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“Today we’ll wean her off the drugs. She’s been breathing well on her own, which is why we removed the ventilator. I’ll warn you now; she may not wake up right away or be very aware of her surroundings. So, don’t just expect her to snap out of it. I know most people think that happens, but it doesn’t. They’re still very groggy when they come off the meds.” Dr. Benson tilts his head. He looks at Liz with compassion.
The doctor and Liz talk a little more. My mind’s more focused on hearing her voice and seeing those emerald eyes. The doctor turns to leave, and I walk up to him and shake his hand.
“Thanks, Dr. Benson.” I can feel the excitement and the hope pulling inside my chest.
“You take care of that one. She’ll need a lot of healing time.” He shakes my hand back, placing his other hand on top of mine. I nod and head back to Kat.
Liz eventually leaves to go tell Mark what the doctor said, leaving Kat and I alone in the room together. I let her know everything the doctor said and how excited I am to have her wake up.
While her mom is still out of the room, I pull out a little red box. Inside sits a beautiful platinum hand-engraved, channel-set engagement ring with a round, two-carat diamond.
“I picked this out about a week before the accident. I was going to ask you once we moved into our new place. Well, once I got your parent’s permission, then I was going to ask you.” I chuckle to myself, my heart filling with hope at the thought of a new life together. “I’m going to marry you, Kat. You’ll be my wife, and I’ll be your husband. We’ll make beautiful babies, and we’ll love each other unconditionally.”
I wipe the wetness from my eyes. It’s a lot to say out loud, but I mean every word.
“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you know how much I love you, every minute of every day. You’re it for me, Kat. You’re what my heart’s been missing.”
I pick up my phone and turn on our song, setting it to repeat. Laying my head on the bed, I grab her hand in both of mine, kissing it and resting it against my cheek.
“You’re going to be coming back to me soon. I’ll be with you every step of the way. I love you, baby.”
Chapter 31
Katrina
Beeping.I hear beeping. My eyes feel heavy, and I’m exhausted. My body feels stiff. The smells are nauseating. It smells like bleach and antiseptic. There is a staleness in the air. I need to open my mouth to say something, but I can’t move it. Maybe I just need to go back to sleep. This could all be a dream.
“Baby, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes for me?” It’s Bryce. I feel his hands on my head, and I can smell him now, the autumn rain. It’s a much better smell, comforting and warming. But I still hear that damn beeping. I need to hold on to Bryce; he can bring me out of this. He can save me from whatever nightmare I’m locked in. Bryce! My head screams his name, and I try to make my lips form the words, but I just groan, too tired to do much else.
With every ounce of energy I have, I open my eyes a bit. Everything’s out of focus, but I can make out Bryce right in front of me. And I know it’s him because I can smell him.
“Hey, Kitty Kat.” He lifts my hand up and kisses it. “Welcome back.” My eyes focus a little more, and I see I’m in a hospital. My mind freezes as it tries to search out the reason I’m here. I can feel my eyes grow wide with fear.
“Bryce,” the words come out hoarse, and I barely get out his name. I don’t even recognize my own voice.
“I’m right here, baby. Listen to me, okay? You’re in the hospital. You were in a bad car accident, but you’re going to be okay. So, just take some deep breaths and relax. I’m right here with you.” Bryce leans in and kisses me. My lips are dry, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“Accident?” I croak. I don’t remember an accident. The last thing I remember is eating breakfast with Bryce before leaving for my therapist …
My eyebrows shoot up, and my eyes go wide. “T-the car ... hit m-me ...” My heart rate spikes when I realize the truth of my own words.
“Relax for me, Kat. Yes, there was a car, and it hit you. You’re going to be okay, but I need you to calm down. I’ll explain everything once you’re ready, okay?” Bryce caresses my face, running circles over my forehead with his fingertips. It’s soothing, and the movement helps me relax.
I’m growing a little more tired by the second. My body still feels heavy, and my eyes are getting droopy too. I close them and turn my head into Bryce’s hand.
“Shh. Just sleep, Kat. I’ll be here when you wake up.” That’s all I hear before I fall back into darkness.
* * *
My eyes open, and I look around. I’m confused. Bryce. I was talking to Bryce. I go to move my hand and realize someone is holding it. I look down at my hand and see him. He’s still here with me.
Bryce lifts his head and looks up. “Hey, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”
I grip his hand tighter in mine. “What’s going on? I need to sit up.” It’s then I realize that I have a cast on my arm and leg. “Bryce?” Looking down at my casts, my pulse races a little faster. The machines around me pick up my accelerating heart rate.
“Baby, breathe. Look at me.” Bryce puts his finger and thumb on my chin and turns my head. “I’ll tell you what’s going on, but I need you to calm down. Can you do that for me? Just look into my eyes and focus on me.”
“Yeah,” For a moment, I squeeze my eyes shut, then open them to focus on Bryce and steadying my breathing.