‘Listen to me. It’s all going to be fine. Elliott’s the best in the world at this stuff. He could do it in his sleep. And she won’t get an infection next time.’

He’s right, I hope. The surgical team have already put in place a rigorous post-op protocol for Tabs, consisting of preemptive and highly specific antibiotics, weekly blood tests to spot infections early, and more regular follow-ups. Tabs will probably need antibiotics ahead of any invasive dental treatments for the rest of her life. None of it’s ideal, but it reassures me that this level of infection won’t happen again.

It can’t happen again.

‘Come here,’ Brendan says, scooping me up and lifting me sideways onto his lap. We’re alone in the absurdly comfortable waiting area. ‘I’ve got you. I’ve got Tabs. This won’t happen again, and you’ll never again have to face anything that does happen alone, no matter how routine.’

I stare down at him. His face looks creased and exhausted, and the tough part hasn’t even started yet. He’s been sleeping at his place but spending every waking hour at mine as we—he—put together this medical intervention of sky-high stakes and costs. I’ve had a front-row seat to not only his brilliant strategic brain, but his action orientation. Brendan is a doer. He gets things done to an extent that blows my mind, and I’ve never been more grateful for that particular skillset.

‘Listen to me,’ he whispers, his fingers playing through my hair. ‘The only way I’m going anywhere is if you tell me to. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m all in. I know I messed up really, really badly and treated you like—well, like you never should have been treated, and I’m so fucking sorry. I’ll never stop being sorry. But I need you to know that the only thing I care about in life is your wellbeing and Tabby’s, and I want to stick around. I want to be there for you at times like this, and at happy times too. The whole shebang.’ He pauses, his face beseeching. ‘Because I am stupid levels of in love with you. Stupid levels.’

I gasp and go to speak, but he puts a gentle finger over my mouth. ‘Don’t say anything. I just wanted you to know. It’s probably shitty timing, but I couldn’t risk you sitting here, all wrapped up in your worry and not knowing how very much I love you and how desperate I am to be here for you in any way that I can be.’ His voice drops to a whisper. ‘And I’m head over heels for that little daughter of yours, too.’