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)
"Thank you," I say, and I genuinely mean it.
"There's my most stubborn patient."
I glance over to see Dr. Peterson walking into the room. He's wearing scrubs, and he's smiling like he has had the best day ever.
"Dr. Peterson, hi," I say, my voice still sleepy.
"How are you feeling, Briella?"
"I'm feeling okay. Tired."
"That's to be expected. Are you able to move your legs and arms well?"
I move my legs and arms, flex my fingers, and curl my toes. Then I smile. "I'd say that's a yes."
He smiles back. "Wonderful, and you're feeling well? Nothing unusual happening?"
"No."
"Perfect. The surgery went well, we were able to remove the entire tumor, and you'll be pleased to know that I just got the results back that it's benign. You're cancer-free, your labs look great, and I think you're going to make a splendid recovery."
"Really?" I whisper, and my eyes burn with unshed tears.
"You're going to be fine. We're going to monitor you for a few years, just to make sure there is no regrowth, but I think you're going to be perfectly fine. Recovery will be at least six weeks, so in that time, you're going to have to take it easy, but after that you can resume your normal activities."
"Thank you so much," I smile, and I mean it.
Oh, do I mean it.
"You're very welcome. Now, get some rest. You're going to be quite tired until this time tomorrow, I'd imagine. Your lovely Alarick told me he's going to be back in an hour, he was just going to get something to eat, and if I didn't keep an eye on you, he'd make me wish I was never born."
I laugh softly. "He doesn't mean it, of course."
Dr. Peterson laughs. "He hasn't moved from your side. I think he's a good one."
The two of them leave, and I lean back into my pillow, feeling the most incredible amount of relief.
I drift back off to sleep once the nurse fills up my drip with the excellent pain killers once more.
This time, when I wake, it's to an extremely familiar voice.
My eyelids flicker open, and I stare up at...King.
Looking down at me is the man I considered a father for so many years.
His eyes are the same soft, yet hard, and his face slightly more aged, but equally as beautiful as the last time I saw him.
I must be dreaming.
The drugs are making me hallucinate.
"King?" I croak.
"How are you, sweetheart?"
His voice is soft and oh so familiar. My heart aches, because I've needed a parent, I've needed comfort, I've needed him. Our parting wasn't kind, but I can't deny that when I heard he had died, it broke my heart. It just broke me.
Wait.
He's dead.
This isn't real.
Damn you brain, for making me dream something I need so badly.
"You're dead," I whisper, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
"No," he says, his voice a low whisper. "No, I'm not. It's a long story, but I need you to know that you're going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay."
"I'm dreaming," I croak.
He shakes his head, reaching down and placing something into my hand. I hold it up to see a necklace, one he gave me when I was younger, one I left behind when I ran away. One that meant so much to me. I curl my fingers around it.
"You're not dreaming. I'm here."
"H-h-h-how, I don't understand?"
"I can't tell you everything right now, but you gotta know that I have information about your momma. When I heard about Magnolia, I knew I needed to come back."
"You're...I don't understand."
"I'll tell you when the time is right. I just needed to see how you were. See you were okay. Don't tell Alarick I was here, you gotta promise me?"
"I don't understand," I say again, shaking my head slightly.
He cups my face; the same was Flick does. "You will, I promise you. For now, you have to pretend you never saw me. Okay? Can you do that for me?"
I nod, confused.
He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. "You're going to be okay."
I close my eyes, and the drugs take over again.
I drift off into a fitful sleep.
"HEY."
I open my eyes and see Alarick leaning over me, gently running his fingers down my face.
"Flick?" I croak.
"It’s me, baby. How are you?"
"I..."
King.
I open my eyes wider and glance around the room, but nobody is here.
Just Alarick and I.
"Was...was someone here?"
"Nobody, just me. You feelin’ okay?"
"Have you been here all night?"
He nods, but looks concerned. "What’s goin’ on?”
I look around again.
I must have been dreaming.
I must have been imagining it.
My heart hurts, just a little because part of me wishes it was real.
Part of me wishes he was here.
I have so much to be sorry for.
So much.
"I must have been dreaming," I whisper. “It’s nothing, just these good drugs.”