Ethan finished his portion and seven hours into the surgery it was back to Grace to attach the thigh skin, vein and artery—which would take the greatest amount of time—to what was left of the boy’s tongue. He might never speak perfectly again, but it would be a lot better than if they left his tongue as it was.
She finished up reconstructing the facial skin flaps over the chin, then turned the last part—lip reconstruction—over to the master, her new guy, the man she loved, “Lips” Cooper.
Utilizing the boy’s most recent picture, all carefully measured on the computer screen and set up in the O.R., Mitchell matched the mouth and lips to how the boy used to look. And did another amazing job.
Knowing that their patient was only ten, he’d normally be looking at more reconstructive surgeries as he grew. Under the circumstances, as he lived in a rural village in Ethiopia, they had to make the results potentially last a lifetime. If nothing more, they’d at least bought him several years of looking nearly as good as new, and a damn sight better than when he’d been rolled into surgery.
Truth be told, there was only so much they could do for Telaye, but all three surgeons agreed he looked fantastic when they’d completed surgery.
Eleven hours later, feet aching all the way up to her hips, Grace ripped off her mask, O.R. cap, gloves and gown, washed up, then collapsed onto a chair in the doctors’ lounge. Mitch followed her in, having chosen to be in on the entire procedure, instead of joining the team at his appointed time, and he looked as tired as she felt.
He plopped down next to her and took her hand, aimlessly running his thumb along her knuckles and over her fingers. She mentally cooed, thinking how special it was to have a man supporting and soothing her. Only then did Grace realize she hadn’t worn her cover-up. Her arms and scars were on display for anyone who cared to notice.
Ethan walked in, his dark hair spiking out beneath the O.R. cap, observing the couple holding hands and not giving a hint that it mattered to him. Or that he’d noticed her scars. He’d probably seen far, far worse in combat zones.
“Well, that went really well,” he said, looking as haggard as she knew she did, though still managing to pull off that handsomely rugged appeal. He shook their hands. Mitch stood to shake his.
“I’m glad you’re up on all the latest tricks,” Grace said. “Who’d have thought bicycle chain could be the missing link to a stronger mandible replacement?”
“Nice one, Gracie,” Mitch said.
She glanced at Mitch and shrugged, not having a clue what he’d meant. Had she said something wrong?
“Bicycle chain? The missing link?” He played imaginary drums on his thighs and hit the nearby table as a makeshift cymbal to accentuate the inadvertent punch line. “We’ll have to work on your timing, babe.”
“I think you’re punchy.” She shook her head at his silliness, loving every inch of him, quirky personality and all.
Ethan, on the other hand, pretended not to be amused by the joke, though the corner of his mouth lifted in an almost-smile. He’d quirked a brow when Mitch had referred to Grace as “babe”, but didn’t comment.
“Well, now that we’ve got the technique down, we’ll use it for future cases,” Ethan said, ignoring the play on words and Mitch’s post-op letting off of steam with silly jokes.
“Absolutely,” Grace chimed in. “I’m a believer.”
He stopped, put hands on his low-slung hips, looking like a man who’d accomplished his mission and now it was time to leave. “Well, then. I’d say take the night off, you’ve earned it. See you back at the clinic tomorrow.”
“Sure thing,” she said, noticing it was a quarter past seven.
“See you there.” Mitch spoke simultaneously with Grace.
Once Ethan had left, Mitch leaned near and kissed Grace. “Have I told you you’re my hero?”
She pulled in her chin. “Your hero?”
“Yeah. You’re a natural-born reconstructive surgeon. Gifted as all get-out. I feel honored to know you.”
Beaming at his compliment, she kissed him back. “You’re not so bad yourself, Lips.”
They kissed again. “You know what I miss?” he said.
They’d had sex three times in less than twenty-four hours, and had just come off nearly twelve hours of surgery. How could he possibly—?
“I miss my Mia.”
By Grace’s calculations, it had been close to twenty-four hours since he’d seen her.
