Page 24 of Doctor Do-Over

“Why are you really here? Is it only because of the baby?” Her voice is soft, and she avoids my gaze.

J.D. had a few moments with her while I spoke to her doctors in the hallway. Her brother had to have set this doubt in her mind.

I lift her chin so I can look into her eyes. “I want to be with you. I’ve wanted to be with you since the moment I walked into that bar. Your brother has no clue how I really feel about you, and I’m afraid if I told you, you’d run for the hills.”

“Tell me.” She smiles sweetly. “I won’t freak out.”

“I want you in my home. I want you in my bed. I want you to have my name. I knew I wasn’t wearing a condom every time I took you because I wanted to tie you to me permanently. I want to wake up to your scent in my bedroom. I want to hear our daughter cooing from her bedroom. Now do you get it? I don’t want our daughter born out of wedlock.”

“I want that too,” she says, completely slaying me in that moment. “Don’t freak out, but I’m in love with you, Tanner.” She looks down, and I lift her chin to look at me. I hate that she hides her feelings from me.

“Are you sure, kitten? Because if I go there with you, I’ll never let you go.” I slide into the bed with her and hold her to me. She rests her head on my arm while my other hand strokes our child.

She looks up into my eyes. “I never said I wanted you to let me go.”

I hold her in my arms until she starts to drift off.

Eleven

TANNER

Exactly two weeks after I convinced her to move in with me, we’re getting married. Wryan agreed that she wanted to be married before Noelle arrives, which could be anytime now.

I stand in my office, getting ready. Ryan is going to be my best man, while she has Erika standing up with her. She wanted her friend Lorelei to do it, but Lorelei won’t be back from France for a couple more weeks.

Lucy, Wryan’s mom, has transformed my covered patio into a Christmas-themed wonderland for our wedding. I know my girl is going to love it. I didn’t want Wryan to do too much, so I was grateful when Lucy offered to take charge. As Wryan’s pregnancy has progressed, she’s become more tired and has a harder time keeping her heart rate and blood pressure under control.

I step out of the office and find Ridley, Rio, and Julian standing there.

“What?” I ask, knowing they are about to ruin our day.

“We have his identity,” Ridley says.

“Can we please do this after the ceremony?”

“Yes. But you need to know Browser found him on video footage near the tattoo parlor yesterday.”

“Fuck,” I respond.

“Okay. We’ll go over this afterward,” Ridley says.

I make my way through the great room to the covered patio, where people are already seated. I want to linger at the bottom of the stairs and wait to see her, but this is her moment. Her father is giving her away. I went to him the day after I proposed and told him my intentions. He thumped me on the back and chuckled, telling me it was about time.

I stand on the edge of the patio, a light snow falling but not sticking on the ground. The music changes, and I turn toward the door. My breath stops when I see her, and my heart thumps hard. She’s breathtaking. Her dress is a cream, off-the-shoulder gauzy material, with sleeves that cuff at her wrists. The sleeves are see-through. The gown would be too if not for the number of layers, adding a touch of modesty. It skims the floor as she walks, and when she reaches me, it’s like an angel is standing in front of me.

I’m lost in her blue-gray eyes. She’s not wearing a veil, but instead has a delicate halo of silver leaves and diamonds on her head mixed with her curls. When her father gives her to me, I take her hand and kiss her knuckles tenderly.

She sighs, and I see the tears glistening in her eyes. Our vows are quick, and soon I’m sliding the nature-inspired band that complements her engagement ring onto her finger. She places a black tungsten band with black diamonds on mine.

I’m never taking it off.

Wryan

Everyone I care about, except Lorelei, is here. I miss her but know why she didn’t come. She’ll be here in a couple of weeks and is staying with Tanner and me until she can tell her family about Colby. I’m sitting down with my gown fluttered all around me, while my new husband sits protectively on the arm of the chair. I’ve only been able to eat a bit of food, and I’m not feeling very well. The baby is so big that it feels like she’s taking up every part of my body.

“Can we talk now?” Julian asks, and I look up to see Tanner nod.

“Let me help her up,” Tanner says, and carefully helps me from my seat.

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