Menopause to Matrimony (Fortytude Series Book 2) Read Free

a shake of his head.
    “Oh, you two have made me so happy!” She rushes Kiran to shower his face with kisses, and Ahsan gives me a warm embrace. Meanwhile, Kiran directs a good-natured eye roll at me and laughs.
    After Geena is finished expressing her excitement, I’m standing at the foot of Kiran’s bed and pat his leg. “I don’t know how much info they’ve given the kids and Luke about what’s going on, so I better get out there and fill them in. I’ll be back in a little bit. I know you’re in good hands.”
    I leave the emergency room to find Hayden, Carly, and Luke in the waiting area. They all stand once they see me. “How is he?” Carly asks first.
    “I think he’s going to be okay. He’s resting now. We’re just waiting for some answers.”
    Carly and Luke look tired. It’s kind of late now for us homebody types. Carly has thrown on one of her husband’s football jerseys and some sweats, her hair pulled up into a ponytail. However, I can tell from Hayden’s buttoned collared shirt and black jeans that I pulled him away from a night out with friends.
    Luke pulls me into his arms. “How are you holding up, love? You okay?”
    I welcome his hug and hold onto him for a few seconds before answering. “Yeah, I’m better now. Now that it seems like he’s doing okay.”
    “So what exactly happened?” Hayden asks.
    I give them a brief recount of the events leading up to the paramedics arriving at the restaurant.
    “Wait a minute,” Carly says. “You guys got engaged?”
    I hold up my hand, flash them the ring, and smile.
    “That’s fantastic, Anna Banana!” Luke says, as the three of them take turns giving me hugs of congratulations.
    ***
    A couple hours later, we learn that Kiran’s bloodwork does show evidence of a heart attack, and an angiogram is scheduled for late the next morning to see if he has any blockages.
    Luke and the kids return home, but Geena, Ahsan, and I remain now that Kiran’s been admitted to the hospital and given a room. He’s been dozing off now and then, and the three of us are basically doing the same in our seats, with little conversation in between.
    “You guys should go home and get some rest,” Kiran says. “All of you. Anna, you may as well go back to the hotel for the night since it’s closer.”
    “But I want to stay with you.” I rise to stand beside him.
    “So do I,” Geena adds.
    Kiran shakes his head. “I appreciate that, but there’s really no need for you to be here until tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
    Honestly, if the tables were turned, I’d feel the same; not wanting my loved ones hunched over in chairs all night, hovering over me. And he probably feels like he can’t sleep with us all keeping watch, but I don’t feel right about leaving him. What if something happens while I’m gone?
    “If it’s all the same to you,” Geena says, “I’m staying.” The three of us know that word is final, and there’s no point in arguing it.
    With my eyes, I let Kiran know how much I want to be the one to stay with him. Not that she and I both can’t stay; I don’t think the staff would object, but I was hoping his parents would go home at some point. I can’t say I blame her, though. If it were Hayden or Carly, I wouldn’t want to leave either.
    Kiran looks up at me and touches my face. “It’s past midnight. You’re tired. Go back to the hotel and enjoy the room.”
    “I won’t be able to enjoy it without you.”
    “I’ll be fine. If I decide to have another heart attack, I’ll make sure to wait until you get back.” He says this totally deadpan, in a most earnest tone. After all this time, I’m still taken off guard by his dry sense of humor.
    “That’s not funny, Kiran,” Geena says.
    I turn to her. “Right?”
    “Father, if Mother’s not going to see reason, you at least should, and get some rest, too.”
    “Very well, Kiri.” Ahsan leans over and kisses the top of his head. “Come, Anna. I’ll drive you back