I nod my head yes because I’m scared to speak. His mouth forms into a wide smile, teeth showing and all as he pulls me closer. “You’re ok with it Wesley?”
“Listen to me Hope, I love you with everything I have. You have no idea how happy I am right now. When did you find out?” He loves me too. My breath leaves me for a minute as I process this. I’m elated.
“The night I stayed with my parents. I actually found out before I read that article. I was going to tell you when you came home and then the accident happened and I was so damn scared I lost you and you’d never know.” I’m crying again, not realizing it until he’s wiping my tears away.
“This is the best day of my life.” He beams from his hospital bed in ICU where he lays with a broken arm and broken ribs. Despite the purple bruises that adorn his face, he smiles with everything he has in him.
Carefully I lean in kissing him deeply and passionately until the nurse standing at the door clears her throat. My face blushes from being caught kissing him but I don’t care. I run my hand along his face taking him in. I love this man so freaking much. He’s awake and he’s excited to be a father. What could be better than this?
I tell him I’ll be back next visitation as the nurse makes her way inside. She asks him how he’s doing and I have to laugh when the only thing I hear him proudly say is, “I’m going to be a father.”
Chapter 24
Like promised, his mom Nora is waiting outside. I don’t see his Dad anywhere and that is quite alright with me. She has a cigarette in her hand, as she pulls it towards her lips I catch a glimpse of a tear rolling down her face. I feel so bad for her having to deal with the asshole of a husband she has but at the same time, she picked him and she’s stayed. I look at my phone and see about five messages from Amber. The last message said she would meet me here and we’d go do lunch.
“Hey Nora,” I say as I approach her. She jumps a little getting ready to throw the cigarette down like she just got caught. Something tells me that Nolan doesn’t care for her habit.
“Hi Hope, did you tell him the news?”
“I did. He’s excited. I was worried he wouldn’t be.”
“I see the way he looks at you Hope. He loves you so much. You two are so lucky to have that kind of love. What he does isn’t easy and you showed just how strong you are yesterday and today. Nolan will lighten up, just give him time.”
Her eyes are worn and I think she’s saying that about herself more than she is about me. “I’m not worried about him. I won’t let him see his grandchild though if he can’t treat everyone with some respect.”
She looks like I just punched her in the gut but I mean every damn word I said. I hate to use an unborn baby as a pawn but I don’t know how else to prove my point. She takes one more drag off the cigarette before tossing it into the ashtray. For the first time she looks at me confidently, “That’s his loss, but I won’t let him keep me from my grandchild. Will you be back up here later?”
What a crazy question. Of course she knows I will be. I nod my head yes and spot Amber approaching. “I’ll see you in a few Nora.”
She smiles at me before walking off to find Nolan. Amber looks at her then at me no doubt questioning it all. “Is everything ok?”
My face lights up with a genuine smile, I can’t contain my excitement at all. I can shout it to all of Las Vegas right now. “He’s awake Amb, and I told him.”
Her arms fly around me and we jump up and down together. She doesn’t have to ask whether or not he took the news well, my smile tells her all she needs to know. I haven’t smiled in what seems like forever until he woke up and of course now. It feels amazing. My stomach growls reminding me I need to eat soon because it isn’t just me anymore. There is a little peanut inside of me growing. Mine and Wesley’s peanut. He doesn’t know it but I fully intend to continue to stand by his side while he heals. I’ll have to talk to Mr. Collins about taking a leave off of work or something. Shit, I’m thrown back to reality when I realize I haven’t contacted my job. I hope I still have one to go back to.
I’m fumbling for my phone trying to hurry and open my contacts. Amber sees me going crazy and pulls the phone from my grasp. “What are you trying to do Hope?”
“I need to call work, I completely forgot about that.”
“It’s done, I did it for you. Mr. Collins said keep him posted and let him know when we get home. He also told me to remind you that you have quite a bit of vacation and sick time saved up so he’s going to go ahead and let you take it until you come back.” God, I love my best friend. I let out a long sigh and hug her.
“Christ, I don’t know what I would do without you Amb. Thank you so much.”
“No worries, now let’s go eat I’m starving.”
We take a cab to a diner up the road. Amber insists on paying for dinner and I insist that she’s done enough. I mean Amber paid for the plane ticket and she’s been carting me around like some lost cause but I’m her lost cause and she loves me.
“Amb, don’t be mad but I just slipped the waitress my credit card.” I grin from ear to ear. I’m glad to be back to my usual happy self now that I know Wesley is awake and now beginning to heal. I’m even more relieved that he seems to be ok with having a baby and he loves me.
“You are completely stubborn. Well played Hope.” She smiles back before dropping some tip money on the table.
I ask for a container to put the other half of my sandwich in. Wesley is bound to want real food when he’s ready to eat again. I thank the waitress with a smile as we make our way outside.
