Chapter 43
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Lily
Beep
Beep
Beep
Oh my gosh. Will somebody turn that beeping off? It’s all I hear. Wait. No, that’s not true. I hear faint voices at times. Other times, I think I forgot to turn an audiobook off. I can’t seem to find the button to stop it, though.
“Morning, angel. You look beautiful today.”
The voice is back. I could listen to his deep voice for hours. He could talk me into anything.
I sigh deeply and lean into the palm against my cheek. It’s the first bit of warmth I’ve felt in a long time.
“Lily?” His voice is louder. It’s no longer soft like a lullaby. “Come on, angel. Open your eyes.”
I want to do as he asks. My eyelids feel so heavy. I try to blink, but my eyes feel glued shut.
“Oh, my gosh, Jack. She’s waking up.” A woman says.
Her voice seems familiar, but I can’t place it. Jack? I’ve heard that name before. Who’s waking up? Have they been asleep long?
“You can do it, Lily. Come back to me,” his deep voice coaxes.
Me? My name is Lily. He’s talking to me. My eyelids lift slightly. The first rays of light peek through. With each blink, more light comes and pushes the darkness away. Finally, the voice I’ve clung to in the dreams becomes a real person.
“Jack,” my voice cracks. My throat hurts.
“Hey, angel. Welcome back.” Jack presses his lips to the edge of mine.
The beeping grows louder.
“Shut that off, please.” I can’t take it anymore.
“Shut what off, love?”
“The beeps.”
“I can’t, but this lady probably can.”
“Hello, Lily. I’m Dana. Let’s get your vital signs, and I’ll see what I can do about the monitor sounds.” She’s the familiar voice.
Monitors? I frantically look around. The beeping gets louder. Dana’s a nurse. Oh my gosh.
“Jack.”
“Shh. Easy, angel, easy.”
“Where am I?” I know where I am.
“You’re in the hospital. Do you remember anything?”
I close my eyes and immediately pop them open again. I don’t want to see darkness anymore. Instead, I focus on each stroke his fingers make down the side of my face, sweet, gentle, loving.
“Do you know who you are?” Dana asks.
That’s not a good sign. I don’t yell at her or look at Dana like she’s crazy. I’m a nurse. We usually ask that question when someone’s been unconscious for a long time.
I lock eyes with the man looming over me. “I’m Lily Harman. You’re Jack McLeod.”
He grins. “That’s right, angel. Good girl.”
“We had Thanksgiving dinner at the clubhouse.” I gasp. “Oh my gosh! You’re a biker.”
Jack, my nurse, and several more people laugh. Jack stands up straight so I can see the room full of people behind him. I know them. I know them all.
“You’re Viking Warriors.” I can’t help but laugh with them. Only laughing hurts. I lay my hand against my throat.
“Here you go.” Dana holds a straw to my lips.
The first sip of water hurts. The next soothes. I push the straw away when my throat is no longer dry.
My eyes find Jack’s again. “I was shot.”
His face drops. “Yeah. I’m sorry, angel.”
“Not your fault.” I turn to my nurse. “Am I going to be okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. You’ll have some therapy, but you’ll be fine. I hear you’re a nurse, too. Maybe one day, I’ll see you around here in scrubs.” She looks across the bed to Jack. “I knew you could talk her back. Doctor McCormick will be by soon. We let him know she’s awake.” Dana waves to Jack’s family and quietly leaves.
“Hey, sweet girl.” Jack’s mother moves to the side of the bed and squeezes my hand.
“Hey, Nanny.” I smile up at her.
Her smile fades. “No, ma’am. I’m not Nanny to you anymore.”
“Mom,” Jack warns.
“What? Why? You’re Nanny to everybody.”
“Uncle Jack officially claimed you,” Everly announces. “Nanny’s Mom to you now.”
I snap my eyes to Jack. “You did what?”
“You’re his ole’ lady. We’ve already ordered your cut.” Everly claps and bounces on her toes.
“Did he now?”
“Yep. You’re officially ours now. No takebacks.” Everly giggles.
I raise my finger and motion for Jack to lean down. He lowers to loom over me again.
“No takebacks from you either,” I whisper.
“It’s sealed for eternity, angel,” he vows before his lips claim mine.