The Angel and Her Protector

Chapter 23

    Angeline couldn't move. She had been waiting for this moment and now that it was here, she was frozen. Lexie drove them straight to the hospital as soon as the service was over. Lexie sat quietly next to Angeline, not sure what to say. She wanted to go in and see her brother but she couldn't just leave her friend.
    Angeline jumped a little when Lexie stroked her arm, "You ready to go inside?" Angeline looked at her and simply nodded her head as she finally unbuckled her seatbelt. Both exited the car and made their way up to Alex's room, just as they had done for the last 3 months. This time was different though, almost dream like.
    He was awake. Awake.
    No matter how many times she said it, it still didn't feel real. Not until she saw him. Standing outside his room, Lexie grabbed for the handle but Angeline didn't move. "You go first. If this isn't real I don't think I can take it," Angeline said sadly to her. Lexie pulled back, giving Angeline a hug, "It's real, come on. I'll be right by your side the whole time." Lexie released Angeline, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.
    As they entered the room, it felt like the oxygen had left Angeline's lungs. She had visited this room so many times and so many times wished to see Alex sitting there waiting for her. Every time though her heart broke a little more for the man she loved. He would lay there, lost in another world. But she knew that as long as he was alive she would not give up on him. She would wait for him to come back to her.
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John was the one Alex first saw when he finally opened his eyes. He moved slightly and attempted to speak, but all that came out was a raspy croak. John was quick to press the button to alert the nurses. "Hold on man, I'm here," John said as he leaned over trying to keep his friend calm.
After the nurses came in and looked over Alex, he was sitting a little more comfortably. John informed him of where Angeline and Lexie were, and that they were on their way to the hospital. Alex was still in shock that he had been in a coma for the past few months and that Mara was dead.
But none of that mattered, all he wanted was to see his girl. To hold her and kiss her.
He held his breath when he saw his sister and Her, finally come through the door. Lexie immediately moved to Alex and gave him a hug. Unable to stop the tears, she hugged her brother as tightly as she could. Eventually letting him go, John right beside her. He pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head.
All eyes now on Angeline, who was still stuck in her spot by the door. Her eyes never leaving Alex's, even while Lexie hugged him. She was afraid to move, what if she woke up from this dream. What if she'll never get to see those eyes again.
"Lei, I'm gunna need you to come to me this time. I don't think my legs are strong enough to walk over to you," Alex said in a raspy voice, a smirk on his lips. But that was all Angeline needed, she moved quickly, crashing into Alex's chest. She sat on his lap, legs hanging off the side of the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Alex held her just as tightly.
Eventually, he pulled her face from his neck so he could finally see her. Tears still streaming down her cheeks. "I have missed you so much," Angeline whispered to him. Whipping his thumb over her cheek, he smiled at her, "I have dreamt about you every day Lei. I tried so hard to wake up when I heard your voice." He pulled her in for a kiss, his lips pressing firmly on to hers. She kissed him back, holding onto him so tightly, still afraid of waking up and it all being a dream.
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The day finally came where Alex could go home. Angeline helped him every day with his rehab, and filled him on what had happened while he was in the coma. But they were both excited to leave the hospital and work on living a normal life together.
It took some time, but they eventually felt like they weren't having to constantly look over their shoulders or be on alert all the time. Grace and Daniel had come to visit Alex while in the hospital, they informed the young couple that they were going to sell their house and move some place where no one would know their story. Angeline was heartbroken to say goodbye, but she knew it was for the best.
Daniel had given them a letter from Carter, after clearing his name, he had stayed away. He didn't want to cause any more issues for them. But he wanted to still at least express how sorry he was for all of what had happened, and that he felt responsible for everything. Angeline knew it wasn't his fault, he couldn't have known how this was all going to turn out. If he did, things would've been different, but no one would've been able to predict this outcome.
"What are you thinking about?" Alex came up from behind Angeline while she stared out their bedroom window. He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her temple while he looked out the same window. She moved a little so she could look at his face, "Just thinking about how we got here."  He held her a little tighter, never wanting to go through what they have been through in the past year ever again.
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                                                        8 Months Later

Angeline couldn't believe the day had finally come. There were flowers and people everywhere. She once again went through her list of what to do again before the ceremony started. She walked into the bridal suite so she could start getting ready. As soon as she walked in, all the air rushed from her lungs.
"Oh my goodness, Lexie you are breathtaking. John is going to faint when he sees you," Angeline told her as she came up to get a full view of her dress. Lexie blushed at the compliment, "Oh wow, I have to make it down the aisle first before I pass out. Were you this nervous when you married Alex?" Lexie looked to Angeline for some encouraging words. "I think if you weren't nervous, then something would be wrong. This feeling is just how excited you are to see him and to have him see you. And to share your vows with one another," Angeline said as she squeezed Lexie's hands.
Angeline was just as nervous when she was getting ready for her own wedding, but having her family and friends close by helped ease her nerves. So she knew things would be just fine once Lexie locked eyes with John. Everything else would just fade away, leaving just the two of them in their bubble.
Angeline sat at the head table at the reception, watching John and Lexie having their first dance together. Alex sat beside her, holding her hand, remembering sharing their first dance a few months prior. He squeezed her hand, "How are you feeling?" She looked at her husband, giving him a quick kiss, "Much better, that'll teach me to not eat and continue to toast the bride and groom." Angeline smiled as she took another bite of cake. "I'm sure my family thinks you're pregnant now," Alex chuckled at all the smiles they were getting from his side of the family.
"Well I guess we will just have to burst their bubble when they know the truth in a few months," Angeline shook her head at all the silliness. They both looked forward to having children one day, but they wanted to enjoy their time together before they bring a baby into the mix.
Lexie and John made their way back to the table, "You doing alright?" John asked as he pulled his new wife to sit on his lap. Angeline couldn't help but smile at them, they were just so cute together. "I'm all good, sorry for causing a scene," she said feeling awful for taking the attention away from the newlyweds. "Do not be sorry for that, I'm just glad you're ok," Lexie reached over and grabbed Angeline's hand. "You had us so worried," Angeline squeezed Lexie's hand and felt bad for causing everyone to worry.
Everyone lined up to send the couple off to enjoy their first night together as husband and wife. Angeline was so happy. She looked around at everyone, and finally felt at peace. She finally felt like things were going the way she had hoped for.
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That's when she felt it, she felt that cold shiver of terror run down her spine, like she knew something bad was coming.