Page 33 of Mine to Keep

He smiled, nodded, and said something to the nurse. Laila watched her walk to the IV stand and pull something from her pocket. It was a syringe. She stuck it in one of the valves.

“It won’t take long to go into effect, and you’ll get drowsy again,” the doctor said.

She didn’t want to go back to sleep, but if she didn’t have to feel the throbbing pain, it was worth it.

“Can you tell me what happened?” She didn’t like how the doctor looked at Roland.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk,” Roland said.

The doctor smiled. “I’ll let your husband tell you. I want to check the bandage on your head while the nurse takes your vitals, all right?”

“Okay.” She stayed still as the doctor pulled the bandage back. He poked at the injury and then put the piece back to cover it.

“That looks good. We’ve given you antibiotics that will help prevent an infection.”

“My leg hurts.”

“It’s bruised. Your husband will tell you why.”

“Okay,” she said, carefully looking at Roland and then back to the other man.

“I’ll be in to check on you later. If you want anything, call the nurse’s station. If you need me, they’ll track me down.”

“When do I get to go home?”

“Tomorrow, if everything looks all right.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” she said, watching them walk out before turning to her husband. “Tell me.”

He sat back down, facing her. “You were hit by a car.”

Her eyes widened. “How?”

“You didn’t see it.”

She started rubbing her forehead where it throbbed the worst. The memories wanted to come back, but the pain was keeping them away.

He got her attention when he cupped her face. The smile on his face looked … joyful. It was the only way she could think of to describe it.

“You’re pregnant, Sweetheart. We’re going to have a baby.”

It took a moment to understand, and the drug they had given her was starting to work. “A baby?”

“Yeah. We’re going to be parents,” he told her.

She felt happiness grow in her chest, and she smiled. “A baby.”

Roland nodded.

“And it’s okay, right?”

His thumb caressed her cheek. “It’s perfect.”

She tried to fight the drug because she had so many questions, but it was too strong.

He put a finger over her lips. “Just rest. I’ll take care of everything, and I won’t leave your side.”

She reached for his hand and squeezed, and then her eyes closed.

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