“How are you feeling?” he asks. Nodding the small cup that nurse has given Acacia, he adds, “Take small sips for now.”
Acacia moans with the first sip she takes from her water, and I smile at her. She is sexy even in this situation, and she doesn’t even try to be.
“You’ve had this young man very worried, you know.” Dr Ryan says, looking at me with amusement. I kind of irritated him the past a few days with my non-stop questions.
Turning his attention to Acacia, he says, “You’ll be sleepy today and will most probably be in and out of consciousness but that’s normal. Are you in any pain?”
“Not really, just a headache.”
“Okay, the nurse will bring you a painkiller, and I’ll be back tonight before I finish to check on you.”
Acacia nods her head with a small smile. She looks tired. As the doctor leaves, I go after him, “Doctor, thank you so much!” I shake his hand firmly.
“You’re very welcome. She’s going to need plenty of rest when she leaves here, but I’ll release her in a day or two. I’ll be back later.” He smiles and leaves the room.
Instead of sitting back in the chair, I sit on the edge of the bed so I can be closer to her then take hold of her hand again.
“Baby, I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“How long have I been here?”
“You’ve been in a coma for five days. God, I thought I’d lost you. What happened?”
Her eyes fill with tears, and I can’t bear to see her upset, so I change the subject. “Toby and Landon should be here soon, Toby has driven me crazy these last few days. Does he ever shut up? I can see why you two are so close, though.” I wink at her in amusement as tease her about her nervous non-stop chatter.
Acacia chuckles a little and has another sip of water. I watch her try to swallow as the movement of her throat gets my attention.
Taking the cup from her, I put it on the cupboard at the side of her. “How long have you been here?”
Just as I’m about to answer, a voice answers for me, “He hasn’t been home, he didn’t leave. He’s a stubborn son of a bitch, and he needs a shower!”
Rolling my eyes, I snap, “Nice to see you, too, Toby.” I turn to face them and smile. “Landon.” I nod, shaking his hand as he brings me in for a hug.
“Hey, dude!” Landon walks towards the bed and kisses Acacia’s cheek.
“I’ve showered here if you must know.”
“Ashton, come here?”
I walk towards my girl as I reach the bed she crooks a finger at me and asks me to come closer to her. “Go home and shower and eat, for me...please? I’m awake now. Toby will stay until you get back.”
I reluctantly agree when I smell my t-shirt. Now that my girl has come back to me I need to be the best version of myself to keep her by my side. She deserves the best version of the man she loves.
I take Acacia’s face in my hands and kiss her lips tenderly, looking deep into her pretty eyes I lose myself and kiss her again. “I won’t be long.” I kiss her cheek.
“You won’t have a chance to miss me,” I whisper and place another kiss on her forehead, making her giggle. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
She nods, and I finally take a step back from her bed.
Taking one last glance at her, I turn at Toby. “Look after her. I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, boss,” Toby smirks, and Landon tries to hide his amusement but fails miserably.
Once I’m home I don’t waste any time, strip my clothes, and get into the shower. I let the warm water pour over me. The anguish and stress from the last few days were being washed away from me. I was so close to losing her.
I hope you won’t be too late for me.
Her words echo in my mind. She was about to be right with her prediction. I could have lost her to my grief and sorrow. I was about to be too late for her because I couldn’t say my goodbye because I couldn’t set April free. But now everything is on the right track. Life has given me a second chance, and I’m not planning on wasting it. I vow to myself I won’t waste any more time. I’m done with grief and sadness.