Page 47 of Felix (4 Seats #2)
Chapter Forty-Six
Felix Greyson
D ay seven, and I’m still here. Aurora has been out cold, her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm like some morbid lullaby.
“Felix,” the doc says, snapping me from my thoughts. “It’s time we try waking her up.”
I nod, clenching my fists. He’s been true to his word, sticking around and watching over Aurora like a hawk. But, damn, I don’t know what’ll happen if she doesn’t wake up. I swallow hard and push that thought away.
“Alright, Doc,” I mutter, steeling myself for whatever comes next.
He starts fiddling with the machines hooked up to her, and I can’t help but think about how vulnerable she looks, her long, black hair splayed out across the pillow.
“Remember, it might take some time for her to regain consciousness,” the doc warns, casting me a concerned glance. I know that, and he knows I know, but it doesn’t do shit to quell my anxiety .
“Got it,” I grunt out, watching him closely as he tapers down the medications pumping into her veins.
The minutes drag on, feeling more like hours or even days. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat a silent plea for her to open those dark eyes and look at me. But she just lies there, breathing, not giving any sign that she’s going to wake up anytime soon.
“Fuck, Aurora, please,” I whisper, reaching out to stroke her hair. It’s soft between my fingers, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of our situation.
“Give it time, Felix,” the doc says gently, standing by and monitoring her progress. “She’s a strong woman, and we’ve done all we can.”
I nod, clenching my jaw in frustration. I know he’s right, but it doesn’t make this wait any easier. All I want is for her to come back to me and for us to figure out how to navigate this fucked-up world together.
“Come on, Aurora,” I mutter again, my voice barely audible. “I need you to wake up.”
“Hey, Doc,” I say, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. “What if she doesn’t wake up?”
He sighs and rubs his temples. “As I’ve explained, Felix, waking up from a coma can be a slow process. You must be patient.”
“Patient?” I snort, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. “I’ve been fucking patient for seven goddamn days. I want her awake now.”
“Please, Felix,” he pleads, his eyes filled with something like pity. “You have to trust that I’ve done everything possible. Now it’s up to her. ”
My fingers interlock with hers, her skin warm against mine. C’mon, darling, open those beautiful eyes. Show me you are still fighting.
“Alright, Felix,” the doctor says, his voice clinical as he turns off Aurora’s medication completely. “I’ve stopped all the medication now. The process is complete.”
I watch with bated breath, my hand gripping hers tighter as he switches her ventilator off. Every second feels like a fucking eternity, but she starts to breathe on her own, and the tension in my chest eases up just a fraction.
“Good girl,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else. “You’re fighting, darling. That’s it.”
The hours tick by, and the room is filled with the steady rhythm of her breathing. I don’t take my eyes off her for a single second, too scared I’ll miss the moment she finally wakes up.
“Doc,” I bark, impatience clawing at me. “What the fuck? When is she gonna open her eyes?”
“Felix,” he says calmly, that goddamn pity back in his eyes. “These things take time. We must wait.”
“Fuck waiting,” I growl, clenching my fists. “This is bullshit.”
But there isn’t anything I can do, so I sit there seething and watching her sleep while the hours crawl by. And then, finally, after what feels like forever, her eyelids flutter, and my heart leaps into my throat.
“Hey,” I say, leaning in closer, trying to keep my voice steady. “Aurora, darling, can you hear me?”
Her hands twitch, the movement barely there, but it’s enough to make me hold my breath. She’s waking up, and I swear if I could, I’d rip out my heart and give it to her just to see the light come back into her eyes.
“Come on, Aurora,” I mutter under my breath, desperate for her to wake up. “I need you, darling.”
And that’s when it happens. Her hands tremble, so fucking fragile and delicate like they could break at any second. I don’t hesitate. I reach out and grab them, holding them in mine. They’re so small compared to mine, like a child’s. But I know she’s anything but weak.
“Open your eyes, baby,” I coax, trying to will her back to the land of the living. “Show me those beautiful dark eyes of yours.”
Her eyelids flutter, dancing like damn butterflies. She’s struggling, fighting against the light like it’s some kind of demon.
“Fuck,” I hiss as she struggles. “This is taking too fucking long.”
“Be patient, Felix,” Doc chides me, but I don’t give a shit what he thinks. He isn’t the one who’s been waiting for seven goddamn days, staring at the woman he loves lying there, barely breathing.
“Patience isn’t my fucking strong suit,” I snap back, my gaze locked on Aurora’s face. But then, something changes. She opens her eyes, just a crack, and then slams them shut again. It’s like she’s testing the waters, trying to see if she can handle it.
“Come on, darling,” I whisper, gently squeezing her hands. “You can do this. I know you can.”
“Doc, how’s she doing?” I ask, my voice tight with worry. Aurora’s eyes flutter open and closed, her breathing still shallow.
“Her vitals are stable, but it’ll be a while before she’s fully awake,” the doctor replies, scribbling something down on his notepad. “Expect her to drift in and out of consciousness for a few hours.”
“Fucking hell,” I mutter under my breath, my fingers clenching at her small hands. My heart races, my chest heaving every time she slips back into sleep, afraid she won’t wake up again.
“Hey…” Her voice is barely audible, and it takes all my strength not to break down right there and then. Her dark eyes find mine, holding onto me like a lifeline.
“Hey, darling. Don’t push yourself, alright?” I say, trying to sound calm, but inside I’m screaming.
“Can’t… promise that,” she whispers, her lips curving into a weak smile. It’s fucking killing me to see her like this, so fragile and vulnerable.
“Stubborn as always.” I smirk, stroking her cheek gently with my thumb.
“Like you’re any better.” She manages to chuckle, her eyes drooping shut once more.
“Doc, what about the pain? She gonna be hurting when she fully wakes up?”
The doctor nods, his face solemn. “Yes, I expect she’ll be in quite a bit of pain. We’ll manage it as best we can.”
“Damn right, you will,” I growl out, protectiveness flaring up like fire in my chest. “Don’t want her suffering any more than she has to.”
“Of course, Felix,” he says, shooting me an annoyingly sympathetic look.
“Whatever. Just make sure she’s fucking alright,” I snap, returning my attention to Aurora. As the hours pass, she gains strength, waking for longer periods. The pain in her body becomes more evident, but she fights through it like the goddamn warrior she is.
“Thank you… Felix,” she murmurs, her eyes locking onto mine, full of gratitude and something else I can’t quite put my finger on.
“Just doing what I gotta do, baby. We’ll get through this together,” I promise, leaning down to gently kiss her forehead.