A Tough Choice

Chapter Thirty Two

I watched them holding each other for what felt like an eternity. I'd been longing to hold her in my arms for so long, yet here she was with Caleb. I could see that she was crying and shaking from the shock of what had happened. It should be me comforting her and telling her that everything was okay.

"Emma." I whispered sadly. I needed her to look at me, to acknowledge that I was here. I had missed her more than words could say, I needed to know that she'd missed me too.

She didn't answer, she didn't even glance at me.

"How do you feel?" I heard him whisper.

"Sore." she said quietly.

"Do you need more analgesia?" he asked her.

She slowly shook her head.

I sighed and put my head in my hands. I couldn't stand seeing them like this. They seemed very cozy.

I looked up as they eventually let go of each other.

"I have things to do, will you be okay?" he asked her gently.

"You'll be back soon won't you?" she asked, a note of panic in her voice.

"Of course I will." he reassured her.

I glared at him as he walked away.

I watched her closely, desperately hoping that she would look at me.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked, after a long, uncomfortable silence.

"Sorry." I whispered as I quickly looked away.

"How long do I have to stay in the hospital for?" she asked.

"Just a couple of days, then we'll take out the tube and you'll be free to go." I answered.

She smiled and looked down at her hands.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." I said sadly.

She looked at me and raised her eyebrow.

"When I saw you laying in the road like that...I thought that..." I started, my voice breaking.

I shook my head quickly, trying to clear away the thoughts. She watched me closely, a strange expression on her pretty features. I locked eyes with her and stared at her intently. I leaned forward and kissed her gently. I felt her jump in surprise before she quickly pulled away.

"What the hell was that?!" she exclaimed.

I stared at her, completely speechless.

"I love you." I managed eventually, as I reached out and took her hand.

"Get away from me!" she cried.

I instantly let go of her hand as her words stung me. I jumped as Caleb opened the door.

"What's all the commotion?" he asked.
"Nothing." I said as I quickly stood up and left the room.

I couldn't bear to see him comfort her yet again. Why was she acting so weird, I knew that patients who had suffered head trauma were often confused, but she didn't seem to recognise me at all.

I sat in the staff room, lost in a sea of my own thoughts. I was losing her, I could feel her slipping through my fingers. I picked up my mug and threw it against the wall. All of the emotions that I'd been feeling for the last few hours had finally overwhelmed me. I could no longer keep them hidden. I watched as the mug shattered into tiny pieces. I fell to my knees and stared at the floor. I couldn't lose her, I was nothing without her. I wouldn't go down without a fight.