Page 114 of No More Lies
Diane leaned her back against the pillow. It was over. Turning to face her husband she asked. “Who are the Aziz brothers?”
Steve’s face immediately tensed, and she knew without a doubt they were known to him.
“They’re connected to the group that captured Kelly.”
Diane gasped.
“Angel, I will tell you what I can, but not here. This isn’t the time or the place. Just know you are safe. The Aziz brothers are not even in this country. Sophie said you can go home, so how about we do that?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” He gestured to the chair. “Kelly brought you fresh clothes. Everyone sends their love, and they will come visit when you feel up to it.” He stood up.
“Steve?”
“Yes, Angel?”
“I love you.”
All the tension left his face. “I love you, too. Natasha told us everything that happened. I am so damn proud of you.”
Steve gave her some space to use the bathroom and get dressed. She stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Damn, she looked like shit. An ugly gash above her eye and her cheek was still red from where Volkov had hit her, and the bruise had darkened in places. She winced as she took her arm out of the sling. Steve had offered to help, but she needed these few minutes by herself. As she carefully slipped off the hospital gown, she frowned at the red gashes on her stomach, three of them with stitches. Her chest was bruised, and she shuddered, remembering being yanked back through the window. She could have hurt the baby.
Instinctively, she placed a hand on her still flat stomach. A baby. How had she not considered she was pregnant? The nausea, the tiredness. She was on the pill. She tried to think back to her last period and couldn't remember. She'd been working such long hours. Her sleep schedule was off and, damn, had she even been taking the tablet? The packet was in her purse. That she didn’t have. She sighed. Did it matter? She was pregnant. Could she do this? Did she want this? Did she have a choice?
Squeezing her eyes shut, with both hands on her stomach, her conversation with Natasha suddenly filled her mind.
Stuff doesn’t bring you happiness. People, love, experiences, bring happiness, and all you need is what’s in here.
Did she have all she needed in her heart? Becoming a lawyer had not made her happy. Being a mom did. Perhaps this baby was a sign.
***
STEVE KEPT THE CONVERSATION light as they made their way home from the hospital. Diane was quiet. Perhaps it was just the aftershock of what she’d been through, but he sensed something else.
He wasn’t going to push her, but they needed to finish the conversation they’d started last night. So much had happened since then, but for him it only reinforced just how much he loved his wife and daughter. Their happiness was his number one priority.
Megan was chatting away about her time with Agent Jessica Adams. He hadn’t said too much to Megan about what happened to her mom other than she’d been accidentally hurt while working. Megan had seen him with bruises and cuts before, and while Megan had been upset initially, she had come around quickly. He’d managed to deflect further questions. He didn't want to lie to his daughter, but he wanted to discuss it with Diane first.
He glanced toward his wife. Diane looked to be fighting to keep her eyes open. It was late, and it had been a very long day. The sooner they got home, and he got both his girls into bed, the better.
Parking on the driveway, Steve opened the garage. Megan got herself out of the truck as he went round and helped Diane. Timing was probable that the morphine was wearing off and she was in pain, but she had refused any more painkillers. Together they walked through the garage, and he unlocked the door and led his family inside.
“Pumpkin, it’s late. Can you go and get ready for bed and brush your teeth please.”
“OK.” Megan ran up the stairs.
“Let’s get you into bed, too.” Steve placed an arm around Diane’s shoulders.
She nodded and they followed Megan upstairs. Diane let him help her get undressed and he put her in one of his Navy T-shirts that he knew she liked to wear. Megan came in to say goodnight.
“I’ll just tuck her in, and I’ll be right back.”
Though back in under five minutes, he found Diane asleep. She’d put a pillow under her arm to support it. Getting undressed himself, he slipped under the covers and snuggled her from behind, careful not to dislodge the pillow or touch her arm. She stirred and relaxed against him.
“I’m here, Angel.” He kissed her head and closed his eyes. It was early for him to be in bed, and he didn't expect to sleep yet but was happy to lay here and watch his wife.
***