Page 50 of Digital Desire

“Liam knows better than anyone that in this life things happen that we can’t control. What happened to Ambrose was a freak accident.”

“Maybe but knowing something and feeling something are two very different things,” Celeste murmured as she rubbed her hand over Samson’s fur idly. “Look at you and Ava. You know childbirth is safer than it has ever been and that millions of babies are born every year, but when the time comes, it won’t stop you losing your mind with fear that Ava will be the one in pain or she will be the one hurt.”

“That’s different,” Zack said with a shake of his head.

“Is it? Both are situations where you know one thing but feel another that you can’t control.”

“It’s different because I’ll see Ava in pain and won’t be able to help her, except to hold her hand.”

“Liam is the same. He saw his friend in pain and couldn’t help, and now he has to watch his godson grow up without a father.”

“I’m not so sure they are the same,” Zack said looking at his watch again, the feeling in his belly starting to turn from confident that Liam would make it, to worry that they hadn’t heard anything.

The door opened, and the light of his life walked in, her round belly protruding neatly in front of her. He teased her about eating for two, but the truth was, she was more beautiful than ever. He kept thinking he couldn’t love her more and then every morning he woke, and boom, he did.

“Hey,” he said holding out his arm for her to come to him, which she did.

Ava always seemed to know when he needed her close. Their bond was stronger than anything he had ever known. He fought a constant battle every time he thought of her birthing their child between excitement and abject terror.

“Any news?” she asked as she kissed his cheek and rubbed her hand over his chest.

“Not yet,” he replied as he sat in his armchair and pulled her onto his lap.

She lay with her head on his shoulder as she stroked his chest in soothing circles. Her scent enveloped him, and he felt the calming effect he always did from being in her space.

“They’ll be fine, those guys are indestructible,” she added.

“Maybe so,” he started to say when his mobile phone rang. He shifted, grabbing the phone from the arm of the chair where he had placed it and answered. “Zack.”

“Zack, it’s Drew. Will asked me to call and update you on Liam. Dr Knowles stabilised him, and he’s now on a flight home. Liam will need an operation when he gets home, but she managed to reduce the fracture. The head wound wasn’t as bad as we first thought, and he regained consciousness enough to hit on the doctor, so we feel sure he’ll be fine,” Drew said with a smile in his voice.

“That’s fantastic news. Who went with him?”

“Dr Knowles flew out with him and so did Jack.”

“And what about Flowers?”

“He isn’t talking, but it doesn’t matter because Will has found all he needs to link him to Pierre’s murder.”

“Fine. Well, get your asses back home. My wife has enough to worry about without you lot playing hero in the jungle,” Zack said briskly. He caught the lift of his wife’s brow and ignored it.

“Yes, boss, we should be in the UK by late tomorrow afternoon,” Drew replied happily.

“Fine. See you all then,” Zack replied and then hung up. He turned to Celeste and Ava who were waiting expectantly for him to update them and relayed the information.

“Oh, thank God,” said Celeste visibly sagging with relief.

“Poor Liam will spend New Year’s Eve in hospital,” said Ava.

Zack snorted at that. “Don’t feel sorry for him, he’ll have the nurses falling all over him. He’ll be in heaven,” he said.

“Very true.” Celeste laughed at the thought.

“Right, time to go to bed. I’m beat, and it won’t be long before I need to get up to pee seeing as this baby thinks my bladder is a trampoline. I swear this kid is going to be a gymnast,” said Ava rubbing her bump reverently, a warm smile on her face as she spoke.

“Yes, I need to go speak with Roz and then I’ll hit the hay too,” said Celeste as she walked out the door, Samson at her heels.

Ava looked at him, and Zack felt the ever-present pull of desire for her. “Now, Mr Cunningham, shall we discuss this penchant you have for blaming me for your worrying to save your manly ego?” she asked with a smirk.