Page 76 of Counting the Stars

Alex is sleeping in a chair next to me with his feet propped up on another. The usual stubble on his face is much fuller. Iwonder how long I’ve been here, how long he’s been here, and who the hell put in these IVs?

“Al—” I try to call his name, but my mouth and throat are a dry, sandy mess. I try to say his name again to no avail. I resort to wiggling my fingers that remain under his heavy palm. He shifts at the feeling but doesn’t wake. I move my fingers in a scratching motion. That seems to do the trick. His eyes flicker open. We stare at each other for a moment before he leaps from his chair.

“Oh my God, you’re awake!” He cradles my head and places kisses all over me. He pulls back and sees the confusion written all over my face. “Do you know where you are? Do you remember what happened? Oh God! Do you know who I am? Wait a second!” He runs over to a table and comes back with a cup of water. Hallelujah!

With a shaky hand, I take a small testing sip. I can feel every drop of the cool liquid absorb into my body. I take a larger sip and then another. Alex watches me with wide eyes.

“Do you…umm…do you remember anything?” he asks.

I swallow another sip of water and test my voice. “I-I don’t know. What am I doing here? Was I in an accident or something?”

“You were attacked trying to protect one of your patients.” His face falls. It’s then I notice the dark circles under his red, puffy eyes.

“Brianna.” A blurry memory comes to the forefront of my mind and I wince as searing pain rips through my torso.

“Where does it hurt?” Alex grabs the nurse call button and presses it.

“Here.” My voice sounds gravelly as I wave my hand over my middle section. “Where’s Brianna? Is she okay?”

“Thanks to you, she is. She said you used your body to block her from her father. You have a lot of severe bruisingand—” He pauses to take a deep, shaky breath. “He stabbed you.” Tears begin to streak down his face. He uses the hem of his shirt to wipe his bloodshot eyes. “I could’ve lost you.”

“Alex.” I hold out my hand to grasp his. My heart sinks, looking at the agony written all over his face. “You would’ve done the same thing. I don’t regret what I did. She was so scared.”

“I just wish I were there to protect you.” He brings my hand up to his lips.

“Did someone press the call button?” a familiar voice calls from behind the curtain.

“Yeah, Emily, she’s awake.” Alex doesn’t take his eyes off me.

A young nurse with dark eyes and a long braid down to her waist walks in. Her rose-colored scrubs look like they were tailored to her body, and the metal stem of the stethoscope around her neck catches in the sunlight. I don’t know Emily well, but I’ve heard several doctors sing her praises about the attention she gives to her patients. I smile, realizing that my care team was most likely handpicked.

“It’s nice to see you awake.” Emily checks my IV.

“Please tell me what happened.” I look at my nurse. “I know if I ask him, he’ll try to sugarcoat everything.”

Alex harumphs in his seat while Emily takes over my care. I know he doesn’t want to worry me, but not knowing will make it worse.

“You’re in good shape, all things considered. You were stabbed in the abdomen. We had trouble controlling the bleeding, so you were sent for an exploratory laparotomy. Thankfully, the attacker missed all your vital organs. We’re running antibiotics in case of infection. You have a few compression fractures to your spine. You’ll be making a fashion statement with that back brace for a few weeks.”

“Ugh.” I lean my head back. That’s also why I feel like I’m being held down. “He slammed me up against the door. What happened to him…the…um…father?”

“Greg,” Alex answers with his lips pursed tight. “He was taken into custody before I got a chance to beat the bastard’s ass. They’re holding him on assault charges, violation of a restraining order, and a laundry list of other things.”

I reach out to touch Alex’s face and am surprised by the amount of stubble. “How long ago did this happen?”

“Two days,” Alex answers. “You’ve been asleep for most of the time. You’d stir every now and then, but the pain meds kept knocking you back out.”

“And this guy has not left your side.” Emily gives a wink only I can see. My heart melts knowing this loving man has stuck with me. Not that I’d expect anything less. I have never once doubted his love for me.

“The guys at the station are taking turns covering for me. They knew I wouldn’t be in the right frame of mind to work.” Alex’s phone pings. “Peanut is looking for updates. According to Carter, she’s been stress-baking twenty-four seven.”

“Tell her I’m fine and she can come visit anytime, but please don’t bring anything to eat.” I fight back the pain in my lower half and adjust myself in the bed. I love her food, but I don’t see myself indulging in anything anytime soon.

“Will do.” He nods and types something into his phone.

“Aly must be a worried mess.” I can’t imagine how she took the news, between her anxiety and her heightened emotions during pregnancy.

“Legs is doing well. She’s pretty distracted right now.” Alex’s face twists into an odd smirk.

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