Forgot To Tell You Something: An Angsty, Later in Life Romance

Hospital chairs are not conducive to sleep, but I’m so weary from the day’s events that I pass out with my hand wrapped around Owen’s fingers. His mother sits on the opposite side of the bed, crocheting yet another baby blanket.

Hey, it soothes her nerves, and at the rate she’s going, our son will have a fresh blanket for each day of the month.

“Tally…”

My eyes fly open at the sound of Owen’s voice. He’s looking at me, his fingers moving against mine. I know he’s dopey from the pain medication, but his eyes are clear. Those gorgeous gray skies that live in my Owen.

“Hey, baby, you’re awake.” I lean over him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You scared us.”

“Scared myself for a minute. I much prefer to be on the doctor end of the doctor patient relationship.”

I giggle, my hand stroking his scalp. He’s here. He’s still here.

He turns his head, offering a smile to his mother. “Hey, Mom.”

That’s all it took for the levee to break. As soon as the words leave Owen’s mouth, Mrs. Steven’s calm facade crumbles and she collapses at his bedside.

“I’m okay, Mom. I promise.” Poor Owen, he’s a gunshot victim and yet he’s reassuring his mother.

“I’m sorry, it’s just seeing you like this, hurts my heart.” She takes the tissues I offer her, wiping her eyes. It doesn’t matter that her son is thirty-eight. He’s her baby boy, now and forever.

I rest my hand on my belly, smiling down at Nugget. I get her pain. I understand the desire to shield this angel from everything life tosses our way, and the helplessness you feel when you lose any semblance of control.

Owen reaches up his fingers, tracing along my belly. “Are you two okay?”

I nod, stepping closer to the bedrail to allow him easier access. “We’re fine. Scared to death about you, but fine.”

Owen clears his throat, a flash of pain crossing his features.

“I’ll go speak with your nurse, see if I can get you some ice chips and pain medicine.”

His mom needs a few minutes with her son, and I need to pee—for the millionth time today.

Ten minutes later, I return to the room, a smile lighting my face. Right on the money. Mrs. Stevens is busy fussing over her son, fluffing his pillow and tucking in the edges of his blanket like a burrito. Finally, she sighs and shakes her head, her gaze moving between the two of us. “I know, you want me out of here, so you two can canoodle.”

“Owen is definitely not canoodling for a while,” I chuckle, watching my man wince when laughter reverberates through his body.

“Still, you two need a minute. I’ll be in the waiting room.”

The door isn’t even closed before I climb into the bed next to him, careful to avoid any lines or wires. Protocol? Bite me.

I burrow my head against his chest and sob.

His arm wraps around my body, and despite the pain, he presses a kiss to my head. “It’s okay, Darlin. I’m okay.”

I meet his gaze, tears running down my face. “You took a bullet for me. You saved my life. Owen, you could have died.”

He thumbs away my tears, shaking his head. “I’d do it again, every damn day, to keep you two safe. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, though.”

I chuckle, pressing kisses through his gown. “Only you would joke right now.”

“I damn near died. Can you think of a better time to laugh?”

“I prayed. I went to the chapel and begged for you to be okay. I promised God all sorts of things.”

“Anything interesting?”

“I may have mentioned oral sex daily for the next decade.”

“I am so collecting on that promise.”

I kiss his chin, more than happy to give the man whatever he wants. “You better. Charlotte and Mr. Auerback just left. They said they’ll call in a few days, but if you need anything to let them know.”

“I hope they were good to you.”

“They were. Both of them.” I settle against his chest again, feeling like I can finally breathe. “Charlotte told me about the position.”

“Your position?”

I nod, toying with the leads on his heart monitor. “That’s quite the illustrious role. She said it was one of your demands. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“I know how it must have looked, but I always had your best interests at heart, Tally.”

“I finally get that. Sorry it took me so long.”

“It’s okay.”

“Good.” Here comes the big announcement. “While I appreciate being offered such a job, I’m going to have to turn it down.”

His eyes narrow in confusion. “Why?”

I bury my head in his chest, loving the smell that is intrinsically Owen. My Owen. “I have a couple of positions I want to explore, outside of cardiac nursing.”

“Tally, are you leaving Memorial?”

I meet his bewildered stare and nod.

“What positions? Another hospital?”

“No.”

“Okay, mysterious Sphinx. Talk.”

I trace along the planes of his face, hoping he can feel the emotion in every touch. “I love taking care of people. It’s what I do. But I’d like to focus on two specific people.”

“What are you saying?”

“I think you should take the position at Regent Hospital. Move back to Asheville and be close to your family.”

He stiffens beneath me as he struggles to sit up. “Tally, I’m not leaving you.”

I stroke his chest, calming him. “Who said anything about leaving me? I’m going with you, but not as a nurse. I want to spend the next few years as a wife and mother.”

He grabs my hand, pressing it against his lips. “You don’t want to see the world? Live the glamorous life?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’m the punk chick, remember? Besides, I will see the world, with my husband, and our children.” His expression is so unreadable, I only hope I haven’t angered him with my decision. After all, he went through an enormous hassle to deliver that position on a silver platter. “Is that okay?”

A grin splits his face, and I have my answer. “Tally, that’s perfect.”