Both emotionally and physically exhausted, Nate kissed her lips before settling into the chair. Reaching between the railings, he took her hand in his and let out a slow, steady breath.
She was okay. Gracie was alive and breathing, and she was going to be okay.
Something happened, then.
One minute, he was just sitting there, watching Gracie’s chest move up and down with each magical breath she took. The next, Nate found himself replaying the horrific scene of that fucking car going over the bridge, along with everything else that had happened.
Him waking up in the hospital, only to be told she was missing.
The guilt and shame from finding out she’d been chained to a fucking bed and starved while he and the guys were all sitting around at Jake’s eating pizza.
Her telling him she loved him when she thought she was going to die.
Pulling her lifeless body through the water.
Pushing against her chest, begging her not to leave him.
Again and again, Nate was hit with the same terror he’d experienced when he thought he’d lost her forever. It played over and over in his mind, ending with the profound relief he’d felt only moments ago when the doctor had assured him she would be fine.
Then, it started all over again.
Somewhere in the middle of the vicious, heartbreaking cycle, it happened. Sitting there, with Gracie’s limp hand held tightly between both of his, Nathan Carter broke.
He tried to fight it at first, but it was no use. Tears fell down both cheeks as he hung his head and wept.
His broad shoulders shook with silent sobs while he thanked God for not taking her away from him.
When he finally got himself under control, Nate sat up straight. Using the clean shirt he’d changed into on the plane ride here, he dried his damp eyes.
Once he’d regained his composure, Nate gave in to his need to be nearer to her and carefully lowered the bed’s railing. He scooted the chair as close to her as he could.
Resting his head on the mattress near her shoulder, Nate gently draped his arm across her waist and closed his eyes. A few minutes later, while holding the most treasured gift he’d ever been given, Nate drifted off to sleep.
Throughout the night, Sarah, Kole, and each member of Bravo and Jake took turns coming in to check on both him and Gracie. After vowing to not leave her side and promising to call if there were any changes, Nate eventually convinced them all to go home and get some rest.
Several hours later, a small, delicate hand began playing with his hair. Suddenly awake, he lifted his head, tears forming again when he saw two gorgeous, sleepy eyes staring back at him.
“H-hi,” she smiled, her voice dry and cracking.
“Hi,” Nate smiled back, quickly swiping the moisture from his eyes.
“We…made it.” Her speech was slow and broken, but the light shining in her eyes let Nate know she truly was going to be okay.
“Yeah, baby,” he leaned up and kissed her forehead, then cupped the side of her face with his hand. “We made it.”
“You stayed.”
Nate didn’t care for the surprise he heard in her soft voice. “Of course, I stayed.” He reached over to the pink pitcher on the mobile tray and poured her a glass of water. Placing the bendable straw between her dry lips, he told her, “I’ve been here all night.”
After drinking half the contents in the cup, Gracie looked back at him. “No.” She shook her head slowly, her hair making a swishing sound against the stark white pillowcase. “In the car. You stayed with me…in the car.”
Squeezing her hand, Nate prayed she could see how serious he was when he said, “I would have died before leaving you there alone.”
Her cute brows turned inward. “Why?”
Why?“Gracie, do you remember what you said to me? Just before the water covered your face?”
Gracie licked her lips and nodded. “I remember.”
