Fatal Wounds

45

Valentina

"Valentina darling?"

I startle at the warm hand on my shoulder. My face presses into a warmth that feels familiar and it's not until I pull away that I realize I'm still in Theo's arms.

It's hard to pull my eyes away from Theo's face. It's hard to believe he's alive. Especially when I saw the life drained from his eyes in such a brutal way.

I look over my shoulder and see Theo's mother. "Oh, I'm sorry." I whisper when I see his father sleeping in an arm chair. I try untangling myself from Theo's arms but his mom stops me.

"It's alright." She says quickly, "you can stay." She takes a seat next to the bed, smiling slightly at me coaxing to lay back down. "Your doctor said that you should be eating more." For a second my heart drops, does she know? Of course she has a right to know but I haven't had the chance to process it myself. "She says that what you received from your IV isn't enough."

"Oh." I nod slowly feeling my panic and heartbeat dull down. "Alright."

"Your dad went to the cafeteria with Brooke and Brian to pick up your dinner and another popsicle that has medicine for your throat."

I shuffle in the bed, the small spot is uncomfortable but being next to Theo is the most comfortable I can be. My stomach presses into his side and instead of being worried of hurting him I can't take my eyes away from where we touch.

If he doesn't wake up soon I'll do this all alone. He won't get to experience this with me. This is all he'll get. Touches but not knowing that it's the belly holding his child which he's feeling. "Did-" I speak a little louder despite the pain. "Did they say when he'll wake up?"

His mom sniffles and shakes her head, there's no tears yet her eyes are swollen and red. "They're not sure. There's no damage to his brain so they suspect when his body heals and when his mind is ready he'll wake up." But it's not guaranteed.

I can hear the words she doesn't want to say. I wouldn't want to say them either.

The door creeks open and I see Brooke shuffle in followed by Brian and dad. Dad beams when he sees me, "you're up." He says, "h-how are you feeling?" He seems to hesitate, thinking it may be the wrong question.

How am I feeling?

Like I'm in anguish. Like everyday that Theo doesn't wake up I'm going to be more and more in pain. Like even if I try to not lose the hope as the days go on I know I will. "I'm..." my throat tightens, when I try to speak I choke. I settle for my physical feelings instead, "my cuts don't hurt, only my throat."

Dad's eyes seem to dim a bit but he keeps his smile. "I brought you the popsicle to make it feel better."

I take it from him with a quiet "thank you" and peel back the rapper. Earlier it was grape partly why it became unappetizing quickly but when I see that this one is yellow and smells of lemon I have the urge to send dad a genuine smile. His eyes light back up when he sees it. It tastes just like lemonade. Like the one we make for lunch and dinner.

Brooke hesitantly steps forward, "Hi Vale." Brian unwraps his arms from her as she steps closer. His hand slips off her body dragging my gaze down to her rounded stomach. I drag my eyes away from her belly that holds a baby just like mine and settle on her face.

"Hi Brooke." I whisper. A tear falls from her eyes making my own tear up. "I missed you too." I tell her, recalling her words from when I was still sleeping.

I sit up, still in the bed to wrap my arms around her. Due to her standing my head is at the top of her bump. I look down at it and smile. "There's a pink outfit in those bags over there for her."