The 18th Floor

Chapter Sixty One

I hear the beeping machines before anything else. My eyes feel too heavy to open. My whole body feels too heavy. But the beeping gets louder and it hits me all at once. It's happening again. I'm trapped. Everything hurts. Panic rising in my chest, I feel my eyes flutter open to the same poster white walls and metallic, stagnant smell. Suddenly unable to breathe or talk, I hear the sounds of the beeping increase followed by the feel of a warm hand touch my face.

"Cyrene, love, Cyrene, breathe."

I turn to find Lucien's soft eyes filled with panic with deep shades of purple underneath find mine.

"Breathe. You're okay. It's fine", he says slowly, breathing with me until my heart rate reduces to a normal speed. I feel something warm fall down my cheek, tears I didn't know I cried and he wipes them away. I look down at the paper thin hospital gown I'm in, the drips tied to my hands and the wires protruding out and under from all over my body.

"It's ok. I brought you into the hospital, you're fever spiked and you were out of it. You had a lung infection, it was bad", he says gently and I see the pain etch across his face. "They've been treating you for the past few days."

Few days? How long have I been here?

"You were in and out for most it, but you've been through the worst", he clarifies, still cupping my cheeks and giving me a kiss on the head.

"Say something", he whispers and it escapes me that I probably haven't said a word to him in days.

"It hurts."

"I know baby, it's going to be okay", he nods. "Your dads been here with me every day." My eyes swell at the mention of my dad.

"He's gone home to shower, but I'll let him know you're up. I'm sure he'll run over", he smiles softly. I nod, needing my dad here with me. With Lucien.

The sudden realisation that I've been blessed with incredible men in my life feels too overwhelming and I can't help but let the tears fall again.

"Hey, hey, look at me. What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"I love you", I sob out and he scoffs.

"I love you too", he says and then lays down next to me, in the hospital bed that is already too small.

"You're going to fall off", I whisper as I nestle further into the crook of his neck.

"Be quiet, you need to rest", he announces as he strokes my hair with one hand.

"How long have I been here?"

"5 days", he sighs out.

"Was it... was it bad?", I ask, not even able to fathom the fear he must have felt of having to witness me having a lung infection for the first time. Spinal cord injuries don't just stop at the spine, they affect the whole body. My whole immune system is suppressed and weaker than most, making me more susceptible to even the lightest of colds. With limited body movement and feelings, it sometimes puts my organs at risk also.

"Your dad said you had worse", he says, his voice full of ache.

"I'm sorr-"

"Don't. What have I told you about apologising for things that aren't your fault. We all get sick, it

happens Cyrene."

I nod.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because when I next open my eyes I'm greeted by a cold shadow of where Lucien was laying but instead see my dad on the guest chair reading the paper.

"Dad", I croaked out, my throat still dry and crackly.

"Oh, my darling", he says, jumping out and coming over to hug me. "I'm so glad you're okay." I sniffle, suddenly feeling like a little girl again by the comfort of my dad's embrace.