“Why don’t you have dinner with us?” he said. “Help me put her to bed. She’d love to see you.” He stood, then pulled Grace up by her hands. “All she talks about is when you’re coming over again.” He smiled brightly at her. “She’s going to be thrilled when she finds out about us.”
“Isn’t it a little too soon to say anything?”
He shook his head. “When a guy meets the one and only woman ever meant for him, he doesn’t have to worry about waiting to tell his other best girl in the world. When the timing is right, it’s right. When are you going to believe that?”
Taken aback with Mitch’s world-tilting words, spoken in such a nonchalant manner, Grace hesitated.
He grew serious again. “I know it’s early between us, but besides you being my hero I’m in love with you. I think I have been since the day I met you in that pod. I just wasn’t quite ready for you then.”
Relieved that he felt the same way she did, she rushed to his arms. “Mitch, I’m in love with you, too.”
“That’s a weight off my chest.” He smiled and tugged her close, kissed her again. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me love again.”
She savored the sweetest moment in her life, all aches and pains from the long surgery forgotten, just the natural feel of belonging in the arms of the most wonderful man she’d ever met.
“Ditto, Mr. Cooper. Ditto.”
“Gracie! Gracie! Read to me!” Mia jumped around in her princess pajamas like a pogo-stick ride gone wildly astray.
It hadn’t taken Mitch much effort to convince Grace to have dinner at his house. Roberta had prepared a delicious casserole for dinner, and she was famished. Mia had already had her bath, as she’d eaten hours earlier, and while Mitch and Grace quickly ate the chicken and wild rice with mushrooms and peas, she filled them in on her eventful day.
“What’s that?” Mia said, noticing Grace’s arms, since she hadn’t bothered to cover them up.
“Oh.” The observation took her by surprise. “Um, those are my burns.”
Mia looked curious, as if she was looking at a bug up close. “Does it hurt?”
“Only at first. I’m okay now.”
Without missing a beat, Mia bent down and kissed Grace’s arm. “I kissed your hurt. Make it all better.”
That was that. Mia had seen her scars, kissed them to make them better and moved on. So matter-of-fact. After Mitch had completely accepted her the way she was last night, and now with Mia doing the same, maybe it was time for her to move on, too.
Grace reached for the child and hugged her tight. She glanced over the child’s shoulder at Mitch, who looked on with a somber yet touching expression. “Thank you.”
As if a guy could only take so much of squishy good feelings, Mitch got up and started to clear the plates from the table, leaving the girls to do their thing.
After Grace and Mia stopped hugging, and Mia skipped off to her next great adventure, this one having to do with chalk and an easel, she followed Mitch into the kitchen. “Is it okay if I do the bedtime reading tonight?”
“Of course.” He stopped making busy work, turning to her. “In fact, I think you should sleep over.”
Mia had wandered into the kitchen right at the “sleep over” part and clapped then jumped up and down again. “We’re having a sleepover! Yay. Sleep with me!”
Exhaustion and joy mixed together at being wanted by the two most wonderful people in the world, making Grace feel giddy. A laugh bubbled up from her throat. She
glanced at Mitch, as he had been the one to bring up the subject of sleeping over. She’d let him tackle this one.
“Uh, Mia …” He got down on one knee, reminding Grace of how he’d done the same for her in her bedroom last night after she’d finally told him the horrible old nightmare. Gushy tender feelings invaded her, seeing him like that again. “I think Grace should stay in the guest room as she’s our guest. Don’t you?” he said.
Mia gave a full-blown pout for half a second, soon unfolding her arms and smiling, then she clapped again, having instantaneously worked out the solution. She beamed at Grace. “I’ll wake you up so we can have breakfast!”
Mitch shot Grace a cautioning look, as if warning it might be the crack of dawn when they’d eat. Happier than she’d been in ages, all she could do was smile. In fact, she couldn’t remember smiling this much since before her injuries.
“Okay. I’d like that.”
Mitch mouthed, “You’ll be sorry,” and glanced toward the ceiling.
Mia rushed towards Grace, grabbed her around the thighs and hugged tight. “I love you, Gracie.”
