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I could hear the paramedics talking, but their voices sounded far away. Troy’s voice, too. It felt like they were muffled whispers, even though they were right next to me.
“Monica,” said Troy, his lips against my ear.
“Hmm?” I sounded.
“Can you hear me?” he asked.
I nodded slightly.
“They think you have a concussion…”
“No,” I croaked. “I’m fine. Really.”
“You’re not fine.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” I said, my eyes opening and finding his. I was scared to ever leave his side again. I had almost lost him. He had almost lost me. The image of him standing in front of the car as it sped toward him flashed in my mind. I grabbed onto him, in disbelief he was here with me and not dead.
“Please, don’t leave me,” I sobbed.
“I’m not leaving you, baby. I’m right here.” He wrapped his arms around me and I felt his lips press against the top of my head.
“We need to get her to a hospital,” said a nearby paramedic.
“I’ll get her there,” said Troy. “Probably faster than you.”
There was a brief pause, as if the paramedic was thinking it over.
“Okay,” he said warily. “I will call the hospital and let them know you’re on your way, and to give the helicopter clearance.”
Helicopter?
“Thank you,” said Troy, as he slowly got to his feet, taking me with him as he scooped me up.
He carried me down the steps of the ambulance, the air biting into us as the sun began to set in the distance. I saw a sleek, black helicopter on the road before us, as Troy carried me to it. I wondered what was happening as the pilot jumped out and opened the large door for us, the rotors above slowly coming to life.
“Troy?” I asked, fear in my voice.
“It’s okay,” he assured me. “We’re going home. After I’m sure you’re okay.”
He carried me into the helicopter. The pilot closed the door behind us. Troy carried me to the back seat and gently placed me down. He pulled my seatbelt over me and took the seat next to me, taking my hand in his. Groggily, I laid my head on his shoulder, suddenly desperate for sleep.
“You can’t sleep, baby,” he whispered, squeezing my hand.
“I’m so tired.” I yawned.
“I know, but please stay awake. You have to.”
“Mmm.”
“I promise the view will be worth it.” I heard a small smile in his voice.
A small smile of hope after everything we had been through.
“Okay,” I said, returning the smile.
I watched as the ground fell slowly further away from us as the helicopter lifted up, leaving the terrifying scene below us. The red of the ambulance, the mangled car around the tree, the broken bones, the sirens, the flashing lights. I was ready to never see any of it again.
Soon, the skyline of Manhattan came into view and my heart swelled. Home. We were going home. The buildings that kissed the purple and pink sky welcomed us as we approached. I still wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or not.