Page 188 of The Silver Fox Brother

"Say something."

He doesn't turn around.

"I need a minute."

Then he walks to the door, pulls it open, and leaves. The door closes behind him with a soft click. I'm left alone in the hospital room, tears streaming down my face, my hand pressed to my stomach where a baby is growing. And I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Ten minutes pass. I sit alone in the hospital room, wiping at my tears, trying to pull myself together. Then the door opens again as Knox walks back in.

He doesn't say anything at first. He just crosses the room and sits on the edge of the hospital bed beside me. His weight shifts the mattress slightly and I feel the warmth of him next to me. He takes a deep breath and stares down at his hands.

"I'm terrified," Knox says quietly.

"I've never thought about kids. I lost hope that it would even be an option for me, just because of my track record." He pauses.

"And also, I didn't want to become my father."

I watch him, my chest tight. Knox lifts his head and looks at me.

"But if you're asking me what I want—"

He reaches out and takes my hand in his.

"I want you," Knox says, his voice steady now.

"I want this baby. I want a life with you that doesn't involve hiding or pretending or worrying about what my family thinks."

My breath catches.

"Knox—"

"I love you," he interrupts, his blue eyes locked on mine.

"I'm in love with you. And if you want this baby, I'm all in. Nothing has changed from what I said before. I'll support whatever you decide. But I need you to know that I'm here. I'm not leaving."

Tears spill down my cheeks again, but this time they're different. Not from fear or uncertainty, but from relief.

"I want this," I whisper, my voice breaking.

"I'm just scared."

Knox squeezes my hand. "So am I. But we'll figure it out."

He leans forward and cups my face in his hands, wiping away my tears with his thumbs. Then he kisses me. It's soft and gentle and full of everything we haven't said. A promise. A commitment. A future. When we pull apart, Knox rests his forehead against mine.

"Come home with me tonight," he says quietly.

"Let me take care of you."

I nod against him. "Okay."

Knox pulls back and brushes a strand of hair from my face. Then he stands and pulls the chair closer to the bed, sitting down but keeping my hand in his. We sit in silence for a while, just holding hands, both of us processing everything that's happened.

About forty-five minutes later, there's a knock at the door. Dr. Patel enters with a small smile.

"How are we doing?"

"Better," I say.