S E R E N D I P I T Y

- t h i r t y t w o -

"When I found you, my heart found a home."

* * *

When I felt an hand running in my hair, I sighed in content, my hand tightening around my girl's as I mumbled something in my sleep, turning my head in the slightest to face her, I was met with bright emerald green eyes.

At first, I froze in shock, trying to figure out if I was dreaming or if she was really awake. But my thoughts were confirmed a single tear rolled down her cheek, my eyes following its movement as I stood up to my feet in the next second.

"Baby?" I called out to her softly and heard a sob break out from her, making something break inside me as I sat next to her, swiftly picking her up in my arms and making her sit sideways on my lap.

"It's okay darling, I'm here now." I held her shaking body close to mine, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, rocking her back and forth slowly as her sobs turned to small hiccups and sniffles.

I quickly pressed the button that alerted the doctor and not even a moment later, he rushed in followed by a few nurses.

"Mrs. Ricci, glad to see you awake now. How are you feeling?" The doctor asked as Emerald snuggled closer into my chest.

"Baby? Can you answer the doctor please?" I softly caressed her cheek and she nodded as the doctor checked her vitals and asked her a few questions.

"Your head might hurt a bit for a while, which is why we're giving you painkillers. Other than that, you look much better." The doctor said and I sighed in relief.

"How much longer is she supposed to stay here?" I inquired.

"Just a few more hours for us to monitor her vitals, then you are free to take her home." The doctor said and I nodded before he left, leaving us two alone again.

We sat in silence for a while until I knew we had to talk.

"Are you feeling better now baby?" I asked and she nodded into my chest.

"Do you remember what happened?" I asked again and saw her think for a while before she nodded.

"Could you tell me darling? I need to know." I said as gently as I could and saw her nod before she started speaking.

"I remember going to the bathroom because I felt dizzy for some reason." She started with a weak and shaky voice and I cursed at how weak she had become.

She told me the whole story of the girls coming in the bathroom and saying some mean things to her. 

I had to probe her with questions after questions as if she was in an interrogation to find out what the girls actually said to her because knowing my Emerald, she would never throw anyone under the bus.

Or for me to deal with them myself for that matter.

And when I found what they said to her, all I could see was red. I was fucking livid, more than that actually.

"Do not ever think that darling. Never think that you're not enough for me. Like I said before, you're more than enough and I'd never leave you. Remember that. I'll always protect you baby." I kissed her head and saw her nod hesitantly

After a while of silence, she spoke up again, breaking my heart into a million pieces as her eyes welled up.

"But you left me." She said with a shaky voice.

"I know baby, and I'm so fucking sorry." I said looking into her eyes.

"I thought you hated me. I thought you didn't like me or that you didn't want me anymore." She said softly, barely keeping it together.