Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I nod. “Thank you… both of you, for everything.”
“I’m glad we were there. I’ll send her mom back when she gets here,” Corie tells me.
“Coach?” I ask.
“Knox handled him. I’m sure he’ll be here, as well.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, and turn my attention back to Bellamy.
Corie leaves quietly, and I rest my head on the edge of the bed, letting the adrenaline of my fear flow away. I’ve never been that scared before in my entire life. How am I going to leave her ever again without worrying about her?
“How is she?” I hear someone ask. Lifting my head, I see Candice standing at the foot of the bed.
“They’re both perfect. Vitals are strong for both. Doctors are running some bloodwork to see if they can figure out why she fainted.”
“Has she been awake?”
“She has. She was awake for the ultrasound, and baby girl is looking great,” I assure her.
“Thank goodness,” Candice says, placing her hand over her chest. “How about you? How are you holding up?”
“I’m perfect as long as they’re okay,” I tell her.
“You look like you came straight from the game?”
“Ran out of the locker room at halftime,” I tell her. Her eyes widen. “There’s nothing in my life that’s more important to me than my girls.” Even I can hear the conviction in my tone.
“Oh, Reid, I’m so happy she found you. Thank you for fighting for her, for never giving up.”
“She’s easy to love.”
Candice laughs. “I know my daughter, and I know the anger she carries around.”
“That makes her more lovable. I asked her to give me a chance to show her, and she did. That’s all I wanted, and now, I can’t imagine my life without her. Without them.”
“You’re a good man, Reid Montgomery.”
“She makes me better.”
We sit in silence, just watching as Bellamy sleeps, getting the rest she so desperately needs. I don’t know how much time has passed when Candice stands and stretches. “I’m going to go update Cliff. He insisted on coming with me.”
“Good man.” I nod. “I’ll be here.”
She smiles softly. “I know you will be, and so does she.” She nods toward the bed. “Do you need anything?”
“Everything I need is in this room.” Her hand again rests over her heart, and a smile tugs at her lips as she quietly steps out of the room.
The next knock is Rowan. She asks how my girls are doing and tells me there’s a waiting room full of people who want to come and say hi before she slips out of the room. Knox, Landry, Foster, and Baker all take turns coming back to see us, and through it all, Bellamy sleeps peacefully. Just as I promised her, I never leave her side. I meant what I said. I’ll leave this hospital when she does.
The door opens once more, and when I look up, I see Coach standing there. He’s wearing a scowl that only softens a little when he sees Bellamy sleeping. “How is she?” he asks, his voice raspy.
“She’s good. They’re both good. They’re running some tests. We should know something soon, but the doctor has assured me they’re both going to be okay.” I repeat the same message I’ve given each visitor who’s stopped in to see us.
“You know you’re going to get fined for today.” His tone is neutral, not menacing as it was when I walked out of the locker room earlier.
“Yep. Don’t care,” I say, holding his gaze. “There’s nothing on this earth that would keep me from them when they need me like this. I’ll take the fine, the suspension, break my contract…. Whatever the outcome may be, I’ll take it without a fight.” I turn my eyes back to Bellamy. “The only fighting I’ll do is for my family. For my girls.”
We’re both quiet after that. He takes the chair on the opposite side of the bed and just watches her sleep. Her breathing is deep and even, and the baby’s heartbeat on the screen is strong. It’s my constant reminder that they’re really okay.
“I didn’t fight for them,” Coach says, his voice a gruff whisper. “I wanted to, but I didn’t, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret it.” He pauses, and I remain quiet, letting him process his thoughts. “I wanted to make something for myself, but for them, too. I wanted to give them everything, and in turn, I lost my way. Candice and I tried, but in the end, we both formed a life without the other, and we couldn’t find our way back. Bellamy got caught in the middle, and I took the coward's way out. When she refused to see me, I told Candice not to force her. I didn’t want to cause her any more pain, because her pain sliced through me like a knife.”