Page 77 of Dirty Desires

With a nod, I turned back to look at Nina. The swelling in her head was gone. The bruises had healed, and the cuts were nearly gone too. I ran my fingertips across her cheeks, and her eyes fluttered open. “You,” she sighed.

“Yeah, it’s me.” I leaned over and barely touched my lips to hers. The wave that rushed over me threatened to take me under. But I hung on, staying strong for her. “I’ve missed you.”

Her eyes glistened with tears that began to flow down her face. “I’ve missed you since I woke up. I wish you could’ve been here.”

“Me too.” I took her hand, which had bruises on top of it where the IV went in. Moving my thumb over it carefully, I tried not to break down as I thought about all that she’d gone through.

“The doctor came in a little while ago. He says I’ve got a long road ahead of me, but it’s a road that will lead me back to good health. Apparently, I will live.” She laughed a little, then sighed.

I pulled the ring off my pinky and showed it to her. “Apparently, I’ll live too. A happy life with you in it for as long as the good Lord allows.” I slid the ring back onto her finger, then kissed it. “Just so you know, we’re getting married as soon as possible, baby.”

A sob came out of her, and she began to cry. “I love you so much. You have no idea how much.”

Wrapping my arms around her carefully, I held her, whispering, “I love you more than you know. We have a bright future ahead of us, baby. It’s all smooth sailing from here. We’ve got each other, and that’s all we’ll ever need.”

Nina and I had found our happily ever after, even though the odds had been against us. We both knew it wasn’t always going to be easy, but we’d get through the hard times, together.

The End.