Complete

33: Thank you

Gulf stepped out of the operating room, a weight lifted off his shoulders.

Thank goodness he didn't lose his touch as the "Ghost Doctor".

The surgery went well. After Gulf took out the bullet, he left it to Thanit to finish up.

Gulf would have done it himself. However, the intense concentration and pressure during the surgery for more than four hours, this also being his first surgery in four years, takes a toll on him. So he left it to the team. He trusts them.

Taking off his head cover, he noticed Bright and Avia were waiting outside.

Bright's hands were wringed together as he bent forward. Avia was patting Bright's back and assuring him that everything would be fine. She was trying to stay strong for Bright and Mew. Nevertheless, it wasn't enough to conceal her tears.

Squatting in front of them, Gulf took both of their hands.

"The operation was successful."

Tears started to stream down Gulf's face, his voice cracking.

"I am so sorry.

If it wasn't for me, Mew wouldn't have gotten injured.

I nearly cost you your brother Bright

I nearly cost you your grandson Avia.

I-"

Gulf couldn't bring himself to speak further. He knows the fear of losing his family.

To think that he nearly inflicted that same fear on people who have only treated him well. Even if it was not on purpose, to him, it was inexcusable.

Avia gently clasped Gulf's face, wiping away his tears.

"Gulf, it isn't your fault.

Knowing Mew, he would still have done the same thing if he had to choose again.

When you came into our lives, we could see how Mew smiled more. Laughed more.

If you were gone, Mew wouldn't have been the Mew that me and Bright knew.

He would have been an empty shell. He wouldn't find meaning in his life.

You complete his life.

And we are so thankful for that.

You are part of our family Gulf."

Hearing Avia's words, Gulf sobbed even harder.

Avia hugged Gulf and Bright, the three of them crying out their emotions.

---

"You should go back and get some rest. I will call both of you when Mew wakes up." Gulf smiled, giggling when Avia ruffled his hair.

"I will bring some of my cupcakes. You need sugar after all this," Avia chuckled.

"Yay!" Gulf jumped up and down excitedly like a kid.

Bright laughed at this sight. "Wait till I tell Mew that you care more about desserts than him."

"Brightt~" Gulf whined, pouting.

"Hey! I am doing you a favour. When Mew learns you like desserts, I am sure he would give you some." Bright wiggled his eyebrows.

"Bright!" Gulf's cheeks are bright red, the blush reaching up to his ears.

"Don't tease him." Avia smacked Bright's head.

Now it was Bright's turn to pout and Gulf's turn to laugh.

"We will go and get some rest. You too okay?" Avia caressed Gulf's face, Gulf leaning into her hand.

"Okay." Gulf nodded fervently, like a puppy.

Gulf saw Bright and Avia off, waving to them as they got into the car.

After seeing them off, he walked to the room where Mew is in.

Quietly opening the door, he switched on the lights and made it dim.

Gulf sat down on the chair beside the bed, gazing at Mew.

Mew's face is slightly pale but better than before.

Gulf held Mew's hand gently, his bottom lip quivering.

"Thank god you are alive Mew.

You know, when I was standing in front of the door while you were in the operating room, I was unsure.

Unsure of which pain was worse.

The shock of witnessing my love's life slipping away in my arms.

Or the ache at the thought of not having the chance to spend forever with you.

When you wake up, I am going to beat you first. For making me go through so much." Gulf chuckled softly.

Afterwards, I will watch you 24/7 so you don't do stupid things." Gulf huffed.

"When you recover, we are going to have a barbeque party with the rest. You better learn how to grill meat. I want lots as compensation for taking care of you, you big-muscled gorilla.

Then we can go for a holiday and relax. Maybe the beach. Or I can bring you to the wolf sanctuary. I will set my wolf puppy on you." Gulf smiled devilishly at the thought.

"I am going to make many more memories with you Mew.

Because memories with you are more than memories.

They are all of me.

Because you complete me too."

Gulf smiled softly. Laying his head on the edge of the bed, he fell asleep, their hands still intertwined.