Chapter 41
Monica’s soft laugh and a familiar-sounding, older woman’s voice were coming to me like I was at the bottom of a well.
Everything hurt. Not as bad as the last time I was conscious, but still painful. I needed to wake up. My eyelids were so heavy though. I remembered the look on Lucas’ face right before everything went dark. He had been so scared. He had been in pain.
His best friend is gone.
I cracked my eyes, everything blurry without my glasses, but manageable. Two shapes sat on the small couch in the room.
How long had I been out?
I cleared my throat. It felt like I had swallowed glass.
Mon’s head jerked over and her eyes got huge. “BECKS?” she yelped, standing up
“Hi, Mon” I whispered “I’m so sorry…” I began brokenly.
“SHUT UP!” she exclaimed, bursting into tears as Nan smiled behind her at me, her own eyes watering.
Monica strode to the side of my bed, shaking her head, “None of that was your fault, Rebecca Wareman. I loved my husband and I’m going to miss him every second of every day for the rest of my life. But he went the way he would’ve wanted. He was saving someone. Not just anyone. One of our best friends! I don’t want to hear sorries!” she said, sobbing.
I started crying, ignoring the pain in my ribs as I did, reaching over to grab her hand and squeezing it. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she responded.
“Rebecca?” Lucas said brokenly from the doorway.
Lucas.
I turned my head taking him in. He looked so tired. Sweatpants and a shirt, damp hair. His appearance brought instant comfort. It was then I realized Lucas Marshall was my home.
“You’re awake!” he said loudly. I cringed at the noise, my head hurting.
“Hush!” said Nan. “She’s just woken up and this is a lot to take in.” She stood and shuffled over, patting my hand over Monica’s. “It's nice to finally meet you, dear. Welcome back. I’ll go get the nurses.” She shuffled out of the room past a still stunned Lucas.
I started getting worried. Maybe it had been too much? Had he changed his mind about how he felt about me?
“Lucas?” I asked, uncertainly.
He snapped out of it, striding over to the bed, and leaned down kissing me before pulling back, “Jesus. I thought you weren’t going to wake up,” he said, forehead against mine. “Scared the shit out of me.”
“How long have I been out?” I asked “What happened? Where’s Nat?”
Monica squeezed my hand. “Nat has been staying with us. Me and the girls. Before you say anything, she hasn’t been one bit of a bother. She’s helped us and mothered all of us. She’s been good for the girls, because of Paul..” she trailed off.
“How long?” I asked again.
“Four days,” I turned, shocked, towards Lucas at his reply.
“The doctor said you had internal bleeding, broken ribs, a broken wrist. Severe burns on your feet. Not to mention you’d just been beaten to hell. You have bruises everywhere, Rebecca,” said Lucas. “I didn’t even know where to touch you to avoid hurting you. You coded once. We thought we’d all lose you too.” His eyes filled with tears, and he was blinking them back. “They said you’re healing nicely. Your bleeding has stopped. Your mind just needed time to heal.”
I nodded. “Clark and Larry are both gone?” I asked.
Lucas nodded. “Fuckers are dead,” he said firmly. “And you were the one to get rid of them. I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my life.”
Monica smiled at me, “I’m so relieved it's all over.” she breathed out.
“Mon…..I am so so sorry about Paul.” I said again.
She shook her head again. “You can be sorry we lost him and his light, but you can’t be sorry because you think it's your fault. He wouldn’t want that.”
I nodded.
“His visitation and funeral are on Monday morning,” she continued. “Can you believe that man had all his affairs in order? I barely had to do anything,” she said, breaking off, wiping tears off her face. “He’s taking care of me even after he is gone.”
Lucas nodded, “We both did that a few years ago together.” He looked over at me, “I’ll need to be updating mine soon. We both wanted everything taken care of so none of our loved ones had to worry about it.”
“Men,” said Monica.
“Men,” I concurred.
“Mom!?”
My head jerked towards the hospital room door at Nat’s voice. I tried to sit up, moaning softly at the pain. “Nat!” I said, reaching my arms out. She sprinted across the room, slamming into me, and I didn’t care that it hurt. I didn’t care about the pain shooting through me. I held onto her tight, relishing it, and started sobbing. “Baby, I’m so sorry.”
“It's okay, Mom. You’re awake! I’m so happy! I was so scared!” she said, squeezing me.
“You don’t have to be scared anymore. Its over, it's all over.” I said, squeezing her in return.
“We don’t have to leave ever?” she asked, pulling back.
I looked at her, glancing over to Lucas.
“We’re not going anywhere.” I said, smiling reassuringly. “We’re home. Thirteen years. We’re finally home. Finally free,” I said.