BROKEN COURAGE (Broken Redemption Book 3)

Chapter 46

Emilia

"God, you're beautiful. That's it, Emb. That's it." With his voice full of reverence, he soothes and kisses me through the final waves of my orgasm.

I needed this. Not just the release, but the intimacy. From the way he looked at me as he carefully undressed me, to the emotional conversation he had with the baby. For the first time in weeks, it's like our hearts and souls are finally in sync.

"I've missed you." The thought slips through my lips before I can stop it.

"Christ..." He deflates before my eyes, looking sadder than I've ever seen him. "I've missed you, too. So much. I'm so sorry, Emb." He presses his lips to mine, his hands cradling my face with such tenderness that it brings a fresh round of tears to my eyes. "I never should have left you. I never should have stayed away."

"I'm sorry, too. We've both made our share of mistakes. What matters is that we're here. Together and safe."

"You're right." He wipes away a lone tear that slips past my eyes. "And for that, I'll be forever grateful."

He spends the next several minutes bathing me. Lovingly washing away the ugly remnants of the past few days, leaving me boneless and utterly spent. As though my body has finally given in to the exhaustion that has plagued me since finding out about the baby, I'm barely awake when he coaxes me out of the tub, wraps me in a warm towel, and then lifts me into his arms. With great care, he lowers me onto the bed, curling his large frame around me while pulling the comforter over us and cocooning me in the warm safety of his embrace. I'm at peace. The girls and I are safe, home, and back under the loving watch of the man I love. For the first time in days, I can finally sleep.

******

I'm not sure how much time has passed when I wake. What I do know is that I feel much better than I did earlier when we got home from the hospital. Maybe it's because I was able to get some rest, or maybe it's the comfort of waking up in a familiar bed. Either way, I'm relieved to feel more like myself.

Remembering how he curled up against me after my bath, I reach out, running my hand over the blankets behind me, coming away disappointed when the coldness of the sheets confirms he's not here. Instead, I find my phone. There's a yellow sticky note with a handwritten message from Lucas stuck to the screen.

Hi sweetheart,

Hope you had a good nap. I'm downstairs with the girls, so no need to rush.

Here's your phone in case you want to check messages.

We'll see you when you're ready.

Love you forever and always,

Lucas

Powering up my phone, I roll onto my back. Sticking the note to the back of my phone for safekeeping, I glance at the screen as the unmistakable ping of missed notifications cuts through the silence. I'm eager to see the girls, so I do a quick scan, noting that most of the calls and messages can wait to be returned.

But just as I'm about to put my phone away, I see several text messages from Creed. And just like that, the peaceful contentment that greeted me when I woke vanishes.

Creed: Are you both alright? I'm dying here. Someone needs to call and tell me what's going on.

Creed: Emilia, please! I know you don't owe me anything, but I'm begging you. Call me back!

Creed: Jesus Christ! I'm out of my mind with worry. Whoever sees this, call me the fuck back!!!

Creed: Is it his baby? God damn it, Emilia. I need answers.