“How are you feeling?” he said, gripping her hand. “I’m so sorry it took me so long to find you.” He adjusted the chair, never letting go of her hand and rubbed it against the side of his face.

“I’m feeling okay, a little groggy, but okay. How did you find me?” He dropped his eyes and looked away.

“I was so scared! I started by using the find my phone app you have on your phone. I added it a little while ago. I’ve never used until last night. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I completely forgot about it.” He braced himself for her wrath that he rightfully deserved. She didn’t say anything, just looked at him, waiting to hear more, so he continued. “But then your phone died and I had to have Luc get one of his buddies to hack Jon’s phone.” He continued to rub her hand against his face and she ran her hand through his hair, soothing him. He peeked up at her.

“They can do that?” she said, her brow wrinkled.

“Apparently. I didn’t ask any questions, I just knew I had to get to you.” That helpless feeling he had experienced waiting for Luc to get back to him as the minutes ticked by was the worst of his life.

“Talk about the wonders of technology,” she said.

“You’re not pissed at me?” He held her gaze, waiting for her to let loose. At this point, he didn’t care, she was safe and that was all that mattered.

“Under the circumstances, I don’t see how I can be. You saved my life,” she said, giving him a watery smile. “If you hadn’t come after me, I don’t know what would have happened.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “I’m really glad you did. I love you,” she said, her voice cracking and tears spilling down her cheeks. It was like a dam burst as she finally said the words she’d known in her heart all along. She loved him and would never let him go.

“I love you too, Rox. I’d come after you anywhere. You have no idea how scared I was when I saw your bike out by the front gate.” He climbed up onto the bed, careful of her IV, and pulled her into his arms. “I jumped right in the car and was driving around like a madman.”

“I’m glad. And I’m sorry,” she said, sobbing. He rocked and soothed her until her cries slowed down. She hiccupped and peered up at him. “I’m sorry I ran out like that. You were right. You were right about it all.”

“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter one bit. All that matters is that you’re safe and he’s gone.”

“Is he dead?”

“No,” he said through gritted teeth. “I sure as hell wish he was, but the cops showed up not long after you passed out. I was so scared. That was the only thing that could have gotten me to stop from killing him. I needed to get to you.” He kissed the top of her head and dragged his fingers across her arms.

“The cops have him?”

“Yes, and I’ll make sure he’s locked up and that they throw away the key. He won’t be getting out anytime soon and he won’t be coming anywhere near you again.” His possessiveness no longer scared her. If anything, it made her heart soar. He wasn’t trying to control her and her fears about that faded away as she saw firsthand how his concern was from a real threat, not some imagined slight. There was a difference between control and protection, she could see that now. It had taken almost dying to finally see the light, but she had.

“Thank you, Liam.” She squeezed and snuggled into him. “Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking.

“Shhhh, it’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re safe. I’ve got you,” he said, fiercely. “And I have something for you.” He shifted on the bed and reached into his pocket.

“I’ve wanted to give this to you for a while, but I thought that even though the timing might not be perfect, I didn’t want to wait a minute longer.” In his hand, he held a black velvet box. He flicked it open and inside was a diamond and sapphire ring that would put Kate Middleton’s to shame. He pulled the ring out and dropped the box. Taking her hand in his, he held the ring poised at the end of her finger.

“Roxanne Weller, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I have never met a woman as incredible in my entire life and I know I’ll never meet one who makes me feel the way you make me feel. It would be an honor to be your husband and cherish you for the rest of your days.”

A giddy laugh almost escaped her as she looked from the ring to Liam. She wanted this so badly, but then she thought back to the nurse and the news she’d delivered. He knew. Her heart sunk. Was he only proposing because of the baby?

“The nurse told you, didn’t she?” she said, glancing from the ring to his face.

“Told me what?” The look on his face had her second-guessing her assumption.

“She told you I was pregnant.”

He dropped the ring from his hand and onto her lap.

“You’re pregnant! But…but...you said you took the test and it was negative.”

“I did take the test and it was negative. Apparently, those things aren’t one hundred percent accurate. They did some bloodwork when I came in and did an ultrasound to confirm it.”

