The whole world was open to him and all that mattered was he would find a way to be a full-time dad and, hopefully sooner rather than later, husband.

He had zero doubt that this was love for him. It had happened fast and under extreme circumstances, but his feelings were real, and there was no denying the chemistry that had been there from the start. Now he just needed to hope it was the same for her, or at least that it could be in the future.

Deep down, he knew that if they’d met under normal circumstances, they’d have begun dating and within weeks would have been just as serious as he felt now. But he also knew she didn’t trust his feelings—and probably didn’t trust her own—because they could be clouded by the baby and the nightmare she’d just survived.

So he’d be patient. He could be content just holding her for now.

A nurse entered the room and snickered at seeing them snuggled together on the narrow bed. “Well, it looks like someone is feeling better.”

He smiled at the woman, whom he remembered from when he’d been installed in this room hours ago.

“Sleeping drugs did the trick, just like you promised.”

“And look, Ms. Kendrick is still here.” She winked at him.

Oh Lord. He’d been loopy when the painkiller took effect before he fell asleep. He must’ve told the nurse he was concerned he’d wake up alone, just like last time.

He supposed finding Audrey sharing his hospital bed made it clear his drug-induced fears had been completely unfounded and warranted a bit of teasing. He wondered what else he’d said in his loopy state.

“I need to check your vitals now that you’re awake. I should probably ask Ms. Kendrick to get up…”

Audrey started to scoot back, but he tightened his arm around her. “No can do. She’s twelve weeks pregnant and can’t be expected to sleep in that miserable chair. She stays.”

The nurse gave a knowing smile, and he realized he’d probably shared that detail with her too.

“Yes. I am aware. And I was going to add that I’m going to look the other way for now given that you both are VIPs and all.”

“VIPs?” Audrey asked, her body relaxing against him now that it was clear the hospital police weren’t going to be called in.

“Well, no one has told us what happened to you both except for Mr. Rivera surviving a mudslide, but it’s been made pretty clear by the admiral and captain who visited and the calls that have come in from NSWC that you did something special that warrants preferential treatment. This is why you have a private room and we aren’t enforcing visiting hours.”

He smiled. “Audrey’s the hero, not me.”

“Hardly,” she objected.