"Pierce, please I'm trying to study." I let out an aggravated sigh as my eyes flickered upward from the white-colored pages of my textbook. Pierce approached closer to me, sliding the textbook out from my lap and throwing it to the side.
"Take a bre...
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⚫Pierce Henderson Gunner⚫
"Mr. Gunner, I apologize but is there any way I can come an hour earlier to check Aspen's vitals? I have another patient being moved to hospice and I just wanted-" The nurse said on the other end of the phone. She was a home nurse, one who went from house to house to help patients that have been discharged but still needed medical attention.
"That's fine, Raquel," I reassured, as I walked in the direction towards the bedroom. Raquel was the nurse assigned to Aspen, she came to check on her at least twice a day or more if needed. "Aspen's doing just fine, so don't feel rushed."
"Thank you, Mr. Gunner." Raquel let out a sigh of relief on the other end, obviously worked up over trying to fix her schedule around for the day. "I will see you soon." We were able to meet Raquel at the hospital before Aspen was discharged. She was about thirty and seemed very caring from what I had gathered.
"See you soon." I bid goodbye as I lowered the phone from my ear and slid it into my pocket. I leaned my body against the doorframe as I stood at the entrance of the bedroom, staring back at Aspen who was sound asleep in bed.
I couldn't fight the smile that was tugging at my lips, I was happy she was finally home. Home, with me. This apartment was just a reminder of what I lost and I dreamed of the day I'd get to see her sprawled across the bed with her floors scattered across the floor.
I pushed off from the doorframe, slowly walking towards the bed and sitting on the edge of my side. Her hair lay around her, framing her porcelain face. Her eyelids were still and her pink lips were pursed slightly. She lay on her side, keeping a pillow clutched to her chest.
My eyes wandered down her body, landing on the bandages that were covering parts of her body. She was wearing one of my old band t-shirts and a pair of black underwear, the rest of her body exposed while her legs were tangled with the cotton of the black comforter.
Her arm had been completely wrapped in a white bandage and the bottom of her torso was as well. I could feel a ping in my chest every time my eyes landed on the hurt that she had undergone. I wanted to protect her from the world, but I continued to fail repeatedly.
I was lucky she was even alive. I didn't know if she was going to make it so I handed her body over to Aster, praying that she would make it out alive.
If there was anything about Aspen Ambrosia it was that she was one hell of a fighter. She was the strongest person I had ever met. Her bravery shined through through every part of her, her body was filled with courage while others only had an ounce.
I reached over, softly caressing the side of her cheek with my fingertips as I brushed some loose strands away from her face. She stayed sound asleep and I knew with all the medication she was on that she would not be waking up soon.
Leaning forward, I tried to not make the bed shift in weight. Hovering my lips over her forehead, I whispered softly "I can't wait to marry you." Closing the gap between us, I pressed my lips to the surface of her forehead and left behind a small kiss.
