The doctor handed Bella’s sister a pen. “I need you to sign a release.”
“What for?”
“Surgery. She’s got broken ribs and pelvis. We’ll find out from the CT what her lungs and spleen look like. Doctor’s pretty sure the spleen’s ruptured and needs to come out. I’ll bring you the paperwork.”
“Do—whatever you have to do. Just don’t let her die,” she said.
“That’s the plan,” she said with what may have been a smirk and left them alone with Bella and the whoosh of the ventilator and the beep of the machines. He stared at the ventilator mechanism, mesmerized. Like a giant bellows pushing air into her body and then drawing it back out. Animating her body while her soul was who knows where. He had always known Bella as vibrant, strong, opinionated and sexy. Now she seemed broken and fragile somehow on that narrow slab of a gurney with tape all over her, her pretty features distorted by the trauma.
“I’m Madison,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Harvey.”
“I know who you are. I’ve seen you in pictures, but it’s finally nice to put a face to the man my sister is in love with.”
“I’ve seen pictures of you on social media as well. Your sister has told me a lot about you.”
“I’m glad you’re here. It shows how much you really care.”
“I love her,” he said “More than anything.”
“And she loves you. And you guys have a beautiful family. So I don’t know why you fight over visitation and stuff.”
“That’s all over. I’m going to make Bella my wife, and we’re going to be a family.”
“That’s all Bella ever wanted,” she wept looking down at her sister, holding her hand.
“We’re going to be happy. I swear to you, I’m going to make her happy, no matter what it takes.”
“Don’t you see? It doesn’t take Bella a lot to make her happy. She just wants someone to hold her and watch movies on a Friday night with the kids.”
Tears welled up in his eyes. “She’s my world, Madison.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.” She swallowed hard and then looked at him. “Can I have a few minutes with her alone?”
“Sure.”
Harvey left and gave Madison the time she needed. When she was done, she touched his shoulder. You can go in. I’m going to go get some coffee.”
When she started to cry, Harvey hugged her and encouraged her to be strong. He let Madison sob into his chest and held her as a tear fell down his cheek.
When Madison left, he went to room where Bella was.
Harvey pulled the rolling stool over beside the gurney and sat on it, took her hand in both of his. He had to be careful not to disturb her IV. He wondered if she was sedated, if they were pumping pain medicine into her veins or just fluids. He felt powerless, confused by all the machinery and tubes and the overwhelming dread he felt.
“I love you, Bella,” he said as a tear rolled down his cheek. “And I’ve been thinking. We’re not toxic. It’s me, baby. It’s all me. I was this playboy billionaire raised by a cold-hearted woman who taught me to be successful and do whatever I wanted. So I did. And when I met the perfect woman for me, I got scared and let you go. And that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. I should’ve asked you to marry me. Because I knew you were the perfect woman for me. I’d never been so hopelessly in love with any other woman. You captured my attention like nobody else. You were so funny, so charming, so sweet, so humble, so down to earth. And when I saw you again after all those years, I was still crazy in love with you. But I’m not a man to settle down. I’ve never settled down, and it scared me to death. But now…I’m seeing everything in a different light. Losing you is not an option. I want to marry you, and I want us to raise our beautiful family together. I’m never letting you go, not ever. You’re my world, and I love you so much. So, just keep fighting, baby.”
He held her hand carefully, delicately even. He pressed a kiss to her knuckle, afraid to hurt her, afraid to disturb any of the wires and tubes that were keeping her alive. If it was a rib and pelvis thing, broken bones, why the ventilator? He needed to talk to the doctor, needed to get his head together enough to ask questions. He choked back a sob, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and stood to leave.
The nurse headed him off. “One of the police officers would like to speak with you. You can meet him in the waiting room. This one’s due down at radiology.” He nodded and went to meet the cop.
“Mr. James?”
“Carlson. Harvey Carlson,” he said, shaking the man’s hand. “Were you on the scene when they found her?”
“Yes. I’m Officer Lane. It looked like a drunk driver hit her. He drifted into the oncoming lane. It’s a good thing she was driving here in town and not on the interstate. At high speeds, Corvettes flip and you’re dead, you know,” the man said.
Harvey nodded, cursing himself for buying that stupid car for her. He should’ve gotten her something safe—a Volvo. When she got out of here, he was going to make her drive the safest, biggest van in the world, he promised himself.