“No,” she said, laughing. “I did it because you liked it, but I don’t care to ever see one again.”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell me that?” he asked. “I thought we had that in common.”

  “Guess you thought wrong.”

  They went back and forth asking questions and learning funny things about each other for almost an hour, when Ryder got up and walked into the kitchen to say that they should probably start getting ready.

  “I’ll make us coffee and some breakfast before Tommy gets up if you think you can eat.”

  “Maybe just some toast. I don’t want him to smell food when he can’t have it.”

  “Smart,” he said. “Guess I’ve got a lot to learn about being a parent.”

  She tilted her head at him. “You’re catching on pretty quickly.”

  He nodded and went to his end of the house to shower while she went to the other and he wondered how long it’d be before they could meet in the middle.

  19

  Coming Together

  “How are you holding up?” Marissa looked over at her mother who just walked in followed by Cody. She knew they wouldn’t be here by the time the surgery started. It was too long of a drive and too early, but they said they’d make it before Tommy was out of recovery.

  “I’m okay. They got a late start. He was supposed to be in by seven thirty, but it was closer to eight thirty. The OR they were scheduled in was running late, but it gave Ryder and me more time to sit and talk with Tommy.”

  “How was Tommy about it all?” Cody asked.

  She looked at her brother. “He was good. Ryder had him laughing along with Wyatt and Sam. Tommy was both of their first surgeries of the day so they spent some time with him playing games.”

  “Games?” her father asked. “How?”

  “On their phones. I didn’t ask and they were all occupied and laughing and it was fun to watch.”

  She’d never admit that sitting back watching the dark heads of the Fierce men and her son made her realize everything Tommy missed in life and just added more guilt to her shoulders.

  “As long as Tommy was relaxed that is all that matters,” her mother said. “We barely slept ourselves last night.”

  “Neither did Ryder and I. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  Ryder had already looked over and nodded his head to her parents and brother, but she figured now it was time to get the families their meet and greet.

  Ryder’s parents stood up and came forward. “These are my parents, Bob and Leslie McMillan and my brother, Cody.” She went around the room. “Diane and Grant Fierce, Ryder’s parents. Bryce, Ryder’s brother. His other brother Sam is in with Tommy and you’ll meet him soon. Garrett Fierce, Grant’s twin and his wife, Carolyn. Noah, Drake, and Jade are Ryder’s cousins. Drake and Jade work with Ryder too.”

  “Full house in here,” her mother said, smiling. Her father was more quiet and gruff and Cody looked a little intimidated by the large men.

  “We’d have more here,” Diane said, “but all our kids told their spouses they’d keep them up to date.”

  Marissa had been shocked when everyone showed up today and moved more than she realized. Then it dawned on her that it had more to do with supporting Ryder who hadn’t stopped pacing or jiggling his knees up and down if he was sitting.

  Bryce was pretty calm and had taken Ryder out of the room a few times; Jade had done the same to her.

  There were nerves in the room by everyone, but they were coming together as a family.

  “Did they say how long the surgery would be?” her mother asked.

  She looked at her watch. “Around two hours if there weren’t any issues. So probably another thirty minutes before we hit that mark. I’m trying not to watch the clock too much.”

  “I wanted to take her watch off,” Diane said. “But Ryder told me to leave her alone.”

  Her mother laughed. “I wouldn’t have stopped at her watch and would have taken her phone away from her too.”

  “Why don’t we go get some drinks for everyone?” Carolyn said. “Jade, you come with us, and Diane and Leslie.”

  “Sure. I could stretch my legs,” Jade said, walking by her and rubbing her hand up and down Marissa’s arm. “Sam and Wyatt are the best there are.”

  “I know,” she said. “I know it’s going to be fine. I just can’t wait for Sam to come through those doors.”

  She watched her mother walk out of the room and immediately start chatting with Ryder’s mom, aunt, and cousin. Her father and Cody went and sat down at the other side of the room, but Grant got up and went to talk to them.

  After everything she’d done to this family, they didn’t seem to care. Or they were putting it behind them and making her family feel welcome. Just like they did her when they first met Tommy.

  And forty minutes later, Sam came out and Ryder jumped up fast followed by Marissa. “It’s all good,” Sam said. “We got it all and I only needed to remove a tiny piece of his liver which should have no lasting effects on his health. We didn’t even need the vascular specialist in there, but it’s always good to have him on hand.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out, her eyes starting to fill, then before she could say a word, Ryder had her in his arms holding her tight and she hugged him back while she cried, not caring who was watching them.

  “Hey, buddy,” Ryder said to Tommy in the recovery room. “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired,” he said, his eyes wanting to pop shut, everyone could see.

  “I know,” Marissa said, “but it’s all over with now.”

  “It’s all gone?” Tommy asked, his lips curving. “I won’t get sick anymore?”

  “I’m not sure about that,” she said, smiling. “We all get sick, but not like before. Sam says you should make a full recovery and should be back to new in a few weeks.”

  “Good. I don’t want to miss too much baseball.”

