Chapter 25

Michael could feel her desperation in the way she clung to him, sobbing. His own resolve crumbled, and he let his tears fall. Kicking off his shoes, he moved to sit beside her on the bed, holding her close.

“I’m here, Ani. It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm. “I’m here.”

His comforting words and familiar scent enveloped her, making her feel whole for the first time since she’d left him at the airport.

Fear gripped her, the fear that he might vanish, or worse, that he was just a figment of her imagination. She clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer.

“Don’t leave me!” she begged.

“I’m right here, Ani. I’m right here,” he reassured her.

A few minutes later, her sobs subsided. He gently turned her to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was scared you’d think I was trying to trap you. I didn’t know how you felt about me. I thought you might think I was like Kara,” she confessed, her gaze locked with his.

He saw the fear and sadness in her eyes. “Oh, Ani. I could never think those things about you. I’ve been such a fool for not telling you how I felt when I had the chance.”

“I’ve been miserable without you. Ollie’s been miserable without you. I thought I’d lost you forever. But now that I have a second chance, I’m not going to mess it up.”

“Anelise Morgan, I am so in love with you it’s making me dizzy. You’re the most intelligent, beautiful, compassionate, and loving woman I’ve ever known. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

Tears welled up in her eyes again. “I love you too, Michael. I’ve felt so lost without you and Ollie. When I found out I was pregnant, I felt hopeful because I still had a part of you with me. But I was scared to tell you.”

“Don’t be scared. I’m here now,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Are you okay? Leslie called and said you had to have a D and C…”

“I’m okay, just a bit groggy and sore... I’m sorry I lost the baby, Michael,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow.

“Oh, my love, that’s not your fault. Am I sad that we’ll never know our baby? Yes, but I still love you. And who knows what the future holds, okay?”

He intertwined his fingers with hers and kissed her forehead. “Now rest, okay? I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

She snuggled against him and closed her eyes, quickly lulled to sleep by the comfort of his presence. He settled in beside her, feeling complete with her molded to his side.

He was so content he didn’t notice the door crack open slightly, revealing three smiling faces.

Naomi turned to her daughters. “I think she’s in good hands. Let’s go home for the night and come back in the morning to see when she gets discharged.”

The three Rothchild women left arm in arm, their hearts lighter than they had been when the day began.

***

Sometime during the night, a nurse brought an extra blanket for Michael, who refused to leave Anelise’s side. When she woke up, they shared their grief over their lost baby and their feelings for each other.

She told him about the confrontation with her parents. Michael was shocked at their reaction and couldn’t believe they could be so inflexible.

“I’m so sorry, love. I can’t imagine how that must have felt. What can I do?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“Just don’t say anything when you go back, okay? I don’t want them to take this out on you. I’ll find another way to bring up our relationship to them. Wait, we are in a relationship, right?” Anelise asked suddenly.

“Yes, we are in a relationship. I’m not letting you go now that I have you back,” Michael replied with certainty.

“But what about after I graduate? You live next door to them! I can’t see them every day and have them micromanaging our life!” Anelise said.

“First, let’s get you graduated. Then, we can figure out the rest. I can always sell the house if we need to. I don’t care,” Michael reassured her.

“Right now, all that matters is that you heal, gain back some of the weight you lost—I miss your curves—and get your degree. We’ll talk every day and video chat with Ollie. Fair warning, though, he’s going to lose his mind when he sees you!”

She smiled sleepily. “Okay, one thing at a time.”

She drifted back to sleep, and he joined her, worn out from the emotional roller coaster of the past twelve hours.

Michael woke to the nurse helping Anelise out of bed to go to the bathroom. The nurse was pleased that she was hydrated enough to finally go.

Michael splashed some cold water on his face, realizing he needed to buy some clothes and toiletries when she got discharged.

He didn’t want to leave until she was home. He was helping her order breakfast when there was a knock at the door. He felt her stiffen beside him and rubbed her arm soothingly. She called out for them to come in.

Two large men walked in, and Anelise relaxed. “Hi guys! What are you doing here?”

“Mom said you’d need real food, so she sent us over,” JJ replied, handing her a large coffee and a bag of pastries.

“Just a heads up, Naomi’s in full ‘mother hen mode’ with you right now,” Christopher added, handing Michael a large coffee.

“Like when you got your wisdom teeth out?” Anelise asked, smirking.

“Oh hell no! More like when Ashley had her appendix out! Good luck, Ani!” JJ laughed.

“So what does ‘mother hen mode’ mean?” Michael asked, seeking clarification.

“Michael, meet JJ and Christopher Rothchild, Leslie’s older brothers,” Ani introduced. “JJ, Chris, this is Michael Whitlock.”

Handshakes were exchanged. “Good to meet you,” JJ said. “Just so you’re aware, we consider Ani as a little sister. If you hurt her, we won’t think twice about kicking your ass.”

“Or if you make her as heartbroken as she was when she returned from London,” Christopher chimed in.

“Haha, I get it. I have two sisters myself,” Michael responded, and a silent understanding passed between the three men.

JJ began, “When one of us is sick or hurt, our mom goes into ‘mother hen mode’. She’ll wrap you in bubble wrap and drown you in love and kindness until you can’t take it anymore!”

“Her intentions are good, but she takes ‘loving your child better’ to a whole new level! With Ani here and given the situation, this is uncharted territory for her, and she’s on high alert!” Christopher added.

