Jamison stayed by her side in the hospital room, always waking the instant she was haunted by another nightmare–as if he’d never slept, just kept watch over her all night.

In the middle of the night, Ivy jolted awake again, and the first thing she saw was his handsome face, sitting vigil at her bedside. Disoriented, she whispered, “Have you been awake this whole time?”

“I was asleep, but I woke up,” he replied gently. He couldn’t kiss her, so he traced her cheek lightly with the back of his hand.

The room was peaceful and still. The soft glow spilling from the bathroom down the hall made their little corner of the world feel even more warm and intimate.

Ivy savored his touch, her eyelids fluttering closed again.

Jamison gazed at her, utterly entranced.

When the night grew quiet and the hush pressed in, his fears crept out, and his voice trembled ever so slightly. “I need to wake up and see you safe, right here beside me. That’s the only way I can breathe easy.”

Ivy’s eyes flew open, stunned by the raw emotion in his words.

“Ivy, promise me–never put yourself in danger like that again. Even if people talk, even if it means carrying their judgment, don’t ever risk your life. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose you…”

Both nights, every time he closed his eyes, the image replayed–her body falling from the window right before his eyes.

Even in his dreams, he reached for her with everything he had, but always came up empty.

The despair in those moments drowned him. He’d never known pain like that in his life.

Listening to the rough ache in his voice, Ivy could feel the terror lodged deep in his heart.

She lifted her hand, wanting to touch his face, but hesitated, uncertain.

Jamison gently took her hand, pressing it to his cheek. His voice was soft and low, “It’s alright. You can touch me.”

As long as there were no cuts or scrapes, there was nothing to worry about.

Still anxious, Ivy let her hand linger just a moment before pulling away.

“I’m sorry, Jamison. We haven’t been together long, but it seems like all I’ve brought you is trouble and pain. Your family’s right–marrying me probably wasn’t your wisest choice.”

She said it with a smile, but guilt weighed heavy in her heart.

“Nonsense. You’ve brought so much happiness and sweetness into my life. And anyway, whether it’s wise or not–that’s up to me, not anybody else.”

He smiled, his expression tender and adoring, and playfully brushed the tip of her nose.

Ivy smiled back, her heart aching with gratitude.

How did she get so lucky, to be cherished by a man like this?

“Get some rest. I’m right here, you don’t have to be afraid.” Jamison knew she needed proper sleep to heal, so he coaxed her gently.

“You should sleep too. You’ve barely closed your eyes for days, staying up to watch over me. You’re more exhausted than if you’d been working overtime–look at those dark circles under your eyes.” She urged him too, not wanting her husband to wear himself out.

But Jamison didn’t want to leave her side.

The thought of being apart from her made him anxious in a way he’d never experienced before.

He had to admit, Emma had been ruthless.

That window ledge ordeal had left scars that wouldn’t fade anytime soon.

He hated the idea of sleeping apart from his wife, but her hospital bed was much too small for both of them.

Glancing at the cot where he’d been sleeping, Jamison grinned and got up.

Curious, Ivy watched to see what he’d do next.

He rolled his bed over and pushed it right up against hers, then lowered the rail between them.

Just like that, two narrow beds became one double bed.

“But you still have to keep your distance, and definitely no sleeping face to face,” Ivy insisted.

Even though HIV couldn’t be spread by breathing, it was better to be careful.

Sure enough, Jamison replied, “You can’t catch it through the air.”

“If you’re not going to listen, I’ll move the beds back myself,” Ivy said firmly.

Jamison had no choice but to agree.