Waiting for Romeo (35 page)

“You were amazing, Emilia. We can both come up with things we wish we could have done or done differently. Trust me, I’ve been beating myself about a handful of things. But you…you were strong, smart, and brave. Do you remember when you told me about your dream about a knight on a white horse carrying you off and rescuing you from your troubles?”

“Yes.”

“You know, I doubt very much you need a knight on a white horse to carry you away…I think if anyone is saving anyone here…you are saving me.” He brushes the hair back off my shoulder.

“Oh, Logan. You are my knight in shining armor…my prince. You were there waiting for me…if you weren’t there and I didn’t get to the hospital when I did…I don’t think you’re giving yourself enough credit.”

He sighs. “You always have a remarkable way of looking at things.”

“It’s the truth.” I smile. “Besides, my strength came from you.”

“Oh?” He asks. His expression is a mixture of bewilderment and bemusement. “How do you figure that?”

“You were in my every thought. I fought him because I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. Every bone and muscle in my body wanted me to stop fighting, but my love for you kept me going. Logan, loving you is what kept me alive.” I say, softly.

His arms slide a little tighter around me, pulling me closer to him. His lips brush softly against my forehead. “I thought I’d lost you…forever.”

“No way.” I smile at him. “I think you might be stuck with me.”

“There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with, baby.” He caresses my cheek gently with his fingers. “And speaking of being stuck with each other, I want to…”

There’s a soft knock as the door opens, interrupting Logan.

“There’s my favorite patient.” A young Asian man in a white coat with blue scrubs smiles warmly at me.

“I bet you say that to all your patients.” I look at him and wonder if I’ve met him before…something about him is so familiar.

Logan quickly slides out of the bed and stands beside me.

“Not true.” He laughs. “I’m Dr. Yamamoto. I see Logan is still taking good care of you. I’m just going to take a quick look at you. You’ve got a couple visitors outside and I know they are quite anxious to see you.” He checks my eyes and pulse while he continues chatting.

“You’re one strong woman, Emilia. I’ve honestly never seen anyone recover so quickly…one of the reasons you’re my favorite.” He winks at me. “How are you feeling? Tell me on a scale of one to ten…ten being the most painful and one the least…how this feels.” He gently probes my stomach in different areas.

“A five.” I say. “A three.” “A six.” “A two.”

He continues talking as he slides his fingers around my sides. “You’re looking good. I see some color already returning to your face…how’s your head? Any headaches? Dizziness? Anything like that?”

“No. I feel good…just a little tired.” I murmur.

“Yes. Well, that’s very normal. You should rest.” He turns towards Logan.

“Don’t let her over do it. I know she wants visitors, but make sure she takes it easy.”

Logan nods.

“The more you rest…the quicker I’ll let you out of here.” Dr. Yamamoto smiles. “Unless you like it here so much you want to stay.” He chuckles at his own joke.

Then it hits me. “I remember your voice. When you first came in I couldn’t figure out what it was…I thought we maybe met at some point…you were so familiar to me, but the more you were talking…I’ve figured it out.”

“Ah. Yes…it wouldn’t be the first time. Do you remember anything else?” Dr. Yamamoto asks.

“I could hear voices…I heard you, Logan, my dad…I was very aware of what people were saying. Sometimes I could feel Logan holding my hand or you examining me. At first I was just so tired…all I wanted to do was sleep, but then I started to feel lonely and I wanted so badly to open my mouth.”

“Well, like I said before, I’ve never had a patient respond and improve as quickly as you. There are two people who deserve most of the credit…yourself and Logan. He wouldn’t leave your side and didn’t stop talking to you. I can tell you it isn’t an easy task…when you love someone who is in a coma…to sit and talk to them…most people can only say a few words before they fall apart. I’m telling you this because I know he won’t…he was fighting to keep you here as much as you were fighting to come back.”

“Thanks, doctor, but I think you and your nurses have a bit to do with Emilia’s recovery as well.” Logan says.

“You two did all the work.” He smiles and pauses a beat. “We just helped you along the way. Now, before I go is there anything I can get you? You said you’re not experiencing any pain in your head and your ribs don’t seem too bad…are you having any discomfort or pain anywhere else?”