  Ryder looked at Marissa and she shook her head for him to not say a word so he didn’t. Chances were baseball wasn’t happening this year or not for months. Not with the incision in his side and surgery to his organ. He and Marissa would have to talk later about ways to keep Tommy entertained if he couldn’t be active for a while.

  The nurse came in and said, “I need you to try to sit and drink some juice. What do you want? Apple, cranberry, orange juice?”

  “Apple,” Tommy said. “I’m hungry. Can I eat?”

  Ryder laughed. “They will let you know when you can eat.”

  “Let me get you the juice,” the nurse said, “and a few crackers. Once we know you can hold it down, Dr. Fierce will come in to check on you and we can get you moved to your room. I’m sure your mother can put your lunch order in for you.”

  “I want a burger,” Tommy told Marissa.

  She laughed. “I’m not sure you can have that just yet, but let’s wait to see what Sam says you can eat.”

  The nurse came back with the juice and crackers and his son started to eat them fast with Marissa telling him to slow down. “You don’t want to get sick. Remember you’ve just had major surgery and have an incision on your side.”

  “Sam said I was going to get glued back together. Isn’t that cool?”

  “I think it is,” Ryder said. “You’re going to have the marks of a warrior now.”

  “Nice,” Tommy said, finishing off his crackers and juice. “Do you have any scars, Ryder?”

  “Just a few from horsing around with Sam and Bryce as a kid. I cut my leg and needed five stitches. I broke my arm when I was your age too.”

  “You did?” Marissa asked. “You never said that.”

  “You could have asked me that with the twenty questions,” he said back, smiling at her.

  She was more relaxed now. He wasn’t sure how she’d feel about the hug in front of everyone, but damn it all, he needed to hold her and she didn’t fight him. Then he hugged his brother and everyone else in the room. If her family thought he was odd, he didn’t give a shit.

  His son just came out of major surgery and was fine and he was going to hug anyone that happened to walk in that room.

  “I’ll have to remember that for next time.”

  “Now that Tommy looks to be handling everything well, why don’t you two go back to the waiting room or in Tommy’s room. You know where it is I’m assuming?” the nurse said to him. “He’s not going to remember too much as he’s still a little loopy.”

  “Yeah.” Ryder led Marissa out and before they got to the waiting room he pulled her aside and figured he better let her know now in case she threw a fit. He’d prefer she didn’t do it in front of their parents. “I got Tommy a private room. I already know where and which one and we can all go up there soon.”

  “Why did you do that?” she asked.

  “So you aren’t sleeping in a chair tonight,” he said. She’d already said she wasn’t leaving the hospital. He was thinking of staying the night too but knew it might be pushing it. He’d go home and get some sleep and then come back in the morning and stay, hoping Tommy could be discharged tomorrow. If not, he had the room as long as he needed it.

  He could see she wanted to argue with him, but he pursed his lips and stared her down. “Thank you,” she said.

  “Now was that so hard?” he asked.

  “No. And I do appreciate it. So we’ll have the room to ourselves?”

  “Yes. There is another bed in it, but it’s for you to sleep in.”

  “You’re not staying?” she asked.

  “I figured you wouldn’t want me to, but I can.”

  “He’s your son, if you want to, you can too.”

  “Then I’d like to.” But when they got to the room he was eying the empty bed next to Tommy’s and the recliner. It did look much more comfortable than the chairs in other rooms, but it wouldn’t fit his frame well.

  By the time Tommy was settled, his lunch eaten and all the grandparents visiting, Tommy started to fall asleep.

  “Ryder, we’re going to leave now. Keep me up to date on what is going on,” his mother said. His brother and cousins had all left after the room ended up being filled with balloons and stuffed animals.

  “I will.” He gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek, never being one that was afraid to show affection to his parents.

  “We’re going to leave too,” Marissa’s mother said. “We’ll stop and get some food and then get on the road.”

  “Why don’t we all go get some food if you don’t mind?” his mother offered. Oh man. He wanted to tell her not to, but if his parents and Marissa’s got along it might help his case. “Unless you just wanted to grab something quick to get on the road?”

  “I think that’d be nice,” Leslie said. “Bob and Cody, are you okay with it?”

  “Sure,” Bob said. “I could get out of here before I have to sit in the car.”

  “Bob broke his back nine years ago,” Leslie told his parents. “He’s had a lot of surgeries and sitting around is hard for him, but the chairs in the waiting room were worse.”

  “If you don’t mind sitting outside and getting some fresh air,” Grant said. “I know the perfect place to get a fast bite to eat.”

  Ryder watched both sets of parents walk out the door, then turned to Marissa. “Are you hungry?”

  “I find that I am,” she said.

  He looked over to see Tommy sleeping. He knew his dinner would be in in a few hours but his son needed sleep. “How about I grab us something in the cafeteria and bring it up? I’m sure you don’t want to leave Tommy alone.”

  “No. I don’t want him to wake up and find me gone.”

  He nodded and walked out biting his tongue over the fact that he didn’t get to be by Tommy when he woke up daily.

  20

  A Little Bit Of Comfort

  The next night Tommy was tucked in bed at Ryder’s on the lower bunk, passed out cold. She’d fed him a turkey sandwich and some soup that Payton had dropped over for them. There was plenty of food for a few days, sandwiches and soups for Tommy to eat along with a few salads and some cookies and donuts. Good thing Tommy didn’t see them or he’d want them right away and she was finding she didn’t want to deny him much.

