Page 78 of The Payback Adventure
“Kissing you.”
A monitor blipped. For a moment, Elisabeth thought it was her heart. She glanced at the bed.
Caitlin’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked at Elisabeth. The love in Caitlin’s eyes nearly knocked Elisabeth over. Caitlin’s gaze rested on Henry. “Daddy?”
The word was so faint, but Elisabeth heard it. A wave of relief, the size of a tsunami, washed over her.
Henry covered Caitlin’s hand with his. “I’m right here, princess. And I’m not going anywhere until you can come home with me.”
The corners of Caitlin’s mouth curved, and she closed her eyes.
A nurse ran into the room. “The monitors showed some movement.”
“Caitlin woke up.” As Elisabeth backed away from the bed to give the nurse room, tears of joy streamed down her face. “She opened her eyes, spoke, smiled.”
The nurse checked Caitlin. “What did she say?”
“Daddy.” Henry’s voice cracked.
The doctor arrived. Henry and Elisabeth stepped out into the hallway.
“I didn’t think she was going to wake up.” A sob racked her body. “I really thought we would lose her.”
“Not a chance.” Henry hugged her. “Caitlin’s a fighter. She’s strong like her big sister.”
The worst seemed to be over, but Elisabeth still struggled to hold it together. Using what little remained of herwillpower, she stepped out of Henry’s embrace. “Why did you answer when Caitlin called for Daddy?”
“Because she was talking to me,” he explained. “She asked if I would be her daddy a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t give her the right answer. I told her I was herfairy daddy. Lucky for me, she gave me a second chance today. I wasn’t going to blow it this time.”
Elisabeth tried to understand what he was saying. “You want to be her daddy?”
“I do.” The earnestness of Henry’s words brought tears to Elisabeth’s eyes. “I told you. I’m not leaving. I want to be Caitlin’s daddy and a father figure for Abby and Sam. And for you—”
“I don’t need a father figure.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a husband.”
Her mouth gaped.
“Okay, this is sudden. We’ve never been on a date or had a meal without the kids around. But I know it’s the right thing to do, and you’ll have plenty of time to think about it. You can go back to college and graduate. Maybe attend a music conservatory. Play with an orchestra or two. I’ll stay at the farm with the kids until you’re ready to come back and get married.”
As she stared at him, at Henry, realization dawned. This was no joke. It wasn’t a game or an adventure. This was real. He was serious. He wanted to be a permanent fixture at the farm and in her life.
In all their lives.
Her heart swelled with joy.
Henry wasn’t going anywhere. He was staying. “You have this all planned out,” she said.
“I tend to think I know what’s best for…for the people I love,” he admitted a bit defensively. “But it’s a good plan.”
“Are you sure this isn’t just you wanting to play fairy godfather? Or plan another adventure?”
“One hundred percent positive.”
“You told me you didn’t want kids.”
“I changed my mind.” Hope gleamed in his eyes and matched her own. “Have you changed yours?”
