Page 55 of Still Yours

The nurse walked her down to the ICU. It was dim and cold. Plus, the smell of rubbing alcohol made her nauseous, but she kept moving. She had to see for herself if he was okay. Not prepared to see him at his worst, she walked in and broke down crying. He was still in an induced coma and hooked up to wires.

“Talk to him, let him know you’re here. He’s critical, but he is stable. He can’t respond and may or may not hear you. He just needs to heal. Sometimes a familiar voice is the best medicine in here,” the nurse assured her, but Pretti was too distraught to respond. She sat in the chair next to his bed.

“How many bullets were they able to remove?” Pretti asked through sniffles.

“He took fifteen, but a lot of them were grazed wounds. The one that caused the most damage was the one in his neck. They were able to get it, but it’s going to cause nerve and brain damage.” Dexz was saved by the structure of his car because the impact from the gun was slowed down when the bullets were going through the door, causing most of the hits to not penetrate his skin deeply.

Pretti sighed. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I’ll leave you two alone.” The nurse walked out of the room.

She stood over his bedside and ran her hand across his cheek, reaching under the cover for his hand.

“Who did this to you?” she asked, hoping she would get an answer, but he was out like a light. He looked at peace, which scared her. She knew the way he was laid in a hospital bed was the same way he could have been laid in a casket.

She took his hand and ran it across her stomach. “You have to wake up. I have good news for you.” She smiled to herself, trying to make light of their situation.

Tears fell from her eyes as she kept his hand on her stomach. She told herself she wouldn’t share her news until Dexz woke up. Everything she told him in the past had come to fruition, so he had to live. She had buried all her feelings for Dexz and remembered all the times she told him she would end up with him as an adult. She always thought it would remain a fantasy, but now it was really happening. She had her dream man, even though the streets were trying to take him away from her.

“I’m not leaving your side until you wake up. I promise.”

$$$$$

In the softly lit hospital room, Pretti sat at Dexz's bedside a month later, her fingers gently laced with his. His eyes were open, a hint of recognition flickering within them, but his face carried the weariness of a man who had just emerged from a long, uncertain journey.

“Dexten,” Pretti whispered, her voice filled with relief and apprehension. “I have something to tell you.”

Dexz turned his gaze to her, his eyes wondering what she had to say.

“I'm pregnant,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Ethan is going to have a brother or sister. We’re about to start our family.”

When she fainted and woke up, the doctors told her that they had taken her blood and found out she was pregnant. She knew she was a couple of months along and knew for a fact it was his baby.

A faint, half-smile tugged at the corners of Dexz’s lips, his eyes softening as he held Pretti’s gaze. Though his speech was lost, the love in his eyes spoke volumes–an assurance that he was overjoyed by the news.

Pretti’s eyes welled up with tears, and she gently leaned in to kiss his forehead. “I know you can't talk right now, but I can see it in your eyes. You’re happy, aren't you?”

Dexz blinked slowly, his eyelids heavy, but the warmth of his gaze remained fixed on Pretti.

Burner stepped forward as if on cue, his broad frame filling the room. He wore a solemn expression, his eyes reflecting concern and determination.

Over the last month, he had heard a lot of rumors, and Lunden was missing in action to answer his questions. He knew him and Dexz had beef, so he wondered if Lunden was involved. The streets had been hot with the police dying to get questions answered, so he had been laying low and only coming to the hospital late at night. He was thankful Dexz had woken up close to two in the morning during one of his visits.

“Yo, lil bro,” Burner said, his voice a low rumble. “Glad to see you up, my nigga.”

Dexz shifted his gaze to Burner, his eyes lingering on his friend.

Burner continued. “You took a big hit, bro. Word is, the nigga that killed your pops sent the hit.”

Burner met Dexz’s gaze squarely. “Don't worry, though. I’ma get the truth. Oh, and that nigga Lunden is missing in action, but I know he ain’t dead.”

Dexz’s eyes held a mixture of gratitude and understanding as he processed Burner's words into his foggy brain. He could hardly remember what happened to him.

“I’ll fill you in on all the details when you’re stronger. Spend time with ya’ lady, and congrats on the baby,” Burner assured him, his voice softer now.

Pretti leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on Dexz’s cheek. “You're going to get through this, baby. For us, Ethan, and for our baby."

Dexz’s gaze shifted back to Pretti, his eyes conveying determination and a fierce sense of purpose. In that moment, the unspoken promises and unwavering support reminded them that, even in the face of adversity, love and loyalty could light the way through the darkest of times.