“Yes, the driver,” I said, and the medic ran past us to the car.
The rest was a blur, but I heard the medic yell, “He’s dead.”
“Antonio’s dead?” Emmy muttered.
“Yes, darlin’, he is,” I said. “You’re going to be alright.”
“Let me help her to truck,” the nurse said. “Let’s get her to the hospital, and we can wait here for the coroner for this one.”
Emmy’s eyes opened, and she stared up at me.
“You’re going to be okay,” I promised her.
And I always kept my promises.
Emilia
“How’s the baby?” I asked as soon as the nurse entered my room.
“The baby is fine, but we’re going to keep you overnight for observation. Just to be safe,” she said with a bright smile. “You’re a lucky woman. You only have a minor concussion. Good thing you were wearing your seatbelt.”
“Can I see Graham now?”
“Of course, I’ll send him right in.”
It felt like an eternity until that door opened and Graham stepped into the room. For the first time since we’d met, I saw tears in his eyes.
“I let you down,” he whispered shamefully. “I wasn’t there.”
“You were there, Graham. You found me.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then my lips. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Me too. And the baby should be fine too.”
We hadn’t really had a chance to discuss the baby, and I wasn’t sure how he felt about the child, but the smile on his face told me all I needed to know.
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. You know, I never thought of myself as the fatherly type, but ever since you told me…” he shrugged. “Well, that’s changed. I’ve grown rather attached to the idea.”
“Even though you hardly know me?” I asked, biting my lip.
“I know what I need to, Emmy. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“Thank you,” I said, squeezing his hand tightly. I let out a breath and said, “Is it true? Is Antonio really dead?”
“He didn’t survive the crash.”
I closed my eyes as relief washed over me - but only partially.
“And,” Graham continued. “With Liv’s help, they managed to find his associates in town, and I’m confident they messed with the wrong sheriff. Teddy is going to nail those bastards, I’m confident of it.”
“Yeah, he’s not corrupt, that much I know.”
“I’m positive they’ll never bother you again. Them or your father.”
I opened my eyes in surprise. “My father?” My voice cracked.
“Yeah, he’s in custody. He’s unharmed, though,” Graham explained quickly. “He was with the Lombardos. It was his idea to capture Liv.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I stared at my hands, not sure what to say. “Oh.”
“He’s going away too, Emmy. They all are.”
Teddy wouldn’t let them get away with this. He couldn’t be bought by anyone. My father would go to prison for kidnapping.
“And Liv is fine?”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself,” Graham said, winking at me. “She’s in the waiting room. I can grab her if you’d like.”
I grabbed both of his hands. “Please don’t leave.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “I’ll never leave you again, Emmy. You or our child. Just promise me you won’t leave.”
“I won’t. I was stupid before.”
“Nah, you just didn’t know me. But hopefully you do now. And whatever you don’t know, I’m happy to tell you. I’m an open book, Emmy.” He spread his arms wide.
“Thank you.”
“I know it’s early, but I have to say something.”
I tilted my head to the side and stared at him, waiting for him to speak. When he didn’t, I said, “Out with it, Graham. Don’t keep me waiting.”
“I just, well, I love you.”
My heart skipped a beat, and my belly filled with butterflies. “I love you too.”
“Good,” he said, kissing me again. His hand rested on my belly, and in that moment I knew.
I knew my dreams were about to come true.
We’d be a family.
And we’d never be alone again.
Epilogue
EMILIA
Eight Months Later
“Where’s that munchkin! I need to squish his face.” Liv’s voice echoed through the foyer as she entered the house. She saw me sitting with my son and she smiled brightly. “There he is!”
Nicholas Graham Harvey was born a few days prior - a healthy eight pounds four ounces and a head full of dark hair. Liv had come to see us in the hospital and every day since, even though she was ready to pop with her daughter any day now.
“I can’t wait until our kids can play together,” she squealed, swooping Nicholas into her arms. “They’re going to be the best of friends; I just know it!”
Her eyes fell to my hand, and I tried my best to cover it - but it was too late. She gasped and let out a screech. “You’re not? Are you?”
“Am I what?” I laughed, knowing full well what she was talking about.
“Where’s the lucky bastard? I have to congratulate him for getting to marry my best friend.”
“Oh, Liv…” I rolled my eyes at her theatrics, though my smile was so big it hurt my face.
“Let me see the rock,” she ordered. With a fake put-upon sigh, I held out my hand. “Jesus, that thing is huge!” she exclaimed, releasing my hand and encircling my son with both arms again. “And when were you going to tell me?”
“When I asked you to be my Matron of Honor, of course,” I teased. “I had an entire event planned and you ruined it.”
“I’ll pretend to be surprised,” she promised, rocking Nicholas. “But yes, I’ll be your Matron of Honor. Did you really think you’d have to ask?”
“God, I love you,” I said. “And I love being home.”
“There he is!” Liv handed Nicholas to me and rushed to the doorway, where Graham was standing with a confused look on his face.
“She knows we’re engaged,” I called out over her squeals.
Liv hugged Graham, nearly plowing him down with her big belly. “Congrats, Graham! You’re marrying the baddest bitch I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t I know it,” Graham said with a chuckle, entering the room. He headed over to me and his son, giving us both a kiss on our foreheads before sitting down beside me on the couch. He draped an arm over my shoulder, and I leaned into him.
“So, how did he ask?” Liv said, taking a seat across from us on the ottoman.
“When we brought Nicholas home, he had the house decorated and ready for me. A meal on the table with champagne and everything, though I didn’t have any.” I laughed. “Breastfeeding and all that.”