~Chapter 33~
I end up falling asleep before they make it home. These pain meds are no joke. And, I guess my body was still tired after being in a coma for two weeks. So strange.
When I do wake up, the scent of eucalyptus and lavender fills my nose and I feel a smile cross my face. I try to hold my groan in as I open my eyes and shift toward her scent.
When I finally look over to my right, I am both relieved and perturbed to see her there. Relieved because she’s here, but perturbed because she’s not touching me. I mean, I know that I’ve more or less- ok more- shied away from touch. I know she’s caught my muscles tensing or the cringe I can’t hide when someone pats me on the shoulder, or when she tries to rub against my hand or arm. It’s no one’s fault but mine. However, after dying in her arms, I’m done.
She’s the one. And, I've spent far too long allowing my hang-ups to stop me from being with her.
Biting my cheek, I slowly inch toward her, wrap my arm around her, and pull her into me. Pour girl is passed smooth out. In fact, her sigh of contentment is the only sign she’s even alive.
Her beautiful, heart-shaped face is relaxed and peaceful. There are a few freckles on her face that I never noticed before and her lashes are perfect little wings, fanning out from her eyelids.
I inhale her sweet scent and close my eyes, just letting my body get used to the feel of someone against me, someone’s warmth seeping into me… And the longer I lie there with her, the more comfortably I feel; the more comforted.
Some time later, my eyes pop open as Beatrice wiggles out of my grasp. “Where do you think you’re going?” I cough as each word scratches my overly-dried mouth.
She jumps before turning her face to me; ocean blue eyes wide with what seems like nervousness with a hint of fear.
My brows pinch together, “What’s wrong?” I rasp.
She quickly slips off the bed, and I love to see her without her casts for the first time in 2 months. The guys told me that Doc removed them, before the mission, but seeing it, seeing her… is perfection.
A cup of water with a straw appears in my view and I come back to myself. Sucking in a few greedy gulps, I feel the cooling sensation flood my body. I don’t even realize I’m groaning until I hear her giggle. My eyes pop back open, to find her cheeks flushed, her hair a wavy mess from sleep, and her eyes twinkling with so much damn joy that it makes my heart expand almost painfully.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” She responds with a chuckle.
Nothing else is said for a whole ass eternity but, it doesn’t matter. I can see the feelings, the thoughts, the hope shining in her eyes. For the first time since I met her, all of her walls are down. She’s completely vulnerable, completely open, and allowing herself to completely feel everything. Good God, it’s glorious.
“Can I take you on a date?” The words slip from my mouth before I can stop them, causing my eyes to widen in surprise; along with hers.
“Um, yes, but, I think you have a couple more days of bed rest before you can get up. Your bullet wound is just about healed, but you needed a full transfusion when you slipped into the coma. So, maybe this weekend? If you promise to keep it low-key?”
I smile wide, more excited than I think I’ve ever been as I hold my hand out to her. She looks at it for a moment before slowly finding my gaze with hers. Then, she gingerly slides her hand into mine and lets me intertwine our fingers together.
With matching smiles, she snuggles up against me, and we spend the rest of the evening talking, making plans, and watching Lucifer.