by Kait Nolan
The nurse on duty wasn’t familiar. Her no-nonsense expression didn’t shift as she fixed steely blue eyes on him. “Sir, I’m going to need you to calm down.”
Calm down? How the fuck was he supposed to be calm when he knew nothing, not even whether Tess was alive or dead? Curling his hands around the edges of the counter, Mitch struggled to keep some of the panic out of his voice. “Teresa Anne Peyton was brought in about an hour ago. Car accident. She’s pregnant. I need to know what’s going on.”
“Are you family?”
“She’s the mother of my child.” Tess would hate being reduced to that, but what else could he say after last night?
The woman’s fingers tapped at a keyboard in a slow hunt and peck. How the hell could someone who worked with computers not know how to type? Before he could take off the nurse’s head for not being faster, someone called his name.
Sandy crossed the industrial tile floor, her heels echoing in the mostly empty space. His parents, Grammy, Cecily, Cam, and Norah took up one corner. God, was this an all-hands-on-deck sort of vigil?
Mitch abandoned the front desk. “Where is she? Is she all right?”
“She’s stable.”
Stable. That wasn’t the same as all right.
His knees wobbled and his stomach bottomed out. He was too afraid to ask about the baby. “What the hell happened?”
“She was on her way to meet Brody out at the job site. Her car was hit. The other driver was texting.”
Rage washed his vision red. Her life, the life of his child, were in danger because some asshole couldn’t wait to get where he was going. “How bad?” He gritted out the words as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
“They’re still running tests. Trey’s back with her now.”
Even as she spoke, the double doors leading back to the patient areas opened and Trey came through. Mitch made it over to the other man in three strides, scanning his face for the answers he so desperately needed. Stress, but no terror or grief. That was probably a good sign, right?
“She’s okay.”
Words weren’t enough. “I have to see her.” He needed to touch her. Needed real, verified proof that she was going to be fine.
Mitch started to push past him, to catch the door that hadn’t quite swung shut, but Trey slapped a hand against his chest. “You need to calm the hell down. The last thing she needs right now is to see you upset. Can you do that?”
He felt like he was flying apart as all the fear and worry and anger coalesced inside him. But he’d do whatever had to be done to get to Tess, so he simply nodded and obediently followed the other man into the labyrinth behind the doors.
Outside her room, Trey stopped him. “She looks a little rough. It’s important that you keep your head. Got it?”
Mitch nodded and took several breaths to brace himself before easing into the room.
Tess lay in a hospital bed, eyes closed. An ugly bruise at her temple was bisected by a white swatch of bandage. More bruises and abrasions were visible where the hospital gown had slipped off her shoulder. From the seatbelt, probably. An assortment of monitors beeped with steady rhythms, but there was no oxygen, no IV. That was good, right?
Mitch stepped closer, his feet scuffing on the tile, and she opened her eyes. Relief flashed across her face, and that unguarded emotion had him crossing the room, taking her hand.
Her fingers curled tight in his and held on. “Hi.”
“You scared ten years off my life. Are you okay?”
“I’ve felt better. I’ve got a concussion, and I’m banged up pretty good, but they tell me nothing’s broken. My blood pressure is up and they’re checking a few more things, but I’m going to be fine.”
Mitch exhaled and reached to drag over a chair because his knees weren’t altogether steady. He pressed their joined hands to his cheek. “Thank God. And—” His gaze dropped, at last, to her belly.
“They’re still running tests, but the heartbeat is good and there’s no sign of bleeding. No cramping.”
The last of the fear let go its stranglehold on his chest. Overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, he pressed his face to the bed. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Her fingers stroked the back of his hand. “There was a minute there I thought the same. I was so scared I wouldn’t get a chance to say that I’m sorry.”
He turned his face toward her, catching the clear regret in her dark eyes and feeling the first kindle of renewed hope. “For what?”
“For running away. For being so afraid and not telling you why.”
“I should have seen that you were scared. I should have asked.”
Her mouth quirked. “Seen how? With your super-secret mind-reading powers?”
“I know you.”
“On a lot of levels you do. But not totally, and that’s got nothing to do with how you feel about me and everything to do with time. We simply haven’t had that much of it together, and what we have wasn’t focused on that. There were so many points I could have explained about my parents, but it’s not a thing I talk about. It wasn’t even something I even consciously thought about until I got here and came face-to-face with your family.”
“We freak you out.” At her start of surprise he shrugged. “Like I said. I know you.”
“You’re right. They do freak me out. I don’t know how to be a part of that.”
Not knowing how to be a part of something wasn’t the same as not wanting to be part of it. Clinging to that, to her, he straightened. “Well, you’ve met them, right? It’s not like they collectively give you much choice. We just kind of absorb people and make them ours.”
That almost got a smile out of her. “I’m starting to get that.”
“You’re one of ours, Tess.”
The smile dimmed. “Because of Dad. Because of this baby.” She laid a protective hand over her stomach.
“Because I love you.”
