Surprises

Part Twenty-five

Days passed and Keesha settled into a routine. She went to work during the day, amid the stares and whispers of her colleagues, and when the workday was done, she went to the hospital.

Jason had survived the eight-hour surgery to remove the bullet lodged near his spine. According to Monica, Jason flatlined on the table. They almost lost him, but Matt Harmon was determined. It seemed that having a similar injury fueled his fire to save Jason's life. Whatever it was, Keesha was grateful. So very grateful for this third chance with the man she loved.

Due to the emergency surgery and the huge loss of blood, Jason fell into a deep sleep. Memories of being at his bedside and waiting for him to wake up returned to Keesha. The cold fear of history repeating itself gripped her. She knew she was being crazy. Before, Jason had a severe head trauma. It was expected for him to suffer some memory loss. This time, the wound was nowhere near his head. There would be no reason for him to wake up and not remember her...not remember them.

As she headed to Jason's room, she ran into Matt. He smiled when he saw her, and she took that as a good sign.

"Hi, Matt. I'm hoping from that smile on your face, you have good news for me."

He nodded. "I think so. He's been awake off and on all day--"

"Why didn't someone call me?"

"Because you spend enough time here as it is," Matt said gently. "The time away is good for you."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm fine."

"Just barely," Matt mumbled loud enough for her to hear. "He's asleep right now. Go on in. I'm not crazy enough to try to stop you."

"Thanks, Matt."

The surgeon nodded and wheeled toward the nurse's station. She stepped inside Jason's room and was stunned by the shift in the atmosphere. It felt like they were on the brink of something...of a change in Jason's condition. Maybe it was the conversation with Matt that made her feel this way. Keesha didn't care. She just wanted Jason to open his eyes. She needed that proof to know that he really would be okay.

She dropped her coat and purse onto a chair before moving to his bedside. His usually ruddy complexion was pale. The stale hospital air left his skin dry and rough. Keesha kept moisturizer on the table by his bed. She dabbed a small amount into her palm and began to apply the skin cream to her lover's face. As she tended to him, she spoke about her day.

"Desk duty isn't so bad. They don't know quite what to make of me at the station. There have been a few whispers and snickers, but nothing I can't handle. Alex offered a leave of absence, but I thought it would only make the situation worse," she rattled on. "Marcus suggested I stick to my guns and that's what I'm doing. Frank has been a little distant, but he's new in town. He'll have to figure it all out on his own, I guess."

Her slender fingers smoothed his dark, blonde eyebrows before trailing down the bridge of his nose. So handsome, she thought. Please God, make him wake up.

"Jason, I was wrong before," she said, leaning close to his still face. "I love you. I doubt if I ever stopped. Fear can make a woman do some crazy things and I'm sorry that I let fear almost come between us. Please, baby, wake up. Let me make this up to you."

"H-How?" His voice was nothing more than a cracked whisper, but it was enough. He studied her with interest as a smile parted his lips. His blue eyes darkened with emotion. "Say that first part again."

"The part where I was wrong or when I said I love you?" she asked, tears of joy spilling down her cheeks.

"The love part," he instructed.