“Callaghan and his organization ambushed the house earlier than we were expecting them to,” Ivan starts to explain. “Callaghan found us in the living room with guns drawn. He fired, and you pushed me out of the way. The bullet meant for me ended up hurting you instead.”
I feel the warm tears start falling down my cheeks as Ivan gets choked up.
“You took a bullet to your abdomen and got a concussion when you dropped to the floor and hit your head,” Ivan continues. “You briefly woke up and said you couldn’t feel your legs. Yesterday was the first time you woke up since we brought you here.”
I sigh heavily at the information Ivan is sharing.
“You saved my life,lyubimaya, so I brought you here to save yours,” Ivan says as he kisses me softly. Our moment is interrupted by Doctor Paggan entering my room again.
“I have some very good news, Emma,” he says. “Your MRI doesn’t show any permanent tissue damage. Waking up and feeling your legs is further proof of that.”
“So what does that mean?” I ask him.
“That means you’re on your way to a full recovery,” Doctor Paggan replies. “Your bullet wound is healing nicely, and it doesn’t look like there’s any risk of permanent paralysis.”
“Great,” I say with a smile. “So when can I go home?”
Doctor Paggan laughs. “We’re going to keep you here for a few more days for observation and to start weaning you off the pain meds. If things keep improving, I’ll say you could be home by the end of the weekend.”
“Thanks, Doc,” I reply. He turns to leave, and Ivan and I are finally alone again.
“I need to go make some phone calls,” Ivan tells me. “I’m going to step in the hallway and you are going to rest.”
“Yes, sir,” I tell him.
Ivan gives me another kiss before stepping in the hallway. I settle into my hospital bed and closes my eyes, hopeful that I’ll be home sooner rather than later.
I’m stuck in the hospital for five more days. Ivan doesn’t leave my side once except to step in the hallway to take the occasional phone call. When the doctor signs my discharge paperwork, Taylor helps me get dressed and disconnected from everything.
“I really appreciate you taking care of me, Taylor,” I tell her as she wheels me to the elevator. Ivan carries my bag in one hand, and holds one of my hands with the other.
“It was my pleasure, Emma,” she replies. “You have my number, and we’re definitely getting that drink when you’re fully recovered.
“Looking forward to it,” I tell her.
Mikhail and Lidiya are waiting by the car when Taylor wheels me outside the hospital. Apparently, my hospital escape is a family affair because a second SUV sits behind the first one, and has Ivan’s brothers sitting inside it. I give them a small wave before Ivan helps me into the first car, then climbs in behind me.
I lean my head on Ivan’s shoulder for the entire ride home and occasionally doze off. Ivan doesn’t let go of my hand until he has to get out of the car ahead of me so he can help me down and into the house.
When we walk in, I’m greeted by Mrs. Ivanova.
“Welcome home, Emma,” she says, taking my face in her hands and kissing me on both cheeks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ivanova,” I tell her, returning the cheek kisses. I look around and notice that things are clean and back to normal. You’d never guess that two weeks ago there was a mafia shootout here.
Ivan leads me towards the living room, letting me lean into him while I walk slowly. He helps me sit down and makes sure I’m comfortable.
“Ivan, you’re hovering,” I tell him. He seems hyper-fixated on my comfort. “I survived a gunshot wound and a concussion. I may have some scrapes and bruises left, but I think I’ve proven that I’m not breakable.”
“Finally, someone to challenge you,” Lidiya says, sitting down beside me on the couch.
“I will protect you even more now after everything that’s happened,” Ivan tells me, propping a pillow behind my head. “What do you need?”
“I need you to relax and just sit with me,” I tell him, patting the seat next to me. He sits down and puts his arm around my shoulders.
“Emma, are you hungry?” Mrs. Ivanova asks from the entryway.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. Mrs. Ivanova turns toward the kitchen before I can even tell her what I’d like.