What to do to kill time? That’s the question on my mind. I’m watching tourists walk around going between casinos trying their luck. I have the urge to go and try mine but I’ve already tried my luck and it’s worked out better than I could have imagined.
Visiting hours aren’t for another hour or so and I’m pretty bored. I just want to see him again, preferably without his asshole of a father there. I’m itching to get back to the hospital so that’s where we go. I stand in the same spot that I just spoke to Nora in and pull my phone out. I need to call my Mom.
“Hope, how’s Wesley?”
“Mom, he’s fine. He’s awake now and should be in a regular room soon. He’s pretty beat up though.”
“Thank God. You’re being safe, right? Don’t go inside anywhere with too much smoke, you don’t want to harm the baby.”
I laugh before I respond, “Mom, I haven’t even thought of stepping inside a casino. We’re very safe, I promise.”
“Oh, does he know?”
“He does Mom and he’s happy. I just wanted to check in. I’m going to go sit in the waiting room until I can see him again.”
“We love you baby girl.”
“I love you too Mom, hug Dad for me.”
I hang up the call as I faced the hospital doors once again. I’m getting better at walking through the automatic doors especially now that he is awake. Amber follows me in and we make our way back to ICU. The lady behind the desk recognizes me and I’m assuming that’s good.
“Mrs. Tyler?” I look at her and smile giving her the go ahead to continue. “Your husband was just moved to a regular room. You can find him in room 335.”
My eyes light up and I want to hug her but I just smile as I thank her. I can’t contain my excitement as I take off briskly to the elevator almost leaving Amber behind. As soon as the doors open I set off for room 335. The door is open and there is no sign of his parents so I step right in.
Wesley is fumbling around with the remote control trying to find something appealing to watch. The minute he sees me, his bruised face lights up.
“Hey sweetheart, I was wondering when you were coming back.”
“How are you feeling Wes?” I ask concerned. I’m assuming a hell of a lot better since he is no longer hooked up to any machines.
“I’m sore, but glad to be out of ICU.”
I run my hand through his hair as I lean in to kiss his forehead. “
I brought a visitor.”
I motion for Amber to come in and her face falls when she sees Wesley. If she thought this was bad, she should have seen him like I had to at first. She walks right up to him and puts her brave face back on. “You sure gave us a scare cowboy, especially Hope here. By the way, congratulations daddy to be!”
He smiles infectiously as I roll my eyes. I expect that cheesiness from her. “Thanks Amber and I already told her, no way in hell was I going out like that. It was pretty damn scary. Thank you for bringing Hope here. I couldn’t imagine having to wake up from that and not see her.”
Amber smiles as she sits in one of the chairs. The nurse walks in with a tray of food placing it strategically on a tray beside him. She lifts the lid to reveal a ham and cheese sandwich with a kosher pickle spear beside it and a cup of sweet tea. It doesn’t look like much but considering this is the first food he’s seen since his accident, he doesn’t turn his nose up at it.
“I brought the other half of my sandwich from lunch if you want it Wes. It looks a little more appetizing than this.” I offer. I’ll do anything to make sure he’s taken care of.
“Thank you, Hope. I’d love that.” I hand him the container and watch as he scarfs the sandwich down.
Warm fuzzies invade my stomach just hearing him say that. He must have read my mind because despite my offer, I have no plans of leaving him anytime soon. It will take a lot to get me out of this room.
We sit for a while talking and watching the Weather Channel. Wesley gave up on the television a long time ago. Our nice quiet time ends when his parents step into the room.
His Dad barely acknowledges my existence although I make sure to smile in his face. I can play his little game too. I’m not trying to stress Wesley so I don’t speak my mind. Nora walks to stand beside me leaving her husband alone on the other side of the bed. She grabs my hand giving it a squeeze and smiles.
Nolan Tyler stands a little too quietly for me. I can only imagine what’s going on in his head. I’m sure nothing more than plans of mischief and mayhem. I barely know this man but from the little I’ve seen and heard. I know anything is possible with him. Nora begins to hold a quiet conversation with Wesley; the first order is to congratulate him on our news. My eyes light up watching the two of them talk. I don’t have to look into Wesley’s eyes to hear the love he has for his mother.
Nolan finally speaks up getting the attention of everyone in the room. Amber stares at the man I grow to dislike more and more with every word he speaks.
“Wesley, your mother and I talked today before we came back and I’ve reached a decision. We will be coming back to the ranch with you until you are better. You can’t take care of everything yourself.”
My eyes are huge and I’m sure my jaw is sitting on the floor. I can’t seem to find anything good out of this. All I can see is his father going there and placing pressure on him to sell the ranch.
“Excuse me,” I interrupt. “I’ll be there. You don’t need to go.”
Nolan shoots me some rather ugly eyes and Amber almost jumps out of her seat. I’m rather surprised I’m still able to play this marriage card so well with a straight face and even more surprised Wesley doesn’t think I’m a lunatic.
“Do you ever mind your own business?” He spits at me.
