Page 27 of Christmas Wishes

"What?"

"My head hurts." I whisper.

"I'll get the doctor."

I want to grab onto him but he moves too fast and is out the door quickly. I can hear his voice from where I'm lying in bed and he's making a fuss all for me. I guess I really am important to him. By the time he's back my vision has cleared a bit more and I can finally make out his features properly.

Such a handsome devil. My devil. At least I hope. He's waiting impatiently over me and I see him relax once the nurse comes into the room. He takes my hand in his.

"Welcome back, Lilah. So glad you are awake. You had your boyfriend pretty worried here. He spent the night at your side."

I chance a look at Gene. He's frowning, but doesn't say anything.

"He said you're in pain?"

"Ye-yes. My head."

"Okay, I'll go get something for that, dear."

The nurse checks my vitals quickly and then leaves. Gene is still frowning.

"You don't like her?" I ask him.

"No, it's not that. It's just…I'm so happy you're okay, but I really want to yell at you."

"What? What did I do?"

"Going into a burning building, Lilah?"

"The boys would be dead."

"I can't lose you, Lilah. You're the most important thing in my life. I'd lose myself in grief if I ever lost you. Promise me you won't endanger yourself like that again."

"If I hadn't gone in, Connor would have, and I would have still had to go inside to get him. You had to be there."

"Don't be flippant with me."

"I just…Can you yell at me later? The nurse hasn't given me the medicine yet."

He lets go of my hand and paces around the room. Every once in a while he messes up his hair as if he's trying to pull tufts of it off. I've never seen him this distraught. The nurse comes in and injects something into my IV.

"Thank you."

"Do you want some water?"

My throat hurts so I nod and she pours me a glass from the carafe that's on the table next to me. She puts in a straw that magically appeared in her hand and hands it to me.

"Sip slowly."

She looks at my disgruntled boyfriend and purses her lips.

"Don't worry. The doctor is going to discharge her in an hour or two. You'll be able to go watch the Woodland Falls Christmas parade together."

"My brother?"

"Same as you. He'll be ready when you are."

The nurse leaves the room. The temperature seems to have lowered with Gene's tense mood.

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