“Holy shit!” he said, hopping up from the bed and pacing the room. He ran his hands through his hair and Rox bit her lip. Was he going to hate her? Think she’d tried to trap him? Her empty stomach rolled as she waited for him to say something. Anything. Then he turned back to her and rushed to her side. “That’s amazing, Rox. So amazing!” he said, kissing her hand and picking up the ring again.

“So, you weren’t only asking because you knew I was pregnant?”

“No! I’ve had this ring for a week. How far along are you?”

“Eight weeks.”

“Eight weeks…the night in the walk-in,” he said, a smile spread across his face.

“Yup.”

“That will definitely be a story for the kids.”

“I don’t think we need to give them all the details,” she said, smiling up at him.

“No, maybe not all of them,” he said, kissing her hand. He put the ring at the end of her finger, ready to slide it on. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” Happy tears pooled in her eyes. Nodding her head because she didn’t trust her voice, Rox pushed her finger forward to allow him to slide the ring onto her finger.

“Yes,” she said, holding her hand over her mouth. Weepy pregnant woman, she was going to have to work to keep up her hard-ass reputation throughout this whole thing. The hospital room door burst open and Jen and Mark came spilling into the room.

“Rox! We were so worried.” They both skidded to a stop as they took in the scene in front of them.

“You’re getting married?!” Jen shrieked, bouncing up and down.

“You’re getting married?” Mark looked like he’d walked into some alternate reality.

“And I’m pregnant.” Rox couldn’t help but add to Mark’s already ashen face.

“But…but…you two hate each other. And what do you mean, pregnant?” Jen slid a chair up behind him.

“Honey, why don’t you sit down?” Jen said as Mark practically fell into the chair.

“I don’t understand. What the hell have you two been up to since I left?!” Mark said, trying to stand up. Jen perched on his lap to keep him in the seat.

“Honey, when a man and a woman love each other very much…” Jen teased, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“It’s a long story.” Rox said, holding back a laugh.

“We’ve got time.”

“What kind of wedding are you going to have? Can you please have the puppy corral like your brother had at his?” Jen begged Liam.

“Puppy corral?” Rox said to Liam.

“Also a long story.”

“Can we dress up in costumes again too?”

“Costumes?” she asked, turning to him again. What kind of wedding had Luc had? He didn’t seem like the puppies and costumes kind of guy. It must have been Anna’s influence.

“You’ll have to talk about that with Luc and Anna, but you can have whatever you want at our wedding,” he said, kissing her on the lips. Rox sank into the kiss and pulled him in closer. Jen cleared her throat as Mark called out.

“Come on guys, get a room.”

“We have a room. This is mine,” Rox said, laughing at him. “I didn’t think you’d go all protective older brother on me, Mark.”

“Of course I will, Rox. You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a sister and it ripped me up inside hearing what happened. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help.”

“It’s okay. Liam took care of me.” And he had. She’d fought him the entire way, but he’d taken care of her despite herself.

“I’m glad he did,” Mark said.

“Me too,” she said, running her hand down the side of his face, scruffy with his stubble. He ran his thumb along her bottom lip and kissed her gently.

“I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Roxanne Lavery.”

“I can’t wait to be Mrs. Roxanne Lavery. What if we just head to Vegas and get married this weekend?”

Jen stood then. “Oh, no you don’t! I am not getting screwed out of the wedding of the century because you two don’t feel like planning it. There will be a wedding. I’ll make a special commission just for the two of you and there will be aerial silk artists,” Jen said with a pointed stare.

“Sounds like someone’s getting a bit itchy to plan a wedding. Maybe you should be doing your own?” Rox said, smirking at the stricken look on Mark and Jen’s faces. That ought to shut them up.

“We can do it however you want. It doesn’t have to be big or flashy. I’m good with whatever,” he said, holding her hand in his. Rox tilted her hand letting the light catch her ring. After everything she’d been through, all the heartache and pain, she’d ended up here in this moment. Great friends and an even better man who would be her husband. How did she ever get this lucky?