“Mr. Vaughn, can you hear me?” I moved my head for the soft-spoken man, but his voice wasn’t familiar. It wasn’t the one I wanted to hear. But I knew Axel was here somewhere. I could feel his energy.
“Do you know where you are?”
“Hospital.” My throat ached. “Not heaven.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you’re in the emergency room. Can you open your eyes?”
I tried, but shook my head. “Hurts. Scratchy.”
“That’s okay. Let’s irrigate with saline.” I listened intently to the things going on around me until he lifted each lid to flush it out. Opening the left, then the right, I squinted from the bright lights. My gaze cut to an older man with gray hair. His smile was kind, but he wasn’t Axel. “There you are. I’m Dr. Baker.” He paused. “Do you remember what happened?”
I swallowed, trying to think. The last thing I remembered was Axel talking to me on the phone. “Yes, but it’s foggy.” Every word scraped coming out like dry sandpaper. I reached for my throat. “Can I have water?”
“We need to hold off on liquids for a bit, but we’ll swab your mouth again for moisture. Then we’ll try ice chips.”
I didn’t care as long as the scratchiness went away.
While a nurse took care of me, the doctor continued. “We’re going to keep you at least overnight for observation and to make sure you’re breathing okay. Your palms are banged up, but nothing that requires stitches.”
I nodded. But my attention focused on the familiar sound coming from the hallway. Axel. Hearing his voice settled me.
“Do you feel up to a visitor?” Dr. Baker asked. “He’s been very anxious and insistent on seeing you.”
“Always.” My brain was foggy, but I’d always recognize him. It hummed with electricity when he was near, and I could feel it when he walked in the room. Opening my eyes, I drank him in. He moved to my side, took my hand, then dropped his head to our clasped hands. His tears dampened my skin. “I thought I lost you.”
Gripping his hand, I brought the other one to his head. “Never,” I whispered.
“How do you feel? What can I do? I can’t lose you, Luca. I won’t survive without you.”
My eyes welled up at how much this had hurt him. “I’m so sorry.”
He raised his head, eyes bloodshot and red. “You’re coming home with me, permanently. I’m done with this separation business.”
I didn’t want to fight him anymore. I just wanted to be with him. “Okay. You win.”
“Yeah?”
I smiled. “Yes. I’m ready.”
Every time I coughed, his face contorted in pain. “Don’t talk. Just breathe, love.” His fingers grazed my face.
We sat, holding onto each other, afraid to let go, until Dr. Baker came back. “Good news. We’ve got your room upstairs. Respiratory is going to check in on you later to make sure your lungs are clearing up.”
“Private room,” Axel demanded. “I’m staying with him.”
Dr. Baker raised his hand. “No one will make you leave, Mr. Hughes.”
Axel’s shoulders relaxed. “How long will he be here? What do I need to do at home? Will he need oxygen tanks?”
“We’ll make that assessment tomorrow.” Dr. Baker put my chart down. “I think you’re in capable hands, Mr. Vaughn.”
“Me too.”
“They’ll be in to move you soon.” He walked over and extended his hand. “Take care, Luca. The team upstairs will take over your care, but I’ll check in later tonight before I go home.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you.”
Axel stood and extended his hand. “Thank you for everything.”
