Chapter 349 – Aftermath
Cora
It’s hours, hours later when I finally have a moment to step back and breathe. And when I do, I feel my head spin and stumble back a step or two. Roger is there, instantly, his hand on my back.
“Cora,” he says, pulling me closer to him, tilting up my face so that he can study me. “Are you all right? You’re – ”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, frustrated, trying to push away and get back to work. I have a moment to breathe, but honestly there’s so much more that – needs to be done for these men –
“No,” Roger says, stubborn. “You’re pushing yourself too far – you’re pregnant, Cora -”
“Roger,” I sigh, turning to glare at him in earnest now and putting a hand on his chest. “This cannot be the refrain that I hear for the next nine – or six or however many months, all right? I am not going to stop doing my job-stop healing people – just because I’m pregnant.”
I hear Roger begin to growl in protest but I lock my teeth together, staring up at him, hard. And, slowly, I see him start to relent, to remember the person who he chose as his mate.
“This is my life, Roger,” I whisper, ” my identity. I’m a doctor – I made an oath! I’m going to help them.”
a step back. “But Cora, please
be careful – I’ll stop before I’m totally exhausted. I won’t put myself
asks, looking me over
pause, closing my eyes and checking in with myself. Honestly, I’m not far off – but there’s still so much that these men need. Honestly the extent of the burns that they
when I look up at him again I feel him place his hand against my
stay still so he can check in on the baby. Roger closes his eyes and concentrates and I’m a little sorry as I
I want him to have the full fatherhood experience, with all of its blessings. And it breaks my heart that my body – my
forward to press his lips against
nodding. And then I turn to him fully, peering at some of the red skin
usual. Like whatever that priest did to hurt us like this
of the skin below before I
for me. As Roger puts a sweet, concerned hand on the side
arms out, inviting her in for a hug which she happily accepts. “How is Sinclair?” I ask, looking to the corner of the room where her mate naps lightly,
hurt than anything, and he’s frustrated,” she says, giving a chagrined little smile to Roger. “I
a missed opportunity,” Roger murmurs, shaking his head. “And he burned all of his supplies on his way out, along with us, so
between the beds, speaking kindly to any of the men who are conscious and willing to report
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