Then I heard his soft, warm, soothing voice. The voice that seeped into my subconscious and poured into my ears. "Good morning, beautiful." His face appeared smiling. Handsome as always.
My fingers twitched. I wanted to reach out to him so bad. He pressed his lips to my forehead and my eyes fluttered closed briefly at the touch.
"I'ma go get her nurse and parents, Ronnie."
"Okay," Ronnie said.
My eyes followed him until he disappeared out the door.
"GG…sis. You almost gave me a heart attack," she sighed in relief, slow tears trekking down her cheeks.
My beautiful best friend.
I moved my eyes from hers down to her hand. I wanted to hold her hand. She followed my gaze where my fingers were twitching. As soon as she placed hers in mine, I squeezed her fingers weakly. She burst into tears one hand covering her face.
Tears leaked from my eyes, but all I could do was watch her and cry silently. Once I was better. I would wrap my arms around her so tight. I knew she had to have been terrified for me. Always so tough but a marshmallow deep inside.
I blinked slowly at her, my throat aching horribly. Everything hurt. It felt like I had been split open and stitched back together.
Ronnie noticed at once. "You in pain?" she asked softly.
I blinked once.
"Okay. The doctor better hurry up then," she said in concern.
The door opened again and my eyes instantly found Remy first. Always him. My eyes moved behind him finding my parents rushing in.
"Oh, my baby." My mama instantly came to my side gripping my face carefully between her hands. Tears flooded her eyes. "Thank God."
My dad stood beside her rubbing his hand over his beard repeatedly trying to keep himself together. I hated seeing himemotional. He leaned down and kissed my cheek warmly. "Welcome back, babygirl," he said voice thick with emotion.
My hand lifted weakly toward the tube. I wanted it out.
Ronnie grabbed my hand gently. "Don't touch it, boo."
The door opened again and this time it was the doctor with two nurses following behind him. "Good morning, Ms. Taylor," he greeted warmly stepping toward the bed. "I hear you've officially decided to join us." The doctor pulled out a small flashlight. "I'm going to check a few things first, okay?"
I blinked slowly.
He checked my pupils carefully before glancing toward the monitors.
"Can you squeeze my hand for me?"
I did weakly.
"Good." He smiled slightly. "Wiggle your toes?"
I shifted them beneath the blanket.
"Perfect."
Relief visibly crossed my parents faces.
The doctor pulled the rolling stool closer before speaking again. "Ms. Taylor, you sustained a gunshot wound to your lower abdomen. The bullet caused significant internal bleeding and damage to part of your small intestine."
My stomach knotted.
"But," he continued calmly, "you were very lucky. The bullet missed your spine, kidneys, and major arteries. Trauma surgery was able to repair the intestinal damage and stop the bleeding."
