Page 102 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

She laid her head against his chest, then scooted down after lifting. “I think you’re right. I love the fun we have together. The teasing and the bantering. But times like this, I like this too. Where I can open up and be real and you don’t wonder if I’m joking or not. If I’m hiding something or being someone else.”

His breath hitched, just slightly. “Gabriela.”

“I’m not saying any other serious words,” she said quickly, almost a plea. “Not yet. Maybe not for a while. But I need you to know I’m not playing. I’m not passing time. I want the fun we’ve got, but know that it’s not just that. It’s notonlythat. It’s needed in my life, but the rest of what we’ve got—that’s needed also.”

He lifted her chin so that she had to meet his eyes. “You don’t have to say them,” he said, his voice low and his stare steady. “I hear them anyway. And you’re not alone. This thing tonight. What you did for me. I know it was for me, but I’m thinking it was for you equally. That’s the thing about a true partnership.”

Her eyes burned. He got it without saying much more. “That’s what scares me.”

“It scares me too,” he admitted. “But I’d rather be scared with you than safe without this. I was in that spot for way too long. I like being out of it.”

“I love being out of it,” she whispered and kissed him softly, then climbed off to walk to the bathroom, giving both of them a moment.

When she returned a few minutes later, he was sound asleep, the light still on, but his breathing nice and calm.

She flipped the switch, climbed in next to him, staying on her side like normal, but knowing that she could roll over and he’d hold her tight, even in his sleep.

30

TO LEAN ON

“Luca.”

Two weeks later, Luca was leaving his office to walk toward the hospital and start his rounds when his name was called.

He turned to see Gabriela’s cousin jogging to catch up to him. “Hi, Ava.”

“Got a minute or are you in a hurry?”

“I’ve got a minute. What’s going on?”

Though he might have guessed. It was not often OB wanted to talk to pediatrics.

“Your patient Taylor Owens. You reached out to see if she had her checkup with me.”

“Did she?”

He’d sent the message yesterday from home. Just checking charts and updates and had yet to see anything.

“Today,” Ava said. “She had an appointment two weeks ago and canceled it. I thought maybe they were, you know, exploring other options.”

“Without even knowing how far along she was?”

“They could have gone anywhere else for that,” Ava said, “but they did reschedule and I saw her a few hours ago.”

“I guess I missed an update to the charts.”

“Or the system is slow, but I’m sure you’ll see it later. I’ll give you a rundown if you want.”

“Yes, please.”

They were still walking, but much slower. There weren’t many around other than medical professionals, but they hadn’t gotten to a place they could go in and talk privately. At least that he knew of.

“Hang on a second,” she said when he opened the door and held it for her to enter the hospital from the connecting hallway. She led him to another door. “In there, it’s open. Not that I’m too worried, but I don’t like to always talk out in public either.”

“That’s fine.” He followed her into a room. One that patients could meet with staff in.

“She’s just over six months pregnant. On the small side.”