The four of them sat, Michael on the bed with Anelise and the brothers in the chairs, chatting over pastries and coffee. The men enjoyed getting to know each other, and Anelise was overjoyed that they were getting along so well.

This was her family, and her heart swelled with love, despite the tragic circumstances that brought them together.

Just as they finished their treats, the door swung open and Kim walked in. “Anelise, I was just— What on earth are you doing here?” she shrieked, spotting Michael on the bed. Neil followed her in.

“You did this, you bastard?” Neil snarled, lunging at Michael, who was shielding Anelise. She screamed, and JJ and Christopher jumped up to restrain Neil.

“No! Dad, stop! I love him!” Anelise cried out, tears streaming down her face.

“Did you rape my daughter?!” Neil roared.

“Absolutely not! What the hell, Neil?! I would ~never~ do that to Ani or any woman!” Michael shouted back.

“So she willingly went to your bed? You’re a slut, Anelise!” Kim spat.

“I’m not a slut!” Anelise sobbed. “I fell in love with him!!”

“Neil, I understand you’re angry, and this has been an emotional time for you. You can hate me all you want, but don’t take it out on your daughter! Don’t call her those disgusting names!” Michael retorted.

Neil wrenched his arms free from JJ and Christopher. “Don’t touch me! I’m not going to hurt the bastard!”

“I’m so disappointed in you, Anelise. He’s too old for you and he already has a child! And you slept with him! I don’t even know who you are anymore,” Kim said, sounding defeated.

“I know how old he is, and I love his child! I didn’t plan on falling in love with Michael, but I did, and that’s my choice. I’m an adult.”

“And I understand that you feel like you don’t know me, and that’s partly my fault for not visiting more during breaks, but I couldn’t be confined to the little box you put me in.”

“I needed to be free and to be myself! Can’t you understand that?” Anelise sobbed, pleading with her parents as she clung to Michael.

Kim and Neil just stared at her for a few moments, then her father spoke. “I see you’ve made your choice. Good luck, Anelise.” They slammed the door behind them as they left.

The room fell silent except for Anelise’s sobs, and the men were stunned by what had just happened. Michael pulled her close and rocked her, trying to soothe her. He got her back in bed, telling her to rest.

Trying to lighten the mood, JJ said, “Well, I bet that wasn’t how you planned to tell your parents!”

Despite herself, Anelise giggled through her sobs, and soon they all joined in. The nurse came in to give her more pain medication and promised the doctor would be in to check on her and discuss her discharge.

Two hours later, Michael wheeled her down to JJ’s large SUV with discharge instructions, a follow-up appointment, and reassurances that this shouldn’t affect her ability to have children if she wanted. And she really did want that.

When they arrived at the apartment, they found it had been taken over by the “mother hen,” who immediately sat Anelise down. Naomi was fussing over her, making JJ and Christopher chuckle.

“Michael, I’m sure you’d like to freshen up,” Naomi said, handing him a bag filled with a complete outfit and toiletries.

“Wow, thank you, Naomi! How did you know my sizes?” Michael asked, amazed.

“From Anelise’s descriptions, I figured you’re about the same size as Christopher. And I’m glad to see I was right!” Naomi smiled. “Leslie, show Michael to Ani’s room and bathroom so he can shower and change.”

Naomi was a marvel, and Michael was grateful that Anelise had her and the entire Rothchild family supporting her. It comforted him to know that she had been well taken care of when she moved here.

That night at dinner, Johnathan came over to the apartment, bringing the food his wife had requested. After hugging Anelise, he sat down with the rest of them to eat.

“So Michael, Anelise mentioned you work in accounting and finance in Chicago,” Johnathan asked. “Who are you with?”

“I’m with Hancock Finance and Investments, and I also do forensic accounting,” Michael replied, wiping his mouth.

“So you were involved in the merger with Banks and Freindman? That’s why you were in London?” Johnathan clarified.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Johnathan put down his fork. “I heard about the fantastic job you did!”

“You did?” Michael asked, looking surprised.

“Your name was a hot topic in the finance world, especially after you discovered that $4.5 million discrepancy in their last fiscal year!” Jonathan said. “Impressive work!”

Michael blushed, thanked him, and missed the knowing glance Jonathan shared with Naomi and JJ.

***

Michael held Anelise close, his kiss gentle and deep. “I’ll text you tomorrow, see how you’re doing. Then we can arrange a video call with Ollie, okay?

“Will you call me when you land?” Anelise asked, her eyes locked on his.

“No, you need to be sleeping. I don’t want to wake you. You’re exhausted!” Michael said, causing her to pout.

“Stop! You’re tired, and you know it! We’ll talk every day, and Naomi won’t take no for an answer about us coming for Thanksgiving. So I’ll be back soon!” he said, smiling. “I love you, Ani! You have my heart.”

She pulled him in for another kiss. “I love you too, Michael. You have mine too!”

After one final kiss, he followed Christopher to his car, and they drove off.

“You have my number, right?” Michael asked. “I think I gave it to everyone.”

“Yeah, and I saw Mom make you put everyone else’s info in your phone. So if Ani so much as sneezes, you’ll know about it!” Christopher laughed.

“Thanks for the reassurance,” Michael replied. “I just hate being away from her while she’s recovering.”

“I get it, man. I appreciate that you’re looking out for her. She needs someone to care for her, to love her. So, thanks,” Christopher said, and Michael simply nodded.

He thanked the man he now considered a friend and got out to check his flight. It was going to be a long five weeks until he and Ollie could return.