“Grandpa?”
Smiling that brilliant smile, he moved closer to me. “My precious little Lauren.”
“H-how am I talking to you?” Colt’s voice continued to call out to me as the room grew brighter and I felt such a sense of peace.
Taking my hands, my grandfather smiled. “I’ve missed you, sweet Lauren.”
Turning, I glanced over my shoulder. Nurses moved about in my room as I let out a gasp. “Grandpa, I’m—”
Slowly looking back at my grandfather, I felt a love I’d never experienced before. “Not now, Lauren. Not now, my sweet niña. He loves you too much.”
Closing my eyes, I heard Colt calling out to me. Looking back at my grandpa, I smiled weakly. “I feel his love pulling me to him, Grandpa. I can’t leave him.”
My grandfather leaned over and kissed my cheek. “My sweet Lauren, open your eyes. Open your eyes and go back to him.”
The light slowly faded as the voices grew louder. “I’ve got a heartbeat, Dr. Wilker.”
Another voice. “She’s breathing. Her temperature is down to one hundred and one, doctor.”
“Let her family know she’s stable. Good job, everyone.”
The voices slowly started to fade as I drifted off to sleep.
TINGLES. MY HAND was tingling. Colt. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my hand.
My sweet Lauren, open your eyes. Open your eyes and go back to him.
Slowly opening my eyes, I saw him. Leaning his head down, Colt had his lips to the back of my hand as he whispered against my skin.
“Baby, please. I want to hear your voice. I love you, Lauren. I love you so much and I’m not leaving until you wake up.”
Tears stung my eyes as I watched the man I love pouring his heart out to me.
Opening my mouth, I tried to speak but nothing would come out. Colt continued to speak against my skin that was now on fire from his touch.
“I’m so scared, sweetheart. Please, I beg you to wake up.”
My body felt so weak, but I neede
d to let him know I was here and I was never going to leave him. Lifting my hand, Colt jumped back as he stared down at my hand.
“I’m up,” I whispered as Colt snapped his head to look at me. Jumping up, Colt wiped his tears away. He stared at me for a few moments before he leaned over and pressed his lips to mine.
“I love you. Oh God, Lauren. I love you so much.”
Smiling against his warm soft lips, I whispered, “I love you more.”
Shaking his head he chuckled. “Never. Not possible, sweetheart.”
Colt’s blue eyes were red and the puffy dark circles told me he hadn’t been getting much sleep. How long had I been in the hospital?
Licking my lips, I tried to talk.
“Are you thirsty?” Colt asked.
Nodding my head, I looked around the room. No one else was in here but Colt. Holding up a glass and a straw, Colt spoke. “Just a small drink, baby. I’m not sure you can have anything yet. I need to get the nurse.”
Taking a small sip I let out a sigh. The cold water felt amazing as it slid down my throat to my stomach.