Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 24

The first thing I see when I wake is Liam's handsome face. It's full of concern until I smile and say. "Hey, Handsome."

He gives me a kiss on my forehead. "Hey, Beautiful. How are you feeling?"

"It hurts." Right then the nurse enters the room.

"You're awake. Having some pain? Let me get you taken care of, sweetie." She doesn't let me get a word in, so I just nod.

Liam takes my hand, bringing it to his lips, then holding it protectively in his lap. The doctor comes in to check on me. "Everything went well, Liz. I'd like you to stay in the hospital tonight though. You should be able to go home tomorrow."

He then allows everyone to come visit me two at a time. I'm still kind of groggy but I remember they are all very sweet, telling me they will come visit me at the house.

After they leave, I hear Liam talking to the nurse in the hallway.

"No, I'm not going anywhere."

"Mr. Payne, you should go home. The hospital has a policy."

"I don't care about any policy. I'm not leaving Liz. Just try to make me."

Mmm, forceful Liam.

There's a few moments pause.

"Fine, Mr. Payne, you can stay the night."

Liam starts off trying to sleep in the chair beside my bed. I see how uncomfortable he is, his long legs stretching far out beyond the recliner. I scoot over carefully, patting the spot next to me. "Come lay with me."

"Are you sure, Babe?"

"Of course I am. I'll feel better with you next to me."

Liam gently lays down beside me. He takes my hand, and I lay my head on his chest. We sleep as well as we can under the circumstances.

The next morning I am ecstatic when the doctor says I can go home. I just want to be comfy in our bed.

"Here we are, Love." Liam says as he opens the front door. He takes my arm, then puts his other hand on the small of my back. Helping me slowly up the stairs to our room. Once he's sure that I'm comfortable in the bed, he lays down beside me. "Are you feeling alright, Beautiful?"

"I'm a bit hungry, actually."

"I'll go fix you something."

As he heads downstairs, I can't help but think about how lucky I am. He's taking such good care of me. Men I've dated before couldn't be bothered to help me while I was sick. Liam is so attentive. I touch my stomach lightly. I pray that this surgery worked, that Liam and I will be able to have children.

Later that evening I am complaining about how horrible I must look. I can't shower, no make-up, dirty hair. Liam tells me that I've never looked more beautiful.

I look down. "Oh sure." I say sarcastically.

Liam gently lifts my chin. Our eyes meet. He sweetly tells me. "You went through a pretty major surgery so that you could have my baby. Darling, how could anything be more beautiful than that?"

The tears drop from my eyes instantly. "How do you always know the right thing to say, Baby?"

Liam smiles. That big, genuine, perfect smile I love. "Because I just love you so much my Liz."

I take a short nap. The first thing I see when I wake has me feeling all kinds of emotions. Liam fresh from a shower. Wearing only a towel wrapped around his hips. His hair dripping wet. I am overwhelmed by him. "Liam!" I yell as I carefully sit up. "What are you doing to me?"

He grins. "Sorry, Love."

I smirk. "No, you're not. You're teasing me. Flaunting what I can't have."

He gives me that innocent look. "Who me?"

I shake my head. "You just wait until I can take a shower. I'm going to strut around here naked."

Liam climbs on the bed, smirking. "Please do, Babe."

I laugh, pushing on his chest. He removes my hand from his chest, bringing it to his lips. "I'm sorry, Love. I promise I'll make it up to you as soon as I can."

I sigh. "How long did that doctor say we had to wait?"