Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Athena
Tubes and machines are the first things I notice when a nurse takes Sebastian and me into Liam’s room.
It’s silent except for the loud beeps coming from the machines.
I take those sounds as a good sign.
Sebastian steps around me to approach the bed where Liam is. He’s on his back. Tubes are coming from his chest, and an IV is attached to his arm.
His beautiful blue eyes are closed, but I see it.
I see what Sebastian meant when he said that Liam looks different.
His brother bends down. With a swift pull of the mask over his mouth down, he kisses Liam’s forehead. “I found her, Wolf. I found Athena.”
Liam’s eyelids stay shut.
The machine beeps on as Sebastian turns to face me.
“He kept saying Athena,” he says through the green mask. “He was in and out of consciousness before the surgery, but he only said two things. Your name and lilac.”
My eyes fill with tears again.
I nod. “He calls me that.”
“You’re important to him.”
My heart flutters with those words. “He’s the most important person in my world.”
“You love him?”
I don’t hesitate when I answer. “With every piece of my heart.”
A single tear rolls down his cheek. “We got another chance with him. I think he fought to stay alive because of you.”
I step closer until I’m almost next to Sebastian.
I gaze down at Liam.
His beard is gone. His hair is much shorter. It’s still long enough to fall onto his forehead, but the sides are trimmed close to his head. The back must be too.
“I called every hospital when I couldn’t find him.” Sebastian runs a gloved finger over his brother’s cheek. “I described him, but he didn’t match the bearded, long-haired guy I was looking for.”
I stare at Liam.
“Once I called back and added the details about his height and the tattoos, I struck gold.”
I nod.
“Did he look like this the last time you saw him?”
“No,” I whisper. “He didn’t.”
“He’s a handsome bastard, isn’t he?” He huffs out a laugh.
Moving even closer, I slide a finger over Liam’s smooth chin. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever known.”
Time stalls when Liam’s eyelids finally flutter open.
I move to stand next to him.
I’ve been here all night. Maybe it’s been longer. This room doesn’t have any windows, and my cell phone wasn’t allowed, so Tilly promised she’d keep it safe in her purse.
I didn’t need it.
I texted Jeremy to tell him what was happening before I came back in to settle into a chair for the night.
Liam’s parents kept vigil in the waiting room, but they insisted that I take the chair in his room.
“It’s what my boy would want,” his dad said.
“Liam,” I whisper his name. “Please open your eyes.”
One lid cracks open. His voice comes out in a growl. “Lilac?”
My breath catches in my chest at the sound of that. I’ll never tire of hearing him call me that.
“I’m here.” I lean closer. “I’m here, Liam.”
His other eye opens a touch. “Pull that down.”
I tug the mask down so he can see my entire face. I know I look like hell. I spent half the night in tears, both happy and sad. I spent the rest of the time trying to sleep, but I couldn’t.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers. “Look how beautiful.”
“You are.” I smooth a finger over his bare chin. “You had this face under all that hair.”
He tries to laugh, but a cough escapes him. “You like this face?”
With the mask still down, I lean even closer. “I love this face.”
His eyes find mine. “I love you.”
I hold back the urge to kiss him because I don’t know the risks and I won’t jeopardize his recovery. Instead, I rest my lips against the soft skin of his cheek. “I love you, Liam.”
Tears well in his eyes. “Say it again.”
“I love you.” I swallow hard. “I love you with my whole heart.”
His lips tug up into a smile. “I love you with my whole heart. It’s fixed now.”
“I didn’t know it was broken.”
His gaze skims my face. “I have so much to tell you.”
I kiss his forehead. “You will. I think you’re supposed to rest now.”
“You’ll stay?” He bows his chin. “Will you stay until I wake up again?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I look to the door. “I won’t go farther than the waiting room. I need to tell your mom and dad that you woke up.”
“Tell them I love them, and it’s okay.”
“You love them, and you’re okay,” I say through tears.
“It’s okay,” he gently corrects me. “I know why they did it.”
His eyes start to shut, so I don’t press for more.
“I’ll tell them,” I whisper as I press my lips to his forehead. “I love you, Liam.”
I love you, lilac. Happy Birthday.”