A Network of Love

A touch is enough to seal the deal

Part 8

My eyes flutter open to a beeping sound, I look around confused; there is not the familiar pattern of the wall next to me. Panic creeps up my chest, my breath grows short and the beeping sound quickens. A woman comes running into the room, telling me to calm down over and over, telling me I am safe and in the hospital. I finally do and sink into my cushions, remembering all that had happened. "Sherlock" I say, "is he alright?" The nurse smiles warmly at me. "He has been waiting for you to wake up for more than a day now. Should I get him?" she asks kindly. "Yes, please" I suck in the air between my teeth as I accidentally move my left leg and automatically press the plus on the morphine controller. Finally I see him in the frame, the trench coat and the curls. He comes to a stand next to my bed and without a word he cups my head into his hands and kisses me. It is a gentle kiss, but after I get over the surprise, I kiss back longingly. I feel him smile into it and then he pulls away. "I thought... I thought you would..." he stutters, a tear falling down his cheek. I realize that his eyes are red and swollen. "Dead?" I ask back. "I'm sorry , but you'll have to put up with me for some time longer" I chuckle, with such joy in my heart it feels like it might burst. I still feel the warmth of his kiss on my lips... Sherlock smiles and shakes his head, his eyes never leaving my face. The attention makes me slightly uncomfortable; how does one look after a day of unconsciousness? It can't be good  that's for sure. "Take my hand" I hold it out to him. "Why?" he asks confused and frowns at it, as if it is the most ridiculous thing in the world. There he is again; the Sherlock I know and love. "Because that's what people do when they are in love" I explain and test out the words. They sound so nice. "And why would people do that?" he wants to know, still suspicious. "Let me show you" I lace his fingers with mine, and a sudden feeling of safeness and hope and love rushes through my veins and it nests itself insid  my heart, safely kept. I know in that moment that I don't need Baker Street as my home anymore; Sherlock is my home now. I look expectantly at Sherlock, he has closed his eyes. Then his lips move. "Ah. I see" are the simple words that seal our love.