Page 133 of Let Me Show You

“I know. Hopefully, this won’t be an issue anymore,” I admit.

“What the hell happened?” Gemma asks. “One minute, you're searching for Katie, and the next, she's in the hospital.”

“It's a long story,” Katie says, giving everyone a very brief summary of what happened, without all the detail because Owen's in the room. I can tell she's being careful with her words, but Gemma gets the gist of it.

“Loretta?” Gemma glances at Dad and me.

“Forgiveness heals the heart,” Katie's mother finally says. “She did the right thing.”

I nod, keeping my opinions to myself.

Eventually, we're told Katie will be kept a few more hours because she was so dehydrated. Everyone says their goodbyes. Her parents offer to take Owen with them, so I stay with her. Eric’s doing recon in the hospital, keeping tabs on Brittany, and texting me when he learns something new. Apparently, a police officer has been stationed outside her door to keep guard. As soon as she's released from medical care, she'll go straight into police custody.

I pull my chair next to the bed, wanting to be as close to Katie as I can.

“The thought of losing you nearly destroyed me,” I admit. “I wouldn't have been able to continue without you.”

Her soft eyes meet mine. “I felt the same. I thought…” She chokes up again. “I thought you were dead, and for those ten minutes, I didn't wanna be alive either.”

I stand and lean over the bed, needing to brush my lips against hers. Before the kiss can deepen, the door opens, and the doctor enters. He smiles and stands at the end of the bed.

“Katie Reid?”

“Yes,” she confirms.

“We've gone over all the test results, and once you get the rest of those fluids in you, we'll release you. Your vitals are stable.”

She lets out a relieved breath.

“Oh, and the ultrasound showed the babies are fine too.”

My heart rate increases, and I give the doctor a confused look.

“Babies?” she asks, sounding just as surprised as me.

With a grin, he confirms. “Yes, I’m positive it’s twins. And they’re doing just fine. I’ll just ask you to start seeing your doctor soon so they can keep watch. Other than that, do you have any questions for me?”

“No sir,” she says with a tremble in her voice, and he leaves.

I turn to her, waiting for an explanation. “Did I hear him correctly? Or am I dreaming?”

A blush hits her cheeks, and she tucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nods. “Yes,” she whispers. “Noah, you're gonna be a daddy.”

My emotions take control, and my eyes begin to water. “He said babies, twins, as in more than one.”

She laughs as a big smile fills my face. “I'd just taken a pregnancy test yesterday because I realized I was late. I didn't wanna say anything until I had blood work done because I don't trust those plastic sticks.”

“What did I do to deserve you?” I ask as a few tears of happiness roll down my cheeks. “You're pregnant with my babies. We're gonna have a family together.” I try to take in the moment and enjoy it. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I kiss Katie with so much passion, we nearly lose control.

“I'm so happy.”

“Me too,” she whispers. “Seems as if it's real and confirmed then. Apparently, I'm nine weeks. The estimated due date is in December.”

I grin. “Guess I better light a fire under my ass to get that house finished well before then.”

Katie chuckles. “That would be a dream come true.”

“All of this is.” I run my fingers through my hair and softly touch her cheek.