novelxo Chapter Billionaire My Husband 314
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JESS
THE NOW....
The machines filled the room with their unrelenting hum, the rhythmic beeping of Laura's heart monitor a painful reminder of where we were. She looked so small and fragile in the hospital bed, her body nearly swallowed by the tangle of wires and tubes that kept her alive.
I adjusted the tiny bundle in my arms, rocking gently as I held Laura and Josh's newborn daughter. She squirmed a little, letting out a soft whimper, but soon settled again as I guided the bottle to her lips.
Josh sat beside Laura's bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his head hung low. He hadn't spoken much since we got here. Luke stood behind him, one hand firmly planted on Josh's shoulder as if he were holding him together with sheer willpower.
The door opened, and I glanced up as the surgeon walked in. His face was unreadable as he looked over the machines, checking the monitors before speaking.
"The latest EEG shows no changes," he said, his tone clinical but calm.
Josh's head snapped up, his body tense, and I felt the weight of the moment press down on all of us.
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"In this case," the surgeon continued, "that's actually a good sign. We're keeping her in the coma to allow the swelling to subside. It's the safest approach right now." Josh gave a slight, hollow nod, his shoulders sinking slightly. Luke squeezed his shoulder, murmuring something too low for me to hear.
I focused on the baby, keeping my movements smooth and steady as I rocked her. She was so tiny, so perfect. It broke my heart that Laura couldn't be here to hold her.
Josh glanced at me suddenly, his voice raw. "She... she probably wanted to breastfeed, right?" His words were shaky, like he wasn't sure if he should say them out loud. "She always talked about it."
I forced a reassuring smile onto my face, keeping my voice light. "Actually," I said, glancing at the baby in my arms, "she was having second thoughts. The whole pumping thing kind of freaked her out. She was considering bottles from the start." It was a lie, but it didn't matter. Josh needed to hear that, needed to feel like this wasn't another thing falling apart.
He nodded, his gaze drifting back to Laura.
I couldn't help but look at her, too. The ventilator did her breathing for her, the machines monitoring every function of her body. She looked like a shadow of herself, so far removed from the fiery, stubborn Laura I knew.
The baby let out a little cry, and I adjusted her in my arms, shushing softly. I felt Luke's eyes on me, his quiet strength filling the room even though he said so little.
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Josh was breaking. I could see how he gripped his chair's edge, his knuckles white.
"She's strong," I said, my voice more for myself than anyone. else. "Laura's strong. She's going to get through this."
Josh didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Laura's face as if he was willing her to wake up with sheer determination.
Luke finally spoke, his voice steady and low. "You've got to believe that, man. For her. For the baby."
I saw Josh's jaw tighten, his hands clenching into fists on his knees. I thought he might argue momentarily, but then he just nodded.
I pressed a soft kiss to the baby's forehead, whispering a silent promise to Laura.
I've got her. Until you're ready, I've got her.
Josh shook his head, his voice breaking. "I wasted so much time," he said, his words muffled but clear enough to pierce the air. "If I wasn't such an idiot back then... if I'd just told her how I felt sooner, I could've had her from the start. We could've had this life-together- sooner. And now she's lying there, and I don't even know if she's gonna wake up."
I felt my heart twist as I looked at him, this usually unshakable guy crumbling under the weight of his guilt.
Luke knelt beside Josh, his grip firm now. "You'll have time, man," he said, his voice steady. "There's gonna be time. Going back in your head over and over-it's not gonna help. Trust me."
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Josh sniffed, finally lifting his face to look at Luke. The raw pain in his eyes was unbearable.
Luke met his gaze, his own eyes heavy with understanding. "I've been there, man. I've been where you are." He paused, glancing over at me, his expression softening as he caught my eye. Of course, he knew. He'd lived it. He'd been on the other side of this nightmare one too many times.
Josh shook his head, his voice quieter now. "What if she doesn't get that time? What if I don't get to tell her how I-"
"Stop," Luke interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "You can't think like that. You're here. You're doing everything you can. That's what matters. She knows, Josh. She knows."
Josh pressed his fists against his forehead, trying to steady his breathing. "I just... I just want her to wake up."
His words were so raw they sliced through the air like glass.
The baby stirred in my arms, and instinctively began rocking her again, whispering soft reassurances that weren't just for her. "She will," I said, my voice quiet but resolute. "She's going to wake up, and when she does, she's going to need you. Both of you." Luke gave Josh's shoulder one last squeeze before standing, his expression thoughtful. "She's the strongest person I know," he said, his voice low but sure. "She'll fight her way back. But you've gotta hold it together until then."
Josh nodded numbly, his eyes flicking to Laura's face.
The baby let out a soft coo, breaking the tension for a moment.
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I smiled down at her, her tiny fingers clutching the edge of the
blanket.
"She's got so much of Laura in her already," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else