Page 117 of Always Right

Nodding against his chest, I let the words sink in.

It’s over.

No more threats.

No more fear.

After days and weeks full of fear and doubt and insecurity, a rush of air filled my lungs, like I’d come back to life.

A fresh start.

I pulled away, my hands on either side of Derek’s pale and cold face as I made my one and only request.

“I don’t ever want to go back to that house,” I whispered with my voice faltering.

Derek’s throat moved as he swallowed, his eyes full of understanding and acceptance. His eyes full of unshed tears that he tried to keep at bay, but when one rolled down his cheek, I cried with him. He didn’t need further explanation, didn’t try to fight me on it...he simply nodded and pulled my face close to his, pressing a kiss on my lips.

“I love you.” The words left my lips in a murmur as my nose brushed his, his emerald eyes unwavering as they held my gaze. “I love you so much and I don’t ever want to live without you.”

“I love you too, Hannah. More than life itself.”

***

I slept curled up in the uncomfortable chair next to Derek’s bed. It didn’t matter how sore I was or how much my body ached, all that mattered was that I was near him. When I woke up again it was due to the voices in the room.

Derek spoke with the nurse in hushed whispers, and for a few moments I didn’t move. I kept my eyes closed, savoring the sound of his soft chuckle and that of the nurse. The sound of his life.

I cherished it now more than ever.

Nothing could compare to that.

I allowed my eyes to open, only to find Derek already looking at me. The color had returned to his face and there was a trace of a smile on his lips, reserved only for me as the nurse shifted around the many cords attached to his body and then pushed a wheelchair near his bed.

“Morning, beautiful.” I could feel my cheeks heat when the nurse turned to look at me as well, her eyebrows raising.

“You were right. She slept through your visitors, me rearranging all this stuff. It’s great to know a husband that actually knows his wife.”

Derek chuckled, his gaze shining...like a rebirth. Like everything was new.

“How is he?” I asked the nurse, sitting up.

“Stable as can be. We’re just keeping him in for observation for the next forty-eight hours but you should be ready to go soon.”

I nodded, standing up and walking up to Derek. He reached up, pulling me in for a gentle kiss...making my heart soar at the feel of his lips on mine. Clearly, he didn’t give a damn who saw.

I didn’t either.

“Blake is awake now,” he murmured against my lips. I kept my eyes closed, letting out a shaky exhale. “He wants to talk to you, baby.” Derek didn’t care though, brushing his cold fingers against my cheek. “He’s awake now, baby...if you want to see him.”

Only then did I allow myself to look into his eyes. I wasn’t sure if I could see Blake...if I could talk to him, hear his voice after everything that had happened.

“I’ll go with you, hm? How does that sound?”

I nodded, pressing one last kiss on his lips before standing up. Though he seemed weak, Derek was able to move to the wheelchair by himself.

The nurse chatted with us, trying to ease my nerves through the busy hallways of the hospital. All of it looked the same, until we reached a door that was slightly ajar. She knocked out of courtesy and then pushed Derek inside while I followed behind them. My heart raced and my hands trembled, but when I heard Derek greeting Blake, I had to place my hand over my chest to keep the thing from bursting out.

I lingered behind for a few seconds before stepping in and taking in the sight of a very pale Blake. He was sitting up, but all color was drained from his face and he looked exhausted. Those blue eyes that I knew so well were dim with regret and I couldn’t help but want to take it all away. He followed my every movement as I approached him, down to the way I held Derek’s hand when I sat next to him on the bed. Down to the way I reached out for his hand as well. His skin was cold and it trembled, his grip weak against my tight hold. The silence between us was broken when the nurse quietly exited the room and gave us more privacy.