“Relax,” he whispered as she continued to gasp for air. “It’ll be okay. No matter what happens, I’ll take care of you, I promise.”
She raised her head and met his gaze. Her eyes were red from crying, and James felt like crying, too. One of them had to maintain their wits, though. He wiped her face dry as his mind searched for comforting words.
“We’ll figure this out together, okay? I’m not mad at you,” he assured Maria.
“I was afraid you’d leave,” she gasped, her eyes filled with torment.
“No, never, Sweetie. I love you,” he said. James sighed and adjusted his hold on her body. “How long have you known?”
“I had my suspicions,” she began. “But I found out for sure yesterday.”
James nodded, his mind full of questions. “Do your parents know?”
“No,” Maria answered. “I told Lori, though.
