I walked through the door and Mackenzie was sitting on the floor of the entry with big tears dropping from her eyes. Fran was sitting beside her.

I rushed to Mackenzie’s side. “It’s okay, sweet girl, I just hurt my wrists a bit, but they will heal.”

“Thea, I was so scared when you didn’t pick me up from school.”

I knelt in front of my daughter-to-be, fighting the fatigue that made me light-headed. I reached out for the built-in-bench to stabilize me.

“Zee?” Her wide blue-green eyes borrowed into mine. “It’s okay to be scared, and I’m okay… except I might need your help with getting better, Doctor Zee,” I assured her.

She smiled through her tears and wrapped her little arms around me.

I hugged her to me, tight. A few hours ago I didn’t know if I would see her again, and now that I was holding her, I knew that I wouldn’t take even one moment for granted.

“Can you help me up?” I asked.

Gabriel quickly rushed to my side, and together, he and Zee helped me stand.

I looked at him, but he was blurry. “Gabriel, I might need help to get to the couch,” I admitted.

I heard him mutter, “sure you’re fine and don’t need to be checked out by a doctor,” then he swept me up into his arms and carried me up the stairs—straight to his bedroom.

Mackenzie padded after us. “Daddy, why is Thea in your room?”

“Because I have to keep my eye on her tonight, Zee.” He set me on the bed and turned to her. “I have to run downstairs to grab some water. Can you watch her for me?”

“Of course, Daddy.”

Zee jumped on the bed beside me, taking my wrist in her hand. She lifted it next to her cheek and pressed it there.

Tears filled my eyes. How did I get so lucky?

She snuggled in next to me and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her tight.

Gabriel walked through the door, but she didn’t budge. She stayed next to me, pressed close.

Gabriel’s eyes grew wide when he looked at us, and I watched them fill with tears. He stood there—frozen—with tears streaming down his face.

I moaned when I saw he actually had what I could only imagine was his medical bag in his hand and a glass of water.

Really? I mouthed to him.

He nodded, but I forgave him. Because the realization that this family was priceless hit me with a sucker punch, and I knew if it was him in this bed, injured, I’d have done the same thing.

He set his bag off to the side; I think he knew I couldn’t handle the two of them fussing over me right then. Instead, the three of us simply laid on the bed together, joined by a Goldendoodle bundle, who also seemed to understand that his humans were having a moment, even though he was only twelve weeks old.

“Did she finally fall asleep?” I asked Gabriel when he came back to our room.

He nodded. He’d said few words since we’d been home. I was worried about him.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, reaching for him.

“I can’t believe you’re asking me that after everything you’ve been through.” He stayed at the foot of the bed, his eyes moving toward his bag.

“Gabriel?” His eyes came back to mine. “Please forget that for tonight. I’m just exhausted, and it really is that simple. If it will make you feel better, you can listen to my heart and put your little pen light in my eyes, but it won’t change the diagnosis. Come to me.” My eyes filled with tears and he moved immediately to my side.

I sat up on the bed and reached for him. He pulled me into his arms, and I clung to him. The tears started to fall, and I tried to suppress a sob.

“It’s okay, Thea. Let go.”

I did. I sobbed into his shoulder and he held me tightly against him. “I—I thought I was going to die… I—I thought I might never see you or Zee again,” I admitted.

“I know, baby,” he kissed my head.

I started to hiccup, but he just held on strong and tight.

“I’ve made a mess of your shirt,” I admitted when I could finally speak.

“My shirt can be replaced.” He said simply.

I smiled. “Wow,” I let my head drop back, my eyes moving to his. “That was exhausting and freeing all at the same time.” Truth be told, I felt a little drunk.

His eyes were filled with concern. They never left mine.

“I’m okay, Gabriel. I’m stronger than you think.” My hand moved to his chest, and I wanted him, but the exhaustion was stronger.

“I need to sleep,” I admitted.

“Drink some water and take this antibiotic.”

I did.

“I love you, Gabriel Mills, smart ass doctor-psychiatrist and consultant for the FBI—an organization I’m more than a little angry with right now.”

I yawned, and he slowly lowered me onto the pillow.

“I love you, too, Athena Brady-almost-Mills, bravest woman I know.”

I closed my eyes, and I know he thought I didn’t notice he was reaching for his medical bag—but I did.

Exhaustion claimed me anyway.