Page 41 of A Brilliant Spring

My world stops.

Elissa’s in a coma?

Bile travels up my throat, burning my esophagus as it comes, and I try to swallow it down. My stomach churns and my breathing increases; I feel lightheaded.

“It’s perfectly normal for patients who have major brain swelling to be induced. It gives them the best chance of recovery. They’ll lighten up on the medication in a few days and see how she’s doing.” Her words do nothing to calm me down.

“I need to see her,” I say, struggling to get out of bed, throwing my legs over the edge. The nurse rushes to my side and presses me back into the bed.

“Riley, please calm down. You’re going to distress the baby again. You can see her tomorrow. We can’t move you right now; you’re on strict bed rest.”

“Baby, please lay down,” Rhys begs. “We need you to take it easy. Please.” I relent, letting my body crash back into the bed, but folding my arms and huffing. They better let me see her tomorrow.

“Does her mother know?” The nurse gives me a smile.

“Yes. Her mother is here and sitting beside her right now with their family friend, Lana.”

“We brought Lana with us,” my mom chimes in. She steps forward and places a hand on my leg. “Don’t worry. Lana will keep us updated.” I don’t know what Rhys is doing — when I look over, he’s slyly backing out of the room, pulling his phone out of his pocket. But there’s too much going on in my head right now for me to focus.

“So, Elissa is stable?” The nurse nods her head. Phew. “Okay. But tomorrow I’m going to see her.” The nurse nods her head again and covers me back up before leaving the room.

My mom and dad leave for the night to get some rest. I gave them the keys to the apartment so they can stay at my place. Rhys snuggles into my bed, curling up beside me with his hand laying protectively across my belly. He presses sweet kisses into the side of my jaw and hairline. His kisses rain down across my face, full of unsaid words and emotions. Months’ worth of longing is spoken with every brush of his lips. He strokes my hair, and it feels so good to be tended to, to feel loved. He laces his fingers with mine and gently twists my hand so the ring is facing me. It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen. I stare at our connected hands and allow myself to fall asleep.

•••

The next morning, I spring awake and am slightly confused when I notice it’s still dark and gloomy outside. For a moment I think it might be too early, but then a new nurse walks in the room, turning on the light and bringing me breakfast. I shake Rhys awake and he mumbles something before waking up and sliding off the bed. He kisses my forehead and tells me that he’ll be back in a little while, that he’s going home to shower and change. He smashes his mouth to mine in a soul-stealing kiss that leaves me wanting more. When he breaks free, I notice the nurse is staring awkwardly at the ceiling and her face is beet red, clearly embarrassed by our passion.

“Sorry about that,” I mutter. “We just got back together after months apart.” The nurse giggles.

“No worries, I just wasn’t expecting that when I happened to look over at you guys. Anyway, here’s your breakfast. Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.”

“Thank you,” I say as she leaves the room. I dig into my food, inhaling the bland hospital food like I’ve never eaten before. Baby is hungry today. I chuckle to myself, rubbing my stomach.

“You hungry today, little Kiwi?” I muse to my stomach, wondering if he or she can hear me. “Momma’s so sorry about the accident. I’ll never let anything hurt you.”

After I finish eating, the nurse comes back in with an ultrasound machine and clears the tray away. “The doctor will be with you in a few moments to do a scan.”

“Actually, do you mind having the doctor come in an hour, if you can? My fiancé just stepped out for a bit, and I’d like him to be here. This will be his first time seeing the baby.” Oh my God. My fiancé! I can’t believe he’s my fiancé! The nurse smiles sweetly.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she says.

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

Brandt

It’s been a few days since I saw Elissa and that guy together at the restaurant, and my blood still boils.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why can’t I just move on?

But I know, deep down, I don’t want to move on.

I’m laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for my alarm to go off. I’ve been sleeping like shit ever since I saw them together, and every time I close my eyes I see that bastard’s hands on her, and her kissing his cheek. I close my eyes and try to get a few more minutes of sleep, but my phone decides to be an asshole and beeps once, then twice, then a third time. I roll over and check my messages.

Rhys: Dude, get your ass to Mount Sinai right now.

Rhys: Elissa and Riley were in a huge accident.

---