Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
I'm usually the toughest person in the world, but right now, without my mom or my sister, I feel so incredibly alone.
I don't want to die with so many unanswered questions.
"It's time for us to take her now.”
The nurse smiles at Alarick, and he turns to me.
He smiles, and I try to implant it into my brain, just in case I come out of this not knowing who he is, or worse.
"I love you, Briella. Should have told you that a million times over, but I didn't. It's the truth, and I need you to remember it. I love you."
"I love you, too, Flick."
He leans down and kisses me, soft and gentle, probably the sweetest kiss he's ever given me.
Then I'm being wheeled away from him. A tear rolls down my cheeks, and I close my eyes, trying to stay calm.
Before I know it, we're in the operating room, and they're giving me the medicine that'll put me to sleep.
Thank god.
Thank the sweet lord.
I just need this to be over.
MY EYELIDS FLUTTER open, and for a moment, I'm convinced I'm just waking up from a big nap. It takes me more than a minute to remember where I am, and it's only the nurse continually speaking to me, over and over, that has me coming to a little more.
"Hi, can you hear me?"
I blink a few times and stare at her. She's looking down at me with a smile on her face. Am I in heaven, is that what this is?
"Hi sweetheart, how are you feeling?"
"I...I'm not sure," I croak.
"The surgery went well, and you're in recovery."
Wait.
I'm in recovery.
It went well?
If I had the energy to cry, I would, but I feel utterly exhausted. Like I want to go back to sleep and maybe stay that way for a solid few days.
"Alarick?" I croak.
"Here."
I turn my head to the side to see Alarick, fully dressed in scrubs, looking down at me with an expression I'll take to my grave. It's one of pure love and happiness and complete joy. "You did it, baby. You made it through."
"I did it," I croak. "I'm here?"
"You're here."
"I'm okay?"
"You're more than okay. You’re a fuckin’ champion."
The nurse smiles. "I'm just going to run a few tests, check her blood pressure. I won't be too long."
She straps on a blood pressure cuff, and then she takes my temperature, a few other little observations, and then she offers me some water in a cup with a straw. "Sip this very lightly, you're exhausted, and you're probably going to be in and out of consciousness for a few hours yet, but don't be alarmed. It's just the medicine we'll be giving you to keep your brain happy and comfortable. It was a big surgery, and we don't want to risk over-stimulating you. You need to rest."
I nod and close my eyes, feeling Alarick's hand in mine.
"Don't leave, Flick," I whisper.
"Won't leave. Here until you wake up again. Go to sleep. Everything is okay now."
Finally.
I drift back off into the darkness, feeling so light I could almost fly.
It could be the drugs.
Or it could be relief.
Either way, I'm totally fine with it.
I WAKE AGAIN, ONLY this time I'm back in my room.
I have no idea how much I'm sleeping in between waking up and passing out again, but by the looks of it, it's dark outside. The operation was this morning, and I have no idea how long that took, so my guess is I've been sleeping most of the day. I don't mind, though, because it feels like I still need so much more.
I glance around the room, and I'm hooked up to machines still. I can see a large sign outside my room on the nurse's desk that reads ICU. I'm in the ICU for a few days. They told me I would be; they said it's because I need to be monitored around the clock, and then I'll be able to go back to the ward. I don't mind. I'm just so damned thrilled I got out of there alive.
Alarick isn't here, but I figure the poor guy had to go and eat or drink eventually. Maybe even sleep. I know he won't be far, I know he will be back.
"How are you feeling?"
I see an unfamiliar nurse coming into the room, smiling at me. "My name is Cheryl. How are you, Briella?"
"I'm okay," I croak. "Thirsty?"
She goes over to a little counter in the corner and pours me a glass of water, bringing it back. I carefully sip it as she takes all my observations before asking me, "How is your head feeling?"
"It feels fine, but I'm super groggy, so it's hard to tell."
"No pain? No strange sensations?"
I shake my head.
"That's wonderful. The doctor is on his way in now, he's going to discuss the surgery with you, but as far as I know, everything went well. You're recovering beautifully, and we're pleased with your progress."