She opened her mouth, probably to argue with him, but he pressed on. “I know you don’t trust that. I know you think it’s only because of the baby. But it’s not.” And suddenly he knew exactly how to prove it. He pulled out his wallet, digging through until he found what he wanted. “Look at this.”
Tess took the paper and unfolded it. “What is this?”
“The receipt for your engagement ring.”
Horrified, she stared at him. “Please tell me you don’t think I’m the kind of woman who cares about how much something cost.”
“Look at the date, Tess.”
She dropped her gaze, skimming the receipt for the transaction date. February 29th. From a jeweler in Pitlochry. Tess went very still, even as the monitor began to broadcast the wild beating of her heart. “You bought an engagement ring after four days?”
“I did.”
“That’s crazy. Why would you do that? You didn’t even know my last name.”
“Because it was Leap Day and I decided to take a leap.” He scooted closer, folding her hands back in his. “I screwed this up royally, both times. I get that. What I should have said at the lake yesterday was this: I love you. I think I did almost from the first moment I saw you up on that stage, so vivid and vibrant and unapologetically you. And every minute we spent together that week just further solidified for me that I wanted you in my life for every day. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t known each other that long or that your life was there and mine was here. It didn’t even matter that I didn’t know your full name. I knew you. And I loved you. So I bought that ring and I bided my time because even though I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, I figured you’d be a harder sell and I wanted to give you more time. That last day, I planned to take you back to Loch Faskally and ask you to marry me. I knew it was insane and crazy, and yet I knew if I didn’t, I’d regret it. But I didn’t get the chance because you bolted.”
Tess dropped her gaze, fresh tears gathering in her eyes. She’d run from him because she hadn’t trusted him, hadn’t trusted herself. And it seemed in the past co
uple months she’d learned nothing.
Mitch cupped the uninjured side of her face and tipped her head up to meet his gaze. “No, don’t beat yourself up for that. It is what it is. You were scared. So was I. But we got this second chance. And I was beyond grateful that the Universe hadn’t abandoned us. Then the baby happened and it just felt like icing on the world’s most perfect cake. I love our child. I love the life we can all have together, on whatever terms you’re comfortable with. But I need you to know, I loved you first. Before all of it. And I didn’t say it because I didn’t want to scare you, but that sure as hell blew up in my face, so I’m saying it now. I love you. And I’ll say it every day for the rest of forever, if you’ll let me. I’ll say it as often as you need, do whatever I can to show you until you really, truly believe me. I love you, and I want to build a life with you, Tess. Whether it’s here or in Denver or Timbuktu. I want to marry you. Whenever you want. Whether that’s tomorrow or after the baby’s born. I just need you.”
It was everything she’d needed to hear. He loved her. Really, truly loved her.
As the tears spilled over, fresh panic flashed over Mitch’s face. “Please don’t cry. I’ll stop proposing. You can ask me whenever you’re ready.”
Laughter bubbled up through the tears. “You don’t have to ask again. I’m done running, Mitch.” She tugged until he came out of the chair and leaned over her. Framing his face, she skimmed her thumbs over his cheeks and drank in his wonderful, worried face. “I love you. It’s what I should’ve said instead of sneaking out on you. I love you, and I want to marry you.”
His eyes flared even as his fingers curled gently around her wrists. “Yes? That’s really a yes? It’s not just the head injury talking?”
Seeing his uncertainty settled the last of her own doubts. “Not just the head injury and not the hormones.”
“Thank God. Plan D involved a flash mob of ‘Take A Chance On Me’, and I really didn’t want to go there.”
Tess’s mouth dropped open. “Really? I might have to change my mind just so I can see that.”
“No! No takesies backsies! You said yes. You’re in it now.”
“Yes, I am.” She drew him down, until his brow pressed lightly to hers. Her bruised head protested, but she didn’t pull away. “I can’t promise I’ll get it all right or that I won’t freak out. But I promise I love you, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.”
“We’ll figure it out together.”
He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with a gentle sweetness that undid her. They were going to be okay. Better than okay. They were going to be a family.
A throat cleared from the doorway.
Miranda stood there, a chart in her hands. “First off, sorry for intruding. But I figured you would want to know as soon as possible. I talked with Dr. Phillips and reviewed the tests myself. Everything came back clear. We’ll want to follow the usual protocols tonight to keep an eye on that concussion, but you and the baby are going to be fine.”
Tess sank back against the pillows. “Thank God.”
“Second, congratulations, and I’m sorry.”
Mitch frowned and shifted as if to block her from whatever was coming. “Sorry? For what?”
“Because the news of your pregnancy just hit the high-speed track of the gossip train. The Casserole Patrol are here volunteering today and overheard you at the nurse’s station. It’ll be all over town before Tess is discharged.”
Mitch groaned. “Man. So much for keeping a low profile.”
Tess squeezed his hand. “It’s fine. We weren’t going to be able to keep it a secret much longer anyway.” And she was grateful they didn’t have to hide anymore.
“On the plus side, they’re already in heavy debate about who’s knitting the baby blanket, booties, and hat.”
This was life in Wishful. It was crazy and it was different, but Tess thought it would be pretty amazing. “Does that mean we’ve effectively distracted them from Norah and Cam?”
