Looking at her now, though—so fragile in this hospital bed, beaten and bruised and fighting for her life—it makes me wonder how I could ever have doubted what this woman makes me feel.
“How’s she doing?” My sister’s voice startles me as she enters the room behind me.
I peer over my shoulder as I sigh. “The same. Doctor said it could be a while before she wakes up, but…”
Her hand lands on my shoulder. “She will. Give her time, Rhonan.”
My eyes travel right back to Vienna’s face. The early morning sunlight is peaking through the blinds as the sun starts to rise in the distance. So much time has passed since we arrived here last night, and yet? It also feels that time is passing way too fucking slowly right now.
“Time hasn’t been very kind to me lately, Laney.”
“I actually think it has.”
“How do you figure?”
“Well, a little over two months ago you were grumpy and making it everyone else’s problem. But now you’re in love.” She smirks down at me. “A lot can change in a short amount of time.”
My shoulders fall. “I’m sorry that your honeymoon was ruined.”
“You didnotruin my honeymoon. There is no place Fletcher and I would rather be right now.”
“How’s Ellis?”
“She’s shaken up, but she’s powering through and trying to be tough. She really wants to see Vienna though.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want her to see her like this. She already saw her after she was shot, but…”
“I get it. Maybe once Vienna wakes up, then Ellis can really see that she’s okay…”
“That’s what I’m thinking.” My eyes begin to sting as I press a kiss to the top of Vienna’s hand. “She took a bullet for my kid, Laney.”
“I know.” My sister squeezes my shoulder. “She loves her.”
“I can’t lose her,” I croak out.
“You’re not going to, Rhonan. This was all just a test, and I think you both passed with flying colors.” Leaning down, she presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Do you want some food, or…”
“No, I’m good.”
“You sure? You need to eat something…”
I shake my head. “I’m okay.”
“All right. I’ll come back later with some breakfast. Keep me posted in the meantime. Dad is gonna take Ellis today for a bit. He thought taking her to the winery and letting her boss people around might get her spirits back up.”
I manage to chuckle, which makes my chest feel lighter for the first time in days. “She’ll like that.”
“That’s what I said.” Laney winks at me over her shoulder. “I love you, Rhonan. Everything is going to work out, okay?”
“Love you too, Laney.”
When she shuts the door, I hang my head and rest it on top of Vienna’s arm, leaning forward in this chair that is making my back ache the longer I sit here. But I welcome the pain. I’m not fucking leaving until I hear this woman’s voice again.
I’m not sure how much time passes between me resting my head on the bed and a voice startling me awake, but when I hear and feel Vienna start to stir, my entire body comes alive.
“Rhonan?”
My head pops up as my eyes land on Vienna, her eyes still closed but there’s a pinch in her brow that wasn’t there before. “Vienna, baby?”
