When Aurora awoke, she found Tyler at her bedside, sitting in an armchair near her bed, fast asleep. His breathing was calm and steady, as if watching over her had exhausted him far more than he had admitted.
She stood up slowly, careful not to wake the baby in his crib. She leaned toward Tyler, studying his serene face. He looked even more handsome asleep, his locks falling carelessly over his forehead.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently brushed the front locks back, almost in spite of herself.
What was she doing? Admiring a man who had watched over her all night? Perhaps it was fatigue that was making her react this way... Yes, that must have been it.
She started to cover him with the blanket on the edge of the armchair, but a hand stopped her.
Aurora jumped slightly. Tyler slowly opened his eyes, and their gaze met.
"Are you done scrutinizing me?" he murmured, an amused smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Aurora felt her cheeks heat up slightly.
"You... how long have you been awake?"
"Fifteen minutes. I preferred to remain silent so as not to wake you."
Aurora crossed her arms, feigning indifference.
"You could have at least signaled when I got up. Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by staring at you like that."
Tyler straightened slightly, still smiling.
"Me uncomfortable? No. I'm actually honored to see you're fascinated by my beauty."
Aurora rolled her eyes.
"Like you needed any more confidence."
"Confidence has never been a problem for me."
She shook her head with a small smile, before glancing at her empty lunch tray on the nightstand.
"Thanks for breakfast. Were you here all night? For me?"
Tyler stood up slowly and moved closer to her, clutching his medical records.
"For who else? I didn't have any appointments yesterday; I only came for you two."
He glanced at the baby, sleeping peacefully.
"He's perfectly healthy. And so are you. You can go out today."
Aurora nodded, relieved.
But the respite was short-lived.
Tyler looked more serious.
"I guess you didn't tell Jasper."
Aurora took a deep breath before replying, her voice calm but resolute.
"Whether he has amnesia or not, I don't love him anymore and I don't want him in my life. He was the first to sign the divorce papers, and he's been badmouthing my family, so you can stop talking about him right now."
Tyler studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"You won't have a choice, though. He called last night to report that you'd shot his wife. I had to use my status as... let's say, former mafia member, to prevent the police from finding you and taking you away."
Aurora showed no sign of surprise.
"I have to say, in all my life," Tyler continued, "I've never seen a woman about to give birth have the energy and courage to go to a family member's house and shoot them. You were truly crazy, though."
Aurora shrugged slightly.
"I did what I had to do."
Tyler stared at her for a long time, his eyes searching for emotion behind her impassive facade.
He finally sat down on the edge of the bed, his voice softening.
"Tell me honestly... did you really think you'd go back to him, even if he'd regained his memory?"
Aurora hesitated.
She knew the answer was no, but hearing Tyler ask that question, with such raw sincerity, troubled her more than she'd imagined.
"Honestly," she whispered, "I couldn't have."
Tyler smiled slightly.
"I couldn't have stood for you to go back to him. But I wouldn't have stopped you, even considering…"
He paused for a moment, then continued, more quietly, "My feelings for you."
Aurora blinked, her breath catching for a split second.
She'd expected many things, but not this.
Her gaze locked with Tyler's, trying to understand.
"I prefer to be honest," he added softly.
Aurora felt her heart pounding in her chest. She looked away slightly, confused.
Tyler watched her reactions, then continued.
"I know this all seems... complicated. But I can't ignore what I feel. Not after everything that's happening to us."
"Thank you for being there for me."
She took a step closer and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Tyler stood still for a moment, then smiled slightly.
Aurora took a deep breath and whispered, a hint of amusement in her voice:
"Besides, I wouldn't say no to a little help choosing a name for this little cutie."
Tyler gently placed the baby back in her crib and gave her a knowing look.
"What if we asked everyone for help? Especially your mother?"
Aurora nodded, a tender twinkle in her eyes.
"Good idea."