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Her entire body seems to relax at my words. “I love you too.”
With hands that are still trembling with both relief and elation, I send a text to our parents and our friends. Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I tell her about everyone who’s been coming to see her. I tell her about our parents cleaning the house and stocking our freezer for when she comes home.
She drifts in and out of sleep, but I don’t let myself get worked up about it. The doctor warned me this might be the case. I’m perfectly content to sit here with her, holding her hand until she wakes up again.
“Have you been here the whole time?” Her voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Leaning forward, I press my lips to her hand, which is still entwined with mine. “Yes.”
“You look exhausted.”
“Thank you.” I smile at her. “You look beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes. “We’re already married, Legend. I’m certain beautiful is not how I look at the moment.”
“You’re always beautiful to me.”
Her gaze softens. “You should go home and get some rest.”
“No way. I’m not leaving here unless you’re with me.” The words are barely out of my mouth when the doctor comes in with good news.
“Your vitals are excellent. We’re preparing a room for you now in the step-down unit. Congrats, Mrs. Raines, you’re leaving ICU.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” I stand to shake his hand. “When can I take my wife home?” I thought that the weight of worry was gone, but his words are what finally lift the heaviness from my chest.
“She’ll spend another night just so we can monitor her and get another day of IV antibiotics. She’ll need to eat, drink, and use the bathroom on her own. If she’s doing all that, and there are no setbacks, you should be able to take her home tomorrow. I’ll make rounds around eight, and if she does well overnight, we’ll start the discharge process.”
“Hear that, baby? You keep kicking ass, and we’ll bust you out of this joint tomorrow.”
The corner of her mouth lifts in a smile, and my heart squeezes in my chest.
She’s going to be okay.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
Monroe
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?” my mom asks.
“Mom, I’m fine. I promise. Legend is taking good care of me.”
“Oh, I know that.” She waves her hand in the air. “That man loves you.”
“Yes, that man does,” Legend says, walking into the room. He places a bowl of his mom’s chicken soup on the table next to me. “She made a fresh batch.”
“She told me on the phone earlier. You all have to stop spoiling me.”
“Never gonna happen, gorgeous,” Legend says, kissing my temple.
“Well, we’re going to get out of your hair. Legend, you let us know when you’re going back to work. Your mom and I already decided we’d take turns keeping Monroe company,” Mom tells him. I don’t know how they’re missing work, but I know there’s no point in arguing with them over it. They’ll be here regardless.
“I don’t need—” I start, but they both give me a “don’t argue look,” so I give up.
“You’re weak, baby. The doctor said you have to take it easy. Your body is still healing.”
“Okay,” I agree because I know they need this more than I do. I’m feeling so much better. My throat is a little sore, and I’m weak, but the doctor assured me that as the days pass, it will get better too.
