Fix Me

I nodded. The weight I had felt was miraculously lifted from me. “Okay. I can do that.”

“Good. Now, as your nurse and your friend, I have to tell you, it is time to sl

eep.”

“I slept a little last night,” I argued.

His hand touched my face. “Good. Why don’t we go lay down? If you can’t sleep, that’s fine. We’ll just lay together and rest.”

“You’ll stay with me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Does my dad know you are here?”

“Yes. I told him I was going to stay on.”

“Was he happy about it?” I asked. I had gotten the impression my dad was happy Luke was leaving. I knew he was only appeasing me when he said he was okay with me and Luke being together. He would never truly approve of me dating a nurse. He wanted me with a mover and shaker that was going to be some corporate hotshot one day. Luke did not have that future.

“He was. Well, maybe happy isn’t the right word, but he did tell me he wanted me to stay, at least through the recovery period.”

I smiled. “Alright then, it’s settled.”

“Can we go lay down now?”

“Are you suggesting laying down or are you going to put the moves on me?”

He laughed. “I will keep my hands to myself.”

He got to his feet and pulled me up. Together we walked back to my bedroom. We got under the covers, with him spooning me. For the first time in a week, my mind was quiet. His arm wrapped around me, holding me close to him.

“I’m tired,” I whispered feeling my body relax.

“I bet you are sweetheart,” he murmured next to my ear. “Let your body relax. Let’s start with the relaxation technique we’ve been working on.”

I smiled, my eyes refusing to open. I did as he instructed, starting with my toes and slowly moving up my body. “I’m asleep,” I mumbled, my lips too tired to move.

“Shh, I’ve got you. I’m here. I won’t move.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t say anything. Six days without restful sleep had caught up with me. I was sinking fast and I didn’t try to fight it. I fell asleep with him holding me tight. As I drifted into the sleep world, my thoughts were positive. I thought about my future, but it was without the dread and fear I had been feeling for so long.

I felt safe in his arms and like no matter what the future held for me, Luke was there. He would be there to hold me and comfort me as long as I did my part. I couldn’t let myself get back to that point where I let the negative thoughts dominate my world.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Luke

I KNOCKED ONCE ON THE back door before letting myself into the Sullivan kitchen. Bree was leaning against the counter, sipping her coffee. She smiled and for a brief second, I let myself believe she was looking at me. “Good morning,” she said.

“Good morning. You look beautiful.”

She laughed. “Thank you. I’m going to have to take your word on that.”

“Good. You should. I know a beautiful woman when I see one.”

“Guess what?” she said, sounding a little giddy.

“What?”