The panic in her gaze softened just slightly at my voice. Tears filled her eyes.
"I'm right here," I whispered shakily. "I got you."
She tried to move again, reaching for the tube but I gently caught her wrist. "Don't pull it out, babe. Please." I pressed a kiss against her forehead quickly. "They said it's temporary. Just relax for me, okay?"
Tears slid slowly from the corners of her eyes into her ears.
I wiped them away carefully. "You scared the shit outta me. Thought I was gon' lose my mind waiting for you to wake up."
Her eyes stayed locked on mine.
I rubbed my thumb slowly across the back of her hand. "You're home now," I whispered softly.
Something in her expression shifted at those words. Recognition. Emotion. Her lashes fluttered again and more tears spilled free.
I leaned down resting my forehead gently against hers being careful of all the wires and tubing. "It's over, beautiful," I murmured. "They got her. Nobody's gonna hurt you again."
The monitor beside her sped up slightly. Her eyes closed briefly before reopening heavier this time from exhaustion. I pressed another kiss to her forehead. Her fingers tightened weakly around mine.
Emotion swelled in my throat. "I'm real, baby," I murmured softly somehow understanding what that grip meant.
A soft knock sounded before the nurse hurried in. "Oh!" Her face brightened instantly. "Well look who's finally awake."
Gianna's eyes shifted toward the nurse cautiously before coming back to me again.
The nurse smiled gently checking her monitors and IV lines. "You're doing so good, Gianna." Her attention shifted toward me. "How long has she been awake?"
"Just a couple minutes," I replied.
She nodded approvingly. "Good." Leaning over Gianna she softened her voice. "Blink twice if you're in pain, okay?"
Gianna blinked slowly twice.
"Okay." The nurse adjusted something on the machine. "I'm gonna get your doctor and see about lowering some of your sedation. You still have the breathing tube in so try not to panic. You're safe."
Safe.
Gianna's eyes flicked toward me again at that word.
The nurse noticed, smiling slightly to herself before stepping back. "You can stay," she told me quietly before slipping out again.
I sat back down beside her bed, not once letting go of her hand. Her eyes stayed on me.
"You really had me scared," I said quietly rubbing my thumb against her skin. "I was in here bargaining with God." The faintest amusement flickered through her eyes. "There she goes," I chuckled softly. "That's my girl."
Her lashes fluttered slower, exhaustion pulling her back under. I leaned closer brushing my fingers gently through her hair. "Go back to sleep, beautiful," I whispered. "I'll still be here when you wake up again."
Her grip loosened little by little until her body finally relaxed against the bed. But even asleep…she still held onto my hand.
Chapter 57
Ifelt like I was pushing through heavy fog.
Everything felt heavy. Even opening my eyes felt weighed. But I did…slowly, bright sunlight greeting me and making me squint.
"You're awake! Remy's she's awake!" Ronnie's face popped right over mine, her hair spilling in my face. "Bitch! Thank you, diversity Jesus's," she gasped.
I wanted to laugh because only she would say some shit like that. But all I could muster was a twitch of my lips.
