Happily Forever After (Book 4 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 31

Demi

I was smiling with every ounce of my being as I watched Nick walk over to the counter to do paperwork. Joe helped me to a seat in the lobby, while Wilmer & Olivia said they were going to start calling people to let them know we were on our way home. Home. I could not get there soon enough. My heart, literally, felt like it might burst right now. I was so happy that the drama was over. If I never saw Daria again, it would be too soon.

I looked over at Joe, sitting next to me, watching me, a few tears in the corners of his eyes. I pouted at him. "Why do you look like you're crying?" I asked, taking his hand in mine. I held it up to my heart. "I'm alive. See?" He sheepishly looked down before bringing his eyes up to meet mine again. I moved his hand to my stomach just as one of the babies kicked. "And they're alive & can't wait to meet their Uncle Joe." I gave him my best toothy grin, making him smile.

One of the tears slid down his cheek. "Today was pretty scary." He said in a whisper.

I nodded, my smile fading a little.

"Not only was I scared for Nick, but I was scared that I'd never see you again." His chin was quivering, making me tear up. He looked down as he wiped at his tears. "Demi, I hope you know how much I love you. Not only as my friend, but as my sister." His eyes were looking into mine now & I felt so much love for him at this moment. All of the things we had gone through together during our friendship & our short relationship, as well as our time when I tried to hate him, came rushing into the front of my memory, reminding me of the bond we had. He was my family, one of my best friends. I have liked him. I have loved him. I have hated him & I have been mad at him, but he was always a constant in my heart. He'd always be there for me & I for him. I knew that, as I knew the sky was blue.

"I love you, too, Joseph." I giggled through my tears & put my arms around him, hugging him as close as my belly would allow. "And I know you were there for Nick while I was missing. I was watching the news spots & the press conference & the interviews. I saw you stepping up when your brother needed you." I gave him an ornery smile. "It almost made up for letting a stripper nearly kill him."

Joe laughed as I leaned my shoulder into him, cackling, louder than I should have been in a hospital. I didn't care. I was giddy. I was alive & I was with my brother & my best friend. I was a lucky girl to have him & so many others in my life. I couldn't wait to see them all.

I looked over Joe's shoulder to watch Nick standing at the counter, looking incredibly hot, even with his eyes bloodshot & swollen from all the crying he did today. I smiled, looking forward to being in his arms again. Joe's gaze followed mine as he crossed his arms on his chest.

"You really have an amazing connection with each other." Joe said, looking back at me. I lifted my eyebrows at him, curious as to what exactly he meant. "It was like he knew you were out there. We all thought you had been in that car when it went over the bridge, including Nick." Joe looked down as he folded his hands on his lap. "I'm glad you didn't see his agony the moment that car flipped over the side of the bridge. The scream that came out of him is something I'll never be able to get out of my head." Joe's voice was quiet & he shuddered as he remembered the awful moment.

I felt tears come to my eyes as I imagined how much pain Nick was in earlier today. I peeked at him as he stood at the counter, talking to a nurse. He was smiling at her as he spoke & my heart beat rapidly in my chest. It had only been ten minutes since he walked away from me & I missed him already. I was only away from him 9 days, but it felt like 9 years. He turned to glance at me & when he saw I was watching him, his smile got even bigger. I sighed, watching him turn back to the nurse. I looked down at my belly & drew in a ragged breath as I remembered the events of earlier.