Seamus immediately sat up straighter, his handsome face marred with the yellow-green tinge of fading bruises. He held out his hand in welcome.
“Sure thing.” He motioned toward Conlan. “He hasn’t stopped complaining since he woke up.”
“Yeah, well, he slurps when he feeds.” The chancellor glared at Seamus. “I’d rather he snored.”
She giggled. “He does.”
“Hey!” Seamus protested, even as he tugged her down for a kiss. “I have other redeeming qualities.”
Her memory of some of those talents had her blushing. But when he winced as she accidentally bumped his cheek, she was reminded that he’d been willing to die to save her and Phoebe. She tried not to cry, she really did, but the fear was still too fresh, too painful.
“That’s it! I’m out of here.” Conlan threw back his covers and stalked out of the room, quietly closing the door on his way out.
Seamus scooted to the far side of his bed and tugged her arm, trying to drag her onto the mattress with him. He didn’t have to try hard. She so needed the comforting touch of his body next to hers.
He held her close while the tears soaked through his hospital gown. Cuddling next to him, resting her head on his shoulder felt like coming home. She needed to know where they went from here.
“Did you mean it?”
He didn’t pretend to not understand. “I might not have been at my most eloquent, but yeah, I meant it. I love you, I love your daughter and I want you both with me.”
“Good, because I’ve already packed our stuff. Rafferty promised to have it all moved into your quarters this evening.”
She looked up into his handsome face, so dear to her. What she saw reflected in his eyes chased the last bit of doubt and fear of the future from her soul.
Then he frowned. “I had a long talk with Rafferty about Phoebe and the Delaneys and any potential claim they might have on Phoebe. I’ve asked him to officially make me part of his clan. He’s going to put through the necessary paperwork today, and he’ll officiate at our wedding as soon as I’m up and about. Once you two are legally mine, we’ll all be part of the O’Day clan.”
Bless his heart, always thinking about her and Phoebe even when he was hurt and bleeding. The strength in this man never failed to amaze her. “Are you sure about all of this, Seamus? I don’t want to rush you into anything.”
His kiss was meant to comfort, but incited at the same time. “Here, and I thought I was the one rushing you. Do we have a deal?”
“If you’re sure, then yes, we do, Dr. Fitzhugh.”
“Good,” he said, his smile looking awfully satisfied. “I hope it’s all right that there won’t be time to invite your parents or anyone to the ceremony. We need this all laid to rest as soon as possible.”
“I have all the family I need right here. I can face anything life throws at me as long as you’re there beside me.”
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Then, that’s where I’ll be.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5538-2
VAMPIRE VENDETTA
Copyright © 2010 by Patricia L. Pritchard
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