Page 102 of Fight for Me
The nurse brings me a cup of ice chips. “Take it slow,” she instructs.
“I’m Doctor Voigt, and I was your surgeon. I need you to stay calm so we keep your heart rate steady for the baby. Do you remember having the surgery?”
I nod. And now that I’ve heard his name, it rings a bell. I take an ice chip into my mouth and breathe through my nose. I won’t do anything to harm the baby.
“Good. The surgery went well, the tumor is gone and the baby is healthy, but you’ve been unconscious for a week now. We’re not sure why, but we’re very happy you’re awake now. Your family is outside, they’ve been here the entire time. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but I’d like to bring them in here to see you, if that’s okay?”
The desire to see someone familiar is too great to pass up. “Please.”
Dr. Voigt smiles and then heads out of the room. When the glass door slides open again, my mother walks in with tears streaming down her face.
“Oh, Sydney!” She moves quickly to my side, taking my face in her hands. “I’ve been so scared. We all have.” Her hands fall, she looks back and then I see him.
Declan stands in the doorway, his eyes swollen, hair a mess, and God knows how long it’s been since he’s shaved.
He looks beaten.
He looks beautiful.
He looks absolutely terrified.
I turn back to my mother, needing not to look at him. Pieces of my memory flare up when I remember that Declan wasn’t here earlier. He was in New York. He left me after I told him everything and begged him to love me.
It doesn’t matter that he’s clearly shaken now. It’s too little too late.
“The baby, he’s fine, right?”
She smiles through her tears. “Yes, baby, you and the baby are just fine. Everything is okay now, and the surgery went well. It’s been … trying, to say the least, but you’re awake and … oh, it’s so good to see you.”
I can hear the relief in her voice, and I hate that she was so worried. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Declan shifts, and as much as I try to focus on my mother, it’s impossible not to notice him. My mom turns to Declan and then back to me before taking a step back. “I’m going to call Sierra and Ellie. I think you two need a moment.”
I don’t take my eyes away from him as he steps into the room. The glass closes behind him, and the fog I was under before is back, only it’s everything else but him that’s out of focus.
Declan is here. I don’t know why or what he hopes for, but he’s here and he looks as though he’s been through war.
His eyes are on mine as he moves toward me, hesitation flowing thickly between us.
“Say something,” his voice rasps.
“Why are you here?”
His eyes close for a beat, and then he is at my side. “Because I love you. I love you more than any man has ever loved a woman, and I was coming to you that day. I went to the doctor’s office after everything that could’ve gone wrong did. I missed the appointment, and I was … God, I was chasing you. Just like you asked. I’ve been here, and I’m not leaving you again, Sydney.”
All the words I’ve longed to hear fall from his lips, but I can’t think. I am so lost and confused. I rest my hand on my stomach and lean my head back. Right now, I have to digest the fact that I’ve been in a coma. “Tell me about the last week.”
When I open my eyes, I see the hurt painting his features, but he shields himself quickly. “You didn’t wake up after the surgery. They couldn’t figure out why, so we just sat here, waiting and hoping, but you didn’t respond. I talked to you for hours. We all did. Sierra, your mother, Ellie, and Connor … we were always here.”
As much as I thought I wanted to hear this, I don’t. I want to know why he wasn’t there before. I need to know what was so much more important than the ultrasound. And yet, right now, he is here.
“Declan, I can’t …”
My words drift away as my mother pulls the door open, but Declan doesn’t turn to acknowledge her. He just moves closer and sits on the edge of the bed.
“I was coming for you, Syd. I’ve been here, and we have to figure this out.” He finally looks to my mother and then back to me. “I’m going to make some calls and change my clothes, but I’ll be back.”
I nod, not really having the strength to do more. Declan leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead, but I hold my breath. It’s intimate and sweet. My head is a jumbled mess. So much has happened and I’m exhausted.
