Chapter 22

Terri

I hated hospitals. I hated the beeping machines, even though they told me that Billy was breathing on his own and that his heart was still beating. I hated seeing him hooked up to all the machines and IVs and the catheter. I hated that he didn’t respond when I held his hand. Elaine had stayed for a little while, but then she had to go back to the Beanery. I thanked her. At least, I think I did. And told her that I would call her when something changed.

The nurses tried to get me to go home, but I wouldn’t budge. What if he woke up and I wasn’t here? Worse, what if I left to go get a sweater and he…and he…I couldn’t even think it.

Mick texted me when he landed and said he was going to grab a few hours of sleep and then meet me here. He had something to tell me. I asked if he could bring me a blanket and a thermos of coffee. An hour later, a courier arrived with a Pottery Barn cashmere throw and a tray of sandwiches and coffee from the Beanery. I forced myself to eat a triangle of chicken salad. It had always been my favorite. I let the nurses graze on the rest of it. There was coffee enough for everyone. With the warm blanket and the drone of the monitors, I drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep. When I woke up, Mick was there. He looked like I felt. He had pulled up a chair and had his arm around me. We were both going to be stiff from being in this position.

“Hi,” I croaked. “What time is it?”

“It’s about four in the afternoon. I brought you some soup if you want.”

“That sounds good. Thanks.”

He handed me a cardboard container and a spoon. I sniffed. “Minestrone. My favorite.”

“It’s from Luigi’s.”

I perked up. “Did you bring any garlic bread?”

Mick unwrapped a loaf and tore off a piece for both of us. We ate and I felt content for the first time since I got the phone call.

“No change?” he asked, when we had finished our meal.

Shaking my head, I gathered up all the garbage and put it in the trash can. “They think he had a delayed reaction to the medicine. They’re hoping that once it’s out of his system, he’ll wake up.”

“When will that be?”

I shrugged. “Later today. Tomorrow. They’re not really sure. They’ve done a whole battery of tests. The doctors are talking with each other and no one knows a fucking thing.”

Mick took me in his arms and I sagged against him. He held me until I stopped crying. “Thanks.”

“I’ve got something to tell you,” he said. “Normally, I wouldn’t burden you with this until your brother was better, but I wanted you to find this out from me.”

“Uh-oh.” I sat down.

He took a seat next to me and held my hands. “Nothing has changed my feelings toward you. I love you.”

I closed my eyes. I hadn’t realized that I needed to hear him say that.

“Janet had her baby on Friday.”

My eyes popped open. This was good news, right?

“Mom and baby are fine. There’s just one problem.”

I felt cold all of a sudden.

“She’s claiming I’m the father.”

All the muscles in my body locked. “Are you?” I forced out of tight lips.

“No.”

I sagged in relief.

“Simon is the father.”

I wasn’t surprised.

“My mother paid her two hundred grand to tell the world I’m the father so Simon doesn’t lose his wife and family. And probably to stick it to me as well. Simon has always been her favorite.”

“She’s a pleasant woman,” I muttered. “I’ve enjoyed the encounters I’ve had with her. What are you going to do?”

“I was going to force a paternity test to prove I’m not the father, but Simon said he’d give me his shares in the company if I don’t.”

I whistled low. “That’s quite a bribe. Are you going to take it?”

Mick was silent so long I wasn’t sure he was going to answer me. Then he said, “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

Wrapping the Pottery Barn throw tighter around me, I asked, “So is Janet demanding you pay child support or does she want to get married?”

Pain flared inside my heart when I said the last word.

“I don’t want to marry her.”

Hope fluttered in my chest.

“But my nephew, who’s going to think he’s my son, deserves a father and a mother.”

And hope died.

I closed my eyes. Maybe if I went to sleep this would all be a terrible dream. I’d wake up in ancient Egypt and run away with my gladiator slave.

“I know this is a lot to ask,” he said. “And this is sure as shit not how I would have gone about it. But will you marry me and help me raise my nephew as our son?”

My eyes flew open and I almost gave myself whiplash turning to him. He held out a ring box.

“What the serious fuck?” I asked.

He opened it. It was one big honker of a diamond. My gaze shot to his ear. He wasn’t wearing the diamond stud anymore. My mouth gaped open. I didn’t know what to say. I glared at my brother. Now would be a good time for some brotherly advice.

“I memorized the reasons why this is a good idea.”

“Let me hear them,” I said.

“Great sex.”

I had to give him that.

“I’m rich.”

“Stop right there. I don’t give a fuck about your money.”

“It would piss off my mother to see me happy.”

“I don’t give a fuck about your mother either, but tell me more about the happy part.”

“You make me happy.”

I nodded.

“I like who I am when I’m with you.”

I nodded.

“We have fun together.”

Was I actually considering this? He was proposing marriage to me on what could be my brother’s deathbed.

“I would take care of you.”

Tears filled up in my eyes. “I can take care of myself,” I managed to get out without crying.

“You’d take care of me.”

A tear rolled down my cheek. He wiped it away.

“I had a shitty childhood with shitty parents. I see how you and your brother are with each other and I want that for this little boy. I want him to grow up with game night and with parents who love him. I can’t think of anyone who would be a better wife and mother than you. Please Terri, Yrsa, Sanura. Will you marry me?”

“Yeah.”

Except that hadn’t been me. Billy said it, but then went right back under. “I have to get the nurse.” I tore out of the room. I had dragged the whole medical team back to take a look at my brother when I realized that Mick had gone.