Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ethan
I stayed with Aubrey at the hospital all night. There was no way I was leaving her. I had briefly left the room to go and get us some coffee, and when I came back, I found her in the bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror.
Aubrey
I wanted to wait until I was alone to see myself in the mirror. After Ethan left to get some coffee, I climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom ten steps away. It took me a minute to be brave enough to flip the light switch, for I was scared of who would be staring back at me. Placing my hand on the switch, I closed my eyes and flipped it up. Taking in a deep breath, I slowly opened my eyes. Was this me? The last time I saw myself in a mirror was when I was eight years old and had long blonde braids. Images of that little girl came to my mind, and I could see the shadow of her in the mirror. I’d grown into this woman that I only knew from the inside. It was strange seeing myself after all these years. I felt like a stranger was staring back at me. A person I didn’t visually recognize, and it freaked me the fuck out for a moment. Until Ethan walked in.
Ethan
She looked frightened, like a child looking at a stranger. I placed my hands on her shoulders and smiled at her through the mirror.
“Didn’t I tell you that you were gorgeous?”
“This is so strange to me, Ethan. The last time I looked in a mirror, I was a child—a little girl. And now, I’m this woman.”
“Yes, sweetheart. You’re this beautiful woman both inside and out.”
Tears started to fall from her eyes as she turned to me and buried her face into my chest.
“It’s okay, baby. Let’s get you back in bed.”
Just as I helped her back in bed, Wanda, her nurse, walked in, shaking a small cup with a pill in it.
“I have a little something for you to take, Aubrey. Hold out your hand.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a little something to help you sleep. Dr. Marchetti ordered it for you. Right now, your brain is on visual overload, and you won’t be able to unwind.” She handed her a cup of water.
Aubrey popped the pill in her mouth and chased it down with water.
“Get some sleep.” Wanda smiled. “Are you staying with her?” she asked me.
“Yes.”
“Good man. Do you want a cot?”
“No. I’ll be sleeping in this bed with her.”
“Like I said, good man.” She smiled.
Aubrey moved over as I climbed in next to her, held my arm out while she snuggled against my chest, and fell fast asleep while I stroked her hair.