Page 125 of Missing Marcus

Sensing he needed time alone with his wife, Patch followed the doctors from the room and guarded the door.

“You once accused me of becoming everyone’s knight in shining armor but yours. I want you to know I’m only yours. When I came home and saw your confidence as you tore down walls and learned how to wire the house for new fixtures, I worried you didn’t need me. The thing which bothered me most was I worried about becoming like my dad. Then, I turned into someone I didn’t know. I missed the old me when I was with you. I became a different man. I didn’t feel proud of him and I lashed out at you.” Knight took a shaky breath as he clung to her hand, waiting for her to respond.

Patch brought him some food and coffee and silently left the room. Doc and Kassie entered and reviewed her vitals.

The sweet woman placed a hand on his shoulder. “Keep talking to her. Remind her of the love worth fighting for.”

Doc closed the door behind them and he watched her heartbeat on the monitor.

“Gabrielle. You fought for our child tonight and I’m so damn proud of you. I didn’t even know you listened when I told you how to use a knife. Maybe you don’t need a knight after all. I need you to save me. Please come back, baby,” he pleaded as he laid his head against the bed rail.

“I’ve missed you, Marcus,” she whispered sleepily.

Knight stood and peppered her face with kisses. Relieved, she finally opened her eyes.

“Where’s our son?” she asked as she gazed around the room.

“He’s sleeping in the nursery. When you wake up more, the nurse will bring him to us.”

Gabby turned her head to the side as he sat down still holding her hand. “I’m fine with you needing to be everyone else’s knight in shining armor. Save the people Jackie hurt. Find those babies and bring them home. I may not need you to save me, but I hope you want to share your life with us.”

“I will. We need to come up with a name for the baby since we never discussed it.”

“I have one,” she confessed.

Knight leaned in, waiting for her to reveal the name she hid from him.

“I want to name him after his dad and my dad. Marcus Edward Hutchins.

Knight smiled. “What did you plan on for a girl?”

“I didn’t. I might’ve peeked at the first ultrasound, but I didn’t want to tell you.” She giggled groggily.

He narrowed his eyes and scowled playfully at her. After all, he put her through hell, but she still loved him, and now their son promised them a bright future. Recalling Patch’s words, Knight smiled as Kimberly placed the baby in his wife’s arms. Her radiant smile lit up the room as she gazed lovingly at their son. There was no room for doubts or second guessing. He finally realized what Patch referred to. His wife and son represented the life worth living. For them, he’d fight the demons and the guilt for things beyond his control. After all, their love was worth fighting for.

EPILOGUE

Knight scooped up his son six weeks later and placed him on the makeshift changing table. Saint and Bryanna were due any moment to watch little Marcus while he drove Gabrielle into town.

He pulled the diaper off and went to grab a new one when his son decided to shoot his firehose onto the side of Knight’s face. He hastily covered the baby’s bottom as he grimaced and grabbed a wipe to clean his face.

The room filled with Gabby’s laughter as she held her stomach. The doctor pronounced her on the mend, yet she still tired easily, and he saw the dark circles under her eyes. Claire came to visit in an unprofessional capacity, and the two were becoming great friends. She listened to Gabby tell her about the nightmares and referred her to talk to Dr. Hill in a professional capacity.

“Nobody warned me about this,” he exclaimed as he removed the diaper and dropped it back in place as his son squirted again. “I only practiced on girls.”

“The cool air makes him want to pee, slide the diaper under him, lift it to clean it, and then tape the new one,” she instructed.

“We’re all set, right, Marcus?” He proudly lifted his son and held him to his chest.

“Are you sure about calling him Marcus?” Gabby asked as he passed the infant to her to feed.

“Yes. Unless you don’t approve. Will it bother you to call me Knight, instead?” He sat beside her, marveling at the tender moment between mother and child. “Bryanna spoke to me. Nugget refers to the team by their monikers, and she and Nugget will call me Knight and Uncle Knight.”

“No. Knight fits you and I know you’ll help find the people who need saving.”

“When you finish feeding our son, I want to take a little drive. Do you have breastmilk in the freezer?”

“Yes. Along with the one hundred meals the team brought over. I like living here.”

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