I turn around and walk toward her, taking her in my arms. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
Her body heaves as she cries into my chest. I’m in full on panic mode, ready to combust as the nerves start to take over.
I kiss the top of her head, holding her closer. “Oh god, please tell me what’s wrong. Baby, please don’t cry. Tell me where it hurts.”
She looks up and stares into my eyes. The emerald greens shine as tears fill them and a tear trickles down her face. My finger reaches up to grab it just before it rolls off her chin.
A huge smile stretches across her plump lips as she whispers, “You walked.”
Melanie
EVERYTHING HAPPENED so fast I can’t even remember it. All I know is that I saw Roman walk. He walked from the spot his wheelchair was thrown, to where Easton was standing over me, and finally he walked back to me after he beat the shit out of Easton.
He glances down at his feet and his eyes grow wide. He slowly raises his gaze toward me and flashes a brilliant smile. “I walked.”
His eyes fill with tears as it hits him that he actually did it. I rejoice with him and he crashes his lips into mine. Tears spill down my face and I taste the salt as I kiss Roman. The kiss is heated but toned down.
He pulls away from my lips and blurts out, “I’m so sorry for being a dick these past couple of days. I’ve been an ass and I hope you can forgive me.”
I nod my head and before I can respond Amanda arrives with two security guards. “Holy shit, what happened Melanie?”
Roman takes a few steps back and I hold on to him, not sure how much longer he can stand on his own. Roman and I explain the entire situation to security as they wake Easton up. He grumbles on the floor and cusses out loud toward Roman and me. Roman’s body tenses but I hold him back, not wanting him to cause another scene.
Amanda rushes to grab Roman’s wheelchair off the floor and pushes it toward him. He refuses to sit in it and remains standing. “Nope, I’m good.”
Puzzled, she looks at me and I tell her, “He walked.”
She lets out a shriek as her hands clasp together, jumping up and down as she hears the good news. “Oh, my god! That’s amazing!”
A few minutes later, Tom strolls toward us with a cane in his hands. He hands it to Roman. “Amanda told me the news. Congrats dude. You finally conquered your fear and pushed through. I’m so proud of you.”
The two of them hug as Tom heads off back toward his floor. The security guards take down our statement again before taking Easton away and telling us we can all head out. Holding hands, Roman and I head back to the nurses station and I watch as he walks, keeping his balance with the cane.
His footing is a little shaky but nevertheless, he’s walking. Actually walking. He must sense my enjoyment and my stare because he winks at me, catching me off guard. I squeeze his hand as we continue to walk toward the nurses station.
I leave him to rest in the waiting area. “Wait here. I need to go talk to my boss for a moment. I’ll be back.”
Heading down the hall, I knock on Dr. Ferguson’s door and listen as he tells me to step inside.
“Ah, yes Melanie. How are you doing today? What’s goin on?”
I’m shaking with nerves. “Uh, yes sir; actually lots of things at the moment.”
I proceed to tell him all about what happened with Easton and Roman: the assault, the fight, and the miracle. Dr. Ferguson listens closely as I recount each detail as best I can. At the end, I ask if I can have the rest of the day off.
He sits up in his chair. “So, quick question. You and Roman are in a relationship now?”
I nod. “Yes sir.”
He glances up toward the ceiling. “Hmm, and when did it start? It wasn’t while he was a patient, was it?”
Swallowing hard, I shake my head. “No, it only started last month.”
He stares at me for a few moments, trying to sense if I’m lying, but he then proceeds to grant me my freedom for the rest of the day.
I let out a deep breath. “Thank you Dr. Ferguson. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You’re welcome Melanie. And tell Roman I said congratulations.”