I step closer to him, glaring as I speak, “He is my business.”
He glares back at me for a minute. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us wondering whether or not he is going to smart off again. Amber looks completely uncomfortable and I can’t blame her.
Wesley breaks the stare down up when he speaks once again directed at his father. “Dad, we just went through this earlier. You can’t talk to her like that. I won’t stand for it. You may treat Mom like crap but not my wife. Not the mother of my child. She’s more than capable of taking care of me, I trust her with my heart and I trust her with my life. End of discussion. I appreciate the offer but you can’t jump in and try to save the day.”
Nolan mumbles something under his breath before grabbing Nora by the hand and storming out of the room. Amber lets out a big breath once they were gone just like the rest of us.
“Wow, Hope you have crazy in-laws, even crazier than Brad’s parents.” I glare at her for that last remark. Wesley laughs.
“I’m going to get some air, let you two be alone. See ya later Wesley.” Amber waves as she stands to escape the room that had become stuffy in the last few minutes.
Wesley pats beside him for me to sit. I want to but I’m nervous I’ll bump him and cause him pain. He smiles that sexy smile he knows I can’t resist. Even bruised up, that smile is still amazing. “Wesley, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Sweetheart, get over here and sit by me.”
There is enough room for me to sit and semi--lean into him. He plants a soft kiss on my forehead holding it there for a minute. “I love you so much Hope.”
“I love you too. You really must think I’m crazy going on with this wife mess.”
He laughs lifting my chin so he could look me in the eyes. I love those green eyes. “Sweetheart, none of that matters to me. All that matters is that you’re here. But, we could make it happen before we leave; I mean we are in Vegas.”
I stare into his eyes trying to figure out whether he is serious or not and I can’t read him. My eyes light up at the idea but I know my parents would kill me, after the baby is born though of course. We barely know each other so I know the happy feeling it gives me is nothing more than that. I’d be insane to consider that seriously when we just recently fell head over heels for each other. “Wesley, I’m not getting married in Vegas. Nice try though.”
Chapter 25
If it weren’t for Wesley being in the hospital, I would have lost my mind by now. He jokes a few more times about getting married in Vegas until I finally tell him he’ll have to answer to my dad. That keeps him quiet for a while. Nora and Nolan stick around popping into the room every once and a while. Nolan still won’t look at me which I am fine with. Nora and I plan to do lunch one day and I can see Wesley’s approving smile when she asks me. I’ve been in Vegas now for almost a week and still have yet to step into a casino.
Amber left two days ago to fly back to San Antonio. We sat and talked in the room the night before ironing out all the details of what was going to happen when Wesley comes home. The nurse tells us Wesley can leave in a few days, and that is a good thing since he is more than ready. I’m mentally exhausted from being here and I just want to lie in a real bed. We decide that I will go back to the ranch with Wesley to look after him.
Nolan and Nora stay up until the bitter end. In fact, we all ride to the airport together. I choose to sit as far away from his dad as I can. Nora clings to Wesley as she bides him goodbye.
“Hope, if you need any help with him at all, please don’t hesitate to call me.”
“I will Nora, I promise.” I understand her maternal instincts kicking in. Wesley is her baby boy.
When we pass through airport security, Wesley, being the bigger man he is sticks his left hand out to Nolan. Nolan just scoffs for a minute before firmly shaking his hand. “Take care son.” His eyes find mine and he gives me his usual glare. I want to smile in his face but I turn to Wesley.
“We need to get to our gate Wes.” One more goodbye and we are on our way.
It’s hard to think that only a week ago I was frantic on a plane on my way to Vegas to find my hurt boyfriend. Now, I’m more relaxed sitting beside him with our fingers laced together. His face is still bruised although not as bad as it was, I lean over to kiss his cheek lingering my lips there for a second.
“Oh no, Wesley is Bandit still in Vegas?”
He laughs squeezing my hand. The stewardess stops offering us a beverage. She pours us each a Coke before going to the next aisle. “Bandit was transported back to the ranch. He’ll be there when we get home.”
Part of me is a little scared again after seeing what he did to Wesley but I know it was just
a freak accident.
We arrive back in San Antonio and Amber meets us at the airport to bring us to his ranch. She’s packed a few bags of clothes and toiletries, everything I can possibly need while I’m with Wesley.
When we arrive at the ranch it’s still as beautiful as the last time I saw it. Amber gasps taking in all its beauty as she parks. Wesley insists he is fine, but I help him get out of the car and into the house. He relaxes in his recliner, letting out a sigh of relief. His eyes close as he gets as comfortable as he can.
“Thank you Amber for everything. I’ll call you later ok?” I pull her in for a tight hug.
“That’s what best friends do Hope. If ya’ll need anything let me know.” She looks towards Wesley who is now lightly snoring and laughs. “Tell him bye for me when he wakes.” I walk her out the door and watch her drive away.
Spurs & Stilettos Page 18