“Oh, I doubt that. They’re a little young for trauma.” He maintained concentration on her hand, though he was holding the needle and not stitching. “Maybe I can arrange a visit from the local fire department instead. That fire engine is very popular with the kindergarten-age set. A firefighter friend of mine, Lance, loves showing it off.” He looked up at her, the tension still in his face, even as he smiled at her. “The kids love it.”

Annika paused a moment, trying to figure out what put that tiny bit of fear in his eyes. “Sure.” She finally managed. “The children would love that fire engine! Let’s make it happen.”

He grinned wide, the tension finally leaving his face and body. “Consider it done.”

Annika inhaled the scent of him, clean and fresh, mixed with the sharp scent of rubbing alcohol.

The combination was strangely comforting, maybe even familiar. Her eyes met his, and she was powerless to look away, her guard slipping just a bit more.

“So...I was pregnant.”

Daniel paused in his work, his mouth set in a line, but his eyes were warm, and he said nothing, waiting for her to continue. Her guard melted away, and tears prickled at her nose. Daniel was mid-stitch, and even in her state she could appreciate that he was conflicted between wanting to touch her and breaking sterile. Silence stretched between them while Annika gathered herself.

“With his baby.”

Daniel nodded, finished the last stitch, applied antibiotic ointment, and wrapped up her wound with gauze and a small splint.

“Initially, he was great. He proposed, and said he loved me and wanted a family with me.” She paused, forcing herself to speak with clinical detachment. “Five months ago, I had cramps and bleeding in the middle of the night. He drove me to the ER. By the time he parked the car and found me, I had...lost...” She shook her head and swallowed her unspent tears. So much for detachment. “I had been waiting for him, but when he got there, he—he—” She searched the room for the words she still couldn’t believe. “He broke up with me right in the ER. Said the only reason he proposed was to do ‘the right thing.’ And today, he acted like it was nothing!”

She thought about the hospital band that she always carried. It reminded her of the worst day of her life. Of that night. It reminded her that if she could survive that, she was stronger than she thought. But those damn tears burned behind her eyes again. They filled her eyes, though she was determined they not fall. “I was so stupid!” Well, so much for no tears falling.