Page 472 of The Tempted

Chapter Forty

I was shot…in the heart. I had a baby, a little boy I have yet to meet because…I was shot. But there was a silver lining and that was Riggs. He turned from the hooligan my mother hated to her best friend, but more importantly he went from a man who didn’t know he wanted kids to the best father I could’ve imagined.

Pea was lucky.

We were still calling him Pea until I got to see him, then when I looked into his eyes I’d know his name. I’d know if he was a Robert or an Anthony, or maybe a Joseph.

And today was the day.

The day they took the tube out of my throat since I was able to breathe on my own. I was finally able to meet the boy who stole his daddy’s heart and claimed mine without ever meeting him.

With the help of a nurse, Riggs situated me into a wheel chair and pushed me through the hospital to unite our little family once and for all.

“Riggs?”

“Yes, Kitten,” he said, pushing the elevator button.

“You never told me how Bones was doing? Can we see him? I’d like to thank him for well…everything,” I said, looking up at him, watching as he turned around and stared back at me.

“What? Did they discharge him already?” I asked, but as the question left my mouth I had an unnerving feeling that I knew the truth. If I was still here there was no way Bones had been discharged before me. I felt dread wash over me as I saw the solemn expression take precedence over Riggs’ features.

“Lauren,” he began, bending down so he was eye-level with me and his hands were braced against the arms of the wheelchair.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head, as I brought my hand up to my mouth. “Don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, as his eyes glistened back at me. “Bones didn’t make it, baby,” he added, confirming the horrible truth I knew already.

What’s that saying? Some people come into your life for only a short while but they leave footprints on your heart forever? I think that’s it.

Every breath I take is because of him. Every beat of my heart is a gift from him.

Every breath my son takes is because of him. Every beat of his heart is a gift from an Uncle he’ll never meet.

Footprints?

He left more than footprints—he gave me and my son our heartbeats. He gave us life.

Tears fell from my eyes as Riggs kneeled down and reached out to wipe my tears with the back of his hand.

“I’m sorry, Riggs. I’m so sorry. I know how close you were,” I cried, reaching up and wrapping my arm around his wrist.

“Bones will always live here,” he said, as he took his hand and beat it against the center of his chest. “And here,” he added, taking that same hand and lifting it to my face before he leaned into me and pressed his lips gently against mine.

The elevator doors opened and he pulled away from me, glancing over my shoulder at the empty elevator before his eyes found mine again.

“You know how we can honor his life? By giving our son the best life we can. Let’s go hold our boy and make losing him mean something,” he said huskily.

I nodded and he rose to his feet before he wheeled me into the elevator. I’d never get to thank him or say goodbye. Riggs was right though, the best way to honor him was by giving Pea a great life, a life where he grew up to know the uncle he missed out on knowing.

I was still reeling from the blow of losing the unexpected friend I found in Bones as Riggs brought me into the NICU. The nurses smiled at us, and the one specifically appointed to take care of Pea introduced herself to me as she led us to our baby. He was still in the incubator but didn’t need the ventilator anymore.

“Someone is anxious to meet his mommy,” the nurse enthused, as she opened the incubator.

Riggs helped me stand up, moving the wheelchair out of the way as he laced his arm through mine and brought me to the chair next to the incubator.

“Are you good? Comfortable?” Riggs asked, as he eased me into the chair.

“I’m fine,” I assured him, turning my eyes to the little bundle the nurse was holding and felt my breath catch as I positioned myself and waited for her to place him into my arms and reunite me with Pea.

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