“No. Do you think I’ll be able to leave soon?” I glance at Logan. “You said it’s Monday?”

Logan nods. “But…” He starts to say but I interrupt him.

I look back at the doctor. “It’s Spring Break. We were supposed to leave for New York on Saturday.”

Dr. Yamamoto laughs. “New York? Well, you must be feeling better if you’re still up for flying across the country.”

“Emilia, I don’t think…” Logan starts to say.

“Logan, if the doctor says it’s okay then I think we should go. Wouldn’t you like to get out of here? I know I would.”

Logan shrugs and I look back towards the doctor.

“If you get a good night’s rest and everything looks good…you might be able to go tomorrow night or maybe Wednesday, but I can’t make any promises. I don’t think I’d agree to Ft. Lauderdale or Daytona Beach, but New York sounds surprisingly tame.”

“Logan’s family lives there.” I say.

“Okay. Let me see how you’re doing tomorrow…as long as you have no setbacks and I really don’t foresee that happening…I don’t see why not. But you also have to promise me you’ll rest…stay in bed. Now if there’s nothing else…maybe something to eat?

“That sounds good. Thank you and thank you for helping me along the way.” I smile, warmly at him.

“My pleasure, Emilia. I’ll send a nurse in with something to eat…and your visitors. There are two waiting, but it’s getting late so just visit with them and then lights out. Okay?”

“I’ll make sure she rests. Thanks, doctor.” Logan smiles at him.

Just as Dr. Yamamoto heads out the door, my dad and Bryn enter the room. They both have tears in their eyes and are grinning ear to ear. Bryn puts down a bouquet of brightly colored balloons and a shopping bag while my dad places a beautiful arrangement of flowers on a nearby table. My dad leans down and kisses me softly on the cheek.

“I love you, honey. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you, sweetheart.” My dad says, softly as a few tears run down his face.

“Emilia.” Bryn sobs. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. Shit.” She grabs a handful of tissues from the Kleenex box that Logan offers to her. She blows her nose loudly into the wad of tissues in her hand.

“Hey, you two…I’m okay…no tears.” I smile at them, reassuringly.

Bryn moves closer to me while my dad stands near Logan. They’re talking quietly and I’m sure Logan is explaining what happened. My dad probably doesn’t know about Mr. Hughes.

“I don’t want to bother you about it now, but Logan emailed your dad and so I know a little bit about what happened. Emilia, I just want to tell you I’m so sorry…it must have been terrifying.” Bryn says, quietly and looks at me with concerned eyes.

“It was…the police are looking for him now so…”

Bryn interrupts me. “They’ll get the asshole. Try not to worry about it now…just rest and get better.”

“You’re right.”

There’s a knock on the door as another nurse walks in with a tray of food. She places it on the tray in front of me.

“It’s not much…just some broth and jell-o. The doctor said that’s what he wants you to start with and then tomorrow he’ll start you on solids.” The nurse smiles warmly at me.

“Okay. Thank you.” I say as I slowly sip some of the broth.

“Just a little longer for visitors then you should rest.” She says before she turns and heads out the door. “Doctor’s orders.”

Bryn’s eyes well up with tears again and she wipes the corners of them with a tissue. “I still can’t believe this happened. We were all on such high alert with Sebastian, even Seraphina to a certain extent, I never would have…” She trails off. “I’m sorry. I said I wouldn’t bother you about this now.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

“I know.” I mutter with a mouthful of soup. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating. “And, don’t feel bad about bringing it up…it was horrible but I’m okay.”

Bryn looks at me with wide eyes. “You sound so unfazed by it. I think I’d be freaking out…I think normally you’d be freaking out…you’re sure you feel okay?”

I smile at her. “You think I hit my head so hard that I’m not reacting the way you’d expect me to?”

She nods.

“Maybe I’m still in shock? I don’t know. Honestly, I’m so happy to be sitting here talking to you that it’s pushed way in the back of my mind. I’m thankful to be alive.” I shrug. “Does that make sense?”

“Yes. When you put it that way. It definitely makes sense and you know what? I’m happy to be sitting here with you and I’m thankful you’re alive too.” Her eyes start to fill with tears again.

“Oh, come here, Bryn. Give me a hug.” I smile at her.

