Page 414 of Seasons of Love
"What can I say? A damsel isn't truly in distress until she knocks herself out."
"No more knocking yourself out. It's a rule from now on, okay?" he demanded.
"I think I can do that."
Mal was so warm and strong. I just wanted to go home so I could cuddle him in our own bed.
"Anyway, we're just waiting for the doctor to do the rounds. He said if you’re awake when he comes back, he'll discharge you."
I nodded.
"Mal…was Jake here earlier? Or did I dream that?"
"You didn't dream it, but you were a little out of it. Yes, he was here. He's gone to check in on Frank and Gabe and will be back."
I groaned when another memory came to me.
"Um…Mal, did I kiss Jake?"
"Yes, you did."
I looked up at him, but he didn't look upset like I'd expected. Quite the opposite.
"I have my own confession to make," he said. I felt his heart rate increase under my hand but waited to hear what he wanted to say. "Last night, when we were in the middle of the earthquake, I panicked. All of my training, common sense, everything…just left me. I froze. Jake kept calm and reassured me everything was going to be okay. When he found a way for us to get on the island, I was so relieved, and I didn't think, I just…I kissed him. I'm so sorry, Griff."
"Wait, hold on. You saw me kiss Jake right here in front of you, and it's like the most natural thing in the world, but you think I'm going to be upset because you kissed him too? I'm only upset that I wasn't there."
Mal took a deep breath and pulled me even closer.
There was a knock on the door before it opened, and Sam walked in but stopped when he saw I wasn't alone.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company. I can come back another time," he said.
"No, come in, Sam. Sam, this is my husband, Mal. Mal, it's a long story, but Sam is the one that called for help for me yesterday."
"In that case, I owe you more than you'll ever know. If you ever want a weekend stay at the resort, just let me know. I'll even throw in full catering and a spa treatment," Mal said.
"You work at the resort?" Sam asked. "That's amazing. I'll take you up on that, not to stay overnight, although that would be great, but to photograph the bunnies. I've heard the ones that live closer to the resort are very friendly."
"Sam is a photographer," I said. "That's what he was doing at the beach. Taking photos of his sister, Stacey, and her husband. Oh my gosh, how are Stacey and the baby?"
Sam broke into the biggest smile.
"That's why I came. Stacey is fine, although Carlos fainted and knocked his head on a table, so he had to have stitches, which Stacey and I will ever let him live down."
He pulled out his phone and then gave it to me.
"Let me introduce you to Griffin Samuel Cortano. Isn't he gorgeous?"
I looked at the photo of the tiny baby all wrapped up. He looked a lot like Stacey.
"She really named him after us?" I said, my words stuck in my throat.
"She did. She was going with Samuel first, but when I saw him, I thought Griffin was more fitting. Besides, we'd have to compete for all the personalized gifts every Christmas," he said, laughing.
Sam told Mal how we got Stacey off the beach before the stairs collapsed while I stared adoringly at baby Griffin.
I looked at Mal, wondering how long he'd want to wait until we got a baby of our own.
