Page 116 of From Us, Forever

I didn’t mind the jitteriness. It kept me going, and that was all that I needed at the moment.

It wasn’t long before nightfall, and everyone emptied the room, leaving for the night.

“Are you going to wake up anytime soon?” I drew out a heavy breath, holding his hand, careful not to touch the tubes pumping him with fluids. “I’m bored. Can you wake up already?” I tried to muster a playful voice, but it came out more pathetic and desolate.

“Everyone’s worried about you, but at this point, I’m super mad. You’re making me wait way too long. I try not to let the bad thoughts get to me, but I just keep thinking what if you don’t wake up at all?” I sighed, my eyes sweeping over his resting face—lips pursed and closed eyes and the quiet rise and fall of his chest. His hair curled over his ears adorably, and his stubble had grown to a deep shadow. He looked so peaceful that I almost didn’t want to say anything, but the silence in the room itched at me—pointing fingers that he was here because of me.

But I didn’t give a fuck about the guilt. All I wanted was for him to wake up.

“Everyone has been coming to visit you and bringing you cards and flowers. I told them you weren’t really a flower guy,but apparently, that’s what you get for a sick person. Do you want me to read some of the cards to you?” Only the sound of the monitors lingered in the air.

Wanting a distraction, I left his side to gather some of the cards before I eased back into the chair next to him. “So this one is from Gabe. It’s got a cute 3D teddy on the front holding balloons, and it says YOU BETTER GET WELL SOON, OR I AM GOING TO HAUNT YOU FOREVER. All in caps, might I add. That sounds more like a threat, doesn’t it?”

“This next one is from Lily. I think she made this herself—it’s got a manga version of a teenage boy who looks just like you; all blue eyes and black leather holding a young girl with purple hair. She says, ‘Come back to us, Emmie. We miss you. Love, your little sister- Li.’ Lily has been taking care of Strawberry, who has apparently been very fussy about being without her mom and dad. That was a cute card. You should definitely frame it. You’re lucky to have a sister like her,” I added, softly setting the card aside.

“Let’s see who the next one is from. It’s from the boys and Katy, and it’s red, your favorite color. Mikey says, ‘Katy forced me to write this. Just come back to us, man. I can’t handle all these lunatics by myself. Plus, you’re punishing your girl.’ Matty says, ‘Get well soon, I know you’ll come back to us.’ Lan says, ‘We need you, Em,’ and Katy says, ‘Emmie just come back to us already. I can’t wait anymore.’” Shaking my head, I dropped the card on the pile. “They really love you, but I think they’ll be kicking your ass when you wake up.”

“This is the last one. From Raphy and its girly pink—I think he did that on purpose. He says, (Evy- just read him this, and I swear he’ll wake up) ‘Man, now I finally get a chance athaving your girl. I’ll love her better than you. (Did it work?) I’ll sacrifice my love if you wake up. I need my guitar teacher back. I swear I’ve been improving a lot, man. I can’t wait to show you. So get the fuck up!’ That’s the last one for today, and sadly, I have to inform Raphy that his little trick didn’t work.” I sighed, my eyes darting to him. “You’re still sleeping, aren’t you?”

Sliding the side rail of the hospital bed lower, I scooted closer to him and rested my head near his thigh, still holding his hand.

“You won’t be getting any card from me,” I mumbled, gliding my thumb along the back of his hand. “I’m mad at you, remember? You know, the other day, we had to lie that I was your wife because they wouldn’t let me see you otherwise. They wouldn’t even tell me what was wrong with you. I felt horrible at that moment, like dying—like it was not fair at all. I think we should get married soon. That way, you’re officially my family. But sometimes I wonder if you even want to. Even the other day, you got so weird when I told you I wanted babies. Don’t you want that anymore?” Another bout of silence passed as I played with his fingers, feeling all his calluses. “I miss home. I hate this hospital room. Even though it’s on the nicer side, it still smells like a hospital. Home won’t be home without you, though.”

“I agree,” a hoarse, dry voice cracked through the room, and I stilled. My eyes snapped to lock into a pair of blue eyes watching me.

“You’re awake?” I gaped.

“Yes,” he rasped before a bout of cough hit him. He grimaced, holding on to his abdomen.

I jumped to my feet. “Easy,” I whispered, rubbing slow circles down his back while I fed him spoonfuls of water. “Better?” I asked as his coughs subsided.

He nodded, giving me a small smile.

But I averted my gaze. “I’ll go call the nurse,” I said, stepping back.

“I’m fine. We can call them later.”

“No,” I snapped. “We need to inform everyone.” I waved a hand. “They need to know you woke up. Everyone’s been worried sick.”

And before he could answer, I bolted out. I just couldn’t stay there anymore. I felt like a live wire that could zap at any moment. The stress that had mounted on me so much in the past few days made me feel like I was going to burst at any moment.

It wasn’t long before the nurses rushed in to check on him, followed by Dr. Martin, who picked and prodded at him for a while, asking him a bunch of questions before he finally stated that he was perfectly fine.

Soon after they left, Mikey and a teary Lily rushed in. Lily dashed straight to her brother, hugging him tight. “You’re on my shit list.” She poked a finger at him but was beaming while muttering that she loved him.

“I’m fine, Li. I still have my toes and fingers,” Jay joked, wiping away her tears.

“Pig,” she mumbled.

“Thank God you woke up, man,” Mikey said, rolling his eyes as he hovered over Lily. “These two were unbearable without you.” These past few days had been weighing down on himbadly. I was glad that beneath his exhaustion, his usualplayfulness returned. I had a feeling he would crash the moment his head hit the pillow.

“I bet.” Jay chuckled, holding his stomach as his eyes dashed to me, but I quickly lowered them.

I could feel him frowning at me, but before he could say another word, the door swung open, and Lan, Matty, and Katy walked in. I backed up and took the spot next to the window as I watched them all dote on him.

He was lucky to have their love, and he deserved it more than anyone in this world.

Minutes later, Emily and Richard hurried in, and Emily started to cry, tackling Jay in an embrace while they spoke in hushed whispers.

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