I felt like I was going to be sick. I knew there was something wrong the moment I had Rebecca’s baby in my arms. Instead of being happy, I’d felt sad, like I had just lost something. I knew in that moment, the baby wasn’t mine, but what I didn’t know was that I was truly losing my own child.
“Ari, what time did you fall off of the horse?”
“What difference does it make?”
“I just want to know. ”
“I don’t know. It was probably an hour, maybe an hour and a half after you left. Why?”
I leaned over and started taking deep breaths. This was my fault. If I hadn’t left her, she would have never gone riding. She would’ve told me about the baby, and we would be home right now, making love. . . celebrating. . . and hoping Garrett didn’t walk in on us.
I had taken that gift from her. I tried with all my might not to do, it but I started to cry. I fell to my knees and just lost it. I took our child away from her.
The next thing I knew, Ari was on the floor next to me, holding me while I just cried.
“I’m so sorry, Ari. I’m so very sorry I left y’all. Oh god…please forgive me. ”
“It wasn’t your fault, Jeff. I’m to blame, and so is Rebecca. If she’d never tried to deceive you or if I had just told you the moment I found out about the baby. . . none of this would’ve happened. Please don’t blame yourself. Please, baby, don’t. We’re going to get through this…you and me together. Just promise me one thing. ”
“God, I would promise you the world, Ari. ”
“Please don’t ever let me feel like I felt when you left me today. I never want to feel like that again. ”
I gently moved her onto my lap and kissed her. The kiss soon turned passionate, and Ari let a soft moan escape her mouth. I just wanted to lose myself in her.
“Make love to me, Jeff. ”
I had to start laughing. “Um, did you forget where we were, baby?”
Ari looked around the hospital room and made a face.
“Fuck a duck. ”
Just then the nurse walked and immediately stopped, staring at us.
“What happened? Why are y’all on the floor? Ms. Peterson, why are you on the floor?”
“I’m not on the floor. I’m on my fiancé’s lap. ”
“Why are you on his lap on the floor?”
“Can I go home now? Please,” Ari said as she looked at the nurse and gave her a pouty face.
The nurse shook her head as she walked over to us and looked down. I felt like I was in middle school, and we just got caught making out.
“Mr. ?”
“Johnson, Jeff Johnson. ” I smiled up at the nurse.
She gave me a stern look in return. Yep, this felt just like middle school, especially knowing I didn’t want Ari to get up just yet because of my hard-on. Ari must have been thinking the same thing I was because she took it a step further as she rubbed her ass on me. Turning to face me, she gave me a Cheshire Cat grin. Damn, could I love her anymore?
I leaned over and kissed her. Pulling slightly away from her lips, I smiled.
“I love you. ”
Ari giggled. “I love you, too. ”
“Alright, let’s go. Let me help you up, Ms. Peterson. Now, take it nice and slow. Once we get you in bed, I will give you your pain pill. ”