Page 36 of A Kind Wedding: Christian & Charleigh

“What’s up?” Conner asked as they walked over.

“I thought you might want to see this. Look at his left ventricle.”

“Bro, I’m not a heart surgeon, but that doesn’t look right. What does it mean?” Conner asked.

“Mr. James didn’t have a heart attack,” I said.

“He has broken heart syndrome,” Charleigh looked at me.

“I honestly didn’t think that was real,” Nathan said.

“His wife of forty years passed away on their anniversary,” I spoke.

“Poor guy,” Conner said. “Well, now you know that’s the first thing you need to look for with one of us if anything ever happens to our wives because that will be me if anything ever happens to Charlotte.”

After Charleigh and I scrubbed out, she wrapped her arms around me.

“I’m so sad for him, Christian.”

“Me too, babe.” I held her tight.

* * *

Sam and Julia’s gender reveal was being held at Shaun’s house. With Noah coming early and being in the NICU, we decided having it at the house instead of one of the restaurants was better. When Charleigh and I stepped through the sliding door, pink and blue balloons were everywhere. I couldn’t stop thinking about the night I asked Charleigh about kids, and she dismissed it.

“It looks great in here.” I smiled as I walked over to Shaun and fist-bumped him.

“Uncle Christian!” Ella ran over to me.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I picked her up and hugged her.

“I heard my dad telling my mom about one of your patients. He really has broken heart syndrome?”

“Yeah, kiddo. He does.”

“Are we still on for surgery next week?” She cocked her head.

“You bet.” I smiled as I set her down.

“She’s sitting in on one of your surgeries?” Shaun asked.

“Yeah. It was one of her Christmas presents from me.”

“Ah, nothing like a gender reveal.” Conner grinned as he hooked his arm around me. “What do you think she’s having?”

“Probably another girl.” I smirked, and Shaun laughed.

Sebastian walked over with a drink in his hand.

“How are you, cousin?”

“Hanging in there. Noah might be able to come home next week.”

“I know.” A smile crossed my lips. “I saw him today. He’s definitely a Kind.”

The front door opened, and we all stood in shock when Aunt Barb and Curtis walked in.

“Um, what’s Curtis doing here?” Conner asked.

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