Page 252 of My Unexpected Mate

“Fine,” she smiled. “I am so happy that this really isn’t a dream.”

“It’s not,” I said. “You really are here, and you won’t be leaving us anytime soon.”

“I was so afraid yesterday,” she said quietly. “I didn’t want to go back to sleep.”

“I know, love,” I cupped her cheek. “You are really here.”

She smiled and turned around slowly. I narrowed my eyes on her and wanted to warn her to be careful, but she wrapped her arms around my neck and pushed herself closer to me.

I immediately returned the hug and pressed her close.

“I missed you so much,” she said.

“I missed you too, love,” I said and placed a kiss on top of her head.

“I love you, Gabriel,” she said, and my heart started to beat faster.

I felt a warm feeling spreading through my body and my insides melted.

“I love you too,” I said and held her tighter.

We stayed like that for a while, and then she slowly let me go.

“Can you help me sit up, please?” she asked me with a small smile.

“Of course,” I smiled back and sat up.

I carefully placed my arms around her waist and pulled her up so she could sit and lean on the headboard.

“Where is Nick?” she asked and looked around the room.

“Bathroom,” I answered as I fixed the blanket around her.

She nodded, and I heard the bathroom door open. Nick came out, drying his hair with a towel. He looked up, and his eyes widened when he saw Aria was awake.

“Goddess, baby, I am so sorry!” he said loudly, and threw the towel into the bathroom.

He ran toward her and cupped her cheeks. She looked at him confused.

“Why are you sorry?” she asked him.

“I promised you that you would never wake up without me again and I already broke that promise,” he said, panicking.

She gave him a small smile and placed her hands over his. “Nick, it is okay. You were in the bathroom.”

“I should have been here,” he said quietly.

She leaned in and kissed him. “It’s okay.”

He sighed and leaned his forehead on hers. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too,” she smiled and leaned back on the headboard.

“Are you okay?” he asked her worriedly. “Are you in pain?”

“No,” she smiled. “I would like to go downstairs and see the others.”

“No,” I said sternly. “You need to rest.”

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