“Thank you.” Lily’s voice was quiet with emotion.
Boden hugged her before holding the door open to Arizona’s room.
The moment we crossed the threshold, Jameson climbed off the bed and lifted Lily out of the wheelchair, placing hercarefully beside Arizona. Both of them were immediately in tears, locked in an embrace.
Jameson and I exchanged a look, one that mirrored the other. Our hearts were in our throats as the gravity of what might have been was still all too fresh.
But one thing was clear: the bonds we shared in this room could never be replaced.
They were timeless.
They were bonds that took root when we were kids. Young and innocent, unaware of the challenges ahead. Unaware of the pain and loss we would share, as if it belonged to each of us.
It scarred our hearts and tested our resolve, but it was also during our hardest times that those bonds became the lifeline we needed most, helping us put one foot in front of the other and fight for the life we had now.
Filled with love and each other.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lily - Four Weeks Later
“What do you say, Lily-Bee? You ready to blow this pop stand and head home?”
The timbre of Jaxon’s voice barely preceded him as he sprinted across the threshold of my room, pushing a wheelchair with unparalleled enthusiasm, tipping the chair back on its rear wheels while he wore a grin a mile wide, sparkling in his eyes, filled with the promise of adventure ahead.
“Places like this usually frown upon their patients trying to pop a wheelie.”
After my emotional reunion with Arizona a month ago in her hospital room, I returned to mine in time to see Dr. Holt. Since I was awake and alert and my labs were clear, he recommended moving me to the inpatient rehabilitation center adjacent to the hospital in Rockwood, of all places, as soon as possible. He explained that they had a state-of-the-art facility and were better equipped to handle the specialized care I would need to help me regain my mobility and shorten my recovery time—a plan I was completely onboard with.
“Good thing I’m not a patient then.” He winked. “It’s also why I ran out earlier and returned armed with copious amounts of coffee, strawberry lemonade, donuts, and muffins. I’m banking on all of the staff being distracted while I break my girl out of here.”
“Then you shouldn’t have practically skipped down the hallway humming so loudly, Fisher,” Doctor Holt said, startling us both from the doorway where he stood in a crisp navy suit and white button-down dress shirt.
“I wasn’t skipping,” Jaxon countered, but the corner of his mouth twitched, which was really saying something since he was known for having the best poker face.
“Not what I heard.” The doctor arched a brow.
“You don’t even work here, so you can’t get me in trouble.”
He shook his head with an amused smile before turning his attention to me. “So, today’s the big day, huh, Lily?”
“It is, no take-backs, Doc,” Jaxon teased.
“No, no. I’d never. I had a meeting next door at the hospital and hoped to catch you before you checked out. I wanted to say again how proud I am of your recovery. All your hard work and determination have really paid off. It’s been a privilege to witness.”
“Thank you.”
“While I know Sutton River’s hospital isn’t as big, fancy, and exciting as what you’re used to here, but when the time comes that you’re ready to return to work, we’d love to offer you a nursing position. That is if you’re interested.”
“Really?” Jaxon and I both said in unison.
“Yes. The staff, myself included, believe you’d be an excellent addition.”
“That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Now take your time and give it some thought.”
I looked over at Jaxon, already sure of my answer. “I’d love nothing more than to work much closer to home when I’m ready.”
