My eyes lifted to hers.
“Brett?”
There weren’t words for what I had to tell her. There was no way to say what I needed to express. How could I explain the clarity that came to me in the forest? How could I tell her?
I crossed the room, stopping in front of her.
“Brett, you’re scaring me. Why aren’t you talking?” she asked. I saw the fear in her eyes.
I traced the line of her cheek, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. My chest ached. God, she was everything to me.
I tipped her chin upward, brushing my lips across her mouth.
“You,” I said.
“What?” Her hands slid around my neck.
I kissed her, taking my time to taste all the corners of her mouth, exploring her tongue with mine.
“I realized I don’t have to choose the soldier or the man.” I looked in her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes that had me from the instant we met.
“You don’t?” she whispered.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t.” My arms dipped to pull her into my arms. I lifted her from the floor. “I choose you.”
She grinned. “I choose you, too.”
“You accept both parts of me, Gretchen.”
“I do. I fell in love with the man, the soldier that has given me a miracle. I can’t help but love you.” Her hands rubbed against my neck.
I pressed my lips against hers. “I’m not leaving.”
“You’re not?”
I shook my head. “No. I told them to find someone else for the mission.”
“Is that even possible?” She searched my eyes.
“I guess we’ll find out.” I grinned, carrying her toward my room.
“And the baby?”
“We will raise our family side by side.” I laid her on the bed, shoving the quilt to the floor. “I’m going to be here for you. For our baby. I’m not leaving.”
She sighed. “Oh thank God. I don’t know how to do this alone. I don’t want to do without you.”
“You don’t have to.” She bit her lower lip.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” I heard the worry in her voice.
“Let me show you just how sure I am, doc.” I winked.
Gretchen giggled.
“How many hours until you have to go back to the hospital?” I rolled next to her, drawing her close to my chest.
