Natalie stepped closer. “What did he say to you, Cole?”
He shook his head in answer.
“Cole.”
“Where are the kids?”
“My friend, Bonnie, is watching them at her home.”
“Any place we can get a cup of coffee?”
She nodded and led him down the hall to the ICU waiting room. There were vending machines against one wall.
Cole walked over to the coffee machine and got them each a cup.
They sat.
Cole looked over at her. “You okay?”
She turned and looked at him. “I blame myself.”
“Why?” Cole asked, stunned.
“You told us months ago that the neighborhood wasn’t safe. We should have left then.”
“Natalie, don’t. You were trying to get her out. We both were. I was coming out next week to bring her home.” If only he’d come sooner, but he’d wanted to find them a place big enough for all of them. “I should have come back with you.”
“Oh, Cole. Don’t blame yourself.”
Cole looked away. He sat staring at the floor, barely remembering drinking the cup of coffee.
***
Angel made it through the critical first 24 hours. The next hurdle, the doctor told them, was for her to get through the next week. Somehow they made it through that, too. Then an infection set in, and they fought to keep her alive. For weeks, Cole sat by her bedside, refusing to leave.
Eventually, she improved enough for them to remove the respirator and bring her out of the induced coma they had put her in. Cole was in the room when she regained consciousness.
She looked at him and smiled.
Days later, she wouldn’t remember him being there.
Finally, she improved enough to be taken off critical care and moved to another room. The doctors thought if all went well, she may be home as soon as another week.
She woke up one day, and her thoughts were clear. She looked over and saw Cole asleep in the chair next to her bed. She found the button to raise her bed up and pressed it.
The sound of the bed rising woke Cole. He shook the sleep from his eyes and looked over at her.
She was staring at him.
He smiled. “Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” he asked, moving to sit on the bed next to her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“You were in an accident. I came as soon as I heard,” he whispered, brushing the hair back from her forehead.
“But you hate hospitals.”
He smiled down at her and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re all that matters.”
She pulled away, remembering why she was mad at him. “You should go.”
“Angel, please don’t do this. I know you’re angry, but we need to talk.”
“I don’t have anything to say to you. You shouldn’t have come. I want you to leave.”
“Not before you hear what I have to say.” He knew this might be his only chance to make her listen. “I love you, Angel. I always have. I want us to be a family. I want you to come to California with me.”
She turned her head on the pillow, looking away from him. “Please go.”
He reached out to take her hand, but she yanked it away. “Angel. Please. Look at me.”
She refused.
“I love you. I know you love me, too.”
She turned to look at him then. “No. I don’t. Please go.” She pressed the call button for the nurse.
He stood, knowing he didn’t have much time before they came and threw him out. “Listen to me, Angel. I love you. I’m not giving up on you. I knew the minute I first saw those eyes of yours that I was in over my head. My life…I know it’s a mess. Maybe I never really tried before—never gave a damn before—until you. If I can’t make this work, make us work, I don’t think I could stand it. Do you hear me?”
Still she looked away.
“I feel like I’m in a deep dark hole, and I’m tryin’ to climb out of it, babe. I’m trying to do it, for you. But I need your help, baby. And I don’t know where to start. Tell me where to start, Angel. Please. I’ll do whatever you say.”
The nurse walked in.
“Please go,” Angel begged, breaking down into tears.
“You should leave now, sir,” the nurse told him.
He looked at Angel.
Still she didn’t respond.
He turned and walked out.
***