I’m sitting in the far corner of the hospital room while Reagan’s asleep. The sound of raindrops hitting the window and sliding down the glass has my attention. Her screams repeat in my mind, and the pain of not being able to get to her fast enough is still deep inside me.

My cell phone beeps. I’ve set it to do that every two hours. I get up from the chair and make my way over to Reagan’s bed.

I gently shake her. “Baby, it’s time to wake up.”

“I’m up,” she whispers. “My name’s Reagan Halloway, and I’m in the hospital because of an altercation with Zane. My amazing fiancé is by my side. Better?”

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Okay, smart-ass. I know you don’t like being woken up, but it’s what the doctors need you to do. I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t, Drew. I’m right here. A little banged up, but I’m here. And it’s because of you. As scared as I was, being trapped in the restroom with Zane, it was your voice that pushed me to hold on. I held on and didn’t let him win.”

My body tightens, and I see her fearful and hurt face with his hands on her body. My breathing becomes rigid. That fucker’s in jail where he belongs, and I’ll be sure he never sees the light of day again.

“Calm down, babe. Please.”

“I’m trying.”

“How’s Remy?”

I pull the chair over and sit back down, so I’m close to her. “Better. The both of you have a concussion, but since you’re both alert, they’re going to discharge you in the morning.”

She winces and turns her head to the other side. “This is my fault. If I never came to Chicago, Remy wouldn’t be in the hospital. I wouldn’t have caused all these issues.”

“Then, we wouldn’t have met, and I wouldn’t know what true love felt like. You can’t blame yourself, baby. You’ll get justice. I’ve hired the best lawyers in town, and I will make sure he remains in jail until his court date.” I take her hand and bring it to my lips. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Okay.”

* * *

The door slowly opens an hour later, and Aimee quietly walks in. Her eyes are swollen and red from crying. I wonder if everything’s okay. She pauses by the bathroom door, looking at Reagan and then at me. She slowly walks over and pulls over the other chair, so she’s sitting next to me.

“Zoey’s with Remy,” she sadly says. “He asked me to check on you guys. I stood outside the door and heard him tell her I meant nothing to him.”

I’m not sure what to say, so instead, I pull her near me, and she places her head on my shoulder.

“Three weeks ago, I saw my ex-boyfriend of two years announce his engagement. They’ve been together for about a year. He met her when we were going through a rough patch. He never physically cheated, but he opened himself up to her. He let her in while I was kept in the dark. The night we broke up, I got drunk and called him, but she answered in her sweet Southern accent. I immediately hung up and put all my energy into my law career. I’m a damn good lawyer. If I wanted, I could become partner. I guess I have to put that aside though.”

“Why? Because of Remy? He’s my best friend, but don’t put your dreams on hold for him. You’re too talented, nice, and beautiful to wait around for him.”

She sighs and lifts her head from my shoulder. “In eight months, I’ll have a new name.”

I watch her place her hand on her flat stomach.

“Mommy,” she whispers. “I just found out. When I passed out, the doctor was worried and ran tests. I saw my baby, and I’m about four weeks pregnant.”

“Is the baby…”

She nods. “Remy’s the father.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“I was.” She pauses. “Then, Zoey showed up, so I didn’t. Please don’t tell him.”

“I won’t,” I honestly tell her.

“Thanks, Drew.”

I place a comforting kiss on the side of her head, and we stay quiet until my phone beeps once again and I get up to wake Reagan and listen to her smart-ass answers.

The next morning, I get Reagan and Aimee something to eat from a bakery down the street and text Zoey to see how Remy’s doing.

Zoey: I left a while ago. After Aimee left, he was quiet, and when I asked what was wrong, he said he wanted to be alone.

Me: Do you like him?

Zoey: I do…

Me: Let’s meet for lunch soon and we’ll talk.

Zoey: I’d like that. Thanks, Drew.

I don’t respond and put my phone away to head back to the hospital.

After being discharged, I tell Remy I’ll talk to him later, and we leave the hospital. Aimee left shortly before we did. She wanted to be alone, so I got her a cab.

“Is she okay?” Reagan asks.

I hate lying to her. It’s not my place to tell her someone’s secret. “I’m not sure.” That is the truth.

“I’ll call her later.” Reagan looks outside the window and back toward me. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

When Sander drops us off at an apartment complex, I lead Reagan inside and into an awaiting elevator. As soon as the door opens, I lead her down a hall. Before I can knock on the door, it opens, and an older woman with auburn hair and green eyes, like my Reagan, smiles and pulls her in for a hug.

“Mom?”

“Hi, honey.”

“What? How? When?”

She lets her go and says, “Your very sweet and handsome fiancé arranged my travels and set me up in this apartment. We’ve been apart for too long. I’ve missed you so much, honey.”

Reagan throws her arms around Denise’s neck, and they both cry.

I place my hand on Reagan’s lower back, pressing my lips against the back of her head, and whisper, “Spend time with your mom, and I’ll be back later.”

“Thank you,” she softly mutters.

“Anything for you.”

Once I’m outside, Sander opens the door for me, and I let him know where I need him to go. The drive takes about twenty minutes before I’m standing in front of the house I’m going to be purchasing for my family.

“Well, what do you think?”

I look around again and turn to face my realtor. “Brian, it’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

“I’m glad. I knew you’d like the house. It’s perfect for you and your family.”

“It is,” I agree.

What catches my eye is the wraparound porch where two wooden rocking chairs and a smaller chair sit. I imagine sitting on the porch with Reagan and Dawson at night, watching the sun fall with my hand on Reagan’s growing belly. Experiencing a love like hers is something I never thought I’d get to feel. Not only does she love me, but she also loves my son.

Taking one last look at the six-thousand-five-hundred-square-foot home—which holds four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a newly remodeled kitchen, and massive living room and dining room—I walk through the house, down the marble floor, and outside on the deck. It overlooks the in-ground pool I know Dawson will love. The waterfall splashes against the pool, and the decorative rocks make it look like a resort. The land is large, and there’s room for a tree house I’d like to build for Dawson, so he can have one like I did when I was a boy.

It feels right. Being here, in our future home, imagining the rest of my life, feels perfect. Reagan and I have had our ups and downs. All I see now is us growing together. We’re perfect for each other. My love for her is strong and will only grow. Once she’s my wife, I’ll get to show her every single day what love truly is, and she’ll never be alone. The next step we’re going to take next year is the ultimate seal of our love.

I take in a deep breath and tell Brian to fax over the paperwork to my office, and I’ll have it ready for him the next day.