Big ass tube
Sophia
“—love you.” The croakywords spilling from Oliver’s lips are the best thing I’ve ever heard.
Tears pour out of me so quickly everything blurs.
“See?” Uncle Dixon’s sideways smile lifts from the other side of the bed. “It just takes a little while. I’ll be back after a bit so you have some time.”
“Thank you, for everything.” I blink up at him, biting at my trembling lip.
All he does is raise a hand in a short wave before leaving.
But he made sure that the hospital brought me a bed, completely moving me into Oliver’s room. I can still hear the echoes of his argument with the administrator over it.
It might be against protocol, but he made it happen.
I’m lucky he’s here.
Standing, I brush my palm over Oliver’s forehead while still clinging to his hand. I snuck his wedding ring back on two days ago. I know that he’ll want it to be there when he wakes up.
“I love you too, Ollie. I’m here, baby.”
For almost a week I’ve had to see him lying broken and unconscious.
I’ll stay forever if that’s what it takes. My heart is there, wrapped in those sheets, hidden under gauze and stitches.
Every scar he’ll carry, he got by saving me and our baby.
And hate that he was put here by my own family.
No. I don’t count Cade as part of it.
He did this to myhusband.
Oliver’s jaw drops, then raises, lightly smacking his lips together. “Dry,” he rasps.
Oh shit!
I scramble for my thermos and pop the top off to dig out an ice chip with a spoon.
Uncle Dixon was very clear that he might not be able to swallow well at first.
“Here, baby.” I gently set the edge against his mouth and let the tiny piece slip against his tongue.
His jaw clenches and I can see his throat work as he moves it around.
Then his beautiful brown eyes, the windows to his soul that I’ve been longing to see, finally crack open.
“Hey.” His voice is hoarse, but the smile he gives me makes it the most soothing sound I’ve ever heard.
“Hey, stranger.” I cradle his palm to my cheek, letting the tears flow. “I’ve missed you.”
Flicking his gaze briefly around the room, he refocuses on me with a little knot between his brows. “How long?”
“Six days.” My lips press his thumb.
“Soph? Are you okay? The baby?” His fingers flex behind my ear, like he’s trying just as hard to believe I’m here as I am that he’s awake.
