Page 131 of Healed Hearts

At the end of the day, I get to be her Holden and while I would love more, I’m in no rush. Everything will happen in exactly the right time. I have faith in that. It’s strange, actually. To have that faith. That belief that things are going to work out. But I really do. In my soul, I know things will work out exactly the way they’re supposed to.

“Darlin’?” I turn to Julian. “I think they’re about ready for me.”

I step toward him and press my face to his chest, inhaling a deep breath. Hey, I said I had faith it would work out. Not that I wasn’t upset about Julian being carted off to surgery. We debated me going with him and having someone come sit with Wren, since her part comes after Julian’s. But we ultimately decided that I would stay with Wren while Julian was donating, and then we’d both be able to be there for her during her transplant. “It’s all going to be okay.”

He slides his fingers into my hair and tilts my head back to kiss me. I sink into him, losing myself in his taste and the feel of his solid, strong body against mine. When he pulls back, I try tochase his lips. “It’s time for me to go,” he murmurs against my mouth.

Ugh.

“I know. I love you, and I’ll see you in a couple of hours. I’ll take care of your girl.”

He kisses me again. “Ourgirl. And I know you will, darlin’. I love you too.”

I watch as he walks out the door. I know this is a routine procedure, and he’ll be fine, or at least, the risk is minimal, but I can’t help but be nervous. It’s strange to have your entire heart walking around outside your body.

I stare at the closed door for a couple more seconds before climbing into bed with Wren. “Hey, pretty girl. What do you wanna do while we wait for Daddy?”

“Play hippos, Hold?”

I hop up to grab the hungry hippo game that Beck brought to the hospital a couple of days ago. “Absolutely. Are you going to cheat this time? Or do I get a fair shot?”

She laughs. “Unka Beck says cheat.”

I shake my head as I climb back up beside her with the game. “Uncle Beck is a bad influence. You shouldn’t be listening to him.”

She looks at me like she’s not impressed with that at all. She loves Beck. It burns Roman up because she very much liked him more. At first. Until Beck taught her how to cheat at hippos. And bribed her with candy and juice. Then she was all about Beck.

Those two idiots can argue about it all they want. At the end of the day, we all know Hold is her favorite. “Okay, pretty girl, let’s see if I can finally beat you one time.”

I don’t beat her. Of course I don’t. I genuinely don’t get it, either. Because there’s no fucking way to cheat at Hungry Hungry Hippos. Statistically, there’s no possible way that she’swon all ten rounds. But she has. I’m going to have to ask Beck how in the actualfuckhe taught her to win at this game.

“I won again,” she says. Smug little shit.

“You sure did.” I glance down at my phone. We have about an hour or so until Julian should be done. “Do you want to watch a movie with me?”

She nods excitedly. “Frozen?”

I giggle. Julian has tried to cut Frozen out of our lives, but can’t relate. “Yes, ma’am. We can definitely watch Frozen.”

By the time Olaf is singing In Summer, Wren is crashed. Prepping her for this transplant really took it out of her. I keep my phone propped against my thigh and run my fingers through her hair while she naps against my chest.

I decide to close my eyes for just a minute and rest while I wait for Julian to get back.

The sound of a camera shutter brings me back to the world. I jolt awake, looking around the room. Wren is still tucked against my chest, sleeping soundly.

“Sorry, darlin’. I didn’t mean to wake you. You two just looked so precious, I couldn’t resist.”

Julian.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” I rasp, trying to blink the sleepiness from my eyes as they settle on him. “How are you feeling?”

He shrugs. “My hip is a little sore, but I’m okay.”

He carefully sits down on the edge of the bed. “That’s good. I’m glad everything went okay.”

He grins. “The doc told me to try to rest for a couple of days. Like I have anything else to do.”

I scoot over more in the bed and pat the spot beside me. Julian takes the invitation and lies down next to us. He rolls carefully to his side, wincing a bit as he does, and rests his hand on Wren’s back. He hums. “Wren and I are so lucky to have you, darlin’.”

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