Page 173 of Love Undiscovered
“Don’t talk, Chancey,” Annalise says, choking back a sob. “Just rest. You just rest and know that we love you. We’ll be here when you wake up.” She leans down and kisses him on the cheek. Brian does the same. And even though I know they are close, it amazes me to see affection from parent to child. Especially parent to adult child. They leave me alone with Chance after a few minutes.
I pull a chair up next to his bedside, and lay down with my head on his chest, my hands clutching his.
I need more.
I don’t feel safe.
I need his arms around me.
“Come here,” he rasps. As if he knows my thoughts. I crawl into the hospital bed next to him and make myself as small as possible. He scoots over with a groan. I hate that he’s in such pain. But then he puts his arm around me and pulls me into his chest.
“Thank you for coming after me,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m pretty sure I would do anything for you,” I breathe.
“Look at me,” he says.
I want to. But I’m afraid. This moment that I feel we are about to have. It’s too much. I’m feeling too much.
Then why are you here in his hospital bed, Remi?
I take everything in around me: the antiseptic smells, the heat of his body, the firmness of the mattress, the cool push of the bed’s handrail at my back. Then I let my eyes travel up his body toward his. His chest, rising and falling steadily beneath his hospital gown. His neck, tanned from the sun and still slightly dirty from his roll down the hill. His lips which are so soft when they are on me, yet so commanding when they speak. And finally his eyes, so piercing and blue, and shining with love. It takes my breath away.
