“I’m here now.” Nico glanced back at her grandfather. “I’m here for her.”
Clearly relieved, Granddad nodded, then hurried to join Phyllis in the waiting room.
“You don’t know what you’re—” Honora began, but then couldn’t speak anymore against the flood of pain.
Her husband didn’t flinch, no matter how hard her grip became. He didn’t look away. He looked straight into her eyes, letting her crush his finger bones without giving the slightest evidence it hurt him. He seemed unbreakable, and as she closed her eyes, lost in pain, she could dimly hear his low voice, telling her how powerful she was, that he was in awe of her strength, that she was an amazing woman, an incredible mother. That he loved her.
As the pain slowly ebbed, letting her breathe normally again, Honora looked at him.
“What did you just say?”
He smiled, and his dark eyes looked emotional, even tender. “Hello, cara.”
Honora felt a different sharp pain, this time in her heart. Had he followed her all the way to New York City just to tempt her, to torment her with what she could not have? It had nearly killed her to leave him in Italy, even knowing it was the right thing to do. She would no longer settle for second best. She could not give her life to a man who was incapable of loving her.
So had she imagined his words?
“What—what are you doing here?”
“I finally figured out what present to give you. The only gift you’d ever care about.”
He still thought he could buy her? Her rising hope crashed to the floor. “I don’t care about presents.”
“I never liked them either. Until now. Because I’ve found something I really, really want to give you.” Holding her hand, he came in close.
“My heart,” he whispered. “For you and the baby. I want to give you my heart.” His eyes had a suspicious gleam as he tried to smile. “The truth is, I already have.”
She looked at him in amazement. “You’re saying—?”
“I love you, Honora.”
She stared at him, stricken, afraid to believe. Then she felt the pain rise again, even worse than before. Again, he held her hand, helping her through it, telling her over and over again how proud he was of her, how he couldn’t wait to hold their baby, how much he loved her.
When she could finally breathe again, she said, “Why are you saying this? Just because you don’t want to lose me? You said you could never love anyone.”
“It was myself I didn’t love all these years. You were right. But I’ve learned the truth now. I spoke with Egidia at her villa—”
“You did?” she gasped.
“And she helped me realize that their rejection was never about me at all. It’s what you said. Everyone has secret bruises and broken hearts that they try to hide.” He paused. “You should know Egidia’s in the hospital, too. But don’t worry, she’s going to be all right. She broke her leg on some steps at her house, but I helped her get an ambulance—”
“You helped her?” The world seemed to be spinning. She felt another pain coming. Already. Too soon.
She squeezed his hand, closing her eyes as she endured the agony, surrendering to it. He held her hand quietly, calm and tender and strong. When the pain finally abated, she exhaled.
“All these years I was so wrong, about everything,” Nico said. “I thought being hard and cold and numb was the only way to protect myself.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the knuckles as he whispered, “Then I met you.”
She felt another rise in pain. Contractions were coming quicker together now, and harder. “Nico—”
“You’ve changed my life in every way possible. You’ve changed me, heart and soul.” He looked down at her, his handsome face glowing with intensity. “And I swear that whatever it takes, even if takes the rest of my life, I will find a way to win back your love.”
She looked up at him, and then her lips parted in shock. “You’re crying.”
“Yes.” He gave a ragged breath, tried to smile as he ran a hand over his eyes. “I feel everything. And what I feel most of all is how much I love you. How much I need you,” he whispered. “Please, Honora. Tell me I have a chance to win you back. To be the man you need me to be.”
He loved her. He actually loved her. The realization was the sweetest feeling Honora had ever known, even as she gasped with agonizing pain. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe you’re even here.”
He didn’t flinch as she gripped his hand tight enough to break a bone. “Your grandfather told me to come.”