Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
He explained the procedure and gave me time to think it over without being pushy.
That night when we got home, I knew what the choice would be. I wanted to hear our daughter’s laughter, to not have to read lips in order to understand things or have someone speaking directly into my ear. The only way I could do any of those things was by going through with the surgery.
The mere thought brought tears to my eyes.
Sitting in the outpatient room, we wait for the doctor. Lucca is nervous, his knee bouncing up and down while he clenches my hand in his. Our little girl is resting her head against his shoulder, watching me earnestly.
She is the best thing to happen to me, aside from meeting her father, of course.
“I love you. Everything is going to be okay. If it doesn’t work, then we will try something else. I won’t stop until you hear again, just like you could before.”
All I can do is smile. We didn’t know if the new device would work, but anything was worth trying.
The door to the room opens, and Dr. Rome walks in wearing his white coat. Now is the moment of truth. He smiles at me, obviously sensing my nervousness.
“Are you ready?”
I nod, feeling the urge to throw up. I’ve never wanted something so badly before. Natalie lifts her head from Lucca’s shoulder, watching the doctor intently as he walks closer. Lifting his hand, he presses on something behind my ear.
“Can you hear me?” he questions, his voice booming in my ears.
A slow smile spreads across my face. “Say something.” I jerk my head toward Lucca. His eyes are large and excited.
“I love you.” The words are like a balm to my scarred heart.
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Claire,” Lucca repeats himself, his smile so large it overtakes his face. Natalie blinks slowly and feeding off our energy, smiles and coos. Her baby voice fills my ears, and there is no sound quite like it.
My hearing aid from before allowed me to hear but only small amounts. Everything was a whisper, and now, I can hear everything without missing a word.
“This is good. It looks like the surgery was a success.” Dr. Rome beams, flashing his white teeth. “We will need to go over care instructions and such, and I would like you to schedule a follow up just so I can make sure everything is still going well.”
“Babababa…” Natalie squeals while reaching for me.
The sound is so loud, I flinch, but still, the smile refuses to slip from my face. I would forever be grateful to hear her cries and laughter.
“Of course, thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”
You’d be surprised what money, and a little fear, got you in this world. Julian Moretti had everyone in his pocket.
“It was my pleasure. Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll send a nurse in to go over care instructions,” he says one last time before waving goodbye.
Natalie practically leaps from her father’s arms and into mine.
“Oh, my goodness, you’re a daredevil.” I brush a few blonde curls out of her eyes before pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
“The best part about you hearing isn’t just the fact that you can now hear our daughter loud and clear.”
“Oh, really? Then what is it?”
A mischievous look flickers in his eyes. “It’s that you will now be able to hear every moan and grunt I make as I fuck you raw, claiming you as my wife over and over again.”
Jesus, hearing him speak now. The deep, rough sound makes me shiver. My core tightening with anticipation.
“Is that a promise?” I smile, holding Natalie tighter to my chest. I have the best life a woman could ask for, and I’m loved by a man who has never given up on me.
“It isn’t just a promise, Claire. It’s a vow, a goddamn guarantee. You’re mine forever, and I’ll make sure you hear just how much I love you every single day.”
Tears fill my eyes but don’t fall. Ever since that night when Lucca saved me from my father, I felt broken.
I’m no longer broken.
I’m happy, whole, and loved.