Page 63 of G8
“We being…”
“F8 mentioned it to the rest of us to get our reaction. Ingrid wasn’t in on the conversation. But F8 knows Ingrid’s been crying when she thinks she’s alone. She also overheard her when she was on the phone, talking to her parents.”
G8 lifted an eyebrow. “What about?”
“She doesn’t know if she’s going to get to stay with us at the camp. Or if she wants to stay. More specifically with you. She told her folks she’s in love with you, but she doesn’t know if you feel the same way.”
G8 inhaled sharply. “Idolove her. Iwanther to stay with us. With me!”
“Then you have to tell her, G8. As soon as she gets here, tell her. Hell, show her! I’ll leave the two of you alone if that’s what you need.”
“But what about the babies? Wasn’t she going to stay anyway until it was determined what was going to happen with the little boys?”
N8 sighed loudly. It was something the man did whenever he was irritated. “You’re not understanding. The babies are going to be fine. Some lady from county services decided not to take them away from us after she learned they were Chimeras like us. At least for the time being. Both F8 and K8 are going to petition or something like that to adopt the boys for themselves, since they won’t be able to have kids of their own. P8 and T8 and I also swore to help with raising them.” He smiled. “We’re going to be uncles.”
“That would be great if their petitions are approved.” Then it hit him where N8 was going with this information. “Are you trying to tell me that Ingrid is thinking of leaving once she’s certain the boys will be taken care of?”
There came a soft knock on the hospital room door. Before G8 could tell the person to come in, the door opened a couple of inches and Ingrid peered inside.
“Oh, good! You’re awake!” She gave them both a warm smile and entered the room, then turned to N8. “You ready?”
N8 eyed G8. “I’ll be right outside,” he informed them and left, closing the door behind him.
After watching the man leave, Ingrid turned back to G8, a questioning expression on her face. To answer her, G8 waved for her to come closer. She moved up to the head of the bed when he reached out with both hands, took her by the waist, and pulled her up and over, seating her on his lap. At the last second he realized his mistake as her weight put pressure on his hip and wound, but G8 refused to move her.
She giggled. “What are you?—”
Taking her face between his hands, he claimed her mouth. At first she tensed up as if she was going to resist, but she soon melted from his kiss. Feeling her muscles relax, he drew his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him. Her hands went around his neck as she tilted her head and kissed him back.
He had no idea how long they clung to each other. It wasn’t until he heard the distant sound of the cart coming down the hallway that he remembered that supper was being delivered. Reluctantly, he broke away and smiled at her.
Ingrid slowly opened her eyes. “My, my. What brought that on?’
“I need to prove to you that I love you. That I want you to stay with me from here on out. I don’t want you to go home to your parents. I need you. Those babies will need you, even after it’s determined what will happen to them. The others need you because you understand us. But more than anything,Ineed you. And I want you. And I’ll never stop loving you.”
Tears rose in her eyes during his declaration. “I do love you, G8,” she admitted, lifting a hand to cup his cheek. “Thank you for putting my heart and my mind at ease.”
“Then you’ll stay?”
“Yes, I’ll stay.”
“Forever?”
She paused to blink at him. “Is that a marriage proposal, Mr. Children?”
“It is if you want it to be. Sorry I don’t have a ring to go with it.”
“I don’t need a ring. I need you. I take it the others don’t mind if I crash the party?”
“We don’t mind at all!” a muffled voice called out through the closed door. The intrusion made them both laugh.
“Thank you for the demonstration, Mr. Children,” Ingrid said with another warm smile. “And my answer is yes. Yes, I’d love to crash the party.”
A cheer came from the hallway. “Just wait until we tell the rest of the gang!” N8 exclaimed, but the couple inside the hospital room no longer paid attention to his celebration. They were too busy declaring their love for each other until the supper cart arrived.
30W8
She heardfootsteps advancing toward her cell. Glancing up, she glared at the woman approaching the barred doorway.
