Page 119 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

He opened his eyes and met her compassionate gaze.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this.” But she squeezed his hand, urging him on. “Labor is as bad as they tell you it’ll be. She was in agony, but weirdly serene. She got an epidural, so that helped. But something was wrong. I almost lost them both that night. Both Miracle and Sissy.”

The panic seized his chest as it had that night years ago. “And in the end, that night cost me my marriage. Talk about an impossible situation. I got a daughter and lost a wife. I tried, Remy, you have to believe me. I fought for three years, trying to fix things.”

“What happened?” A gentle entreaty.

“When I saw you tonight—it threw me into the past.” Despite her compassion, he still hesitated. “She was in so much physical pain. The agony was unrelenting, and I was powerless to do anything. Four surgeries, and each seemed to leave her in more pain. There was talk of a fifth, but she refused—and I had to agree. But that left us in limbo. Living with chronic pain meant every day was a challenge. She spent most of her time bedridden—unable to do anything. She couldn’t even hold Mira. That devastated her, being unable to be a good mother.”

“How did you survive?”

“We didn’t.” Such a simple statement, yet the absolute truth. “And I’m still living with it. I want out of limbo. I want stability and certainty, and as long as Sissy might be back in our lives, I won’t feel safe.”

“You must be so stressed about Friday.” She pressed her thumb against his frown line. “I’m here. We made a pledge to each other to move forward, and that’s what we’re going to do. You can’t bear this alone, just like I can’t bear the pain of being an orphan without you to support me. We’re a family.” She worked her lower lip through her teeth. “I’m not sure I’m saying this correctly.”

He placed a kiss on her lips. “I think you’re expressing yourself beautifully. I need to know everything will be okay.”

“If we don’t get sole custody then we’ll cope.” She seemed to understand his unspoken question.

“I believe you.”

“That’s because today I am the champion of those in need.”

“You’re a warrior, Remy. My warrior.” He let go of her hand and reached out for the compress. Cool to the touch.

“Let me go heat this up again.” He eased himself from the bed. He was at the doorway when he she called his name. He turned to her. “Yes?”

“I just…wanted to thank you.” She looked like she might say more, but then simply nodded.

He offered her the bravest smile he could muster. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

By the time he came back from the kitchen, she was asleep.

Chapter forty-nine

Fridaymorningdawneddarkand overcast. The snow had melted, leaving only massive puddles.

The downpour started about twenty minutes ago, and although Remy should be used to the rain, on days like today she wished she wasn’t living on the wet coast. A rain front was moving in, and it ran all the way from California up to almost Alaska. Nowhere was exempt from the winter rain, unless up in the mountains, of course. Skiers were in nirvana right now.

“Remy?”

Turning away from the courthouse window, she pasted on her bravest smile. “Yes, Rusty.” He looked gorgeous in his suit. Aside from their wedding, she never saw him dressed up. That’d be silly, since he was around toddlers all day. But still, she admired the look he cut. Maybe she could convince him to wear a suit just for her, once in a while.

Fanciful thinking.

As he fidgeted, she stilled his cold hands. Although she’d been blessed with work this morning to keep her distracted, he’d been with the girls.

Olivia was watching them, and now he’d joined her.

She should’ve been able to reassure him, because they were on her turf now. This was where she was most comfortable in the world. She loved this building—loved what it represented. Loved the stability it brought to her life.

Glancing at her watch, she gestured toward the family courtroom. “It’s time.”

When he reached for her hand, she gave it without hesitation.We can do this.They were a united front upon entering the courtroom. Mira’s safety was the only thing that mattered. Their marriage came a distant second.

“She’s here.”

Remy turned, following Rusty’s gaze to the back of the courtroom.

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