44. Jasmine
Chapter forty-four
Jasmine
D espite the dim lighting in the room, I pass the time reading to Alex. I could do with extra light, but the dimness is for Alex’s benefit. I’m quite enjoying the story, and reading it aloud in the hope that it helps. I noticed a tatty little bookmark around halfway in, but for my sake, I started again at the beginning. The hero has to save the day, as all good kids’ heroes should, but I’m hoping the adventure helps bring his little mind back to us. I look forward to reading to him often as I take on the responsibility of parenthood. Though not as a direct parent, I would still be the one tasked with looking after him. I’m looking forward to filling my days with his company, but not in this state. His pale skin is a fraction too grey for my liking, but I am assured it is the lighting each time the nurses check on him. It’s so frequent, it’s almost annoying. As the fiancé of the consigliere, I am apparently an important woman, so if I ask the medical staff to wait outside until the end of each chapter, that is what they do.
“Finished,” I call to the empty room, and almost instantly, the nurse enters to carry out his checks. “I really do appreciate your due diligence with my grandson. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He barely looks up from his checks.
Grandson!
Who would have been born when I was twenty-two.
That sounds too wrong, yet I long for that official connection with him.
“I believe hearing your voice is helping.” The man gives me an awkward smile and heads back to the door.
“Oh good heavens, man. Go and prepare a coffee for us both, and then sit in here with me. There is no point in you standing outside the door.”
“It would be inappropriate for me to stay in here.”
“Nonsense. Now. Black, no sugar.” I send him on his way and take Alex’s hand back.
“Where were we?” I turn the page to begin the next chapter. Oh no! The hero is defeated. I’m sure it is only for a chapter, but suddenly, the story has lost its appeal.
“The brave knight found himself in the strange kingdom of livingroomlandia. It is a beautiful kingdom, but with a terrible case of dragon-related ticklitis. There is only one cure, and so the knight changed his journey to the far-off land of kitchenaria, where the elixir of coffee can be found along with the only known cure.”
“Biscuits,” Alex whispers.
“Oh my goodness!” I drop the book with surprise and smile down at him. His eyes are barely open, but he is looking at me.
“I have to call the doctor. Hang on.” I pull my hand from his and run to the door. “Lola, he’s awake.”
"Alex." I return to his side, gripping his hand once more. "You were so brave today. You were stronger than anyone I've ever known." This boy has faced more darkness than any child should, yet he fought with courage against men three times his age.
“Against the dragon?” his voice never leaves a whisper, his consciousness barely lifting above a dream state.
“Yes. You beat the dragon and you saved the queen of the castle.”
His fingers tighten around mine with a conscious effort to hold me, then they fall limp again.
“Stay with me, Alex. I fear I shall succumb to the ticklitis if you go to sleep before my coffee arrives.”
A soft laugh escapes from his lips, the twitch of a smile graces them and then sleep grips him once again.
“Don’t worry. That’s normal.” The nurse calls from where he waits in the doorway. “It’s going to take time for him to wake up properly, it’s supposed to take a long time.”
“Thank you.” His words mean a lot, as watching Alex drift away from me feels like a failure.
Eyes still closed, Alex's breath steadies, and a semblance of colour begins to chase away the pallor in his cheeks. I can almost see the strength refilling his little body, drop by drop as if an invisible transfusion of courage is at work.
"Alex," I said with a warmth that bubbles from my heart, "when you're all better, we're going to have so much fun fixing up our secret fortress, you know."
His brow furrows slightly as if processing the words through a haze.
"Imagine," I continue, spurred on by the fact that he is listening, my voice a gentle brushstroke in the quiet room.
“We'll transform the laundry chute into the slickest escape route this side of the city. No bad guys will ever catch us off guard again. You’ll have to show me how to get out, though. No queen should face that embarrassment again."
The hint of a dream seems to play across his features, a small battleground where fatigue fights against the lure of adventure.
"We'll fortify our walls and lay traps for any monsters daring enough to come after us." The more I speak of our future exploits, the more animated I become, painting a picture of impenetrable defences and cunning subterfuge. My nurse companion saves my coffee from the bookshelf and hides in the corner grinning.
"Because you, my dear boy, are the bravest knight this world has ever seen." I brush a lock of hair from Alex’s forehead, pride swelling within me. "You've battled dragons and shadows with nothing more than your lionheart. And look at you – still here, still fighting."
A soft groan emerges from him, not of pain, but the murmurings of a warrior waking from his slumber.
“And you have to save me from eating all the biscuits alone.” Truer words have never been spoken.
Alex's eyelids flutter, a tremor of awareness rippling across his young face. My heart leaps at the sight of those weary brown eyes meeting mine, the fog of unconsciousness lifting like a retreating mist. He draws a shuddering breath and parts his dry lips to murmur in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Queen of the castle..." he mutters, each word a challenge in his sleepy state.
"My most loyal and brave knight," I affirmed, warmth spreading through me as I lean in to kiss his forehead.
His fingers twitch against mine, seeking reassurance. "Does... does that mean you're going to marry Grampy?" Alex asks, the hint of a mischievous twinkle returning to his gaze.
"Yes," I breathe out, my own smile mirroring his. "Yes, I am."
And with those words, I am driven from his side by the return of Doctor Lola and her medical team. At least the nurse has time to pass me my coffee before he joins the haze of care and attention they bestow on the most amazing child in the world.