last night, they took her off the ventilator. It’s just this damn waiting, Moira. It’s really getting to me.”

“Take a break, Marcus. Tawny will understand.”

“No, absolutely not. I need to tell her that we didn’t leave her alone to die in that hellhole.” He paused. “What’s the news with you?”

“Well, no one is shutting down the fire program. The Titans are heroes, as far as everyone is concerned. When Tawny is up on her feet again, we’ll have a graduation ceremony. The governor has pardoned all of them, and I’ve found placements for everyone in fire stations around the state except for Yolanda.”

“Oh, God. What did she do?”

Moira smiled. “Yolanda has suddenly discovered that she wants to be a cop. A SWAT officer, no less.”

“Because of me?”

Moira laughed. “No, silly. Because of Tristan Ferguson.”

Finnigan frowned. “Ferguson. Is that?—”

Tawny made a strange, gurgling noise. “That’s my girl. My blood sister,” she declared in a dry, raspy voice.

Finnigan and Moira stared at each other, then at Tawny. A glimmer of pride danced amidst the dullness in her hazel eyes.

Hearing Tawny’s voice hit Finnigan hard in the gut, as if he’d been sucker-punched. His breath left him in a rush, like air being expelled from a balloon.

“Thank God!” He dropped to his knees by the edge of the bed and squeezed Tawny’s hand in his. “Tawny...” All the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

Moira moved to Tawny’s bedside and gave her a quick hug. “Welcome back, T. I’ll leave you two alone.”

Pure, unadulterated joy swept through Finnigan’s entire being with the strength of a tsunami and carried away his fear and remorse for not doing enough to protect the woman he loved more than life itself. He rose to his feet, leaned down and kissed Tawny with all his fiery passion.

“Baby, I can’t breathe!”

“Oh, Jesus. Shall I call for a nurse?”

“No. Just give me a minute.”

He waited for her to say she was fine, and then everything he wanted to say poured out of him. “Red, you weren’t alone. We were there with you and went in as soon as we had everyone in place. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry we weren’t quicker. You almost died, and I blame myself.”

She reached up and caressed his cheek. “I’ll admit I had my doubts when I didn’t catch sight of you, but I was determined to fight if I had to. Please don’t blame yourself.”

Finnigan didn’t want to waste any more time. He pulled the engagement ring from his pocket and presented it to her. “Tawny Westfall, I’m in love with you. Have been from the moment we met, though it took me a while to figure it out. Will you accept this ring as a token of my love and fidelity?”

Tears glittered in her eyes. “Yes, of course I will.”

He lifted her ring finger and slipped it on. The facets reflected the morning sunlight, and the colors danced on the dull walls of her hospital room. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“You’re beautiful.”

She smiled. “I’m crazy about you.”

Finnigan grinned. “I know.”

Tawny patted the bed and scooched over, though she emitted a small gasp of pain. He slid beside her and tucked her close to him.

“Finn, tell me everything I’ve missed while unconscious. I heard you and Moira discussing Yolanda. Is she really okay?”

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