Western Waves (Compass 3)

I didn’t say a word back to her.

Within seconds, I was on my way to Stella.

“Stella,” I called out as I walked into the waiting room.

She looked up the moment she heard my voice, and I rushed toward her. “Oh, my goodness,” she cried out. My arms wrapped around her, and instant tears and deep sobs broke from her. “You’re okay! I didn’t know. I was so scared that something had happened to you. I was so scared you were somewhere dead. I—”

“I’m okay,” I said, pulling her in closer. She shook uncontrollably in my arms. “I’ll explain everything soon enough, but I just need you to know that I’m okay. All that matters right now is Maple. How is she?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. They won’t tell me anything pretty much. I’m not her true granddaughter, so they aren’t giving me any information. They said that they could once Maple is up and requests me, but until then…” She looked up at me, and I felt such deep sadness. When did that happen? When did I start feeling her spirit so deeply within my own? “What if she doesn’t wake up? What if she doesn’t come back?”

“She will.”

“You don’t know that. Because people die. They do. They come, and then they leave, and you never see it coming. You never know when your last goodbye is. You never know how to deal with the unspoken words…” She took a breath. “What if the last time we spoke was really the last time? I don’t even know if I told her I loved her. I don’t even know if—”

“It won’t be the last time.” I didn’t even know if I should’ve sworn something like that, but I did because it felt right. It felt as if I were supposed to tell her that no matter what, everything would be okay.

It felt like hope.

I never really had hope before Stella. It felt a bit foreign in my chest, but all I wanted it to do was grow larger within me.

We waited for hours. Then days. Then more days.

Maple was unconscious for a full week. When Stella lost all hope, I held it tighter. Not only for myself but for us both. I became her rock when her soul was shattered. I held her when she needed me to and held her even when it wasn’t necessary. I stayed beside her because that was what her heart needed me to do. And it was what my heart craved to do.

All I ever wanted to do was make sure she was okay.

I tried to get her to go home and rest, but she refused. So, I made a bed out of hospital chairs for her to rest her legs on while I’d massaged her swollen feet.

Finally, a nurse walked out to the lobby and said, “Stella Blackstone?”

Blackstone.

Mine.

Forever, I hoped. Forever, I prayed.

“Yes, that’s me,” she remarked.

“And a Damian Blackstone?” the nurse asked.

“That’s me.”

“Great. Maple has requested both of you to see her,” the nurse explained, smiling our way.

“She is okay?!” Stella remarked as I held her hand tightly in mine.

“Yes. She’s awake and recovering. Follow me, please.”

We did as she said, and the moment we reached Maple’s room, we crashed inside and wrapped ourselves around the special woman.

“Grams, I was so scared,” Stella sobbed, falling into her chest.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m okay. I’m okay,” Maple soothed. She looked over at me and gave me that warm smile that she always shared. “Some of us already knew I would be, though.”

I smirked back a little. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Right when this is over, you are having me signed up to be able to look over you, okay? You need someone to be able to get information on your health status, Grams,” Stella scolded. I knew it was just an overwhelming moment of emotions for her. For Maple, too, and she gladly agreed. “Is this what it was? My anxiety. I thought it was about the baby, but was it you, Grams? Is this what you saw?”

She took Stella’s hand and patted it in her grip. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

“Too late for that.” Stella gently chuckled as she kissed her forehead. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

The doctor came in and notified us of what was going on with Maple. She suffered from a heart attack that sent her into a coma. It was very touch-and-go for a while, but with some intensive care and time, she would be okay.

We stayed as long as we could, but once visiting hours were up, we were forced to leave her side. “We’ll be back tomorrow,” I promised her.

“I know that you will.”

I kissed her forehead gently and squeezed her hand before letting her go. “UB,” I told her.

She smiled. “I’m glad you found it again.”