Paralyzed

Chapter 4

(Matt's POV)

I wake up feeling a small warm body wrapped in my arms. My eyes fly open and look down as I see Ariel snuggled up next to me. I sigh in relief; I almost forgot she was here. Pulling her tighter to my chest, I begin to stare at her every feature, high cheeks bones, a little button nose, full rose lips, long golden brown hair. My hand unintentionally strokes her cheek softly as a bolt of electricity sparks when my hand meets her silky soft skin. Her eyebrows furrow and she mumbles something under her breath. Shit! That was close. I almost woke her up.. I shake my head trying to clear my thoughts, my god this girl is messing with my head, and she's not even awake! I need to calm down.

Losing myself to my thoughts, I don't notice Ariel has woken up until I hear her soft sigh. I look down and her eyes flutter open. Her emerald green eyes come into focus as she wakes, staring up at me with a shy smile on her full lips.

"Good morning Matt." Ariel whispers snuggling deeper into me. I chuckle as her face is buried into my chest. She blushes bright red and tries to detach herself from me but I pull her closer to my body.

"Good morning little mermaid." I whisper in her ear, making her shiver slightly.

"Mr. Lockwood, here's your---" The nurse stops, staring at Ariel. Both of us are frozen in shock. "Um.. Pardon me Miss, but you are not authorized to be here or have slept the night in my patients bed." She says. Ariel looks down in embarrassment. She opens her mouth to say something but I stop her.

"It's okay Nancy, she's my girlfriend and I called her over to come visit me." Ariel blushes and hides her face in the crook of my neck. making me shiver slightly in delight.

"Mr. Lockwood, the visiting hours aren't until an hour from now. How did your girlfriend get in here?" She asks, raising her eyebrow in suspicion. I clear my throat and smile brightly at her.

"Nancy, that's my fault. I missed her so much. I mean. I have been cooped up in this boring hospital bed since I can barely move. I haven't seen her in two weeks, which is why you have never seen her here before. So please don't call security on her, I've been meaning to spend some time with my girl." I reply, looking at her, cuddling Ariel tighter to my body. Nancy looks down at her feet and nods her head in understanding, her short blond curls bouncing as she does so.

"I'm sorry Mr. Lockwood. I didn't realize your situation." Nancy apologizes. She walks over to my table and sets a dish down.

"Here's your breakfast Mr. Lockwood, would you like me to get some breakfast for Miss......?" She trails off, not knowing Ariel's name.

"Ariel. My name is Ariel Schneider." She replies shyly, smiling at her trying to distance herself from me, but I possessively encircle my arm around her waist and pull her to me.

"Right. Well Mr. Lockwood, do you want me to get breakfast for Ms. Schneider?" She asks. I open my mouth to say yes, but Ariel cuts me off.

"No thank you, that's very nice of you to ask though. I'll be leaving soon anyways." Ariel says. I look down at her and frown. I don't want her to leave yet..

"Okay then. Well, hope you like your breakfast. It's bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns and sausages. Your favorite." She smiles at me.

"Thank you Nancy." I say dismissively, smiling up at her politely. She smiles back in reply and nods her head turning towards the door and heading out, closing the door softly. I hear small giggles beside me and I immediately look down at Ariel.

"What are you laughing at my little mermaid?" I ask her. She covers her mouth to stifle her laughter.

"She was sooooooo jealous of me!" She replies, giggling. My brows furrow and I look at her in confusion.