Page 75 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Thanks, Dad,” I say. I’d prepared myself for a battle with Dad, but to my surprise and relief, he agrees with me.

“Is Dele okay?” Dad asks, watching me. His concern is clear.

“She’s fine, Dad. You just saw her. You and I know coming to see you is something she does on her own.”

“Good, I enjoy her company. She makes me forget my illness and the fact that she could be pregnant soon keeps me alive and fighting.” He grins. My wife has charmed my dad. Who would’ve thought?

“I know, Dad.” I tap his shoulder and lean back. He turns the game back on. By the time the game is over, he’s fallen asleep. I help the nurse get him to bed and then head home. I pull into the parking space, call Martin, and inform him that we’ll be picking Dele up. He can drive her car back. If he was surprised, he didn’t show it.

Each time I arrive home, it always feels empty without Dele. I don’t like it, but knowing she’ll be home soon always puts me at ease. A few months ago, my place was just my hiding spot, which meant I got to keep my flings out. Now it feels like home. I head to the fridge after taking off my shoes. Dele’s pet peeve is wearing shoes around the house. She dislikes it with passion, saying shoes worn outdoors are petri dish for bacteria. I put on one of my in-house slippers—my wife makes sure I have a few around—and head to the room to change into cargo shorts and a T-shirt. I set my alarm for her pickup, then head to my officeto work on a few items that need my attention. Though my mind keeps going to what Dad said about Dele getting pregnant soon, it gives me a warm feeling I didn’t know I wanted. Watching Declan with his kids always creates the urge for me to have my own family. Even the funny and interesting things he laughs about, plus he started learning French because Anne speaks French to their children, and he has no idea what they’re saying when they laugh. I’ve kept the desire for a family tightly under wraps because I didn’t see the possibility of it. But lately, with Dele, the possible fruition of my desire feels high, and I welcome it.

The alarm goes off right on time. I head out with Martin to pick Dele up. When I pull up, I send her a text.

Me: Your chariot awaits, my lady.

Dele: Are you here or just messing with me? I’m tired and hungry.

Me: I’m outside, waiting for you. Martin is here, he’ll drive your car home.

Dele: For real? ????

Me: Unless you want to leave your car here and he can drive you around tomorrow.

Dele: I like driving my car. Ten minutes, I’ll be right out with Kai.

I turn to Martin. “She’s on her way out; you can drive her car home.”

“Okay, boss.” He gets out of the car and heads toward Dele’s usual parking spot. He has a spare key, something I’ve told him to always keep close.

I sit back and wait for her. A few minutes later, I see her coming out, dragging that heavy backpack with her. She looks tired. Kai has his hands on her shoulder like he’s holding her up. He gets to the passenger side and opens the door. I push the button to roll the window down.

“Delivered in one piece,” Kai says, waving at me.

“Thanks, Kai,” I say to him. Dele buckles, and I drive off. She’s barely awake by the time we arrive home.What the heck happened in the last few hours?

When I pull into the parking garage, I wake her up.

“What did they do to you at the hospital?”

“I returned, and my patients were switched. I got all the ones that had me running around the hospital. I’m drained.”

“Isn’t the schedule set at the beginning of the shift?”

“Yes, a nurse had an emergency while I was out. When I returned, I got all the patients left.”

“Come on, let’s feed you and get you rested.” I carried her heavy backpack and held her up, just like Kai did.

There’s no way she would have driven home safely. As soon as we stepped into our unit, she took off her shoes and scrubs, balled them up, and, in her underwear, headed straight to the bathroom. I went to the fridge to get some food warmed up for her. She came out in my T-shirt and shorts, grabbed the plate, and devoured the food without a word to me. Yep, my girl is burnt out.

“Do you have class tomorrow?”

“Yes, at 1 pm. I get to sleep in a little.”

“No work tomorrow, right?”

“Jax was begging me to come in tomorrow. She doesn’t want to be alone with Lynda and a few nurses we don’t like. I told her I’ll think about it. Depends on how I feel tomorrow.”

“I think you should rest.” She smiled.

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