Where is here?
Rhett’s eyes met mine, and I was lost in their depths. They were like an ocean of love, and I never wanted to look away.
He pulled me closer, and we danced together, our movements effortless and graceful. Every step was in perfect harmony, as if we’d been practicing our whole lives.
“I love this song,” I admitted as I heard the soft melody.
“And I love you.” Rhett kissed me.
We stopped by a serene pond; its surface reflected the colors of the rainbow sky above us. Rhett leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a tender kiss again. It was a kiss filled with all the love in the universe, a kiss that made time stand still.
“I want to do that forever,” he said against my mouth.
“Please,” I begged and held him close. The beat of his heart matched mine. “I never want you to stop.”
We lay down on the soft grass, our fingers still intertwined. I rested my head on Rhett’s chest, and I could hear the steady rhythm of his heart again. It was a comforting sound.
“I never want to leave.” I ran circles on his hard chest.
“But you have to, baby boy.”
“Why?” I rose onto an elbow and peered into his sad eyes.
“Because I need you to.”
Slowly, the surrounding colors faded. I felt a growing sense of unease, a distant awareness that something wasn’t right.
“Wake up for me,” he pleaded.
“Wake up?” I echoed.
Rhett’s voice became fainter, his touch less real. I reached out to him, but he slipped away, and a feeling of intense loss washed over me.
My eyes fluttered open, and I stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling.
The slow beeping of a machine filled my ears, and I turned my head to find IV bags and a heart monitor at my side. My throat felt funny, and I realized I had a tube in it. I tried to move, but my body felt heavy. Panic welled inside me until I heard a soft, reassuring voice nearby.
“Easy, Fallon. You’re in the hospital. You just had surgery.”
My gaze settled on a kind-faced nurse standing beside my bed. Her words made sense as my groggy mind cleared. Surgery. Someone had shot me.
“Your family stepped out for a moment, but they’ll be so happy you’re awake. Let me remove the tube from your throat.” She laid the bed back and then pulled out the tube. She had me cough as she slid it out, and it burned until it was free.
My throat was scratchy, and I croaked out, “Water?”
“You can’t have water yet, but I can get you some ice chips to suck on.” The nurse lifted the bed back upright and left. She returned a minute later with a cup of ice. “Open up. I’m sure your arms are heavy.”
They were. Everything felt heavy.
She dropped a piece into my mouth, and the cool liquid soothed my throat as it melted.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, my voice still raspy.
She smiled gently. “You’re welcome. Just take it easy for now.”
I nodded, my eyelids heavy. It was a struggle to keep them open, so I closed them.
The exhaustion from both the surgery and the ordeal before made me fall asleep again.
