Page 76 of Harry

Shifting, he tucked his fingers under her cheek and noticed the tears there.

“I did hurt you.” His expression was grim. “Where?”

“No!” She shook her head, a tremulous smile on her beautiful face. “It’s just that…,” she bit her lip and closed her eyes briefly. “I love you so much and I…” She drew in a breath. “I never expected to have anything like this.

Not even remotely. After I lost my parents, I thought my life was over. I was existing and not living and then you.” She touched his jaw and then his chin. “I’m so happy, I’m afraid it’s going to – that something will happen and I…” She stopped when he laid a vertical finger on her lips.

“No. None of that. It is our wedding night and we’re certainly not going to allow any negativity to seep in.” He smiled slightly, a rueful expression on his face. “I was just lying here wondering what to make of what just happened.” His eyes sizzled.

“You undo me. Plain and simple. You are the heart and core of me and it’s something that I’m trying to get used to. I am yours until I draw my last breath.”

He used the pads of his thumbs to wipe the tears that had started again and felt the back of his throat burning. He was shaky from the emotions tumbling through his body and completely unsteady.

“Hormones?” He asked teasingly.

“Absolutely.” Taking one of his hands, she pressed it against her mouth and closed her eyes. She was home.

*****

“C-Section?” Janelle felt her heart plummeting. “I thought I was scheduled to have a normal delivery.”

“That was the plan, but the boy is breached. He’s also bigger than the girl, which is making it difficult. I am afraid we’re going to have to schedule the operation as soon as possible.”

Charlotte snapped off her gloves and tossed them into the bin, before turning to face the couple. “The good thing about it is you are thirty-seven weeks and three days and the babies are healthy and their heartbeats strong. You on the other hand have some issues.”

“What kind?” Harry asked her tersely. She had not forgotten he was in the room, but his presence was so overpowering, Charlotte preferred to deal with her patient. The man was so protective, he reminded her of a lumbering bear that she had encountered on a trip to Pennsylvania to visit a cousin of hers.

They had been skiing and come upon a mother tending to her cubs. The encounter had been frightening because the bear had been determined to protect her cubs. Harry McGibbon was like that. He had not left his wife an inch and was holding onto her protectively.

“Gestational diabetes which usually disappears after giving birth and your blood pressure is a little on the high side.”

Janelle gripped her husband’s hand. “I have been doing everything right. Bobby does not even allow me to participate in the decorating of the nurseries. I spend most of my time in bed, just simply folding newborn clothing.”

“It has nothing to do with stress. Your body is under a lot of pressure.” Charlotte reminded her. “You are carrying twins, remember and that’s putting a lot of strain on you. It’s time and we cannot wait any longer.”

“All right.” She blew out a breath and turned to smile at her husband. “We are already packed for the hospital.”

“We did not bring the bag.”

“Just call Madelyn.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to leave me.”

“As if that would happen.” He cupped her face, and it was as if it was only the two of them.

“You got this darling. And I’m here. I won’t leave.”

She leaned into him and steadied herself before turning to the doctor. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” Charlotte said briskly, ignoring the funny twist inside her heart. “Let me go and make the arrangements.”

*****

“Just think darling,” She snuggled against his chest and tried not to allow her nerves to spill over into sheer panic. “In a few minutes, we’ll be holding our babies. We’ll be parents.”

“I just want it over and done with.”

They were prepping her for surgery, a team of doctors and nurses were inside the delivery room, making it crowded. Hewas not certain he thought much of so many people tending to her.

But he supposed it was necessary. He wanted her out of danger and was aware that a number of things could go wrong. Losing her was not a bloody option and he had expressed that explicitly to her doctor.

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