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“Tess, we’re declaring an all-clear. You’re free to leave.”

“All right.” She barely heard her supervisor because Derek’s words tumbled through her mind as she hung up the phone.

I think I’m falling in love with you.

“Is something wrong?” Derek asked. “You look pale.”

“Yes. No, er...the snow emergency is over.” She was all too aware of her nakedness beneath the sheets. What had she done? “I can go home.”

Derek’s dark brows pulled together. “I’d like to drive you home, but I can’t leave until seven. Will you wait for me?”

“I can drive myself.” She clutched the sheet, easing away. “I’m sure the plows have the major streets cleared by now.”

“Tess.” He put a hand on her arm, as if to stop her. “You’re doing it again, running away from me. From us.”

“I - need some time alone.” Her voice sounded strange, distant, even to her own ears. “To think.”

“I meant what I said.” Derek tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’m falling in love with you.”

Her eyes flashed and she jerked away from his touch. “We’ve only known each other a few days. How can you love me? You don’t even know me.” Fuming, she searched for her discarded scrubs.

“I knew from the moment I saw you, my life had changed. Our first night together, I discovered your great sense of humor. Your laugh was infectious.” She didn’t want to listen, but his voice tugged at her while she gathered her stuff. “After tonight, I know you’re a warm, compassionate nurse who’s been hurt in the past and I can only promise not to do the same.”

“That’s not enough.” Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper as she clutched her clothes to her chest.

“I know you take responsibility seriously. And I know you’re carrying my baby.” Derek wouldn’t give up. “All I’m asking is for you to give us a chance.”

“I need time, Derek. This is just so much to take in all at once. I’d never keep you away from your child, but as far as a relationship goes -“ she swallowed hard “- I’m just not sure.”

The expression in his eyes was dark, tormented. She expected him to push harder, but he surprised her by nodding.

“I’ll give you time, Tess.” He stood. “But remember how hard I searched for you, after that first night. And how thrilled I was to find you, before you told me about the baby. From the moment I saw you, I was attracted to you. And making love again just now only reinforced how wonderful we are together.”

She didn’t have a response to that, so she slipped into the bathroom. As she leaned weakly against the door, she knew his words would follow her all the way home.

*** Derek finished his shift and headed to his apartment across the street, wishing he dared go straight to Tess’s place. But he’d promised to give her time.

And a few measly hours probably wasn’t enough, damn it.

She was slipping through his fingers. Again. And he didn’t know how to convince her that his feelings were real. Hell, they were so real they scared him to death.

When he’d found her in the ICU, he’d known their futures were irrevocably linked. But he hadn’t anticipated the news of the baby.

At first he’d been ecstatic about being a father. Now he resented the very connection he’d once desired, because Tess hadn’t believed him when he’d confessed he loved her. She thought he was handing her a line, because of the baby.

Nothing was further from the truth.

But how could he convince her?

*** Five excruciatingly long days passed before he saw Tess again. He’d called often, but she hadn’t returned his messages. They kept missing each other at work, too.

When his buzzer sounded on Saturday morning, his heart leapt with hope. He used the intercom to answer. “Yes?”

“Derek? It’s Tess. Do you have a minute?”

He had way more than a minute, but tried to remain calm. “Of course, come on up.” He pressed the button to release the lock then went to open his apartment door to wait for her.

She looked wonderful, casually dressed in worn jeans and a green wool sweater beneath her bulky coat. He could barely keep himself from hauling her into his arms and kissing her.

“I’m so glad you stopped by. You look wonderful. Do you want something to drink?” Cripes, was he babbling? He needed to get a grip.

“No, I’m fine.” She shed her coat, then stood awkwardly in his living room. “I thought I should tell you in person.”

His gut clenched at her solemn tone. “Tell me what?” She glanced away, but not before he saw the pain in her eyes. “I’ve had some bleeding.”

“Oh, Tess, I’m sorry.” Now he did cross over to pull her into his arms. “When? Why didn’t you call me? I would have been there. There’s no reason for you to go through this alone.”

She didn’t resist his embrace, but hid her face in the crook of his neck. “Do you really mean that?”

He was shaken by the news, already grieving for the baby that might no longer be, but he was more worried about Tess. How much blood had she lost? Was she really all right, emotionally?

“Of course I do. Nothing is more important than you, Tess.”

She pulled away, enough to search out his gaze. “I want to believe you.”

He squashed a wave of frustration but kept his tone calm. “I wish you could believe me, too. I’m not the one who hurt you. I wish I could take care of the guy who did.”

She sighed and blew out a breath. “I guess I should explain. My dad was a doctor, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital. He left us when I was a senior in high school. Afterwards, my Mom started taking sleeping pills. She was a mess, hardly able to cope. I was the oldest of five kids - I had to keep our family from falling apart.”

Derek nodded, finally understanding what she’d gone through and why she had such a strong aversion to doctors. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m usually the responsible one, until I met you.” She placed a hand over her flat stomach. “I haven’t lost the baby yet, but you need to know, it’s a real possibility.”

“I won’t deny how sad I’d be if you lost the baby, but I meant what I said. Making sure you’re healthy is my main concern.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “It’ll be okay, Tess. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

She was quiet, then reluctantly pulled away. “You scared me when you said you were falling in love with me. Mostly because I’ve been feeling the same way. And I’m so afraid of ending up like my mother. My family is still pretty much in chaos.”

“You’re one of the strongest women I know.” Derek hadn’t met her mother, but he knew Tess. “I wish I could give you a guarantee, but I can’t. All I can ask is for you to give me a chance to prove we’re different. We are not your parents.”

“I know.” She raised her gaze to his. “I’ve been telling myself the same thing. I don’t want to ruin what we have.”

The tightness in his chest eased. Cautiously, he asked, “And what do we have?” With a hesitant smile, she gently placed her hand over his heart. “I’m not exactly sure, but I’m anxious to find out.”

Not an overwhelming proclamation of love, but he was willing to take it. After all, they had the rest of their lives. He hauled her into his arms where she belonged.

“Me, too.”

The End



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