How could a kid make up their mind about someone so fast? Well, she and Mitch had made up their minds pretty darned fast. It had been just short of four weeks since she’d arrived in London. She didn’t care what level-headed people might think about their whirlwind encounter, she bent over, welling up with precious feelings, and hugged the child around the head then kissed the crown, fresh with children’s shampoo scent. “You know what?”
“What?” Mia looked up with those huge and fathomless eyes, just like her father’s.
Grace made her own snap decision. “I love you and can’t wait to have breakfast with you, either.” If she was lucky, maybe it could be for the rest of her life, or until Mia grew up and moved away. Oh, but she’d let her mind travel too far ahead. For now she’d just take it one moment at a time. Besides, savoring each moment was the best way to live. Finally she understood that.
She kissed Mia and an obviously happy and proud Mitch took his daughter’s hand and walked her to the bathroom. “Okay, now that that’s settled, let’s brush those teeth.”
Grace had never felt more welcome in her life. She’d never felt she’d belonged anywhere since her accident before this moment either.
Mitch had told her he loved her. She loved him. His daughter loved her. Could life be any more perfect?
She glanced around the living room while Mitch helped Mia with her teeth. The grin that seemed to have been pasted on her face since the moment she’d arrived tonight grew even wider. That picture of Christie was nowhere in sight. She wanted to pump her fist in the air but restrained herself, taking the missing photograph as a very, very good sign.
A few moments later Mitch returned to her and they smiled easily and hugged. “It’s your turn. Mia’s waiting.”
Thinking she’d stepped into a dream, Grace walked down the hall toward a little girl who adored her. She snuggled next to a squirming Mia in her bed and helped her settle down by putting her head in the crook of her arm, near her chest so Mia could hear her heartbeat while she read. The same technique she’d used the other night. She opened Mia’s favorite book, the same one they’d read together before, when they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. The Tale of Misty Do-Right in the Battle of the Wrongs.
Fifteen minutes later, with all the Wrongs conquered, Mia was asleep, and the long and difficult day had also caught up with Grace. She turned off the light and walked to the living room, in full yawn.
Mitch was waiting for her. He’d changed into a white T-shirt and bright blue athletic shorts that showcased those great legs. “Everything go okay?”
“Perfect. She’s out to the world.”
“You look pretty beat yourself.”
“And that’s not fair because you don’t. What’s up with that?”
After he gave an affectionate smile, he grew serious. “I know you’ll think this is crazy, especially after the way I went after you last night, but I’m actually an old-fashioned guy. Are you okay with sleeping in the guest room?”
A quick, breathy and relieved laugh slipped out. “I’m so exhausted I could sleep anywhere. At this rate I’ll be asleep before my head hits the pillow.”
He reached for her, held her close and rubbed her back, and it felt so wonderful she thought she might fall asleep in his arms right there in the living room.
“As much as I want to sleep with you, it’s for Mia’s sake. I don’t want her to be confused when she goes hunting for you bright and early, and you’re not in the guest bed.”
“I understand. And I think it’s a good idea. Though you don’t have to put me up here. I can go home.”
“No, you can’t.” He kissed her neck. “I’m too tired to drive you home.”
As she often did when in Mitch’s company, she gave a light laugh.
“Mia isn’t the only one who wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning, you know.”
They kissed, and it was hard to pull away from his embrace. But she was beat and was glad she’d brought along her grab-and-go overnight bag, which she always kept at work, knowing she at least had the bare essentials. “Same here.”
“In fact, I’d like to see you first thing in the morning for the rest of my life,” he said, nuzzling her ear and kissing her jaw.
The statement blasted her heavy eyelids wide open. She pulled her head back and studied him. Unashamed of what had slipped out of his mouth, he smiled benignly.
“I’m just telling it like it is, Gracie.”
She put her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I like how you think, Cooper.” They swayed in their embrace a few moments, and certain parts of her body started coming back to life, but she was way too tired to do anything about it.
