Happier With You.

Chapter 10

"London... I'm not sure if you can hear me right about now. It's Cody. Baby, wake up please. I need you right now." His voice cracked with desperation, his hand trembling as he reached out to gently touch her cheek.

He took a deep, shaky breath. "I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought about was you. I panicked because I wasn't next to you. It was like my heart stopped beating for a second." He let out a dry chuckle, trying to mask his fear. "But then I actually woke up, and I realized I was here, sitting beside you. I haven't left your side."

Cody glanced around the dimly lit hospital room, the steady beep of the heart monitor the only sound breaking the silence. His eyes, red-rimmed from lack of sleep and endless worry, fixed back on London's face. "I'm right here, London, and I need you more than you think right now. Please, wake up. Please."

He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you remember our first date? You wore that blue dress, the one that made your eyes sparkle even more. I couldn't stop staring at you, and you laughed at how nervous I was. You always knew how to make me feel better."

A tear slid down Cody's cheek, landing softly on London's hand. "I can't do this without you. I need you to wake up and tell me everything's going to be okay. I need to hear your voice, see your smile, feel your hand in mine. Please, London, come back to me."

He squeezed her hand gently, his heart aching with hope and fear. "I love you so much. More than words can say. Just... please... wake up."

Cody took another deep breath, his voice trembling as he continued, "I'm so sorry, London. For everything. For yelling at you earlier and telling you to leave. I didn't mean it. I was just so angry, and I took it out on you. I was a fool. If I had just gone to that appointment..."

His voice broke, and he buried his face in his hands. "If I had gone with you like you asked, you wouldn't be lying here unconscious. This is all my fault. I should have been there for you. I'm so sorry, London. Please, forgive me. Please, just wake up and give me a chance to make things right."

At that moment, the door to the room creaked open, and a doctor stepped in. Cody quickly wiped his eyes and looked up, a mixture of hope and dread on his face.

"Mr. Taylor?" the doctor said gently. "I need to check on London now. Can you step outside for a moment?"

Cody nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Please, do whatever you can. Bring her back to me."

The doctor gave a reassuring nod as Cody stood up and reluctantly let go of London's hand. He stepped out of the room, casting one last, desperate glance at her before the door closed behind him

He was going to take this time to update London's parents since they were at home taking care of Iris and preparing for the baby.

Darkness enveloped London, pulling her into the depths of her subconscious. Flashes of her childhood played like a movie. She was seven years old again, playing in her room, her father's laughter echoing from downstairs.

The scene shifted abruptly. The smell of smoke filled the air, and the sound of crackling flames grew louder. Panic seized her small body as she rushed to the top of the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest. "Daddy!" she screamed, but the thick smoke choked her voice. She could see him, his figure blurry through the haze, trying to reach her.

"Stay there, London! I'll come get you!" He shouted, but the flames roared louder, consuming everything in their path.

Tears streamed down her face as she watched, helpless, the fire separating them. The heat was unbearable, the fear paralyzing. "Daddy, please!" she cried out, but the flames swallowed him whole, and the world went dark.