“I’d say yes.”
“Then I’m guessing they owe us one.”
Miranda grinned. “Oh, big brother, you picked a good one. She’s gonna fit into this family just fine.”
Tess tipped her head to Mitch’s shoulder and realized Miranda was absolutely right. She did fit, and maybe that was the biggest surprise of all.
Epilogue
“It won’t be long now. The baby’s head is low and you’re at nine centimeters and fully effaced. I’m thinking it’ll be twenty, thirty minutes before you can push.” Dr. Jenkins patted Tess on the foot. “I’ll be back to check on you again in a little bit.”
“I can’t believe we’re about to meet Ulysses Barton.”
“Not a chance in hell,” Tess snarled, clamping down on Mitch’s hand and breathing through the next contraction. “Besides, it might be a girl.” In an attempt to be less rigid and plan obsessed, she’d opted not to find out.
“Well then, Nikita Xena.” At her bland stare, he just grinned. “What? They’re strong female role models.”
Tess just shook her head and continued to breathe until the contraction passed. She couldn’t quite believe the whole, wild ride was nearly over either. Despite their somewhat tumultuous beginning, she and Mitch had built that foundation. Her fiancé, as it turned out, kinda had a lock on that. He’d been her rock through the entire pregnancy, never once pressing the issue of the wedding. He’d left it entirely up to her, content having his ring on her finger.
At first, she’d waited because she’d needed time to settle into the idea. Then, they’d been overwhelmed with baby planning and finalizing renovations on the small business incubator. By the time the official ribbon cutting ceremony was through, she felt like a hippopotamus and couldn’t imagine waddling down the aisle. There was no couture on earth that would’ve made those wedding pictures something she ever wanted to see again.
But as the next contraction hit and her husband-to-be continued chattering on with the most ridiculous names—and dear God, how had they not actually settled on real ones in all these months?—Tess wondered what the hell she’d been waiting for. She loved this man beyond reason.
The spasm let loose and she slumped back, grateful when he offered her some water. “You’re doing great, baby.”
“I want to get married,” she gasped.
Mitch grinned, his dimple flashing. Oh how she hoped their baby got that dimple. “Whenever you want.”
“Now.”
He laughed and set the water aside. “I think you’re a little busy at the moment.”
“I’m not kidding.”
Sobering, he shifted around to face her on the bed. “Tess, honey, you’re in labor.”
As far as she was concerned, that gave her a countdown clock. “Don’t care. I’m a Peyton. We always get what we want. You know this.”
“Baby, I appreciate that, but I’m not sure even you can hold back labor.”
She fisted a hand in the front of his shirt, knowing she probably looked crazed and not caring. “Watch me.” At this moment, she couldn’t think of anything more important than making sure she was a proper Campbell before this baby came into the world.
Mitch blew out a breath, apparently grasping the seriousness of the order. Those hazel eyes lit with determination. “I’ll see what I can do.” He kissed her hard and fast and slipped out of the room.
Tess groaned her way through three more contractions while he was gone. They were getting closer together. Only three minutes apart now.
A nurse came in to check her again.
“You’re at ten centimeters. It’s time! I’ll go get Dr. Jenkins.”
Gritting her teeth, Tess dug in her heels. “I’m not having this baby yet.”
Flashing her a disbelieving look, the nurse didn’t reply before she left the room.
Don’t argue with the crazy lady. Smart.
The door opened again and Mitch strode in, with Sandy, Trey, Cam and Norah in tow. Tess could see t
he rest of the family huddled in the doorway.
“Um…” The business end of things was facing away but this was a lot of people she hadn’t planned on being here at this moment.
Beaming, Mitch took her hand in his. “So one of the things Aunt Sandy can do as mayor is officiate weddings.”
“Nobody’s ever asked me to do it before.”
He’d actually found a way to pull this off. “I love you so much.”
“Back atcha.”
“Excuse me. Excuse me. Who are all of you?” Dr. Jenkins pushed through the mass of Campbells.
“Sorry, that’s our family,” Mitch explained.
“Too many cooks in this kitchen.” Dr. Jenkins shot a disapproving look at all of them.
“They stay until we’re married,” Tess insisted.
“Married?”
“Yeah, we’re having a wedding right now. My aunt is officiating.”
“Well now I’ve seen everything.” She settled on a stool at the end of the bed. “Get to it then, because we’re running short on time here. This baby is coming now.”
The next contraction stole Tess’s breath. She felt the difference, the reality that she was just about to tip over the top for that final roller coaster drop. The pressure and intense urge to push was about to outweigh everything else. It was now or never.
Gasping, she laid her head against Mitch’s shoulder. “Okay, let’s do this thing.”
“I don’t have my official notes, so I’m gonna wing it.” Sandy smiled at both of them. “We are gathered here in the sight of God and the presence of these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“You’re gonna want to do the abridged version,” Dr. Jenkins warned.
“Okay then. Do you Mitch, take Tess to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Okay Tess, when this next contraction hits, I’m gonna need you to bear down and push.”