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"Take all the time you need..."
I thank him before he turns to leave. As he steps out of the room, I turn back to Adonis and my heart fills with love for him. He has given so much for those he cares about without hesitation, and now he is lying here, vulnerable and defenseless.
He deserves so much more than this. He deserves to be loved and taken care of, and I vow then and there that I will do whatever it takes to make sure he gets everything he deserves.
29
Adonis
My eyes are like curtains heavy and of no use. I struggle to lift my head and open my eyes, fighting the heaviness of sleep. The dim lights of the room cast a dull flow, and I make out Raven's shape in the chair beside my hand. She is holding my hand, her skin soft against mine. I scan the room, hazily taking in the unfamiliar furniture.
"Where is Tim? Is everyone else okay?" My voice tinged with fear.
"Don't worry about him," she responds.
I can still see the gun pointed right at me, the loud bang, and how I risked my life to protect Raven. All of those in the diner... I did what I had to do... to protect them. It all comes back to me, it seems almost surreal how one action can save so many lives but also put my own life in jeopardy; alone the thought is already facing daunting odds. My heart starts to beat faster as countless emotions start running through me but amongst them are prevailed gratitude filled with a newfound purpose.
After I take a deep breath, my body relaxes letting go of any tension or stress that might have been stored up inside. "I'm so glad you're okay. I told you I'd protect you at any cost."
Raven is my everything, my reason for living, and I can't bear to think of what would happen if she wasn't there. When Tim showed up at the diner, I had no idea that he was armed. He was erratic and out of control. I had been clear when I spoke with him previously that we were together and to stop messing with her, and instead of leaving well enough alone, he showed up here? At her place of employment? With a gun? What in the ever loving fuck? Do I have a bullseye on my forehead? Why do I keep having run-ins with death?
Ryan sprints into my room, his face is pale, and his eyes wide with worry. He skids to a stop at the foot of my bed. For a moment, neither of us say anything. Then, without warning, Ryan steps forward and throws his arms around me, enveloping me in a tight hug. I am taken aback, shocked by the sudden show of emotion from my usually stoic best friend.
He pulls away and looks me in the eye. His gaze is full of gratitude and concern. "Thank you," he says softly, his voice cracking slightly. "Thank you for protecting my sister." A single tear runs down his cheek, and he quickly wipes it away.
I don't know what to say. We both know that I did what anyone else would've done in that situation, and yet somehow it feels as if his thanks means more. It is as if he is thanking me not only for my actions, but for protecting everyone in that diner.
"She could have lost her life tonight, and instead you almost gave up yours. You are a true man, Adonis. I can't wait to have you as a real brother someday."
I look over at Raven, and she is beaming. We haven't quite been dating long enough for me to propose but if I knew she would say yes, I might just attempt it. But I shake off the feelings because when I propose I don't want it to be from a hospital bed, and I want to be able to make love to her afterward. So, I push that thought down, and ask some questions. Where is Tim? Did the police get him?
My mind is racing, my heart pounding in my chest. I turn towards Ryan, searching his face for answers.
"Where is Tim? Did the police get him?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly as I wait for his response.
Ryan takes a deep breath before he replies. "The cops got to him before he was able to hurt anyone else. He's behind bars now." He pauses for a moment and then adds, "He won't be bothering us again anytime soon."
I exhale a sigh of relief and close my eyes in gratitude. I can relax. Raven wraps her arms around me and gives me a gentle squeeze. We stay like that for a few moments until finally, she leans back and looks at me with tear-filled eyes.
"Thank you," she whispers, her voice choked with emotion.
I take her face in my hands and brush away her tears with my thumbs before pulling her in for an embrace. "I was just doing what any man would do," I murmur into her hair as she buries her face into my chest.
We sit there quietly, letting our emotions fill the air between us until finally we separate and look into each other's eyes once more. This time though they are full of love instead of fear or worry. We lean forward and kiss passionately, our lips pressed together in an unspoken promise that we'll always have each other's backs no matter what life throws at us next.
Epilogue
Raven
Two years later…
I wake up early, the sun beginning to peek through the curtains. I sit up in bed, my heart beating a million miles a minute, my body buzzing with anticipation. Today is the day.
Adonis lays next to me, still asleep, his dark hair tousled and his body warm and inviting. I want to reach out and run my hands through his hair, kiss his forehead and tell him it is time to wake up, but I stop myself. This is a special day and I want it to be perfect.
I step away from the bed and move towards the bathroom. As I stare into the sink, I note my flushed cheeks and bright eyes. It almost seems as if I'm a character out of a mythological story. A smile crosses my face and I set my shoulders with determination, heaving the weight of preparation for the day ahead.
I step into the warm shower, letting the water run down my body. I let my imagination drift, picturing the wedding ceremony, Adonis dressed in his suave tuxedo and the guests in their fashionable outfits. I imagine the scent of the flowers, the heat of the sunlight, the aroma of the food and the melodic music playing in the background.
