“Is there any way that someone can bring him to ICU so he can visit with her when she’s feeling better?”
“Of course. Just call us and we’ll bring him down to you.”
“Just gonna surround her by people she loves, aren’t you?” Cara asks, watching me carefully.
“She needs all the love she can get.” I don’t meet Cara’s eyes as I set Lo’s phone on the nearby table. “Will you please bring me some clothes? I’m going to take a shower here, shave, and change so I’m not such a mess when she wakes up.”
“Look at me,” Cara murmurs softly, and I raise my eyes to hers. “It’s okay to love her, Ty.”
“I do, with my whole heart.”
“None of this is your fault.”
“I wasn’t there,” I reply softly. “I should have been there, and instead I was home, not sleeping because we’d had an argument. I was lying in bed, overthinking a stupid disagreement while the woman I love was being brutalized. I may not be at fault for putting her here, but I am at fault for not keeping her safe. Just bring me the clothes, please.”
“Okay.” Cara nods and rises from her seat. “This conversation isn’t over. I’ll be back in a while.”
“Thank you.”
Cara leaves and I’m left with Lo. I caress her hand, as I’ve done for the past two days.
I was lying in the comfort of my bed while the woman I love was being brutalized. The enormity of the past few days, the lack of sleep, the fear and dread, all come crashing down on me.
I want Lo.
The tears come again, and I lean in and bury my face in her neck, careful not to jar her, but needing to feel the connection to her.
“Wake up, baby,” I cry. “I miss you so much. I need you to open those gorgeous blue eyes of yours so I can tell you how much I love you.”
I hear the door open, but I don’t look up as Josh takes the chair that Cara vacated not long ago.
Finally, when the sobs subside, I sit up and wipe my eyes, then glare at Josh. “If you say one word—”
“Hey”—he shakes his head slowly—“I would have broken long before this.”
I nod and firm my lower lip, pissed that it’s still quivering. Josh and I sit in silence until Cara returns with my clothing and some essentials.
“Will you two stay with her? I won’t be long.”
“Of course,” Cara assures me as Josh nods. I step out of Lo’s room for the first time in two days and walk down to the nurses’ station to ask for directions to a shower.
The hot water feels like heaven. I shave and dress quickly and shove the dirty clothes into the duffel bag Cara brought with her. I’ve been gone less than thirty minutes, but it feels too long. I need to get back to her.
When I return, Lo isn’t in the room. “Where is she?”
“They took her for more tests,” Josh responds. “They’ll be back in a few.”
“They took the ventilator out.” Cara grins. “She’s breathing fine on her own.”
“Did she wake up?” I ask anxiously.
“No,” Cara replies. “But hopefully she will this evening.”
I nod just as they wheel Lo back into the room. “How did it go?” I ask worriedly.
“The doctor will be in with the results in just a few minutes, but she seems to be doing really well. There are no breathing issues, and she’s reacting normally to stimuli, so that’s all really positive.”
Dr. Black bustles through the door with a smile on his face. “The swelling is going down further. We’re not quite out of the woods yet, but this is a great sign. Now we just need her to wake up.”
I sit back in my chair in relief, my body sagging as though the weight of the world has been lifted. “Thank you, Doc.”
“It’s all her, Ty. Your girl is strong. I hope you do actually ask her to marry you.”
I look up in surprise, and Dr. Black laughs. “She’s not wearing a ring, son. I wasn’t born yesterday. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
He chuckles as he exits the room, leaving Cara, Josh, and I staring at each other. Finally, we all break out into laughter.
“You guys go ahead and go,” I suggest as I lean over and kiss Lo gently on her uninjured temple. “We’re good here.”
“Are you sure?” Cara asks.
“Yes. Go eat and get some rest. I’ll call if there are any changes.”
They both nod and kiss Lauren on the cheek before leaving the room. With her hand in mine, I lean in to talk to her, to hopefully ease her out of sleep.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetness. You’re doing great. Now just open those eyes for me and wake up.”