Every New Beginning... (Chris Evans AU)

.125.

  "So he's actually trying to breathe over the vent?" Laura asks Chris for clarification when he called Spencer after lunch.

  "That's what the doctor told us. He's still unconscious so they're hopeful that he'll wake up after too," he tells them as he shuffles his feet against the concrete. 

  "How's Opal today?" Laura's questions coming through the speaker phone.

  Chris takes a deep breath before releasing it slowly. "Uh, much better than yesterday. I think the shock of it all, especially happening while she was gone, was a bit much for her. But she got a full night's sleep and she's eaten today too so that's an improvement."

  "You need me to talk to the chief or anything for you?" Spencer asks him before they finish their conversation.

  "Nah. I spoke to him right before I called you. I just moved a vacation week around. I should be back in a week," he assures his friend.

  "Tell my girl I love her," Laura requests.

  Opal walks up to where she finds Chris outside of the hospital. She grabs the phone from his hand. "Tell her yourself," she calls out. 

  "Ope!"

  "Hey chick. How are you feeling?" she squats to sit down on the edge of the curb. Chris takes the spot next to her.

  "Don't worry about me. Are you okay?" her tone filled with concern.

  Opal looks over at Chris rolling her eyes. "Yes. Mama Lily is all but suffocating me, but Jameson is keeping her in check too. Now, how are you feeling?"

  Laura goes off onto a tangent about nausea and her search for something called Preggy Pop Drops that the girls at the salon swear by, along with ginger chews that Spencer had already ordered for her off of Amazon. The lively call continues as Chris notices Opal becoming more relaxed every moment. 

  Once the call ends Opal lays her head over on Chris' shoulder. "Ya know, for how bad the weather was in the middle of the night, it sure is a pretty day," he mentions. It's true though as the greenery of the bushes and trees look even brighter than yesterday.

  Opal holds both arms out in a welcoming manner. "Welcome to Florida. Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes and it'll change." She grins at Chris before checking the cell for the time. "It's almost time!" 

  Chris stands up first, offering her both of his hands. She takes them and begins lifting herself when he pulls her up roughly, right up to his chest. She squeals in laughter. "Easy Sergeant. I might break."

  "Somehow I doubt that," he says smugly before catching her lips with his own. 

  "Hey you two! You're in public for crying out loud," Rae shouts at the couple as she walks up from the parking lot.

  "What's your point?" Opal sasses over Chris' shoulder as she hugs him tightly. 

  Chris is enjoying seeing this side of Opal again. Fun and carefree. He only hopes everything goes according to plan this afternoon with taking him off of the vent. With another quick kiss he releases her from his grasp. She immediately grabs Rae's hand as they begin walking back into the hospital. 

Opal POV

  I stand in Pops' CCU room one more time, listening to the nurse and doctor go over the plan again.

 I hear the words.  

I understand the words. 

 I fear the words.