  Everything was going well, Tommy was doing great and not in a huge amount of pain, but they were still giving him some pain meds along with high doses of antibiotics. She knew it might be a long couple of weeks while Tommy recovered. Or more like while she tried to get him to slow down to not hurt himself.

  But she wouldn’t be alone this week.

  She had work to do and could do it remotely while Tommy rested. Sam even said he’d stop over tomorrow since he only lived a mile away and to call him for anything at any time. This wasn’t special treatment as much as it was the Fierce family taking care of their own.

  Her mother had even called her this morning to see how Tommy was doing and to say she had a good time with Ryder’s parents out to eat but didn’t say much more. She tried to get information out of Cody, but he said it was fine and there wasn’t much to say.

  It was better than if they asked her how it went with staying in that room with Ryder. How she and Ryder were sitting on the bed watching TV together and she’d planned on moving to the recliner to sleep but never got the chance.

  Nope, she dozed off with the TV on and at some point in the middle of the night, the nurse came in to check on Tommy and give him more pain meds, and she was on her side with Ryder’s arm around her waist.

  They both realized it at the same time, her jumping up and moving off the bed and over to the recliner, taking a blanket with her.

  Was it as comfortable as staying there with Ryder’s arm around her? Hell no. But she wasn’t about to do it again and give him any ideas.

  “I’m exhausted,” Ryder said when she walked into the living room. He was watching TV with his feet on the ottoman. They were both in shorts and barefoot and she found she was more comfortable in his house than she’d thought she’d be.

  “I know. There is such relief that it is over with. Or I hope so at least.”

  “I think so,” he said. “Sam is great. He’ll keep an eye on Tommy. As long as his liver functions are back up and everything is working well, Tommy should make a complete recovery. You heard Sam.”

  “I did. Now I just need to make sure Tommy doesn’t hurt himself while he’s recovering. He isn’t going to want to sit still for long.”

  “I’m sure. I was like that too.” He patted the couch. “Come sit here.”

  She hesitated but moved close to him and sat down. It was probably a mistake, but they seemed to be getting along so well. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, her head on his shoulder. “I feel like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and it’s only been there for weeks for me. You’ve got to be feeling so much lighter.”

  “I am. I do. I don’t think the timeframe matters when it’s your kid. Even if you did just find out about Tommy.”

  “No,” he said. She snuggled into his arm and sighed. “You miss this, don’t you?” he asked.

  She wasn’t sure if it was the weakness of everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours or the past several weeks. Maybe it was the past nine years. But it didn’t matter.

  What mattered was she was in Ryder Fierce’s arms once again and it felt like it did so long ago.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Then let’s go lie down.”

  “What?” she asked, moving back. “I go from being under your arm and relaxing and now you want to have sex like nothing has happened.”

  “Who said anything about sex?” he said. Yeah, he wasn’t so relaxed anymore.

  “You said you wanted to lie down.”

  “That’s right. Lie down. We’re tired. We’ve slept in chairs and hospital beds. We can go lie down on a nice bed and relax. We can watch TV, we can hold each other, we can talk. Or we can sleep. But I didn’t say sex.”

  “You wouldn’t turn it down if I wanted it though.”

  He laughed. “Do I look stupid? Of course I wouldn’t, but I didn’t ask and you didn’t offer. All I wanted was a little bit of comfort from the one person who can understand what I’m feeling right now. But obviously you still have a low opinion of me.”

  Ryder stood up and walked away, leaving her there alone. Just like she’d been so much in her life.

  Sunday morning Ryder turned when Sam walked down the hall. His family didn’t really knock. Or they did if they thought he might be home with a woman. They wouldn’t think any of that now and after he walked away from Marissa last night he knew it’d be even longer before he and Marissa moved toward another step.

  Shit, it seemed like just when the two of them were getting along, one of them says something that ticks the other off without even meaning to.

  “Hey, Sam,” Tommy yelled from the couch where he was watching baseball highlights and going through his Easter basket. They weren’t sure they’d be home today but wanted Tommy to at least know the bunny didn’t forget him.

  “Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling? I’m coming to do a home visit.”

  “Cool,” Tommy said. “Bet no one else gets that but me.”

  “None of my patients do,” Sam said. “You didn’t answer me. How do you feel?”

  “Good. Sore. It hurts when I move and it itches, but Mom said that is normal. I keep closing my eyes but don’t want to.”

  “Your body needs sleep. It’s healing. Try not to twist and turn too much. And don’t scratch it. Does it hurt if you cough or sneeze?”

  “I haven’t had to do that yet. Should I try?”

  “Nope,” Sam said.

  Ryder wanted to laugh at his son’s attempt at a joke. This morning he’d woken up ready to hit the floor running, but it didn’t last long and he soon ended up on the couch, his eyes drooping for a nap. Ryder had promised him some video games this afternoon playing against Noah and Sebastian once he’d had lunch and another nap and Noah and Sebastian were back home from their Easter dinner.