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The King is at a loss for words. The regal, optimistic presence he normally commands is dimmer.
It’s about nine at night when the King stands up to leave, followed by each member of his family.
Liza rubs me on the shoulder.
“Hey, love,” she says. “Why don’t you go home and get some rest? You’ve had a long day.”
Ishmael nods in agreement. “You need to get away from this. Get some fresh air.”
I’m not budging.
“No,” I say. “I’m not leaving his side. I’ve slept in hospitals before, and I can get used to it again.”
I expect them to argue, but they don’t. Instead, they bring up a feast from the vending machine.
I keep watching Cedrick, hoping for signs of improvement.
Then I begin to wonder whether I’m the only one with any hope left. Ishmael and Liza had some blankets and pillows brought up, making the chair more comfortable.
I stand up, very gently kissing Cedrick on the forehead.
“Good night, sweet Prince,” I tell him. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
I wonder if he can hear me. There’s so much I want to tell him.
First, I’d like to apologize to him. Then, I’d tell him how grateful I am to him. That if he lives through this, I’ll never leave him. Because he’s the man I love.
Around four in the morning, I finally drift off to sleep, but I’m startled by a familiar groan as I feel sunlight in my eyes.
Under the weight of the blankets, I tilt my neck, staring at the medical bed.
He’s awake.
I nearly trip over the sheets trying to get out of the chair. “Cedrick!”
I’m screaming, tears streaming down my face. He’s unbelievably weak, but he’s alive.
Staring down into his eyes, I feel myself coming alive again.
“Is this a dream?” He looks up at me, barely able to speak. I just put my hands all over his face, feeling his skin, and he kisses my hands as I do.
“Do you remember it? From yesterday? The grocery store. You saved my life.”
He nods, his eyes gently closed.
“Ellie,” he tells me, lightly rasping.
“Shh.” I feel my knees buckling underneath me, my hand trembling on his shoulder.
“I love you,” he says, looking at me with pure adoration.
I can feel my heartbeat stop, barely able to accept the reality before me now.
Expecting myself to wake up in the chair, I find myself utterly bewildered when I instead stare down at him, and he smiles back at me.
“I love you, too, Cedrick. So much.”
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