Page 115 of Surprised By Love

“Hey,” Vicki says, sitting on the side of my bed. “Can I say a few things and you promise to listen before saying anything?”

“Okay.” I nod and attempt to reach for the water. Vicki grabs the cup and passes it to me. “I know he’s been an asshole, and he hurt you. But you are talking about his biggest fear. He wasn’t the same after his wife passed. They had visited his parents here a few times throughout the years and he was always smiling and laughing. Genuinely a cheerful guy.”

I pass Vicki the cup and she puts it back on the table and continues, “He wasn’t the same guy after his wife passed, and they moved here. He was in a haze for a while, a shell of himself. Just going through the motions. I overheard his grandma telling the ladies that it wasn’t until Jake said Dada for the first time that he snapped out of it. It was like he realized what he was missing and wanted to be the best father he could to those kids. But he swore he was never having anymore kids. That much was true.”

“He told everyone that’s why he didn’t want to date. He wouldn’t budge on that, not after what he lost, and he didn’t for the longest time. When he started dating, it was always someone from out of town and it wasalwaysa one-time thing. Never letting them get close and definitely never letting them meet his kids. Well, until you little sis.” Vicki smiles and pats my leg. “You threw the news at him out of nowhere. I’m not excusing his behaviour, but maybe give him a chance to make it right?”

A loud noise comes from the loudspeaker. Then a voice I recognize says, “Attention. This is a message for Samantha Langfield. There’s a man outside your door who wants to apologize for being an idiot for the past two weeks.” I put my hand over my mouth and Vicki looks at me, her eyes matching mine in surprise. She grabs my hand as we listen.

“I never expected to meet someone so sweet and caring and as… beautiful as you. I had another word, but there might be little ears listening.” There is laughter coming from the hallway. “You shook my world and turned it upside down and I couldn’t be happier. My kids love you and Sam… I love you too. So much. I know we have some things to talk about, but over this loudspeaker isn’t the right place, so if there’s any chance you can forgive me for being such a dimwit. Send your sister to the door.”

The hallway goes quiet and Vicki looks at me, a tear trickling down her cheek. “Well?” she asks.

I don’t even know what to say. My chest is tight, my heart is racing, and I swipe at the tears that are falling down my cheeks. I love him. I do, but I’m still so hurt. “I need to at least hear him out, right?”

Vicki nods, stands up and kisses my cheek before walking to the door and opening it.

I hear clapping and shouting and Josh runs into the room, almost knocking Vicki over. I laugh through the tears that are falling even faster now.

“I love you, Sam. I love you so damn much, baby,” Josh says, making his way to me.

“I love you too, Josh. So much.”

He leans in and kisses my tear soaked lips.

“Well, it looks like my job here is done,” Vicki says, walking over to us.

Josh, now sitting on the edge of my bed. She pats him on the shoulder. “Nice one there, Sergeant.” She leans over and gives me a gentle hug. “I’ll see you when you get home tomorrow.”

I nod, and Vicki leans into Josh, squeezing his shoulder with her hand. “Don’t hurt her again, or they’ll never find your body. I’ve been watching true crime documentaries.” She turns to me and winks before leaving the room.

Josh

“Sometimes she scares me,” I say as I sit on the edge of Sam’s hospital bed, taking her hand in mine. “I’m so sorry, baby. I never should have ghosted you like that.”

Letting out a long breath, I look at our linked fingers, then up into her tired and questioning hazel eyes. “I won’t lie. When you told me you were pregnant, it scared me to death. All I could see was Christine, and then her face changed into yours. Baby, it scared me more than anything ever could. Just the thought of losing you like I did her… I couldn’t survive that.”

Sam nods and I can see in her tear-filled eyes she understands. This woman is incredible.

“Last night I went to Tucker’s and had a few beers with Ethan and I told him everything and for someone who hasn’t had a serious girlfriend in a very long time, he had some solid advice. He made me see things in a different light. Then today I got a call from Ma asking me to come home. I sat down with her and the kids, and they really gave it to me.”

I shake my head as a quiet laugh escapes. “Emily is wise beyond her years and Ma reminded me I, for one, know how short life is and that I can’t let fear run my life. She’s right. I let my fear take over and I need to change that starting now.”

I wipe at the tear sliding down Sam’s cheek. “I love you, Sam. So damn much, and I don’t want to waste another minute.” I lean my head towards hers and she pulls back. I see hesitation written all over her beautiful face.

“That girl,” she whispers. “I saw—”

I shake my head. “No, baby.” I let out a frustrated breath. “I didn’t get your message until I got into my car after you kicked me out. That wasn’t just some girl. That’s my sister Savannah.”

“What?” Sam says, her eyebrows raise.

“The girl who was in the station the other day is my sister Savvy. She was home for a few days and stopped by to see me.”

“Oh,” Sam mumbles, and lowers her eyes to her fidgeting fingers.

I place my index finger under her chin and raise it so I can look into her eyes. “Baby, please, there is no one else for me but you. I know my reputation and that’s in the past. You are my present and my future, and one day I will marry you.”

Sam nods, sniffing back more tears. This time when I lean my face towards hers, she doesn’t pull back. Her lips meet mine, and I know I’m right.

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