Chapter Forty Anton drove just under the speed limit towards the warehouse, wincing at every bump he hit in the road. He was carrying a precious cargo in his car. Bryn was coming home. She had been released from the hospital after 72 hours and was released in near perfect health. Most of the doctors were baffled by her complete turnaround in such a short time. Or how aside from the one direct transfusion for Max, there appeared to be no complications with her pregnancy. Dr. Leahs, though, was taking no chances. "I want you in bed for at least 3 weeks when you get home, Bryn." Although Bryn hadn't said anything at the time, other than frowning, she spoke up the minute she and Anton were alone in the car. "It's sure a good thing I was released from the hospital so I could die of boredom at home." "Hey!" Anton cast her a mock glare. "I take exception to that." "No vigorous physical activity, Anton...so unless you expect to entertain me otherwise while I'm lying in bed all day, we're screwed. No pun intended." She paused for a moment, a little grin coming to her face. "Then again, I'll be incapacitated...which means you'll have to make dinner and do the dishes, the laundry--I'm sure there's more that I'm missing. "Oh, I'm sure there's much more." He grabbed one of her hands and raised it to his lips. Every moment he could, he felt compelled to touch her, to reassure him that she was really with him, that she wouldn't be taken away in an instant. "You know your parents and your brother are going to be at the warehouse, along with Nathaniel and Lindy." She nodded, but made a face. "I know. Hopefully they can entertain each other, because all I want to do is crawl in bed and lay there like a slug. Oh, and have some Tylenol. My ribs are still sore." As he released her hand to turn the corner, she placed her hand on his thigh instead. "Thank you for being there with me, Anton. It was nice to be able to see you every time I opened my eyes. I really appreciate it, and I love you very much." "I love you too, Bryn. If you hadn't survived--" He cut himself off. He had promised himself that he wouldn't burden her with that while she was recovering. "Well, I'm very grateful that you have," he said, running his hand over hers. He pulled into the warehouse parking lot. "Do you think you can make it to the elevator, my dear?" She nodded. "Are you sure it's safe to leave your car out here?" "Ever since the accident I've had one of the guards take a walk around the parking lot every time a truck blocks their view. We're taking precautions, and hopefully we'll be able to move to a safer place soon." Getting out of the car, Bryn took a look around while Anton got the duffel bag out of the trunk. "I hope you're right about it being safer. Somehow I feel better here, where we have guards." Walking over to Bryn, he put his arm around her waist. "Are you ready, my dear?" Bryn nodded, self-consciously adjusting the scarf around her head. Together they entered the building, nodding hello and acknowledging the various employees well wishes as they headed towards the elevator. Once inside it, Anton punched the button for the third floor. He turned to see Bryn leaning against the back wall. "Are you okay, Bryn?" She chewed on her lip, nodding absently. "Aside from everyone staring at my head, I guess so." She took a deep breath, trying to get rid of the sudden moisture in her eyes. "Maybe I'll just become a hermit for