Page 69 of The MC's Surprise
“I love you,” I whispered, choking back another wave of tears.
“We love you too, peanut,” Dad grumbled.
Mom kissed my temple, leaning into it a little, and when she stood back, her eyes were misty with unshed tears. “If you can leave home and start a new business in California, then this is easy. Be brave, sweetie.”
It took everything I had not to cry as Mel wheeled me away. When I wiped away a few errant tears, she smiled at me from where she pushed the bed next to me. “You’ve got this. I know you can do it.”
“And you’ll be there too, right?” I asked, hating the way my voice cracked.
“Every step of the way,” she promised.
Vegas
It felt weird wearing scrubs, and I had shake my hands out a few times to rid myself of the nerves. I was going to be strong for Sierra. And then once this was all over, I was going to buy her a damn yacht or something. She deserved something awesome for going through all this.
Mel poked her head out of a room with double doors down the hall. “Ready for this?”
I grimaced. “Can you ask an easier question, Little Sister? I’m scared shitless.”
She chuckled, beckoning me with a tip of her head. “Come on. You’ve been waiting for your chance to do your part. This is it. Come hold her hand.”
Taking a deep breath, I followed her into the OR. Thankfully, they hadn’t started anything yet, so it was just Sierra laying on a table with nurses busy around her setting things up. There was a stool for me to sit on right by her head, and when I sat and took her hand, she looked relieved. Relieved, and terrified.
“Hey, gorgeous. Funny meeting you here.”
That got me a shaky laugh. “I could say the same for you. I think I prefer you in the leather.”
“What? You’re saying you don’t want me to become a doctor?” I teased.
She pursed her lips, feigning thoughtfulness. “Would you be able to handle the needles?”
I blanched, shaking my head rapidly. “Nope. You got me. I don’t want needles anywhere near me.”
“And that’s why we put this up,” Mel said cheerily as she and another nurse raised a sheet at Sierra’s chest level, blocking us both from seeing what was happening on the other side.
“Thank fuck,” I muttered. “I was a little worried, honestly. Do people actually watch that?”
“Sometimes,” Mel nodded. “But just as often, partners faint during the procedure. So I’m going to give my little spiel and you’re going to pay attention. Your only job is to pay attention to her.” She pointed at Sierra. “No peeking over the divider. I know you, Vegas. If you’re bad with needles, I don’t want to test how you’ll do with surgery. Give Sierra support and love, scratch her nose if she needs it, that kind of thing. You’re also her voice. If she feels pain or discomfort at all, you need to tell us. Shouldn’t be a problem, but I have to say it anyway.” She smiled reassuringly. “Last chance to bet on the gender. We’ll finally have the reveal today.”
I frowned, thinking about it. “Alright. I’m in for a girl.” When I saw Sierra looked up at me curiously, I shrugged and grinned. “I think a mini you would be cute as hell.”
My heart felt a little lighter when she smiled up at me, the fear banked just for a moment. I leaned in closer, pressing my lips to hers for a soft kiss.
“You’ve got this.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying. I guess at this point, I have to believe it,” she said with a shaky laugh.
The doctor came in, introducing the woman who would be assisting him. Thank fuck for that because I was worried about shaky hands with a dude that old. Their faces were hidden behind masks, but when he smiled down at Sierra, the wrinkles in his eyes gave him away.
“Ready to have a baby?”
I watched, awed, as Sierra drew in a breath and summoned her courage. When she opened her eyes, she looked determined and she dipped her chin once sharply to acknowledge him. “Ready.”
I didn’t think she could get any more amazing if she’d tried. But watching her face her fears with fierce determination left me stunned.
“Holy shit, I love you.”
Her gaze whipped to mine, and I heard Mel gasp from somewhere nearby, but I only had eyes for Sierra. Her expression crumpled and she started to sob, which scared the shit out of me, worried I made a mistake until she blubbered, “I love you too.”
