Page 73 of Beau

“I failed you, failed those children we created.” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug and looked helplessly at her. “I avoided you–”

“Beau–”

“No.” He shook his head. “Let me finish,” His throat was thick, his body trembling. She was his lifeline and lying propped up on the pillows was the most beautiful woman in the world to him and he almost lost her. He had a lot to make up for.

“I was selfish and I–” he closed his eyes briefly, then continued, “I adore you; you must believe that there can be no one else but you. But I wasn’t here and I-”

“Are you here now?”

Opening his eyes, he stared at the serene face and felt love overpowering love, flowing through his body.

“Always,” he vowed.

“Then I would very much like to have my husband right next to me.”

He made it to her bed in record time, dropping to his knees and reaching for her hand.

“Forgive me.”

“Already done. Unless you have done something unforgivable like sleeping with another woman.”

“Never," he whispered and wondered if he should confess about seeing Miriam. “There is something I need to tell you.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“What is that?”

“She came to see me at the office, just before I received the call—I had my phone on vibrate and– and the intercom was off.” He swallowed. “I didn’t know they were trying to get in touch with me–” He stared at her pleadingly. “I swear to you, that I was not even tempted. I only want you- please believe that it’s just you.”

His hand was tight on hers, his fingers interlocking hers as if he wanted to infuse the truth of what he was saying to her. He wanted to brand it inside her heart.

“I believe you.”

He bowed his head over their clasped hands and breathed a sigh of relief before lifting his eyes to her face. “I thought I was losing you," he admitted hoarsely. “And I panicked. If I had lost you, I would not want to live. You are my life. Baby, you are my everything and our children, they are part of the package.”

“Have you seen them?” she asked softly.

He nodded, expression luminous. “I took a detour when I was on my way here. Our daughter–”

He stopped when she placed a finger over his lips. “We are not going to say anything negative about Bri. She is going to be fine.”

“Bri?”

“Short for Brianna.” Her eyes grew bright with tears. “She has to.”

“She will," he vowed.

*****

They held hands as they stood there looking at their tiny daughter. Georgie had welcomed the wheelchair, because of the soreness of her stomach. She had complained to her husbandthat she was going to be scarred and he would find her unattractive.

“Not if you cover up the scar," he teased.

“I am serious.”

“I love you, scars and all," he assured her.

Now they were here staring at the tiny creature.