“And he can have a sip of water, but only a sip, not gulps, not a whole cup, his insides aren’t ready for that yet.”
I dragged the heavy chair to the side of the bed and sat.
“I’ll be in every fifteen to thirty minutes to check on him.”
“Thank you, and thank you for everything.”
She smiled and slipped her pen away. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I just need him to be okay.”
“He will be.” She slipped out, leaving me alone with Mitch.
It hadn’t been the way I’d expected my day to start, but he was breathing and so was I; that had to be good no matter what else had happened.
After half an hour of watching him sleep, I found my phone and quietly called work, told them I wouldn’t be in due to a family emergency. I didn’t give them time to ask questions. They knew I didn’t have family to speak of, but I wasn’t in the mood to explain.
I then messaged Becca with an update. She texted straight back and said she’d pass on the information to the others.
I presumed she meant the twins.
Mitch stirred. A small moan as he moved his head to the left.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” I shot up and stroked his hair from his brow. “You’re going to be okay. I’m here. Everything is going to be fine.”
He blinked open his eyes, the bright lights seeming uncomfortable, and then his focus settled on my face. “Amy,” he croaked.
“I’m here. And you’re going to be okay.” I kept stroking his hair. “You’re in hospital. You’ve had surgery. But you’re going to be okay.”
He lifted his hand, slowly, and touched my cheek. “Are you really here?”
Emotion threatened to swamp me, but I had to stay strong…for him. “Yes…let’s get you a sip of water.”
He took it gratefully, then licked his dry lips. He set his head back on the pillow and winced.
“The nurse said to press this button for pain relief.” I slotted it into his hand. “Have some.”
He did just that, and one of the machines whirred softly.
I took his hand in both of mine. “What happened? Can you remember?”
“I…I got shot.” He frowned at his abdomen. “Fuck, it hurt, you know, I’ve often wondered what it would be like, but it was so much…more.”
“Can you remember what the guy looked like? The police will be on a major man hunt.”
He swallowed and used his pain button again. “I can’t really remember anything.” He paused. “Is that supposed to be bleeding through the bandage?”
“The nurse will be back soon, we’ll ask her, but I’d imagine some is to be expected.”
He nodded and set his attention back on me. “They took my wallet and phone.”
“They can be replaced.” I drew his knuckles to my mouth and kissed them. “What matters is you’re here.”
“And how are you here?”
“Becca and Cillian came to my place, to tell me.”
“Ah, good.”
