“Hey, no worrying allowed.” Alana brought her out of her dismal thoughts.
“I know, but it’s hard,” Faith admitted with a loud sigh. “That place was a rental, but it will take time to look around for something else. I have no idea if I even have clothes left. I have work to worry about on top of everything else. I feel so overwhelmed with problems.”
“You and Holly can stay with me and Noah. We have a big house and plenty of room,” Alana suggested. “You’re part of our family, Faith, and we help each other out.”
Faith smiled and grabbed Alana’s hand. Alana was such a good person. The baby would have family even if Adam never accepted them. “Thanks, but let me think about it. I am exhausted right now and my mind is just too tired to think.”
“I have to get to work. I just popped in to say hi.” Alana stood up. “I’ll call you tonight. In the meantime, don’t worry. You need to rest and just worry about you and
the baby. Adam was really worried about you. I know he will be here soon.”
Faith took a nap and woke up when she heard the door creak open. The nurses were constantly checking up on her. It was annoying even though she knew it was their job. If only she had a home to go to.
Adam stood in the doorway, looking unsure of his reception. She was too tired to argue with him. He walked into the room slowly. She couldn’t help but notice how snug his long-sleeved gray shirt fit him, emphasizing his muscles. His hair was pulled back as usual. He looked tired.
He stood over her and she felt uncomfortable with him seeing her look so crappy. The nurse had helped her shower and pull her hair into a ponytail, but the white gown made her complexion look paler than it was.
“Hey.” He smiled gently, smoothing her hair back. She soaked in the feel of his hand on her skin. She closed her eyes and pretended for a minute that he really cared about her. It felt nice.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” she replied. “Thanks for the roses and for saving my life. I had no idea you were even there last night. I don’t remember anything.”
“You scared the shit out of me. When I heard your address over the radio I was terrified.” He sounded upset.
Faith put her hands over her stomach. He was probably worried about the baby. Alana had mentioned he asked for a copy of the ultrasound. “The baby is fine, Adam.”
“I was worried about you, Faith. I may have given you the impression that I am an unfeeling bastard, but that’s not true. I do care about you, not just the baby,” he insisted firmly.
Her heart lurched with excitement and she had to calm herself down. He meant he cared as a friend. “Thanks. Us being friends will make it easier for the baby. I saw her today.”
She couldn’t hide her joy. Adam looked confused then his eyes widened. He grinned. “It’s a girl?”
She nodded. “I’m just happy she is okay. I was so terrified when I woke up here. I felt so sick when I got home from work. I threw myself on the couch and fell asleep. I must have been heavily asleep. I don’t remember you pulling me out or the ambulance ride here.”
“You should have called me, Faith. I would have come over and helped you.”
“We argued, Adam. We said no more contact until the birth of our baby,” she reminded him.
His eyes filled with grief. “I’m sorry for what I put you through, Faith. You didn’t deserve it. I realize now that I do love you, Faith. I have for a long time. I was just being a coward because I was afraid of losing someone I love again.”
She put her hand up to stop him. She didn’t want to believe in him only to have the rug pulled from under her when he calmed down. “No, Adam. It’s just the panic talking from the scare you had yesterday. You said you were scared when you saw the fire. Once you calm down, you will realize it was the fear talking. You’ll regret all this emotional talk. You hate this kind of stuff, remember? You will change your mind and remind me no one can take the place of Josie.”
He shook his head in denial. He gave her a sincere look. “I realized my feelings before the fire. I was calling you when the alarm went off and we headed to your house.”
He looked sincere but she had a hard time believing he could do such an about-face in such a short time. She couldn’t handle any more stress. She had to put the baby first. Adam was too much work. The doctor told her that her blood pressure was high. She needed to quit stressing over everything and rest. Easier said than done but she had to try.
“You don’t believe me,” he stated dejectedly. His shoulders slumped down but she refused to feel any sympathy. He had hurt her one too many times. He sighed loudly and changed the subject.
“When can you leave the hospital? Do you have a place to stay?”
“Red Cross is paying for a hotel for three days,” Faith told him. “I have to look for another house to rent or maybe I should just buy. The baby needs a stable home.”
“You and Holly can stay at my house. Noah’s old room is empty,” he suggested.
Faith would never be able to live in the same house as him and not have him. It would be too painful. “I don’t think that is a good idea, Adam. We’ll fight in twenty-four hours and say hurtful things to each other. We agreed to stay away from each other.”
“I’ll behave. I promise.” He crossed his finger over his heart seriously but Faith snorted. “Yeah right.”