The Student Teacher Affair

55: We are back together

Mercy's pov

As I lay next to Joshua in his hospital bed, the softness of his breath and the slow rhythm of his heartbeat filled the quiet room. I had snuggled up beside him, and though the hospital bed wasn’t the most comfortable place to share, being close to him was all I needed. His arm was around me, his thumb brushing lightly over my shoulder. The air was filled with a sense of peace, like everything was falling into place after so much time apart.

“Do you remember the first time we kissed?” I asked, glancing up at him, my head resting on his chest.

Joshua chuckled softly, his chest vibrating under me. “How could I forget? You were so nervous that day.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes at the memory. “I wasn’t nervous. I was… confused.”

“Confused, huh?” he teased, his fingers trailing through my hair. “You were pretending not to like me.”

“Who said I was pretending?” I lifted my head to look at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Your kiss did,” he replied smugly, a grin spreading across his face.

I playfully swatted his chest, but he caught my hand, pulling me closer. "Okay, maybe I did like you, just a little," I admitted, my voice teasing.

“A little?” He pulled me even closer until our faces were just inches apart. “I think you liked me more than that.”

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I knew he could see it too. “Alright, fine. Maybe I liked you a lot more than I let on.”

Joshua smirked and leaned in to kiss me, his lips brushing lightly against mine. The kiss was gentle at first, but as we deepened it, all the teasing and playful banter fell away. It was just us, wrapped in each other, in a moment that felt like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Just as our kiss grew more intense, the door to Joshua’s room swung open.

“Oh!” I heard a cough, followed by a voice that could only be Joshua’s dad.

Joshua and I jumped apart, both startled. My heart raced, not from the kiss this time, but from the sudden embarrassment. I quickly stood up, smoothing my clothes and feeling my face burn as Joshua’s parents entered the room.

Joshua’s dad, clearly amused, crossed his arms with a raised eyebrow. “We, uh, hope we’re not interrupting.”

Joshua’s mom let out a soft laugh, covering her mouth with her hand, though it didn’t hide the amusement in her eyes.

Joshua groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mom, Dad…” he began, clearly flustered. He shot me a quick glance, his hand reaching out to grab mine. “We, uh, have some news.”

I looked down at our intertwined hands, my heart racing from a different kind of nervousness now.

Joshua cleared his throat, then looked at his parents. “We’re back together,” he said, his voice soft but filled with happiness. He squeezed my hand gently. “And we couldn’t be happier.”

His mom's face lit up with joy. “Oh, Joshua!” she exclaimed, her hands clapping together. “I’m so happy for you both!” She stepped forward and hugged us both. “You were miserable without her,” she said, giving him a playful tap on the shoulder.

Joshua smiled sheepishly. “Yeah, I was,” he admitted, glancing at me again.

His dad chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, we’re just glad you finally got it right,” he said. “It’s good to see you happy again, son. Both of you.”