Page 44 of The Storms Between Us
thirty-six
6 days.It’s been 6 long days since I’ve seen Elijah’s captivating blue eyes. 6 days since I’ve heard the deep timbre of his voice. 6 days since I've felt the comfort of his arms wrapping around me. Every one of those days I've spent in this incredibly uncomfortable chair next to his hospital bed, listening to the rhythmic beeping of monitors and machines all around us. The doctors have told me every day that he's stable now and he could wake up any time, but I won’t believe it until I see those eyes.
I stretch my body over the side of the bed, reaching my arm across his body and placing my hand flat over his heart. I see my engagement ring shine and I think about the happiness I felt the moment I slid it onto my finger. Even if it’s only been a week since then, it feels like a lifetime. I slide my free hand over my belly and let a tear fall freely from my eye. What if our baby has to grow up without their father? What if my memories of him are all they ever have? The thought causes a deep ache inside of my chest and I will it away. I won’t go there. I need him too badly to even consider that.
It’s still crazy to me to think that Justin is dead. It’s even crazier to know my brother is the one who killed him. I know I should never be happy about someone losing their life, but I can’t find it in myself to feel sad about it. After Justin terrorized me for months, kidnapped my best friend, almost killed her and attempted to kill the man I love, I can’t say I'm sorry he's dead. Kelsea lost so much blood in that room I didn’t think she would make it through. After everything was said and done, she had to have two blood transfusions and an ovary removed. The doctors told her she may never be able to have children of her own and my heart broke for her. She accepted the information calmly, but I know on the inside she was falling apart. I’m so grateful Everett has been by her side over the past 6 days. I didn’t want her to be alone, but I couldn’t leave Elijah.
Over the past few days, friends and family have come and gone to check on us both. The second day, I met Elijah and Rory’s mother. She is a fantastic woman who obviously loves her children fiercely. She’s been incredible, making sure I eat a few things here and there and bringing me fresh clothes every time Rory brings her in. I’ve made it clear to every person here that I will not leave him. I’d love to see them try to make me. A few other friends of his have come through to check in. It’s so obvious he's well loved and respected. A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts and I lift my head to see Rory and her mom coming through the door with coffee cups and breakfast.
“Good morning, dear. How’s our boy this mornin’?” Amelia, Elijah’s mom, asks with a soft smile. Her southern accent is so thick, I’m shocked Rory and Eli don’t sound the same.
“Morning guys,” I say, yawning and stretching my arms over my head. “He seems to be doing good. No change, but still good.” I accept the large, warm cup of tea she holds out to me.
“Did you sleep at all, honey?” She asks, concern etched all over her face. Even though the circumstances suck, it's nice to feel the care of a mother for once. Even if it’s someone else’s mother.
“Yeah, here and there.” I give her a small smile, hoping she won’t see through my lie. Unfortunately, she seems to have the same ability to read me that her son does. My fake smile drops, and she rubs my shoulder reassuringly.
“He’s gonna be ok, Ember. My boy is a fighter. He’ll find his way back to you, that I know for sure,” she says. I look up at her, teary-eyed, and squeeze her hand back. Rory slips out of the room to go find the nurse. She's been a pest to them the entire time we’ve been here, but I'm grateful for it.
It surprised me to find out that Amelia knew all about Elijah’s intentions to propose to me when I met her. Apparently, he’s been talking to her regularly about our relationship and she even helped him pick out my ring. It was my turn to surprise her, however, with the news that she was going to be a grandma. She was ecstatic, crying tears of joy and hugging me so tightly I thought we might both pass out. Every day since then, she's been bringing me different teas and snacks that she swears are good for me and the baby and I love her for it. I never imagined I would know what it feels like to be looked after by a mom, but I feel it with Amelia.
“Why don’t you take a little break, dear? Take a walk or go visit Kelsea. It’s not good for you to sit in this room all day, every day,” she says, running her hand over my hair in a nurturing way.
“If he has to be here, then so do I,” I tell her, leaving no room for argument. I won’t risk the chance that he wakes up and I'm not here. He wouldn’t leave me for a second if I was in his place. Amelia walks over and places a kiss on Elijah’s forehead, smoothing his long hair back out of his face and smiling down at him. She looks at my rough, tattooed, giant of a man as if he's just a little boy. But I realize that to her he is. He always will be. Instinctively, my hands fall to my own belly as I imagine what having our own little boy or girl will be like. I hope I can be as fierce and loving of a mother as Amelia is. God knows I had plenty of examples growing up of what not to do.
Rory comes through the doorway talking and smiling with a handsome doctor, and Amelia and I both give her a knowing stare. She quickly schools her expression and we nudge each other, snickering under our breath.
“Guys, this is Ezra,” she says, still looking at him like a schoolgirl. Amelia clears her throat and Rory snaps out of her daydreams. “Doctor Thompson is Eli’s neurologist,” she says, and my mind focuses sharply on the man.
“Nice to meet you, Dr. Thompson. Is there anything new you can tell us?” I ask him, not wasting any time.
“Well Mrs. Harding,” butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sound of someone calling me that, but I don’t bother correcting him. “Your husband’s condition is pretty cut and dry. He had massive blood loss from the bullet nicking the artery in his neck. The transfusions we gave him when you all arrived seem to have corrected and stabilized that problem. He sustained some mild trauma to the skull from the bullet’s graze, but he should make a full recovery. At this point, his body is just healing itself. We have him on antibiotics to prevent infection and he may need some physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in his neck after he's released.” I feel a weight lift from my chest and I take a deep breath. I’m so relieved to know he's out of the woods. Now if he would just wake up.
“Is there some reason why he's not awake, doctor?” Amelia asks.
“Not any reason in particular, no. He didn’t sustain any brain trauma that we are aware of. We will run more extensive tests to be sure once he does wake up. Sometimes the body just uses rest as a defense mechanism. He’s had to heal from some pretty significant injuries. It's not uncommon for patients to remain unconscious for several days,” he replies. That does nothing to easy my worry.
