Page 240 of Misrule
“I know, brother,” Christopher responded, so wound up that his fucking eye jumped.
He stared at Axel a moment longer, then walked in the direction of the elevators. Once he reached Megan’s floor, he went to her room, pulled the chair close to her, then laid his head against her thigh. She had almost as many tubes as Axel, and it broke Christopher’s heart.
She’d had low platelets, a swollen liver, and sky-high blood pressure. She had so many other ailments that he couldn’t remember them all. Delivery of the baby was the most effective way to get her back to normal, but she’d also needed a transfusion and doses of magnesium sulfate. Since delivering Axel, Megan’s pressure had dropped but it was still elevated. She was still in as much danger as their son.
How many times had Megan been in this position and how many times it was because of his actions or something he was involved in?
Long before he’d met Megan, he’d had his share of injuries. They’d be taken care of at the clubhouse or in the back room of a doctor’s office whose staff was in their back pocket. When Christopher started the medical lab, he also felt it was of the utmost importance to build relationships with the local hospital. Couldn’t make money if doctors didn’t send patients to the labs for piss, shit, and blood samples.
Hortensia General had been the logical choice to build the closest ties with, although the club also associated with other hospitals in surrounding towns. If Christopher had known what an important role the place would play in his family life, he would’ve doubled his yearly donations.
Fuck, if he’d known how much motherfucking time he’d spend there, he would’ve had a goddamn suite built just for them.
Fingers glided through his hair and Christopher stilled, afraid he was imagining her touch. He felt the same light caress again.
Sitting up, he gazed in his wife’s direction. Groggy blue eyes stared at him.
“Megan,” he whispered, praying he wasn’t dreaming.
Unable to talk because of the ventilator, she nodded.
He reached over and pressed the nurse’s button, wanting to kiss and hug her, but knowing he couldn’t.
She might’ve been just a slip of a thing, but she was a fighter, and for that, Christopher was grateful.
Three days later, Christopher walked into Meggie’s room and stopped in his tracks.
“The ventilator gone,” he whispered, emotion playing across his handsome face.
“Hey, you,” she said hoarsely, smiling at him, though it hurt to talk.
He’d been gone no more than ten minutes. It seemed as if he’d just left when the nurse came in to remove the tube. She’d probably been gone about two minutes before he’d walked back in.
She hadn’t had a chance to ask about her baby. Or what had happened to her. Or if she could have more kids. She didn’t know how long she’d been out. But before she bombarded her husband with questions, she enjoyed the feel of his lips against her own, dry ones.
Pulling away, he stared at her in awe, caressing her cheek. He lowered the bed railing and on the edge, wrapping his arms around her.
“Megan, baby, I’m so sorry. All the shit that happened all my fault.”
Memories of Patrick hit her, and she drew in a deep breath, tears rushing to her eyes. “Our baby died,” she managed around sobs.
“Huh…No! No, baby,” he said with gruffness, combing hair behind her ears. “No, Axel got a long fuckin’ battle, but he a fighter just like his Ma.”
“Axel?” Meggie asked.
Hesitating, Christopher nodded. “I ain’t even able to hold the lil’ motherfucker, so he probably ain’t knowin’ his name yet if you wanna change it. I just…” His voice trailed off and he shrugged.
Her tough, strong Christopher had such a vulnerable streak in him, sometimes still expecting to be rejected by someone he loved.
“I know you like those fuckin’ ‘R’ names. I coulda call his lil’ ass Ratchet, but motherfuckers might be thinkin’ the wrong reason we gave him that name. Not a lot of motherfuckers know a ratchet a fuckin’ tool.”
Meggie placed her lips over his. “I love it,” she croaked. “Axel is perfect.”
Nodding, he looked at her again and then grinned. “You sure?”
She nodded.
“I want to see him,” Meggie said.
