Page 80 of Theirs to Take

He shook his head, and the nurse rolled her eyes at him. “I promise to let him rest,” Ruby said. “I’ve been ordered to spend the next three days on bed rest too, so I think I’ll be able to handle that part of Luke’s recovery.”

“And I can check in on you guys and bring you food since you’ll be right next door,” Millie offered.

“I’ll be by to check on you guys too,” Ranger cut in.

“This is beginning to all sound very unrelaxing again,” the nurse said.

“We’ll take care of our friends,” Ranger said. “When can they be released?”

“I have the papers for both of them now,” the nurse said, waving the papers in the air. “I just need to go over a few things with you both and then, we can get you two out of here.”

“That sounds like heaven,” Ruby agreed. “Thank you.”

Luke half-listened to the nurse’s instructions, knowing that he’d be spaced out for the next few days felt like a good plan. She gave Ruby his meds, went over what he could and couldn’t eat, and told her to call or bring Luke back to the ER if he had any trouble. He didn’t plan on there being any trouble for either of them though because he wanted Ruby to rest too.

“Let’s get you two home,” Ranger said. “We’ll have you both right as rain in no time.” Luke almost wanted to laugh at hisfriend’s optimism, but he was in too much pain to even crack a smile.

The next four weeks were kind of a blur for him. He’d spent most of that time sleeping and trying to get past the pain in his face. Luke had broken his nose one other time when he was just a kid and got into a fight with Gary Jones. His mother told him to stay away from that boy, that he was bad news, but he just couldn’t listen. And when he came home with a bloody, broken nose, his mother had a field day with the “I told you so’s.”

They had been cooped up in Ruby’s little apartment, and if everything worked out tonight, that wouldn’t be for too much longer. He had Ranger and Millie help him out, finding a house for him and Ruby. He wanted to bring home their baby to a home that they loved, not Ruby’s little one-bedroom apartment. So, he found what he hoped would be Ruby’s dream home and he was going to take her there tonight after his final doctor’s appointment that would hopefully clear him for going back to work, and more importantly, going back to his life.

But there was so much more to tonight than showing her the house. If all went well, she’d love the house and also agree to be his wife. It was a big step for both of them, but he felt that they were both ready—he just hoped to hell that Ruby agreed.

“You ready for your big doctor’s appointment?” Ruby asked, walking into the kitchen from the bedroom. She had worked a full day and had come home to change and was ready to take him to his appointment.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m dying to get back to my life and if everything goes well this evening, I’ll be cleared to do just that.”

“I’m excited about that too. It means, you’ll finally be taking the trash out, right?” she teased.

“Ha, ha,” he drawled. “Yeah, I’ll be able to take the trash out and drive again—the whole nine yards. I think it’s time for me to start holding up my end of things before this little guy gets here,” he said, rubbing her belly.

“Well, that sounds like heaven,” she agreed, resting her hand over his.

“How about after my appointment, you let me take you for something to eat, and then, I have a little surprise for you,” he said.

“What kind of surprise?” she asked, looking him over skeptically.

“You don’t like surprises, do you?” he asked.

“No,” she said. She rubbed her hand over her belly and smiled up at him. “But some surprises are okay.”

“Yeah—he’s the best surprise ever,” Luke agreed.

“I guess I could go for dinner,” she mumbled as if it was going to be a chore. “And I’ll stick around for the surprise.”

“Good,” Luke said, giving her a quick kiss. “Let’s get this doctor appointment over then, I can’t wait to give you your surprise.”

Ruby

They had spent about an hour at the doctor’s office, going over everything that Luke could and couldn’t do now, and she was happy that he was officially medically cleared. That would mean that they’d be able to go to work together. She missed having him around the building, but now, he’d be able to come back.

On their way to dinner, Ranger called to tell Luke the news that Won had been given evidence that his family was killed in North Korea while being held captive there. She had a feeling that Millie had worked her magic and found the information that they were looking for. It was the only way that Won would stay off of Luke’s back and stop sending guys to find him. For the first time in a long time, Luke was going to be completely free, and she was so happy to hear that. They wouldn’t have to worry about anyone coming for their baby or them ever again.

They had dinner and she couldn’t get over Luke seeming so nervous. She worried that he was planning something, but then again, when was he not planning something? Luke seemed to get more excited with every mile that they drove toward her surprise.

“You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I am,” he said. “I’ve had a little help with this surprise,” he admitted. “Ranger and Millie did the leg work while I was down and out.”

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