Page 88 of Everlasting Vows

He holds out his hand, and I take it in mine, patting his bicep at the same time. “Apology accepted.”

I open the door and we return to Abbi and Murphy. This time, Dr. Wagner softens his delivery after apologizing to Murphy. As soon as the door closes behind the doctor, Murphy dissolves into tears, which quickly turn into heart-wrenching sobs. His body shaking with every gasping breath in and out. The despair etched in the creases across his face and the soul-wrenching pain in his tears are enough to bring any man to his knees, but when it’s your son … I can’t even.

Abbi slips onto the bed alongside Murphy, careful of his injuries, and tries her best to soothe him, but he’s having none of it. His pain is too great, too raw to be contained.

“I wish I’d just died!” he howls.

Abbi gasps, and I stride to the other side of the bed to lean over our son. “Don’t even go there, Murphy. I won’t have it,” I tell him sternly. “I’ll tolerate a lot while you heal, but that’s not one of them.” I cup his cheeks, careful of his bandage, and force him to look at me. “You have a long life ahead of you that will be full and rich. You’ll find a new normal, happiness, and love. I promise you will get through this. Mom and I will drag you through it kicking and screaming if we have to, but you will come out the other side.” I press my forehead to his. “Do you hear me?”

He presses his lips together and squeezes his eyes tight, but he nods against my forehead, and it’s enough right now. It has to be.

We sit together in silence until well past visiting hours. My stomach grumbles, breaking the silence, reminding me I haven’t fed my wife since lunch. My back aches as I straighten, and I dig my hands into my lower back to stretch backward. I’ve been feeling my age the last few days.

Murph chuckles. “You guys should go.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” Abbi tells him softly.

He shakes his head. “You need to eat, and I’ll be okay. I’m tired and you are too.”

A nurse knocks on the door and opens it. “Oh, I didn’t realize you still had visitors.” She looks at Abbi and me with sympathy. “I’m sorry, I have to ask you to leave.”

“It’s okay. They were just leaving.” He looks at us, raising his eyebrows as best he can with the bandages on his face.

We say our goodbyes, leaving with promises to return tomorrow.

I wrap my arm around Abbi’s shoulder as we make our way out of the hospital toward our hotel. Her body sags against me, fatigue zapping the last of her energy.

As soon as we enter our room, I smack her ass. “Go take a shower; I’ll order room service.”

She drops her head back on her shoulders with a groan that wakes up parts that don’t need to be awake. Not when we’re both dead on our feet. We’ve been to hell and back the last few days, and all we need is a hot shower and a hot meal, and sleep.

“Sounds divine.” She grabs her pajamas out of the suitcase and heads toward the bathroom.

I grab the menu. “Any requests?”

“Food,” she calls out as she closes the door to the bathroom.

I chuckle, shaking my head. She already has the water running in the shower, so there’s no point wasting time. I call down our dinner order, then grab my clothes so I can shower as soon as Abbi’s finished.

30

ABBI

Lying on my side, my hands tucked beneath my cheek, I study Nix. He looks as exhausted as I feel. Without permission, my eyes dart over his shoulder at the open door leading next door, and anxiety builds that he’s going to sleep away from me tonight.

“How are you feeling?” His eyes trace over every millimeter of my face as if searching for my truth before I speak.

“Exhausted,” I sigh. “But relieved. So relieved.” Every part of my body feels like lead. I’m surprised the mattress can support me.

He nods, his eyes dropping to my throat as his hand squeezes my hip. “Me too. And your throat?” he asks quietly, worry pinching between his eyebrows.

It hurts like a bitch every time I swallow or speak, but I’ve done my best to hide any discomfort and I’m not proud to say, but I’ve taken more ibuprofen than is recommended. I figure it won’t hurt this time since I rarely take medication. I tug his hand from beneath his cheek and bring his hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to his palm. His face scrunches up as if my kiss causes him pain. “I’m okay. I promise.”

“I’ll apologize every day for the rest of my life. I’m so sorry I hurt you.” He adjusts his position, bringing him closer, and raises his hand from my hip to tuck my hair behind my ear, his eyes following the movement.

I move closer, so close that our lips are almost touching. “I just want to put it behind us. Nothing you did was intentional, Nix. I need you to hear me when I tell you I don’t hold you responsible.” Maybe I’m being naïve and reckless, but I want to believe the worst is behind us.

His breath ghosts over my lips like a caress, and his hand cups the back of my head, tangling his fingers in my hair. “I’m still sorry.”