“I didn’t either. And sweetheart, I’m not mad. I’m just so glad that they were able to get you help quickly and sort out what was wrong. When Oliver called us, he told us they were relieved you got here when you did because your body could have gone into septic shock.”
I froze. “Oliver was here with me?”
“Yes, of course. He hasn’t left your side. I just convinced him about half an hour ago to go get a cup of coffee and something to eat. I had to promise him that I wouldn’t take my eyes off you while he was gone. That boy has been nothing short of terrified.”
I sank into my thoughts as my mother stepped outside to let the nurses know that I was awake and to text Oliver. Even when a petite, red-haired nurse came in to check my vitals and explain to me that the doctor would be in later, I could barely do more than nod at her.
No more than thirty seconds after the nurse left, the door opened again and Oliver walked in, his eyes wide. He rushed to my side, gently taking my hand in his. “Laidie?”
“Hi,” I managed, choking back tears.
“I’m so relieved that you’re awake. I got up here as fast as I could. I’m so sorry I left and wasn’t here when you woke up. How are you feeling? Do you need anything? What can I do?” The words tumbled out of him at warp speed.
I squeezed his hand. “I’m fine, it’s okay.” I had never seen Oliver like this before—frantic and downright discombobulated. Dark circles shadowed his eyes and his usually neat hair stuck up in a million directions.
My mother popped her head in. “Adelaide, if you are okay, I’m going to go track down your father and get some food.”
I nodded, letting her know that was fine. Great, actually. I needed some time alone with Oliver.
Once the door had closed again and I was sure she was gone, I took a deep breath. “What happened with the Council? After…after I collapsed? Did they vote?”
Oliver’s mouth tipped up in a smile. “I got word a couple of hours ago that they reconvened after we left, with Knox stepping in in my place. They voted to repeal the marriage law and to keep the school meal program in place, with opportunities for expansion next year.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as a tear slid down my cheek.Thank God, I didn’t mess it up. We did it.
Oliver reached forward with his free hand, using his thumb to gently wipe the tear away. “I’m so proud of you, Laidie. You were amazing.”
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I needed to say next. “Oliver, we need to talk.”
His brows knit together. “What’s wrong? Do you not like the hospital? We can get you moved to another room if you don’t like this one.”
“No,” I interrupted him. “The hospital is fine. Lovely, even. It’s not that.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“I just…” I waved my hand around to gesture at the room. “Look at where we are right now. I know you said you didn’t care about my diagnosis, but this is all just too much. I don’t want to put you through this. And collapsing during a Council meeting? The press is going to absolutely hound you and the family over that.” I closed my eyes, inhaling slowly through my nose and letting my eyes flutter open again as I exhaled. “You have an entire country to run. I don’t want you to worry about taking care of me, too. Now that the marriage law is gone, you’re free to find someone in your own time. Someone who can give you the life and family you deserve. Are you sure you don’t want that?”
I closed my eyes, fighting down my sobs and the way that the idea of Oliver marrying anyone else made me want to vomit.
After a few moments of silence, he squeezed my hand, silently encouraging me to look at him.
When I opened my eyes, he was leaning forward, pinning me with his gaze.
“What happened to you at the Council meeting was traumatic and terrifying, and I understand if you need some time to process that. Butyouare the one I want, Adelaide. I lost you once years ago. And just hours ago I watched you fall to the ground, not knowing if I was losing you again. I held your motionless body and swore to any god who would listen that I’d do anything to keep you with me, and I plan to follow through on that.
“I know you’re scared. I know that brain of yours is working overtime right now.” He let go of my hand and pushed himself up from his chair. Taking my face in both of his hands, he leaned his forehead against my own. “Do want some space to think?”
I nodded, tears clouding my vision.
“Okay,” he answered, and pressed a kiss to my brow. “I’ll just be down the hall if you need me.” He walked out the door, closing it softly.
The tears I had been holding back flowed like rivers down my face. Oliver was right about one thing: What had happenedwastraumatic and I did need to process it. But I still wondered if he deserved more—to be with someone who wasn’t a liability, who wasn’t sick or broken or malfunctioning. He deserved a partner that could give him everything he needed, and I was terrified thatit couldn’t be me.
About an hour later, a nurse came to bring me some dinner and convinced me that a shower would help me feel more like myself. Even though I had taken one that morning, I felt grimy from the events of the day and knew she was probably right.
Freshly showered and dressed in a pair of clean, soft pink pajamas, I slowly climbed back into the hospital bed. I messaged my parents, telling them to go home and get some rest, and was trying to decide whether I should try reading a book or call Oliver in when a knock at the door drew my attention.
“Come in,” I called.