“And who says I can’t come and cuddle with you for a while before I hit the sack?” He glanced at her, a hint of devilry in his eyes. “If you want me to, that is.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The thought of falling asleep in his arms sounded like heaven.
He led her to the guest room by the hand. She followed happily behind.
“I can set the alarm and sneak back to my room before Mia gets up.”
“You’re a devious genius, Cooper.”
The next morning, Mitch and Grace went to the Lighthouse to check on Telaye. The little boy with the bandaged and taped head looked alert and pain-free. Amazing.
“Good morning,” Grace said, taking his hand. He couldn’t speak but squeezed her hand and she smiled. She glanced at Mitch, who was smiling, too.
She understood the child didn’t speak English, and the Lighthouse had brought in a translator.
“How is he this morning?” she asked the young Ethiopian woman.
“He is doing well. No complaints.”
“Please tell him we are very happy to hear that.”
She spoke to the boy and he looked at them. Grace smiled again.
Leo popped into the room. “Good morning. I’ve heard from Ethan you did a fantastic job.”
“See for yourself,” Mitch said.
Grace wondered where Ethan was, but was happy to see Leo in his place. Leo reached for their hands one by one and congratulated them. “You’ve made headlines today.”
“We have?” Grace wondered how word had got out so fast as they all prepared to return together to the Hunter Clinic, a short ten-minute walk from the Lighthouse.
Just as they exited the room Lexi, being the public-relations maven, showed up dressed to the nines as always, looking ready for her close-up.
“Morning, everyone. Did you see the headlines? I contacted the papers last night, the minute Telaye arrived. Didn’t know about that fancy-schmancy new technique you’d used until this morning.”
Her huge pink diamond engagement ring never failed to catch Grace’s eye. She wondered if her finger ever got tired holding up the ring. Or if she worried someone might try to cut off her finger and run off with the rock.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve scheduled a quick progress report with the press at the front of the hospital in a few minutes. Everyone wants to know about the bicycle chain. Anyone care to talk?”
Grace turned to Mitch with a look of dread. He shook his head. “Not me.”
“Me, neither.” Grace grimaced, feeling bad, but had to be honest. Facing the press was the last thing she wanted to do this morning. Besides, Ethan was the innovative one; she’d just done what she always did with mandibular prostheses—except for the new bit about rebuilding the tongue. She smiled inwardly with pride.
Having no takers from the surgical team, Lexi glared at Leo. “Leo?”
What could he say? He was the head of the plastic-surgery clinic. She’d put him perfectly on the spot. He flashed a dutiful, though still charming smile. “I’d be happy to, Lexi. Shall we go?”
They left Telaye’s room as a group, knowing he was in good hands with the intensive-care Lighthouse nursing staff and the interpreter nearby to explain things to him as they cropped up.
Soon Mitch and Grace said goodbye and splintered off, taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Leo would handle the situation with command and charisma, Grace was sure of it. The only one who could explain the Fair Go charity better would be Ethan, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Aren’t Lexi and Iain supposed to get married soon?” Grace asked on the first flight down the stairs.
“I think they’re taking off this Friday. They’ve decided to make it a private affair.”
“That’s probably a good thing, because Iain would have to fight off every man with eyes once they saw Lexi’s sexy pink dress. Not to mention those six-inch pumps covered in crystals that she’s planning to wear.”
Mitch turned and gave her a look as if she’d slipped into a foreign language. Yeah, it was a girl thing dressing up for getting married, but such fun!
Grace thought about the silver sequins on the bodice of the pink chiffon dress Lexi had shared pictures of the first night Grace had gone to Drake’s with the group. How the sequins started at the shoulders in stripes, worked their way down along the soft and dipping V neck, and gathered at the ribbon waist. How fabulous Lexi had looked when she’d tried it on for the girls at the clinic the day she’d bought it. She had a perfect figure and never flaunted her natural sex appeal. Grace realized she didn’t have a drop of envy or insecurity over not having a figure like that. Since making love with Mitch, she’d never felt more womanly and wanted in her life.
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