Page 141 of Almost Ours
His arms tightened, his breath hitching against my skin, and I felt the press of his lips against the top of my head. He didn’t let go. And I didn’t want him to.
A small rustling sound made me glance over just as Connor stirred on the cot. His eyes fluttered open, bleary with sleep, and then–
“Mom!”
He shot upright, scrambling off the cot, his feet hitting the floor with a thud before he rushed toward the bed.
Pain jolted through my shoulder at the sudden movement, and I couldn’t stop the wince that crossed my face.
Connor froze. Guilt flickered in his wide, tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
“It’s okay, baby,” I murmured, my voice weak but full of reassurance.
Ryan pulled back just enough to give him room, and Connor carefully climbed onto the bed, curling into my side as if he never wanted to let go. His arms wrapped around me, his face pressing into my chest, and I felt his small body tremble.
“I missed you, Mom.” His voice was small. Shaky. “I was so scared.”
I pressed a kiss into his hair, the scent of his shampoo grounding me even as fresh tears slid down my cheeks.
“I missed you too,” I whispered. “But I’m here, and I’m okay.”
Ryan knelt beside the bed, one hand resting on Connor’s back, the other gently smoothing over my hair. His touch was light, reverent, as if he needed to remind himself I was real.
The commotion must have stirred the others because suddenly, Nina was there, rushing forward, her eyes wide and brimming with relief.
“Harper!” she cried, throwing her arms around me in the gentlest hug she could manage. “You scared the hell out of me!”
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m okay,” I whispered, my voice barely holding steady.
Shane approached last, arms crossed, his jaw tight as he hovered at the foot of the bed. He cleared his throat. “You gaveus a damn heart attack, you know.” His voice was gruff, but at the end, it cracked.
I swallowed hard, my gaze moving over each of them–the people who had stayed, who had fought for me, who had waited.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
The hours slipped by in a haze of exhaustion and soft murmurs. Ryan hadn’t left my side once, his presence a steady anchor, grounding me when everything still felt so surreal.
A nurse eventually entered, offering a kind smile as she checked my vitals and adjusted the monitors.
“Okay, guys,” she said gently, though there was no room for argument in her voice. “Harper needs rest, so I’m afraid visiting hours are over for most of you.”
Nina crouched beside Connor, brushing a hand over his messy hair. “How about you come home with me, kiddo? You can have lunch with Liam, and we’ll come back later to see your mom.”
Connor’s face crumpled, his big eyes darting toward me. “But I don’t want to leave her.” His lower lip wobbled, and my heart clenched.
Ryan knelt beside him, his hand resting on his shoulder. “Hey, bud,” he said gently. “Your mom needs a little sleep so she can get stronger. You’ll be back in no time, okay? She’ll still be here, I promise.”
Connor hesitated, his hands twisting in the hem of his shirt, before nodding reluctantly. “Okay,” he whispered, swiping at his damp cheeks with the back of his hand.
Nina stood and held hers out to him. “We’ll make pancakes,” she said, with a knowing grin. “Extra syrup, just for you.”
That earned a wobbly, small smile as he finally took her hand.
Shane stepped forward next, wrapping me in a quick but solid hug before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Take it easy, Harp,” he muttered gruffly, though the crack in his voice betrayed him.
I blinked up at him, momentarily stunned. “Thanks, Shane.”
