Page 53 of Need Me
Chase’s jaw squared. “You heard my wife. I’mstayin’.”
Dr. Rutger looked between them and then sighed. “All right, but as soon as these babies are out, you’re leaving,Chase.”
“Fine,” hesaid.
Relief lessened Anna’s grief over being unable to witness her babies’ births. At least Chase could tell her about it when she woke up. She caressed her rounded stomach with her free hand. Anna’s potent love for their unborn children demanded that she put their needs before her owndesires.
“We’re going to start the anesthesia now,” Rutgersaid.
Still rubbing her stomach, Anna said, “I’ll see you both soon, okay? Mommy loves you somuch.”
Chase held her closer and put his hand overhers.
“I love you, Chase,” she said as her mind went fuzzy. “You’re the best husband and you’re going to be the bestdaddy.”
Chase’s tender kiss was a balm to her soul. “I love you, too, darlin’ and you’re gonna be the best mommy. And you’re the best wife because you put up withme.”
She chuckled a little as he blotted away her tears with a tissue one of the nurses had given him. Movement at the operating door caught her eye and she saw Brooke enter dressed in scrubs. Fresh tears began and she reached for Brooke while she still had thestrength.
Brooke took her hand. “Hi, honey.” She cast a look at Chase. “I just knew these kids were going to take after him and cause a bunch oftrouble.”
Anna laughed weakly. “Thank you so much for coming.” Her vision started to blur and she couldn’t speak. Then one of the nurses put an oxygen mask over her face. Anna heard Chase repeatedly telling her that he loved her as she slipped intoblackness.
* * *
“Is she out?”Chase asked thedoctor.
Rutger nodded. “Yes.”
He turned and pulled Brooke into a bear hug as he shook with fear. “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t want Anna to see what a wreck I am. I have to be strong for her and the babies, but I’m scared shitless,Brooke.”
She hugged him back. “I know, Chase, but Dr. Rutger and his team are the best and they’ll make sure that Anna and the twins areokay.”
Chase knew that Rutger was highly qualified for this type of surgery, but Brooke had a way about her that put him at ease about medical things. It had been the same for Emily and Tyler when Hayley had beenhurt.
“Okay. You’re right. It’s just so hard seeing Anna in so much pain and not being able to do anything to help her,” Chasesaid.
Brooke pulled back and met his eyes. “You being here and beingyouis exactly what she needs. She needed you to reassure her and make her smile. Her emotional wellbeing is just as important as her physical health. The two go hand-in-hand.”
Nodding, Chase sat down in the chair near Anna’s head. Brooke wheeled over a stool and took hishand.
“They have to be okay, Brooke. I never thought I’d be a dad, I mean, you know, the normal way,” he said. “I’d pretty much accepted that I couldn’t give Anna babies, but then she turned up pregnant.” Guilt over the way he’d accused Anna of cheating the previous year rushed to the surface. They’d still just been dating when they’d discovered that she’d conceived. He’d been devastated, convinced at first that she’d duped him. “She was pregnant with my twins and I was such a prick toher.”
Brooke squeezed his hand. “Chase, don’t go down this road. That doesn’t matter anymore. You both came to your senses and worked things out. You’re together and happy and you’re going to have two beautiful babies in just a few minutes. Focus onthat.”
Tears filled his eyes. “They’re so little, though. It’s toosoon.”
Brooke smiled. “They’re just impatient to get here. They get that from you,Hoss.”
A smile wobbled on his lips. “Yeah. I guessso.”
“They might have to stay in the NICU for a little while, but if they’re as stubborn as you and Anna, they’ll pull through just fine,” Brookesaid.
Chase was grateful for the levity Brooke’s teasing brought to the situation. Usually, he was the one providing a tension breaker, but he couldn’t find much humor as he gazed at Anna. Her skin was pale and she had dark smudges under her eyes, but she was still the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. “God, I love her and these kids so much. I can’t lose them,Brooke.”
He jumped when Brooke grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. “Don’t talk like that Chase!” she said in a low, angry tone. “No negative energy in here.None!”
She was right. He had to man up and stop panicking. Chase dug down deep and powered through his fear. “Yeah. I hear you. I’m okaynow.”
