Page 148 of Finding Redemption

“Morgan?” the nurse calls before he can answer. “You can go back now. Room five.”

He turns to me, eyes downcast. “Wait for her, please. In all our years together, she has never lied to me and when she says she loves you, I know it’s true.” His eyes snap to mine, and I get the feeling he’s talking about more than today.

I fist the back of my head in an attempt to calm down. “Fuck,” I growl, feeling completely out of control.

“Walker,” Riley calls my name, making me focus on him.

“I gotta get out of here. I’m about to lose my shit.” I bulldoze past him. Only to come face-to-face with Ava.

She holds both hands in front of her, and I stop dead. She points toward the back. “You’re staying. She owes you some answers.”

I clench my jaw. “She’ll never give them to me.” I throw my hands in the air.

“She might not but do you want to leave not knowing if your baby is all right?” Riley cocks his brow incredulously.

“Who’s to say it’s mine? Reese knows but she doesn’t talk to me.” What little control I held tightly, slips away, and I fall into shambles. “What if she never loved me? Who am I anyway? I never deserved it to begin with. You both know that.” I shove my palms into my eyes, drying them.

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Walker. We all witnessed what you have together. Hang on.” Riley’s brows draw together as he gets in my face. “You damn well deserve this; don’t you dare fucking give up. So, what if you have to fight. Fight,” he growls.

I turn to Ava, looking for an escape but she doesn’t give me one. “Fight.” She folds her arms over her chest.

I drop into the seat behind me, Ava and Riley join me. We wait, for what feels like forever, before I can get any answers. When the emergency room door swings wide, Alden and Reese walk through. My heart thunders in my chest as nausea washes over me.

Her eyes dart to mine. She’s been crying. I’m not thinking when I rush to her, wanting to hold her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m good.” She offers me a tight smile, glancing at the faces behind me. “Can we talk?”

“Yeah, of course.” I scan the area, stepping through the door to the stairwell. “Here.” She follows me through, standing a few feet away. My chest tightens. This isn’t good.

“Thank you for waiting.” She peeks up at me from under her lashes.

“How are you?”

“They think the baby is okay. I need to follow up with my doctor.” Her eyes dart to the door.

I move into her line of sight. “How about you? Are you all right?”

She shifts from one foot to the other. “I’m all right. A few bumps and bruises, mostly exhaustion. I’m not sleeping or eating well.” She gives me a tight smile.

“May I ask how far along you are?” I inquire cautiously.

“About twelve weeks. I’m having an ultrasound in a couple of weeks, so we can know for sure. That’s if my insurance plays nice.” She breaks eye contact with me as a little V forms between her eyes.

I hesitate. “Will you let me know? I’d like to be there, if possible. If you don’t mind.” I grimace as I stumble over my words.

“I’m sorry, Walker.” She holds her stomach, her chin quivering. “I turned around to come tell you, but Heath was there. I only found out a few days ago. This isn’t something I was keeping from you.” She wipes away her tears as fast as they fall.

I avert my eyes. “I wasn’t sure if you had another reason for not telling me or what.”

Her mouth pops open. “Are you kidding me with this shit? You think I’m fucking around? Oh, I suppose for trailer trash like me, that’s a possibility.” Her words cut like a knife.

“No! I meant, maybe the reason you left to begin with was you didn’t love me after all.” Rage fills me, and my face burns with anger.

“When have I ever said I didn’t love you?” She purses her lips. “When?” she demands.

“You’re right. You didn’t say it. You fucking showed me, loud and clear,” I spit at her, my blood boiling.

Her body vibrates. “I hate the choices I’ve made hurt you.” Her chin trembles. “I know you’ll be an amazing father, Walker. I told the doctor as much.” Tears careen down her face, beckoning me to hold her.