"I love you, baby."
"I love you, Nate."
We hug for a long time. Her phone lights up.
"It’ll be Cindy. Everyone is asking me about how you are and when we’re coming back. What you did is reckless, stupid, and … and brave,” she says, holding me tight.
"It was you who saved us."
"You owe me a hair tie."
"No, I owe you my life."
"Oh, and a honeymoon?”
"Anything you want, love."
"Will you resume service, Captain Weister?"
"No, ma'am. I want to be with my family," I say, kissing her. I missed her kisses, her lips. I missed her.
"Why? Why did you push me away from you?”
"When I woke up the first time, I saw you in the arms of another man, and I went crazy."
"What? Whose? Christian?" she asks, surprised. When I nod, she shakes her head. "We were at the university together, and we had courses in common. I didn't know he was here. He explained what happened to you because no one wanted to tell me, and he was the doctor on duty."
"Yeah, jealousy took over. And then, when I woke up after the surgery, I couldn't move my legs anymore. The terror of being in a wheelchair all my life, and forcing you to a life of suffering, made me decide to set you free. "
"It doesn't make sense, Nate. I’d have been by your side anyway. Christian told me I’d have to choose between having the operation or not. The surgery could have disabled you but not doing it would have risked your life. I don't want to live without you…"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"For not giving up on me and for loving me."
"We’re a team, you and me, and I won’t leave you. But we have to make decisions together because you choose the worst."
I burst out laughing. She's right. She's the most rational part of me—the reason for my life.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Isabel
Iwake up in Nathan's arms. For a moment, I have the sensation of dreaming. But when I open my eyes and he kisses me, I know for a fact that it's real.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning...” I get out of bed and run to the bathroom. I hear Christian's voice in the room.
"Mr. Weister, good morning,” he says as I leave the bathroom, "Isabel, are you okay?" he asks, smiling.
"Yes. I have to try to eat something."
"I'll have someone bring you some tea and biscuits. Then go have breakfast. You’ll be going home today." His reproachful tone doesn’t escape me even though he smiles.
"For real?" Nate asks, surprised.
