Housekeeper (Book one, Lavens Family)

31. awake

(Dave)

 I've been at her bedside for three days now. With Vanessa stable and the artificial coma stopped, all we can do is wait for her to wake up. Stephanie is with us today, reading a magazine and occasionally glancing out the window or at her friend. I have my laptop, trying to read some files, but I am easily distracted by Vanessa. An hour later, I yawn, stretch, and ask Stephanie, "Do you need anything from the cafeteria?"

"Could you bring me a Coke, please?"

"Of course," I reply and leave the room.

I walk through the busy hospital corridors, stopping occasionally to greet people. Every so often, I wonder if being so well-known is worth it, as everyone seems to want to know everything about me, often asking intrusive questions. At the bistro, I grab Stephanie's Coke and ask the employee for a soup to take back. After a moment, I head back to the room.

"Mr. Lavens?" calls a voice behind me. I turn to see Vanessa's doctor. "Doctor," I greet him.

"Come with me to my office. We need to discuss a few things."

"All right," I reply. I follow him into his office, where two officers are waiting. They stand and extend their hands. I set the soup and Coke on the desk and shake their hands.

"We won't take much of your time, Mr. Lavens."

I nod.

"I'll leave you alone for a moment," the doctor says, exiting the room. I walk to the window, hands in my pockets. The male officer clears his throat.

"You know why we're here?"

"Yes, the shooting incident."

"Correct. We need to ask some questions. We've already spoken to your security guards. Their stories match. We'll need to question you and Mrs. Bowman as well, as soon as possible. Your cousin, Kevin Lavens, has turned himself in and confessed to helping with the kidnapping. He has provided his side of the story. Regarding the deaths of Karen and the others, the investigation continues. We know you didn't shoot anyone, but you are considered an accomplice. Stay within reach until the matter is resolved."

"So, Kevin turned himself in?"

They nod. "Coward," I think.

"We'll call you for an appointment. Until next time, Mr. Lavens."

"Right. I'll be here."

The officers leave. I grab the soup and Coke and head back to Vanessa's room.

When I enter the room, Stephanie is by the wardrobe.

"I'm back. Sorry, it took so long; I had to talk to the police."

Stephanie turns and smiles. Just then, I hear my name. I turn to see Vanessa smiling, awake.

My heart skips a beat and a smile of pleasant welcome surprise forms on my lips. "Vanessa, my love, you're awake?" I rush to her, setting the Coke and soup on the bedside table. I sit next to her and press my lips to hers. She winces, and I pull back.

"Sorry, love," I whisper, resting my forehead against hers. I brush a lock of hair behind her ear, fighting back tears of joy. I need to stay strong, and I can't afford to lose myself, especially not with Stephanie around. "Vanessa, I thought I lost you. I love you so much."

Vanessa's eyes fill with tears. Which makes it even harder to control myself. I have never been so emotional. Not even at the death of my grandmother, who I miss with all my heart.

"Dave, I... I love you too. Oh, I love you so much." She reaches up, her hand trembling, and cups my cheek. "I was so scared I'd never see you again."

I take her hand in mine, kissing her palm gently. "You're safe now, feather. I'm here, and I'm never leaving your side. I'll never let you go. I don't want to lose you again. Never!" My voice trembles with the weight of my words, and the tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. I turned my head to avoid the two ladies. Vanessa's touch is tender as she gently wipes them away, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. She nods to Stephanie, who quietly slips out of the room, leaving us in a cocoon of shared pain and unspoken promises. My heart aches, and I can no longer hold back the flood of emotions that have been building up inside me.

(Vanessa)

When I woke up, I was so happy to see a familiar face. Stephanie came to sit with me crying. She told me never to do this to her again. I asked for the necessary water, which she gave me with love. I had to drink small sips from a straw. Then I looked around and was disappointed that Dave wasn't there. Stephanie assured me that he hardly left my room. The seat was his permanent place to sleep. He hasn't been home, all those days. She even said she was glad he was gone for a while.

Now I'm sitting here with a tired-looking man at my bedside. Confessing me his love to me. "Dave, I..." I want to say so much to him. How grateful I am for my salvation. How afraid I was that I would never see him again. How much I love him. And the latter is all I can say: "I love you too. Oh, I love you so much. I was so scared I'd never see you again."

"You're safe now, feather. I'm here, and I'm never leaving your side. I'll never let you go. I don't want to lose you again. Never!"

When Dave's voice breaks, the raw emotion pierces my heart. I feel a surge of tenderness and empathy, my own eyes welling with tears at seeing him so vulnerable. The love I feel for him intensifies, mingled with a profound sense of gratitude and relief that he's here by my side. I reach out to wipe his tears, my touch gentle and soothing, my heart aching with a desire to comfort him. At that moment, I realize how deeply intertwined our fates have become, and how much I cherish this man who is laying his soul bare before me. My heart swells with a mix of love, pain, and an overwhelming need to assure him that everything will be all right.

Stephanie waves at me and gives a sign that she is leaving for a while. When Dave hears that she is out of the room, tears stream from his eyes. He turns his head, so I wouldn't see it, but I take hold of his chin in one hand and gently push his chin towards me. "Dave, you shouldn't hide your emotions from me. After all, I'm going to be your wife."

"Yes, I know. I... I..."

"Come lie with me."

"No, I dare not. I can hurt you."

"You're hurting me now by not coming to lie with me." He nods and comes to lie in the bed. I try to make room and hiss when I feel the pain in my lower back. Dave comes to lie against me with his head against mine and his arm over my stomach. The warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing bring me a sense of peace and comfort. I close my eyes, feeling his love envelop me, and for the first time in days, I feel a glimmer of hope.

Not much later, I open my eyes and look next to me. We must have both fallen asleep because it's already dark outside. I look on the other side next to me and see his father sitting on a chair.

"Hello, Vanessa," he whispers.

"Hello," I whisper back.

"It's been a long time since I've seen my boy like this." I look at Dave, who has such a peaceful look on his sleeping face. "He loves you so much. You are a wonderful couple, even if others say you don't."

"Thank you, I love him."

"I can see that, sweetheart. I do talk to my ex. She allows herself to be influenced far too much by bad sources. I think the best source is still getting to know the person himself, not listening to others."

"Dad, what are you doing here?" asks a sleepy Dave.

"I came to see my future daughter-in-law and how she is doing. And I came for my son, who doesn't reply to my messages."

"Sorry, I..."

"You shouldn't apologize. You're here with the love of your life. I understand that."

"But I need to discuss something with you in private." Dave looks at his father and nods. Their serious looks don't bode well.