“You sure? I don’t want to hurt you.” She scoots closer to me.

I reach my arms out towards her and she slowly and carefully hugs me. “Remember I told you to look before you leap?” Bryn whispers in my ear and then sits on the edge of the bed close to me.

“I think so…was it about cliff-jumping or getting engaged?” I ask.

“Probably both. But right now I’m talking about the engagement part.”

“Oh?”

“I just want you to know I’m fully onboard if you want to. I know I was giving you grief about just getting back together and everything, but after seeing how Logan took care of you these last few days…how much he worried…I’ve had a change of heart. I know it’s a promise ring but I want you to know I totally support whatever you two decide…not that my approval
really
matters.”

“Of course it matters. You’re my best friend, but what makes you bring that up?” I blink at her with a look of bewilderment.

“When you almost lose someone you love it puts things in a whole different light…carpe diem, Emilia. That’s all I’m saying. Does that make sense?”

“Definitely.”

“I know the nurses are anxious for us to get out of here.” She holds up the shopping bag she walked in with. “Some goodies for you from Victoria’s Secret or maybe I have that wrong…some goodies for Logan.” She laughs.

I laugh but stop, quickly because of a sharp pain in my ribs. “Ow.”

“Sorry, Emilia. It hurts to laugh?” Bryn asks.

I nod and smile. “Yes, but honestly it’s a good kind of pain…the happy to be alive pain.”

“Amen to that, sister.” She leans and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll give you some privacy with your dad.” She turns and says a few words to my dad and Logan then heads out the door.

“I’ll let you two talk in private.” Logan says as he and my dad move closer towards me. “I’ll be right outside.” He leans and kisses the top of my head gently.

I nod and smile at him.

My dad moves close to me and sits down on the edge of the bed. “Emilia.” He sighs and takes my hand in his. “How are you feeling sweetheart?”

“I’m feeling better every minute…just a little tired and a little sore.” I smile at him.

“You need to rest so I won’t keep you honey.” My dad inhales slowly and then exhales. “Logan told me who did this to you and I also spoke to a Detective Fernandez briefly. I still can’t believe it.” He shakes his head and tears fill his eyes.

“I know. Please don’t cry, dad. I’m okay.” I try and give him a reassuring look.

“You’re such a strong girl…always have been.” He squeezes my hand gently. “I’m going to the police tomorrow. I want to make sure they’re doing everything they can to get that asshole in jail.”

“I’m sure they are…they’ll find him.” I say, quietly. My eyes are starting to feel very heavy again.

“I know you need to rest. One more thing before I go…I want you to know that I gave Logan my permission.” He smiles at me.

“What?” I ask. I suddenly feel so groggy that I’m not sure if I actually heard that right.

“He told me he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. I don’t know what your plans are but he’s definitely sure about it. Any fool can see how crazy you two are over each other…I see he already gave you a ring.” He glances at the diamond band on my hand.

“Logan gave it to me for Valentine’s…it’s a promise ring.” I say, softly and then come up with an idea.

“Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” My dad laughs but before I can reply he stands up. “I heard you could be getting out of here tomorrow.”

“Hopefully.” I smile.

There’s a soft knock on the door and Logan enters again.

“I was just heading out.” My dad leans over and gently kisses my cheek. “You get some rest, sweetheart.”

“I’ll make sure she does.” Logan says as my dad hugs him before he heads out the door.

Logan walks towards me and sits on the edge of the bed. He strokes my hair as I gaze up into his eyes.

“You look tired.” I say. “I’m okay now…you should go home and get a good night’s rest.” I say, reluctantly. Of course, I’d rather him stay with me, but he looks exhausted and he might prefer a good night’s rest rather than another sleepless night in the hospital.

“I’ll get a good night’s rest here…I can hold you now.” He sighs. “Besides you’re crazy if you think I’m going to leave you here by yourself when that lunatic is still running around.”

“Well, I won’t really be by myself but okay as long as you’re fine with it.” I smile and a sense of relief washes over me.

“I’m more than fine with it.” He leans forward and kisses me gently on my forehead.

There’s another soft knock on the door as Detective Fernandez slowly pushes the door open and peeks in on us.

“I don’t want to disturb you…I told the nurse I’d come back tomorrow if you were sleeping.” She says.