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“You said last week you thought the surgery might set him back?”
“The antibiotics are working. The surgery was a success. All the fragments of the bullets were removed successfully. A small piece of bone was lodged in his oesophagus, but surgeons removed it avoiding any major damage or blood loss.”
“So, he’s over the worst?”
“I’d say we’re almost there. Once he wakes up we’ll be able to assess the extent of aftercare he’ll need. For now, keep talking to him. He’s responding well to you.”
I am awake. I’m here.Babe, I’m right here!Short, sharp breaths send shooting pains to slice through my lungs.
The door closes, and a silence drops in the room.
My eyes dance behind my lids. It’s only when I feel soft lips press to my head do I feel the fire in my lungs start to subside.
“I’ve got to keep talking to you.”
Yes, keep doing that.
“You’ll be sick of me soon. It’s all I’ve done.” Her voice is soft. It’s like music to my ears. I’d never grow sick of her. She moves to sit on the side of the bed next to me. It dips as she lowers to it. “You need a shave.” She kisses me, and inwardly I smile. “I’m going to go home later. I don’t want to leave you, but it appears you had everything we chose in the shop, delivered to the house.” She laughs knowing I’d do anything to make her happy. “I don’t even know how or when you did that.”
Before all of this, I wanted to make sure she had everything at the house ready.
“I have an appointment, and Travis is probably right. I should go, try to sleep properly.” I hear her let loose her breath with a sigh. “Lynn sends her love. And Mum and everyone else. Hopefully, if you wake up soon, you’ll be able to see some more people. For now, I’m keeping them away. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
There’s a long moment of silence. Jesus Christ. Move you idiot, move.
She lifts off the bed, once again kissing me. I can smell her sweet smell. It’s intoxicating. “The safest place I have ever known is in your arms, Dean. I need you to wake up and let me back in.”
An avalanche. That’s the only way to describe the emotions that barrel their way over me. They smother me, leaving me once again unable to breathe.
No. Not again.
Don’t take me away.
I won’t go.
Let me stay!
Straining against the weak muscle, I slowly lift the lid of one eye. I’ve been gone longer than I wanted. I can’t make out anything around me. It closes, and I try again. Lifting it higher this time, the silhouette of a woman comes into view. I squint my eyes to make her out better. Judging by the fuller belly, I’d say that’s my girl.
My lips part, the skin so dry I feel it cracking. Movement on my left lets me know she’s not alone in here. I close my lips as a man steps closer to her.
“Do you not think you should be taking it a bit easier? The midwife said you shouldn’t be putting yourself or the baby through unnecessary stress.”
Travis.
Mads laughs. “Unnecessary stress? Travis, my whole life has been unnecessary stress. I’ll be fine, they’re just minor pains.”
Oh, my girl is tired judging by her tone.
“You’re tired.”
“No shit,” we say and think in unison. I smile and prise my eyes open to look at them. Mads is standing, her hands on her hips.
“Come on.” Travis moves her to the seat in the corner of the room, making her sit. Neither of them have seen me coming to. “Talk to me.”
“About?”
“About what’s stressing you.”
